Treasury awards $38M contract for public infrastructure finance expertise, aiming to bolster host government capacity

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $38,028 ($38.0K)

Contractor: Domestic Awardees (undisclosed)

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2027-04-09

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $104/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT TO STRENGTHEN THE CAPACITY OF HOST GOVERNMENTS TO EFFECTIVELY DEVELOP AND FINANCE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE. NEW CONTRACT.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20220

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $38,027.55 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT TO STRENGTHEN THE CAPACITY OF HOST GOVERNMENTS TO EFFECTIVELY DEVELOP AND FINANCE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE. NEW CONTRACT. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on capacity building for public infrastructure development and financing. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of 364 days indicates a short-term, focused engagement. 4. Awardee location is undisclosed, limiting immediate geographic impact assessment. 5. The contract's objective aligns with broader U.S. international development goals. 6. Cost-plus-no-fee contract type requires careful monitoring of contractor expenses. 7. This contract represents new spending, not a renewal or modification.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $38.03 million for a one-year period for personal services is substantial. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for specialized international development consulting is difficult without more specific details on the services rendered. The cost-no-fee structure means the government pays the contractor's allowable costs plus a fixed fee, which can sometimes lead to less incentive for cost control compared to fixed-price contracts. However, for highly specialized services, this structure can be appropriate.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data shows 6 bids were received, suggesting a reasonable level of interest and competition for this specialized service. A moderate number of bidders can lead to competitive pricing, but the ultimate value depends on the specific expertise required and the pool of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple firms to offer their best pricing and technical solutions, potentially leading to a more cost-effective outcome.

Public Impact

Host governments in developing nations will benefit from enhanced capacity to plan, finance, and execute public infrastructure projects. Services delivered will focus on technical assistance, financial advisory, and institutional strengthening. Geographic impact is likely international, supporting infrastructure development in partner countries. Workforce implications include the engagement of specialized consultants and potentially local capacity building within host governments.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of disclosed awardee information hinders assessment of contractor's past performance and potential conflicts of interest.
Cost-plus-no-fee structure necessitates robust government oversight to manage costs effectively.
Defining and measuring 'strengthened capacity' can be subjective, requiring clear performance metrics.
Potential for scope creep if project objectives are not tightly defined and managed.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified contractors.
Contract aims to address a critical need for public infrastructure development globally.
Clear end date (April 2027) provides a defined period for service delivery.
The contract value, while significant, is for a specific, defined period and purpose.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically focusing on international development and public finance consulting. The market for such specialized expertise is often niche, involving firms with deep knowledge of public-private partnerships, project finance, and government capacity building. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the specific countries or types of infrastructure targeted, but government investment in international development consulting is a consistent area of federal spending.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides for this contract. Given the specialized nature of public infrastructure finance and development consulting, it is possible that the primary contractors are larger firms. However, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors, depending on the prime contractor's strategy and the specific tasks involved.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will primarily fall under the Department of the Treasury's International Affairs division. The cost-no-fee contract type requires diligent monitoring of the contractor's incurred costs to ensure they are allowable and reasonable. Transparency will depend on the Treasury's reporting practices regarding contract performance and expenditures. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would typically align with the awarding agency.

Related Government Programs

USAID Technical Assistance Contracts
World Bank Project Finance Advisory
IMF Technical Assistance Programs
Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF)

Risk Flags

Lack of Awardee Transparency
Cost Control Risks in CPNF Contracts
Subjectivity in Measuring Capacity Building Success
Potential for Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $38,027.55 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT TO STRENGTHEN THE CAPACITY OF HOST GOVERNMENTS TO EFFECTIVELY DEVELOP AND FINANCE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE. NEW CONTRACT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED).

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $38,027.55.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2027-04-09.

What is the specific track record of the awarded contractor in delivering similar public infrastructure finance capacity-building services?

The provided data does not disclose the identity of the awarded contractor, making it impossible to assess their specific track record. To evaluate this, one would need to identify the prime contractor and research their past performance on similar contracts, including client satisfaction, project outcomes, and any history of performance issues or disputes. Information from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or agency performance evaluation reports would be crucial.

How does the estimated cost of $38.03 million compare to similar international development consulting contracts for public infrastructure?

Benchmarking this $38.03 million contract against similar international development consulting contracts is challenging without more specific details. The contract is for personal services to strengthen host government capacity in developing and financing public infrastructure over approximately one year. The value is significant, suggesting a comprehensive scope of work. To compare effectively, one would need to identify contracts with similar objectives, geographic focus, duration, and complexity. Factors like the specific technical expertise required (e.g., financial modeling, legal frameworks, institutional reform) and the target countries' development levels would influence cost.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of 'strengthening the capacity of host governments'?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for capacity-building contracts, KPIs would focus on measurable improvements within the host government's institutions. Examples could include the number of trained personnel, the successful development of project pipelines, the adoption of new financing frameworks, the successful closure of infrastructure financing deals, or improvements in project implementation efficiency. The contract's statement of work and performance work statement would detail these specific metrics, which are essential for assessing value for money and contractor performance.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of the Treasury on similar international public infrastructure finance consulting services?

Historical spending data for the Department of the Treasury on similar international public infrastructure finance consulting services is not provided in the current data extract. To analyze this, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS) for contracts awarded by Treasury (or its relevant sub-agencies like the Office of Technical Assistance) over several fiscal years. Searching by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes related to management consulting services, international affairs, and financial services, and filtering by agency and contract type, would reveal spending trends and identify recurring needs or shifts in focus.

What are the potential risks associated with a cost-plus-no-fee contract structure in this context?

A cost-plus-no-fee (CPNF) contract structure, while potentially suitable for specialized services where costs are hard to predict, carries inherent risks. The primary risk is that the contractor has less incentive to control costs since their allowable expenses are reimbursed, and their profit is a fixed fee independent of cost savings. This necessitates robust government oversight to scrutinize all claimed costs, ensuring they are reasonable, allocable, and allowable according to the contract terms. Without diligent oversight, there's a risk of cost overruns and reduced value for taxpayer money. The 'no fee' aspect means the contractor only recovers costs, which might disincentivize efficiency if not structured carefully with performance incentives.

How does this contract align with broader U.S. foreign policy objectives related to global infrastructure development?

This contract directly aligns with U.S. foreign policy objectives aimed at promoting global economic growth, stability, and democratic governance through infrastructure development. By strengthening the capacity of host governments to effectively develop and finance public infrastructure, the U.S. seeks to foster sustainable development, create markets for U.S. goods and services, and enhance the ability of partner countries to attract private investment. This initiative supports broader goals of improving living standards, creating jobs, and building resilient economies in developing nations, often serving as a counterpoint to influence from strategic competitors.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Public Administration › National Security and International Affairs › International Affairs

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: 2032K825R00015

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

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

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,519,220

Exercised Options: $286,152

Current Obligation: $38,028

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline