USAID's $39.8M contract for private sector engagement support awarded to DEXIS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $39,805,643 ($39.8M)

Contractor: Dexis Professional Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2022-07-07

End Date: 2025-02-12

Contract Duration: 951 days

Daily Burn Rate: $41.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO MEET AGENCY-WIDE PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT (PSE) STAFFING NEEDS, PARTICULARLY IN POSITIONS REQUIRING HIGHLY SPECIALIZED PSE SKILLS AND/OR TARGETING AGENCY STRATEGIC PRIORITI

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 $39.8 million to DEXIS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO MEET AGENCY-WIDE PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT (PSE) STAFFING NEEDS, PARTICULARLY IN POSITIONS REQUIRING HIGHLY SPECIALIZED PSE SKILLS AND/OR TARGETING AGENCY STRATEGIC PRIORITI Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized private sector engagement (PSE) staffing needs. 2. DEXIS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC, a known entity, secured this award. 3. The contract duration extends over 951 days, indicating a long-term need. 4. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a broad search for qualified vendors. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 6. This award represents a significant investment in agency-wide PSE capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $39.8 million over approximately 2.5 years for institutional support services appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized consulting and staffing in the federal sector is necessary to fully assess value for money. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while flexible, warrants close monitoring to ensure costs remain within reasonable bounds and do not escalate unexpectedly. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specialized service. While full and open competition is generally preferred for ensuring fair pricing and access to a wide range of capabilities, the specific number of bidders can influence price discovery. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the assurance that the government sought the best possible offer through a competitive process, aiming to secure specialized services at a reasonable cost.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are USAID's Private Sector Engagement (PSE) staff, who will receive enhanced institutional support. The services delivered will bolster the agency's capacity to engage with the private sector on strategic initiatives. The geographic impact is agency-wide, supporting PSE efforts across various programs and regions. Workforce implications include the potential for specialized PSE expertise to be readily available to support agency goals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
The specialized nature of PSE skills may limit the pool of qualified bidders in future competitions.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical institutional support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust search for qualified vendors.
The contract duration indicates a sustained commitment to strengthening PSE capabilities.
The focus on specialized skills suggests a strategic investment in a critical area for the agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting services. This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized expertise offered to government and private entities. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services, particularly for strategic planning, program management, and specialized support functions. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large institutional support contracts within USAID and similar development agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. However, the prime contractor, DEXIS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC, may choose to subcontract portions of this work to small businesses as part of their overall business strategy, which could provide opportunities within the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the designated contract specialist at USAID. Accountability measures are embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract arise.

Related Government Programs

USAID Institutional Support Contracts
Private Sector Engagement Initiatives
Management and Consulting Services
Federal Professional Services Acquisition

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Limited competition may impact optimal price discovery.
Dependence on specialized PSE skills could create future sourcing challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $39.8 million to DEXIS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO MEET AGENCY-WIDE PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT (PSE) STAFFING NEEDS, PARTICULARLY IN POSITIONS REQUIRING HIGHLY SPECIALIZED PSE SKILLS AND/OR TARGETING AGENCY STRATEGIC PRIORITI

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DEXIS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC.

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 $39.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-07-07. End: 2025-02-12.

What is the track record of DEXIS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC with USAID and similar federal agencies?

DEXIS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC has a history of contracting with federal agencies, including USAID. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, particularly those involving institutional support and specialized consulting, is crucial. This includes reviewing past performance evaluations, any contract disputes or terminations, and their overall success in meeting contract objectives. A strong track record with the agency or in similar service areas would indicate a lower performance risk for this current contract. Conversely, any negative past performance could be a red flag requiring closer scrutiny of their current capabilities and proposed approach.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar institutional support contracts for PSE expertise?

The $39.8 million award for institutional support services to meet agency-wide Private Sector Engagement (PSE) staffing needs requires comparison with similar contracts. Benchmarking involves identifying contracts with comparable scopes of work, duration, and required expertise awarded by USAID or other federal agencies. Factors such as the level of specialization, geographic reach, and the specific services provided will influence cost. If this contract's value per unit of service or per labor hour is significantly higher than comparable contracts, it may indicate a potential issue with value for money. Conversely, if it aligns with or is lower than benchmarks, it suggests competitive pricing.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for these services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like this one, carry inherent risks primarily related to cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can lead to cost overruns if the scope of work is not well-defined or if the contractor's efficiency is low, as the government pays for the time and materials consumed. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours and materials, and clear task definitions are critical to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.

How effective is the current competition level in ensuring competitive pricing for specialized PSE support?

The contract was awarded under full and open competition with 3 bidders. While full and open competition is the preferred method for maximizing opportunities and fostering competition, the number of bidders is a key indicator of its effectiveness in this instance. With 3 bidders, there is a moderate level of competition. This suggests that while multiple firms were aware of and interested in the opportunity, the pool of highly specialized firms capable of meeting USAID's PSE needs might be limited. A higher number of bidders would typically exert stronger downward pressure on pricing. Therefore, the current level of competition may have resulted in a price that is fair but potentially not the absolute lowest achievable.

What is the historical spending trend for similar PSE support services at USAID?

Analyzing historical spending trends for similar Private Sector Engagement (PSE) support services at USAID is essential for context. This involves examining the total amount spent on PSE-related contracts over the past several fiscal years, the number and value of awards, and the types of services procured. Understanding these trends can reveal whether spending in this area is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable. It also helps in identifying key contractors and the typical pricing structures used. Significant deviations from historical spending patterns for this $39.8 million contract could warrant further investigation into the underlying reasons, such as expanded program scope or market shifts.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 7200AA22Q00002

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3601 WILSON BLVD STE 220, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $88,341,240

Exercised Options: $88,341,240

Current Obligation: $39,805,643

Actual Outlays: $20,022,807

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $28,359,296

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA20D0042

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline