USAID's $632M IGF VECTOR CONTROL IDIQ contract to ABT GLOBAL LLC shows fair value with 288635 benchmarked units

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $632,109,917 ($632.1M)

Contractor: ABT Global LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2017-09-30

End Date: 2023-09-29

Contract Duration: 2,190 days

Daily Burn Rate: $288.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF VECTOR CONTROL IDIQ TO

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $632.1 million to ABT GLOBAL LLC for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF VECTOR CONTROL IDIQ TO Key points: 1. Contract value of $632.2M over 6 years suggests significant program investment. 2. Full and open competition indicates a robust bidding process. 3. Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type. 4. Performance period of 2190 days (6 years) allows for long-term program impact. 5. The contract is categorized under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services', indicating broad service scope. 6. Small business participation is not explicitly detailed, warranting further investigation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of $632.2M over six years, with a benchmarked per-unit cost of $288,635, suggests a potentially fair value for the services rendered, assuming the units represent significant deliverables. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure introduces inherent risk for cost escalation compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar large-scale international development contracts would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: $288,635 per unit

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bids indicates a degree of competition, though the exact number of bidders could be higher. This competitive process is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to better pricing for taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment among potential contractors.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely USAID and the populations served by vector control programs in various regions. Services delivered encompass professional, scientific, and technical support crucial for combating vector-borne diseases. Geographic impact is potentially global, aligning with USAID's international development mission. Workforce implications include employment for technical experts, researchers, and program managers involved in vector control initiatives.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

CPFF contract type can lead to higher costs if not managed diligently.
Lack of detailed small business subcontracting information may limit opportunities for smaller firms.
The broad scope of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' could lead to scope creep if not clearly defined.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a fair and transparent procurement process.
The long contract duration allows for sustained program implementation and impact.
The significant contract value indicates a high level of trust and importance placed on ABT GLOBAL LLC's capabilities by USAID.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, a broad category encompassing a wide range of expertise. The market for international development services, particularly in public health and vector control, is substantial, with numerous firms competing for government contracts. USAID's spending in this area is consistent with its mission to promote global health and development, and this IDIQ likely serves as a flexible vehicle for various vector control projects.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While the primary awardee is ABT GLOBAL LLC, there is no explicit information regarding small business subcontracting plans or performance. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent to which small businesses are involved in fulfilling the contract requirements and the potential impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under USAID's internal contracting and program management offices. The Inspector General (IG) of USAID would also have jurisdiction to investigate fraud, waste, and abuse. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance reports and specific oversight activities are not publicly detailed in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

USAID Global Health Programs
PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief)
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Vector-Borne Disease Control Initiatives

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF contract type.
Broad service category may lead to scope creep.
Limited visibility into small business subcontracting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $632.1 million to ABT GLOBAL LLC. IGF::CL::IGF VECTOR CONTROL IDIQ TO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ABT GLOBAL LLC.

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 $632.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-30. End: 2023-09-29.

What is the track record of ABT GLOBAL LLC in performing similar large-scale international development contracts?

Information regarding ABT GLOBAL LLC's specific track record on contracts of this magnitude and scope is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous USAID or other federal agency contracts. Understanding their experience in vector control and similar technical services is crucial for evaluating their capability to execute this IDIQ effectively. Further research into their project portfolio and client feedback would be necessary to fully gauge their reliability and expertise.

How does the per-unit cost of $288,635 compare to industry benchmarks for vector control services?

The provided per-unit cost of $288,635 serves as a benchmark, but its true value is contingent on the definition and scope of a 'unit' within this specific contract. Without knowing what constitutes a unit (e.g., a specific intervention, a research study, a training program), a direct comparison to industry benchmarks is challenging. To assess value for money, this figure needs to be contextualized against the specific deliverables and services procured. If a 'unit' represents a large-scale program component or a complex research output, the cost might be reasonable. Conversely, if it represents a smaller, more standardized service, it could indicate higher costs. A detailed breakdown of services and their associated costs would be needed for a robust benchmark analysis.

What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for this program?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is the potential for cost overruns. While the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs, the fixed fee provides a profit incentive. If costs escalate significantly beyond initial estimates, the total contract value could increase substantially, potentially exceeding the initially allocated $632.2 million, especially if the fee is a percentage of the costs. This structure places a greater burden on the government to meticulously monitor and audit contractor expenses to ensure they are reasonable and allocable. Effective oversight and clear definition of work are critical to mitigate these risks and control overall spending.

What is the expected effectiveness of vector control programs funded through this IDIQ?

The effectiveness of vector control programs funded through this IDIQ will depend heavily on the specific projects undertaken, the quality of implementation by ABT GLOBAL LLC, and the context of the target regions. USAID's mission generally focuses on improving public health outcomes, and vector control is a critical component in preventing diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and Zika. The success metrics would likely include reductions in vector populations, decreased incidence of vector-borne diseases, and improved community health. The long-term impact hinges on sustainable strategies, community engagement, and adaptive management based on ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

How has USAID's spending on vector control services evolved over the past five years?

The provided data focuses on a single IDIQ contract and does not offer historical spending trends for USAID's vector control services. To understand the evolution of spending, one would need to analyze USAID's budget allocations and contract awards across all relevant programs and fiscal years. This would involve examining data from sources like USAspending.gov or USAID's own financial reports to identify patterns, increases or decreases in funding, and shifts in procurement strategies for vector control initiatives over time.

What are the implications of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990) for contract management and oversight?

The classification under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' indicates a broad and potentially diverse range of services. This can present challenges for contract management and oversight due to the lack of specificity. It implies that the contract could encompass a wide array of activities, from research and development to consulting and specialized technical support. Ensuring clear task orders, well-defined deliverables, and robust performance metrics becomes paramount to prevent scope creep and ensure that the services procured align with USAID's objectives. Oversight teams must possess broad expertise or access to subject matter experts across various technical domains.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical 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: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 55 WHEELER ST, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02138

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $738,923,642

Exercised Options: $738,923,642

Current Obligation: $632,109,917

Actual Outlays: $477,678,810

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 271

Total Subaward Amount: $135,081,908

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDOAAI1700008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline