USAID's $25.6M Contract for Administrative Management Consulting Services Awarded to Creative Associates International

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,631,839 ($25.6M)

Contractor: Creative Associates International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2016-09-28

End Date: 2022-09-23

Contract Duration: 2,186 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF NEW SWIFT IV - CAMEROON PARTNER

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $25.6 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF NEW SWIFT IV - CAMEROON PARTNER Key points: 1. Contract value of $25.6M for management consulting services. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risk associated with cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type, which can incentivize cost overruns. 4. Services fall under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting, a broad category.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) type, which can lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed carefully. Benchmarking CPFF contracts for similar consulting services is difficult without more specific data on scope and deliverables.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the CPFF structure may still allow for costs to exceed initial expectations, impacting the final price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for administrative management consulting services. The CPFF structure warrants close monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and prevent unnecessary expenditure.

Public Impact

Supports international development efforts through consulting services. Potential for job creation within the consulting sector. Ensures administrative functions are managed effectively for program delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type may lead to cost overruns.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to assess value.
No small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Long contract duration suggests sustained need for services.
Clear agency and service category.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional services, specifically management consulting. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on agency needs and project complexity. Benchmarking requires comparison to similar consulting engagements for government agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this contract, as the 'sb' field is false. This suggests that larger, established firms were the primary bidders or recipients of this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Agency for International Development (USAID), a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms. However, the CPFF structure necessitates diligent oversight to manage costs and ensure performance.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Agency for International Development Contracting
Agency for International Development Programs

Risk Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type.
Lack of specific performance metrics.
No small business participation.
Broad service category may obscure specific value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $25.6 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.. IGF::CL::IGF NEW SWIFT IV - CAMEROON PARTNER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC..

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 $25.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-28. End: 2022-09-23.

What specific deliverables and performance metrics were established to ensure the value for money in this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract?

The provided data does not detail specific deliverables or performance metrics. For a CPFF contract, it is crucial that USAID established clear objectives, milestones, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the contractor's success and ensure that the fixed fee accurately reflects the value delivered. Without this information, assessing the true value for money is challenging.

How effectively did the full and open competition process mitigate potential risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type?

Full and open competition is designed to foster a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and contractor selection. However, it does not inherently mitigate the risks of a CPFF contract, such as potential cost overruns. While competition may have secured a reasonable fixed fee, ongoing oversight is critical to manage the 'cost plus' aspect and ensure efficient use of taxpayer funds.

What is the expected impact of these administrative management consulting services on the effectiveness of USAID's programs in Cameroon?

The consulting services are intended to enhance the administrative and general management functions supporting USAID's programs in Cameroon. Effective management consulting can lead to improved operational efficiency, better resource allocation, and streamlined processes, ultimately contributing to the more successful and impactful delivery of development assistance. The specific impact depends on the quality of services rendered and their alignment with program goals.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5301 WISCONSIN AVE NW STE 700, WASHINGTON, DC, 20015

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $49,281,925

Exercised Options: $49,281,925

Current Obligation: $25,631,839

Actual Outlays: $7,843,692

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDOAAI1400011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline