USAID Obligates $100K for $33.7M Agency Core Courses Task Order with Research Triangle Institute

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,966,539 ($25.0M)

Contractor: Research Triangle Institute

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2015-09-08

End Date: 2021-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,306 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS FOR THE DELIVERY OF AGENCY CORE COURSES. THE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST FOR THIS TASK ORDER TEC IS $33,683,938.00. INCREMENTAL FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,000 IS BEING OBLIGATED AT THIS TIME.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20523

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $25.0 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS FOR THE DELIVERY OF AGENCY CORE COURSES. THE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST FOR THIS TASK ORDER TEC IS $33,683,938.00. INCREMENTAL FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,000 IS BEING OBLIGATED AT THIS TIME. Key points: 1. The task order, valued at $33.7 million, focuses on delivering agency core courses. 2. Research Triangle Institute is the contractor for this significant training initiative. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. This spending falls under professional and management development training.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total estimated cost of $33.7 million for agency core courses over approximately six years appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale training contracts would be necessary to fully assess its value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The award was made under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the agency to select the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to procure essential training for agency personnel, aiming to enhance professional development and operational effectiveness.

Public Impact

Enhances workforce skills through standardized core courses. Supports agency-wide professional development goals. Potential for improved operational efficiency and effectiveness. Long-term investment in human capital development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Incremental funding of $100,000 against a large total estimate could indicate phased project rollout or budget uncertainties.
The 'Time and Materials' contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a robust and fair procurement process.
Clear purpose for agency core courses indicates a strategic investment in training.

Sector Analysis

This spending falls within the professional and management development training sector. Benchmarks for similar large-scale training initiatives would typically consider the scope, duration, and complexity of the courses offered.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any set-asides for small businesses. Therefore, small business participation is not explicitly detailed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would involve monitoring the delivery of courses, contractor performance, and adherence to the contract terms. Regular reviews of expenditures against the total estimated cost are crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Professional and Management Development Training
Agency for International Development Contracting
Agency for International Development Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown per course.
Absence of specified performance metrics and KPIs.
Incremental funding against a large total estimate requires monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $25.0 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. IGF::OT::IGF THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS FOR THE DELIVERY OF AGENCY CORE COURSES. THE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST FOR THIS TASK ORDER TEC IS $33,683,938.00. INCREMENTAL FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,000 IS BEING OBLIGATED AT THIS TIME.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Agency for International Development (Agency for International Development).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-09-08. End: 2021-12-31.

What is the breakdown of the $33.7 million total estimated cost across the different agency core courses?

The provided data does not detail the cost breakdown per course. A comprehensive analysis would require access to the detailed contract line items or a cost breakdown provided by the agency. Understanding this would help assess if specific courses are disproportionately expensive or if the overall allocation aligns with training priorities.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the success of these agency core courses, and how is contractor performance being measured?

The data does not specify the KPIs or performance measurement methods. Effective oversight would require clearly defined metrics for course completion rates, participant satisfaction, knowledge retention, and application of learned skills. The agency should have a robust system to track these and hold Research Triangle Institute accountable for meeting performance standards.

How does the cost per participant for these core courses compare to industry averages for similar professional development training?

Without specific enrollment numbers or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise per-participant cost cannot be calculated. However, given the total estimated cost of $33.7 million over roughly six years, the agency should benchmark this against comparable government and private sector training programs to ensure cost-effectiveness and value for taxpayer money.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Business Schools and Computer and Management Training › Professional and Management Development Training

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3040 E CORNWALLIS RD, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 27709

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,066,000

Exercised Options: $37,066,000

Current Obligation: $24,966,539

Actual Outlays: $10,547,982

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 98

Total Subaward Amount: $3,871,234

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDOAAI1400005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline