USAID awards $20M contract to Commonwealth Trading Partners for administrative management consulting services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,016,722 ($20.0M)

Contractor: Commonwealth Trading Partners Inc

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2020-08-03

End Date: 2025-02-26

Contract Duration: 1,668 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: USAID/LAC BUREAU INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $20.0 million to COMMONWEALTH TRADING PARTNERS INC for work described as: USAID/LAC BUREAU INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Commonwealth Trading Partners Inc. for administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. The contract has a total value of $20,016,722.25 and runs from August 3, 2020, to February 26, 2025. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 4. The primary service category is Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611). 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee (PT).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for performance-based incentives, but the lack of detailed cost breakdowns makes direct pricing assessment difficult. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative management consulting is challenging without more granular data on the specific services provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive bidding process. However, the 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation to understand its impact on price discovery and potential limitations on competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests an effort to secure fair pricing, but the specific cost-plus award fee structure and potential source exclusions require ongoing scrutiny to ensure taxpayer value.

Public Impact

Ensures continued administrative and management support for USAID's LAC Bureau. Potential for improved operational efficiency through expert consulting services. The contract's duration of over 4 years provides stability for service delivery. The awardee, Commonwealth Trading Partners Inc., will be responsible for delivering key management functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
Lack of transparency in specific service costs.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause needs clarification regarding its impact on competition.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Contract duration provides long-term support.
Performance incentives are built into the contract type.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on agency needs and project scope. Benchmarking requires comparison with similar consulting contracts for international development agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a stated factor in this award (SB: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were made available to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's oversight will be managed by the Agency for International Development. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates robust performance monitoring and evaluation to ensure accountability and value for money.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Agency for International Development Contracting
Agency for International Development Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee structure can lead to higher costs if not managed tightly.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause requires further investigation.
Lack of detailed service breakdown makes direct cost comparison difficult.
No explicit mention of small business subcontracting goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $20.0 million to COMMONWEALTH TRADING PARTNERS INC. USAID/LAC BUREAU INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COMMONWEALTH TRADING PARTNERS 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 $20.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-08-03. End: 2025-02-26.

What specific administrative and management consulting services are being provided under this contract, and how do they align with USAID's strategic objectives?

The contract is for Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611). While the specific services are not detailed, they are expected to support the operational efficiency and strategic goals of USAID's LAC Bureau. This could include areas like program management support, organizational development, policy analysis, and strategic planning, all crucial for effective foreign assistance delivery.

What is the rationale behind the 'exclusion of sources' clause in a 'full and open competition' award, and what is its potential impact on cost and innovation?

The 'exclusion of sources' clause within a full and open competition framework is unusual and warrants clarification. It might imply that while the competition was open to all eligible bidders, certain pre-qualified or specific types of entities were considered, or perhaps specific technologies/approaches were excluded. This could potentially limit the range of innovative solutions and may impact price discovery if the pool of eligible competitors was inadvertently narrowed.

How will the performance incentives within the Cost Plus Award Fee structure be measured to ensure effective service delivery and prevent potential cost overruns?

The effectiveness of the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure hinges on clearly defined performance metrics and objective evaluation criteria established by USAID. These metrics should directly relate to the quality, timeliness, and impact of the consulting services. Regular performance reviews and transparent award fee determinations are critical to incentivize high performance while managing costs and ensuring that the contractor's efforts align with USAID's mission objectives.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100 N PITT ST STE 425, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,600,542

Exercised Options: $21,600,542

Current Obligation: $20,016,722

Actual Outlays: $17,695,491

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $600,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D1028

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline