USAID's STARR II IDIQ program aims to improve land governance and property rights, with $25.2M obligated to ARD, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,204,558 ($25.2M)

Contractor: ARD, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2018-07-27

End Date: 2023-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,983 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 99999_E3LTRM_THE STRENGTHENING TENURE AND RESOURCE RIGHTS (STARR) II IDIQ PROGRAM IS A FOLLOW-ON TO THE STRENGTHENING TENURE AND RESOURCE RIGHTS (STARR) IDIQ THAT WILL END AUGUST 2017. STARR II IS A MULTIPLE-AWARD, FIVE-YEAR INDEFINITE DELIVERY, INDEFINITE QUANTITY (IDIQ) CONTRACT DESIGNED TO IMPROVE LAND AND RESOURCE GOVERNANCE AND STRENGTHEN PROPERTY RIGHTS FOR ALL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY, ESPECIALLY WOMEN. IT WILL PROVIDE SHORT AND LONG-TERM TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THAT IS NEEDED TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR IMPROVING SECURITY OF PROPERTY RIGHTS AND INCREASING LAND ACCESS.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $25.2 million to ARD, INC. for work described as: 99999_E3LTRM_THE STRENGTHENING TENURE AND RESOURCE RIGHTS (STARR) II IDIQ PROGRAM IS A FOLLOW-ON TO THE STRENGTHENING TENURE AND RESOURCE RIGHTS (STARR) IDIQ THAT WILL END AUGUST 2017. STARR II IS A MULTIPLE-AWARD, FIVE-YEAR INDEFINITE DELIVERY, INDEFINITE QUANTITY (IDIQ) CONTRAC… Key points: 1. The contract focuses on technical assistance for land and resource governance, particularly for women. 2. It's a follow-on to a previous IDIQ program, indicating continuity in USAID's strategy. 3. The program's success hinges on effective technical assistance delivery and measurable improvements in property rights. 4. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control but requires careful oversight. 6. The primary contractor, ARD, Inc., has a track record with this specific program area.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The obligated amount of $25.2M for the STARR II IDIQ program appears reasonable given its five-year duration and broad scope of technical assistance for land and resource governance. Benchmarking against similar large-scale international development IDIQ contracts would provide further context on value for money. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while common for complex services, necessitates robust oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with the fixed fee and overall program objectives. Without specific performance metrics and detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value assessment is challenging, but the scale suggests a significant investment in improving property rights globally.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The STARR II IDIQ was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified contractors had the opportunity to bid. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and innovative solutions. The presence of 7 awards suggests a healthy level of competition for the IDIQ itself, though the specific delivery orders awarded to ARD, Inc. would require separate analysis to understand the competition at that level. The broad nature of the IDIQ likely attracted a diverse pool of bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at competitive prices and encourages a wider range of contractors to participate, potentially leading to more efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include individuals and communities worldwide seeking to secure land and property rights. The program delivers technical assistance to improve land governance and strengthen property rights frameworks. Geographic impact is global, focusing on regions where land tenure and resource rights are insecure. Workforce implications include the engagement of technical experts in land management, law, and development. The program specifically aims to empower women by improving their access to and control over land and resources.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type requires diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns and ensure the fixed fee remains appropriate.
The broad scope of the IDIQ could lead to challenges in managing diverse technical assistance needs across different regions.
Measuring the tangible impact of technical assistance on property rights and land governance can be complex and require robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

Positive Signals

The program is a follow-on to a successful prior IDIQ, indicating a proven approach and established contractor relationships.
Full and open competition for the IDIQ likely resulted in a strong pool of qualified contractors.
The explicit focus on improving property rights and land governance addresses critical development challenges.

Sector Analysis

The STARR II IDIQ falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on international development and governance. This sector is characterized by a mix of large, established firms and smaller specialized consultancies. The contract's objective of improving land and resource governance is a significant area of focus for development agencies like USAID, aiming to foster economic growth, reduce conflict, and promote equitable resource management. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large IDIQ contracts awarded by USAID and similar agencies for technical assistance in governance, natural resource management, and legal reform.

Small Business Impact

While the STARR II IDIQ was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside, the nature of IDIQ contracts often allows for subcontracting opportunities. Prime contractors like ARD, Inc. may engage small businesses for specialized services or local implementation. The extent of small business participation would depend on the specific delivery orders issued and the subcontracting plans developed by the prime awardees. Further analysis of subcontracting reports would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for the STARR II IDIQ program is primarily the responsibility of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Mechanisms likely include regular performance reviews, financial audits, and monitoring of deliverables as stipulated in the contract. The CPFF structure necessitates close monitoring of costs and adherence to the fixed fee. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases and reporting requirements. The Inspector General's office of USAID would have jurisdiction to investigate any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

USAID STARR I IDIQ
USAID Global Development Lab Programs
USAID Bureau for Economic Growth, Education, and Environment (E3) Contracts
International Land Tenure and Property Rights Programs
Technical Assistance for Developing Countries

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight.
Measuring impact of technical assistance can be complex.
Scope of IDIQ requires effective program management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $25.2 million to ARD, INC.. 99999_E3LTRM_THE STRENGTHENING TENURE AND RESOURCE RIGHTS (STARR) II IDIQ PROGRAM IS A FOLLOW-ON TO THE STRENGTHENING TENURE AND RESOURCE RIGHTS (STARR) IDIQ THAT WILL END AUGUST 2017. STARR II IS A MULTIPLE-AWARD, FIVE-YEAR INDEFINITE DELIVERY, INDEFINITE QUANTITY (IDIQ) CONTRACT DESIGNED TO IMPROVE LAND AND RESOURCE GOVERNANCE AND STRENGTHEN PROPERTY RIGHTS FOR ALL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY, ESPECIALLY WOMEN. IT WILL PROVIDE SHORT AND LONG-TERM TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THAT IS NEEDED TO RESPOND TO THE N

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARD, 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 $25.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-07-27. End: 2023-12-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for the STARR IDIQ program series?

The STARR II IDIQ program, awarded in 2018, has seen $25,204,557.97 obligated as of the data provided. This is a follow-on to the STARR IDIQ program, which concluded in August 2017. While specific spending figures for the STARR I program are not detailed here, the existence of a follow-on contract suggests a sustained commitment and potentially significant investment over time. Analyzing the total obligated amounts and spending rates for both STARR I and STARR II would provide a comprehensive view of USAID's investment in improving land and resource governance through this program series. The current obligated amount for STARR II represents a substantial portion of its potential value, indicating active project implementation.

How does the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) compare to other similar international development contracts?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) is a common contract type for complex services in international development, particularly when the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset or is expected to evolve. It allows for flexibility while providing the contractor with an incentive to control costs, as their profit is fixed. Compared to other contract types like Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), CPFF offers more flexibility but requires more intensive government oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. For large-scale technical assistance programs like STARR II, CPFF is often preferred over FFP due to the inherent uncertainties in development work. However, it necessitates robust financial management and auditing by the contracting agency to ensure value for money and prevent potential cost overruns.

What is ARD, Inc.'s track record with USAID and specifically with land governance programs?

ARD, Inc. (now Tetra Tech DPK) has a significant history of working with USAID on international development projects, including those related to land tenure and resource rights. As the prime contractor for the STARR II IDIQ, ARD has been instrumental in delivering technical assistance under this program. Their involvement in the STARR I IDIQ program prior to STARR II indicates a sustained relationship and demonstrated capability in this specific area. Tetra Tech, the parent company, has a broad portfolio of environmental and natural resource management services globally. ARD's experience likely encompasses a wide range of activities, from policy reform and legal frameworks to community-based land management and capacity building, aligning with the objectives of the STARR programs.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of the STARR II program?

While specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the STARR II program are not detailed in the provided data, typical metrics for such land governance and property rights initiatives often include: increases in the number of formal land titles issued, improvements in the efficiency and transparency of land administration systems, reduction in land-related disputes, enhanced community participation in resource management, and measurable improvements in women's land rights and access. The program's success would likely be evaluated based on its ability to achieve tangible outcomes in these areas, demonstrating a positive impact on security of property rights and increased land access for targeted populations. Robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks are crucial for tracking progress against these KPIs.

What is the potential total value of the STARR II IDIQ contract, and how does the current obligation compare?

The STARR II IDIQ is an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, meaning it allows for task orders to be issued up to a certain ceiling value over its five-year period. The provided data indicates that $25,204,557.97 has been obligated to ARD, Inc. under this contract. The total potential value of the IDIQ contract is not explicitly stated in this snippet, but IDIQs can often reach tens or hundreds of millions of dollars depending on the agency's needs and the contract's scope. The current obligation represents a significant commitment, suggesting that substantial work is underway or has been completed. A full understanding of the contract's value would require knowing the maximum ceiling amount authorized for the IDIQ.

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

Solicitation ID: SOL-OAA-17-000012

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Address: 159 BANK ST STE 300, BURLINGTON, VT, 05401

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,213,217

Exercised Options: $25,204,559

Current Obligation: $25,204,558

Actual Outlays: $22,863,705

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 25

Total Subaward Amount: $4,932,429

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 7200AA18D00003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline