USAID's $26.7M contract for Feed the Future adaptive management awarded to BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,685,775 ($26.7M)

Contractor: Bixal Solutions Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2019-03-12

End Date: 2024-03-12

Contract Duration: 1,827 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IN SUPPORT OF ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT OF FEED THE FUTURE IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY (GFSS).

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20004

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $26.7 million to BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED for work described as: IN SUPPORT OF ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT OF FEED THE FUTURE IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY (GFSS). Key points: 1. Contract supports adaptive management for the Global Food Security Strategy. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, indicating broad market engagement. 3. Performance period spans over five years, suggesting a long-term need. 4. Billed as 'Marketing Consulting Services,' the scope requires careful performance monitoring. 5. The contract's value is substantial within its service category. 6. Billed as 'Marketing Consulting Services,' the scope requires careful performance monitoring.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $26.7 million over five years for marketing consulting services appears reasonable given the scope of supporting a major global initiative like Feed the Future. Benchmarking against similar large-scale, long-term government consulting contracts suggests that the pricing structure, likely involving time and materials, is typical. However, a detailed cost analysis would be needed to confirm true value-for-money, especially concerning the efficiency of the services delivered in achieving adaptive management goals.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 5 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this significant contract. This broad competition is generally expected to drive more competitive pricing and encourage innovative solutions from the participating firms.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value and service for the investment made in supporting global food security initiatives.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include global communities targeted by the Feed the Future initiative, aiming to improve food security. Services delivered are crucial for the adaptive management and strategic alignment of the Global Food Security Strategy. Geographic impact is global, focusing on regions where Feed the Future operates. Workforce implications include employment for BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED staff and potentially local consultants in program areas.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in adaptive management consulting.
Ensuring effective performance measurement for marketing and strategy services.
Dependency on contractor expertise for critical program strategy.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Long-term contract duration suggests sustained program support.
Alignment with a high-priority government initiative (Global Food Security Strategy).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically marketing consulting. The market for government consulting services is large and competitive, with agencies like USAID frequently procuring expertise for program management and strategic initiatives. The value of this contract is significant for a single award in this sub-sector, reflecting the complexity and importance of the Feed the Future program.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded via full and open competition and there is no indication of a small business set-aside. While the prime contractor is BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED, the potential for subcontracting to small businesses is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. Agencies often encourage prime contractors to utilize small business subcontractors to meet diversity and inclusion goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Agency for International Development (USAID) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, requiring regular reporting and adherence to milestones. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific performance metrics may be internal.

Related Government Programs

Feed the Future Initiative
Global Food Security Strategy
USAID Program Management Support
International Development Consulting

Risk Flags

Potential for performance measurement challenges in adaptive management.
Long contract duration may increase risk of contractor performance degradation.
Scope definition for 'marketing consulting' in an adaptive management context needs clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $26.7 million to BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED. IN SUPPORT OF ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT OF FEED THE FUTURE IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY (GFSS).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED.

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 $26.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-03-12. End: 2024-03-12.

What is the track record of BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED with USAID and similar government contracts?

BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED has a history of working with government agencies, including USAID. Their portfolio often includes support for international development, public health, and communication strategies. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, particularly those involving adaptive management or global strategy implementation, would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability. Specific contract performance evaluations and past performance questionnaires from previous USAID awards would be key data points to assess their track record. A review of their contract history would reveal the types of services they have provided, the value of those contracts, and any reported issues or successes.

How does the $26.7 million contract value compare to other adaptive management or global strategy support contracts?

The $26.7 million contract value over five years positions this award as a significant investment in adaptive management and strategic support. When compared to similar contracts for large-scale international development initiatives, this value appears to be within a reasonable range, especially considering the global reach and complexity of the Feed the Future program. However, direct comparisons are challenging without knowing the specific deliverables and performance metrics. Contracts for strategic consulting and program management for major government initiatives can range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars annually. The value here suggests a substantial, long-term commitment to the program's strategic evolution.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks for this contract likely include the potential for scope creep, challenges in measuring the effectiveness of adaptive management strategies, and ensuring consistent performance over a five-year period. The adaptive nature of the work means that objectives and approaches may evolve, requiring careful management to stay within budget and achieve intended outcomes. Mitigation strategies would typically involve robust performance monitoring, clear communication channels between USAID and BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED, well-defined milestones, and regular performance reviews. The contract's structure, including delivery orders and reporting requirements, would also serve as risk mitigation tools to ensure accountability and alignment with program goals.

How effective has BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED been in delivering marketing consulting services for government programs?

Assessing the effectiveness of BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED in delivering marketing consulting services requires a review of their performance on this and similar contracts. Key indicators of effectiveness would include the achievement of contractually defined objectives, client satisfaction, and the impact of their consulting on program outcomes. For this specific contract, effectiveness would be measured by how well their adaptive management strategies contribute to the success of the Feed the Future initiative and the Global Food Security Strategy. Performance reports, client feedback, and any independent evaluations of the program's strategic direction would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment.

What are the historical spending patterns for adaptive management and global strategy support by USAID?

USAID historically spends significant amounts on program management, strategic planning, and adaptive management to support its extensive portfolio of international development initiatives. Spending patterns in this area are influenced by the number and scale of global programs, such as Feed the Future. While specific historical spending figures for 'adaptive management' as a distinct category can be difficult to isolate, overall expenditures on technical assistance, consulting services, and program support for major initiatives often run into the hundreds of millions of dollars annually across the agency. This contract represents a portion of that broader investment in ensuring program effectiveness and strategic alignment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Marketing Consulting 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: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3050 CHAIN BRIDGE RD STE 305, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,575,772

Exercised Options: $28,575,772

Current Obligation: $26,685,775

Actual Outlays: $26,185,142

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 14

Total Subaward Amount: $12,687,108

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F439GA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline