Peace Corps spent $13.3M on miscellaneous foreign awardees for general government support in FY2025

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,324,186 ($13.3M)

Contractor: Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees

Awarding Agency: Peace Corps

Start Date: 2025-12-31

End Date: 2025-12-31

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS IS A CONSOLIDATED FPDS EXPRESS REPORT WHICH INCLUDES ALL FOREIGN VENDOR ACQUISITIONS FOR DECEMBER 2025 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PEACE CORPS ACT.

Plain-Language Summary

Peace Corps obligated $13.3 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES for work described as: THIS IS A CONSOLIDATED FPDS EXPRESS REPORT WHICH INCLUDES ALL FOREIGN VENDOR ACQUISITIONS FOR DECEMBER 2025 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PEACE CORPS ACT. Key points: 1. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 2. A firm-fixed-price contract type indicates that the price was set at the time of award, transferring risk to the contractor. 3. The award was made to 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES,' implying a broad category of suppliers rather than specific, pre-identified entities. 4. The contract duration is for the full fiscal year 2025, with both start and end dates aligning with the year-end. 5. The absence of small business set-asides suggests this procurement was not specifically targeted to boost small business participation. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 921190 points to 'Other General Government Support,' a broad category.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the broad categorization of 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES' and the 'Other General Government Support' NAICS code. Without specific service details or comparable contract data, it's difficult to assess if the $13.3 million represents a competitive price. The use of SAP suggests an effort to streamline procurement for potentially lower-value or less complex services, which could imply efficiency but also limits the scope for extensive price negotiation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a less formal competition process than full and open competition. While the data indicates it was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP,' it does not specify the number of bidders or the exact method of competition. SAP is often used for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold, allowing for more streamlined processes but potentially fewer offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP for this $13.3 million contract suggests that while competition was sought, it may not have been as extensive as in larger procurements, potentially impacting the government's ability to secure the absolute lowest price for taxpayers.

Public Impact

This contract supports the Peace Corps' overarching mission by providing necessary general government support services. Foreign awardees are likely providing services that facilitate the Peace Corps' operations in international locations. The geographic impact is global, as the Peace Corps operates in numerous countries, and these services are essential for their presence. Workforce implications are indirect, as the contract likely supports Peace Corps personnel and operations rather than directly hiring a large new workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specificity in 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES' hinders detailed performance assessment.
The broad 'Other General Government Support' category makes it difficult to ascertain the exact nature of services procured.
Competition under SAP may limit the number of bidders and the potential for aggressive price negotiation.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Procurement under SAP can lead to faster award times for essential services.
The contract covers the full fiscal year, ensuring continuity of support for Peace Corps operations.

Sector Analysis

The 'Other General Government Support' category (NAICS 921190) encompasses a wide array of administrative and support functions for government entities. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on agency size, mission, and operational footprint. For agencies like the Peace Corps with a global presence, such support services are critical for maintaining operations abroad. Benchmarking this specific $13.3 million expenditure requires understanding the Peace Corps' international operational scale and the typical costs associated with supporting government functions in diverse foreign environments.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). Given the nature of 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES' and the potential for services to be provided by larger or foreign entities, there is no explicit indication of subcontracting opportunities for U.S. small businesses within this specific award. The focus appears to be on fulfilling operational needs through a broad pool of foreign suppliers.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Peace Corps' internal contracting and program management offices. As a federal contract, it is subject to general government accountability standards. Transparency regarding the specific services rendered by 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES' would be crucial for effective oversight. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Peace Corps Operations Support
Department of State - Foreign Affairs Support
USAID - Program Support Services
General Services Administration - Government Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Unusual SAP Threshold
Vague Awardee Description
Broad Service Category

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Peace Corps awarded $13.3 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES. THIS IS A CONSOLIDATED FPDS EXPRESS REPORT WHICH INCLUDES ALL FOREIGN VENDOR ACQUISITIONS FOR DECEMBER 2025 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PEACE CORPS ACT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Peace Corps (Peace Corps).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-31. End: 2025-12-31.

What specific services are included under 'Other General Government Support' for the Peace Corps?

The NAICS code 921190, 'Other General Government Support,' is a broad classification that can encompass a wide range of administrative, logistical, and operational support functions not elsewhere classified. For the Peace Corps, this could include services such as facility maintenance, local transportation, communication support, translation services, local administrative assistance, and other operational necessities required to sustain their presence and programs in various host countries. Without more granular detail in the contract award itself, the exact nature of these services remains generalized. The $13.3 million expenditure suggests a significant scope of support is being procured to facilitate the Peace Corps' global mission.

How does the $13.3 million expenditure compare to historical Peace Corps spending on similar support services?

To assess historical spending patterns, one would need to analyze prior Peace Corps contracts categorized under similar NAICS codes or descriptions like 'general government support' or 'foreign assistance operational support.' A comparative analysis would involve looking at the total annual spending on such services over several fiscal years. If this $13.3 million represents a significant increase or decrease compared to previous years, it could indicate a change in operational needs, procurement strategies, or the scope of services required. Without access to historical spending data specifically for this category, a direct comparison is not feasible based solely on the provided data.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding contracts to 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES'?

Awarding contracts to 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES' presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's a risk related to vetting and due diligence; ensuring these entities meet required standards for performance, security, and compliance can be more complex with less established or broadly defined awardees. Secondly, performance monitoring and quality control might be more challenging due to geographical distance and potentially different business practices. Thirdly, there could be risks associated with currency fluctuations, differing legal frameworks, and ensuring adherence to U.S. government contracting regulations. Finally, the lack of specific contractor identification makes it harder to assess past performance or track record, increasing the risk of suboptimal service delivery or contractor failure.

What is the typical competition level for contracts under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed for procurements valued below the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000, though specific agency thresholds can vary). While the data states this $13.3 million contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP,' this is unusual as it significantly exceeds the standard SAP threshold. If this is indeed a SAP procurement, it implies a less formal competition process than full and open competition. Typically, SAP allows for methods like GSA Schedules, government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs), or direct solicitation from a limited number of sources. The competition level under SAP is generally expected to be lower than for larger contracts, potentially resulting in fewer offers and less aggressive pricing, though it prioritizes speed and efficiency.

How does the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type impact risk allocation for this Peace Corps contract?

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type, as indicated for this Peace Corps award, allocates the majority of the cost risk to the contractor. This means the contractor is obligated to perform the work for the agreed-upon price, regardless of their actual costs incurred. If the contractor's expenses exceed the fixed price, they absorb the loss. Conversely, if their costs are lower than anticipated, they retain the profit. For the Peace Corps, this structure provides budget certainty, as the total cost is known upfront. However, it can also lead to higher initial pricing, as contractors may build in contingencies to cover potential cost overruns. The effectiveness of FFP relies on the contractor's ability to accurately estimate costs and manage their performance efficiently.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Public Administration › Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support › Other General Government Support

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 F ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20405

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,324,186

Exercised Options: $13,324,186

Current Obligation: $13,324,186

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline