USAID's $20.6M PRESTIJ contract awarded to IREX for teacher education in Jordan

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,575,632 ($20.6M)

Contractor: International Research and Exchanges Board Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2020-01-15

End Date: 2025-02-26

Contract Duration: 1,869 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PRE-SERVICE TEACHER EDUCATION IN JORDAN (PRESTIJ)

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $20.6 million to INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND EXCHANGES BOARD INC. for work described as: PRE-SERVICE TEACHER EDUCATION IN JORDAN (PRESTIJ) Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through comparison with similar international education programs. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a robust bidding process for this contract. 3. Risk indicators are monitored through performance metrics and financial reporting. 4. Performance context is framed by the program's objectives in teacher development. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the international development and education aid landscape.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value is considered good given the scope of international teacher education and development. Benchmarking against similar USAID-funded education projects in other regions suggests the pricing is competitive. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility while maintaining cost control, provided that direct costs are managed effectively by the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, with nine bidders vying for the opportunity. This high level of competition is a positive sign, suggesting that the solicitation was well-defined and attractive to a broad range of qualified organizations. It likely contributed to a more competitive pricing structure and a wider pool of potential solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process generally leads to better value for taxpayers by driving down costs and encouraging innovation among offerors.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include pre-service teachers in Jordan, enhancing their pedagogical skills. Services delivered focus on curriculum development, training, and educational resource provision. Geographic impact is concentrated within Jordan, aiming to improve the national education system. Workforce implications involve strengthening the capacity of Jordanian educators and educational institutions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns in cost-plus contracts if not closely monitored.
Dependency on local Jordanian partners for successful program implementation.
Geopolitical instability in the region could impact program delivery and continuity.

Positive Signals

Experienced contractor (IREX) with a track record in international education.
Clear objectives for improving teacher quality and student outcomes.
Strong emphasis on capacity building for local institutions and educators.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the international development and education sector, a significant area of U.S. foreign assistance. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous non-profit organizations and private contractors specializing in global education initiatives. Spending in this area is driven by foreign policy objectives and the goal of fostering stability and human capital development in partner countries.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and there is no indication of a small business set-aside. However, the prime contractor, IREX, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific project needs, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is primarily conducted by the Agency for International Development (USAID), which monitors contractor performance, financial expenditures, and adherence to program objectives. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract through reporting requirements and performance metrics. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases, though detailed programmatic data may be limited.

Related Government Programs

USAID Education Programs
International Teacher Training Initiatives
Global Education Aid
Middle East Development Assistance

Risk Flags

Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to ensure cost efficiency.
Geopolitical risks in the Middle East could impact program continuity.
Success is dependent on effective collaboration with Jordanian educational institutions and stakeholders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $20.6 million to INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND EXCHANGES BOARD INC.. PRE-SERVICE TEACHER EDUCATION IN JORDAN (PRESTIJ)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND EXCHANGES BOARD 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 $20.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-01-15. End: 2025-02-26.

What is IREX's track record with USAID and similar international education contracts?

International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) has a substantial track record with USAID and other government agencies, implementing numerous projects focused on education, media, and civil society development globally. Their experience includes significant work in teacher training, curriculum development, and educational system strengthening in various challenging environments. For instance, IREX has managed large-scale education programs in countries like Afghanistan, Ukraine, and various parts of Africa. Their history with USAID suggests a familiarity with the agency's requirements, reporting structures, and programmatic goals, which is a positive indicator for the PRESTIJ contract's successful execution. This established relationship implies a lower risk profile concerning contractor capacity and understanding of federal contracting procedures.

How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type impact value for money compared to other contract types?

The Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract type, used for the PRESTIJ contract, allows for flexibility in project execution by reimbursing the contractor for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. This structure is often employed when the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset or involves research and development where costs can be uncertain. While it provides flexibility, it can present challenges for value for money if cost controls are not robust. Unlike fixed-price contracts, where the contractor bears more risk for cost overruns, CPFF shifts more of that risk to the government. Therefore, effective oversight by USAID is crucial to ensure that costs remain reasonable and that the fixed fee adequately compensates the contractor for their efforts without being excessive. Benchmarking against similar CPFF contracts for international education programs can help assess if the overall cost structure is competitive.

What are the primary risks associated with implementing an education program in Jordan, and how are they mitigated?

Implementing an education program in Jordan, like the PRESTIJ initiative, carries several potential risks. These include political and economic instability in the broader region, which could indirectly affect Jordan's stability and resource allocation for education. Programmatic risks involve challenges in teacher adoption of new methodologies, potential resistance to change, and ensuring the sustainability of training initiatives beyond the contract period. Furthermore, reliance on local infrastructure and partner capacity can pose risks if these are not sufficiently robust. USAID and IREX likely mitigate these risks through thorough stakeholder engagement, phased implementation, continuous monitoring and evaluation, building strong local partnerships, and incorporating flexibility into the program design to adapt to changing circumstances. Risk mitigation strategies are typically detailed in the contractor's work plan and regularly reviewed by the contracting officer.

What are the expected outcomes and performance metrics for the PRESTIJ program?

The PRESTIJ program aims to enhance the quality of pre-service teacher education in Jordan, ultimately leading to improved student learning outcomes. Expected outcomes typically include an increase in the number of qualified pre-service teachers graduating from participating institutions, demonstrable improvements in pedagogical skills and subject matter knowledge among these teachers, and the integration of new, effective teaching methodologies into teacher training curricula. Performance metrics would likely track the number of teachers trained, the satisfaction levels of trainees and their supervisors, the extent to which new curricula are adopted and implemented, and potentially, longer-term indicators related to the performance of newly qualified teachers in classrooms. USAID's monitoring and evaluation framework would be designed to measure progress against these specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives.

How does this contract compare to other U.S. government spending on education in the Middle East?

This $20.6 million contract for pre-service teacher education in Jordan represents a specific investment within the broader U.S. government's portfolio of education and development assistance in the Middle East. U.S. spending in this region encompasses a wide range of activities, including higher education, vocational training, basic education, and educational system reform, often implemented through various agencies like USAID, the Department of State, and others. While $20.6 million is a significant sum for a single project, it should be viewed in the context of total U.S. foreign assistance to the Middle East, which can amount to billions annually, depending on regional priorities and global events. This contract's focus on teacher education is a critical component of human capital development, aiming for long-term impact on educational quality and societal progress.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 72027819R00009

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1275 K ST NW STE 600, WASHINGTON, DC, 20005

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,575,632

Exercised Options: $20,575,632

Current Obligation: $20,575,632

Actual Outlays: $18,907,436

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $1,960,427

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline