Amazon Basin Conservation Initiative: $14.8M Contract Awarded to International Resources Group Ltd

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,817,504 ($14.8M)

Contractor: International Resources Group Ltd.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2006-09-08

End Date: 2022-08-18

Contract Duration: 5,823 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AMAZON BASIN CONSERVATION INITIATIVE

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20036

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $14.8 million to INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES GROUP LTD. for work described as: AMAZON BASIN CONSERVATION INITIATIVE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to International Resources Group Ltd. for Amazon Basin conservation. 2. Full and open competition was utilized for this contract. 3. The contract duration is over 15 years, indicating a long-term project. 4. The NAICS code 541990 suggests a broad range of professional, scientific, and technical services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The award amount of $14.8M over 15 years suggests a moderate annual spend, but without specific deliverables or benchmarks, assessing value is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Full and open competition was used, which is generally positive for price discovery. However, the long duration and broad service category might limit the number of truly competitive bids.

Taxpayer Impact: The long-term nature of the contract and the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure warrant close monitoring to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for conservation goals.

Public Impact

Supports environmental conservation efforts in the Amazon Basin. International Resources Group Ltd. is the sole awardee. The contract spans over 15 years, from 2006 to 2022. Funding is provided by the Agency for International Development. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
Long contract duration may reduce flexibility and increase risk of scope creep.
Broad service category (541990) might indicate a lack of specific performance metrics.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition promotes a competitive bidding process.
Long-term commitment signals a sustained focus on conservation goals.
Awardee has a significant period to demonstrate impact.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, often supporting government agencies in specialized areas. Benchmarks for similar long-term conservation projects are difficult to establish due to unique environmental and geopolitical factors.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors. The primary awardee is International Resources Group Ltd., and there's no information on their small business utilization.

Oversight & Accountability

The long duration of the contract necessitates robust oversight from the Agency for International Development to ensure objectives are met and funds are managed effectively. Performance reviews and milestone tracking are crucial.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Agency for International Development Contracting
Agency for International Development Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure
Long contract duration (over 15 years)
Broad service category (NAICS 541990)
Lack of specific performance metrics in award data
Potential for scope creep over extended period

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $14.8 million to INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES GROUP LTD.. AMAZON BASIN CONSERVATION INITIATIVE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES GROUP LTD..

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 $14.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-09-08. End: 2022-08-18.

What specific conservation outcomes were achieved by this $14.8M contract over its 15-year duration?

The provided data lacks specific outcome metrics. A comprehensive review would require access to performance reports, deliverables, and impact assessments tied to the Amazon Basin Conservation Initiative. Without this, it's impossible to definitively state the conservation value achieved.

What were the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, and how were they mitigated?

Key risks include potential cost overruns and contractor inefficiency due to the CPFF structure. Mitigation would typically involve stringent oversight, clear performance milestones, and regular audits by the Agency for International Development to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract's objectives.

How effective was the full and open competition in ensuring the best value for taxpayer dollars on this long-term project?

While full and open competition is a strong starting point, its effectiveness for a 15-year project in a complex sector like conservation depends on the clarity of the solicitation and the ability of diverse firms to compete. The long duration might have favored established players, potentially limiting the range of innovative solutions considered.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: M/OAA/GRO/LMA-06-981

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Research Triangle Institute

Address: 1211 CONN AVE NW STE 700, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $69,722,528

Exercised Options: $59,581,830

Current Obligation: $14,817,504

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline