USAID's $35.8M Public Accountability and Justice Strengthening Activity aims to boost institutional effectiveness in Jordan

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $35,854,867 ($35.9M)

Contractor: Management Systems International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2021-10-01

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE OVERALL GOAL OF THE USAID PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY AND JUSTICE STRENGTHENING ACTIVITY IS TO INCREASE THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN JORDAN.

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $35.9 million to MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: THE OVERALL GOAL OF THE USAID PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY AND JUSTICE STRENGTHENING ACTIVITY IS TO INCREASE THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN JORDAN. Key points: 1. Focuses on enhancing public institutions' accountability and effectiveness in Jordan. 2. Contract awarded to Management Systems International, Inc. through full and open competition. 3. Activity duration spans 1460 days, indicating a significant, long-term commitment. 4. The contract type is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee, suggesting potential for cost overruns. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 6. This activity aligns with broader U.S. foreign assistance goals for promoting good governance.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics and comparable international development projects. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, while common for complex services, can lead to higher costs if not managed tightly. Further analysis would require understanding the fixed fee percentage and comparing it to industry standards for similar USAID-funded activities. The total award amount of $35.8 million over approximately four years suggests a substantial investment in institutional reform.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive offers. The presence of multiple bidders generally suggests a healthy market for these types of services, although the specific number of bidders is not provided.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down costs and encourages innovation from a wider pool of contractors, leading to better value for public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are public institutions in Jordan, aiming to improve their operational efficiency and accountability. Services delivered are expected to strengthen the justice sector and public administration. The geographic impact is focused within Jordan, supporting national development goals. Workforce implications may include training and capacity building for Jordanian public servants.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize contractors to incur costs, as a portion of their profit is tied to the total cost.
The long duration of the contract (1460 days) increases the risk of scope creep or changing requirements over time.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value for money and effectiveness of the services provided.
The broad nature of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' could lead to ambiguity in service delivery and oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
The clear objective of increasing accountability and effectiveness in public institutions aligns with development aid best practices.
The contract is managed by the Agency for International Development (USAID), an agency with extensive experience in managing complex international development projects.
The fixed fee component provides some predictability in contractor profit, mitigating unlimited cost escalation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to government and public administration consulting. The global market for international development and governance assistance is substantial, with organizations like USAID playing a key role. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other USAID-funded technical assistance programs in the Middle East or similar governance-focused initiatives in other regions. The NAICS code 541990 is broad, encompassing a wide range of specialized services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. Therefore, it is unlikely that small businesses were specifically targeted for this award. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist if Management Systems International, Inc. chooses to engage them, but this is not guaranteed by the contract terms. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether the prime contractor actively seeks small business partners.

Oversight & Accountability

USAID typically employs robust oversight mechanisms for its contracts, including regular performance reviews, financial audits, and site visits. Accountability measures are usually embedded in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is often facilitated through public reporting requirements and contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigate fraud, waste, and abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

USAID Governance Programs
Middle East Development Assistance
Public Sector Reform Initiatives
Rule of Law Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to higher costs if not managed effectively.
Broad scope of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' may present oversight challenges.
Success is dependent on the political and institutional environment within Jordan.
Potential for scope creep over the contract's four-year duration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $35.9 million to MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. THE OVERALL GOAL OF THE USAID PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY AND JUSTICE STRENGTHENING ACTIVITY IS TO INCREASE THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN JORDAN.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, 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 $35.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-10-01. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the track record of Management Systems International, Inc. with USAID?

Management Systems International, Inc. (MSI) has a significant history of working with USAID on various international development projects. A review of publicly available contract data indicates that MSI has been awarded numerous contracts and task orders by USAID across different sectors and geographic regions, including democracy and governance, economic growth, and health. Their experience often involves providing technical assistance, program management, and monitoring and evaluation services. While specific performance ratings for individual contracts are not always public, MSI's continued awards from USAID suggest a generally satisfactory performance history. However, a deeper dive into past performance evaluations and any past performance issues or corrective actions would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment.

How does the $35.8 million award compare to similar USAID accountability and justice strengthening activities?

Comparing the $35.8 million award for the USAID Public Accountability and Justice Strengthening Activity in Jordan to similar activities requires access to a database of comparable projects, including their scope, duration, and geographic focus. Generally, USAID funds a wide range of technical assistance and capacity-building programs in developing countries, with costs varying significantly based on the complexity of the issues addressed, the country context, and the duration of the intervention. Projects focused on institutional reform, rule of law, and public administration can range from a few million dollars for smaller, targeted initiatives to tens or even hundreds of millions for large-scale, multi-year programs. Without specific comparable project data, it's difficult to definitively state if $35.8 million is high or low, but it represents a substantial investment indicative of a comprehensive, multi-faceted program.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for this type of activity?

The primary risk associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for an activity like the Public Accountability and Justice Strengthening Activity is the potential for cost overruns. In a CPFF structure, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. While the fixed fee itself doesn't increase with costs, the contractor has less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts, as their profit is guaranteed regardless of efficiency. This can lead to higher overall project costs if not managed diligently. Additionally, the complexity of institutional reform in a foreign country presents inherent risks, such as political instability, cultural barriers, and unforeseen challenges in implementation, which could drive up costs and impact the achievement of objectives.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) expected for this activity?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the USAID Public Accountability and Justice Strengthening Activity. However, based on the stated goal of increasing the accountability and effectiveness of public institutions in Jordan, typical KPIs would likely include measures related to: improvements in transparency of government operations (e.g., number of public access to information requests fulfilled), enhanced efficiency of judicial processes (e.g., reduction in case backlogs, faster resolution times), strengthened anti-corruption measures (e.g., number of corruption cases investigated or prosecuted), improved public service delivery (e.g., citizen satisfaction surveys), and enhanced capacity of public officials (e.g., number of officials trained, application of new skills). The specific KPIs would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work and performance monitoring plan.

How has USAID spending on similar technical assistance programs in the Middle East evolved over the past five years?

USAID's spending on technical assistance programs in the Middle East has historically been significant, driven by strategic interests in stability, economic development, and democratic reform. Over the past five years, spending patterns have likely been influenced by evolving geopolitical dynamics, shifting priorities, and the impact of regional events such as conflicts and economic downturns. While specific aggregate data for 'technical assistance' is broad, trends may show increased focus on areas like economic resilience, private sector engagement, and potentially, humanitarian assistance in certain contexts. Spending on governance and rule of law programs, like the one described, remains a core component of USAID's strategy in the region, though the allocation of funds can fluctuate based on country-specific needs and U.S. foreign policy objectives. Detailed analysis would require examining USAID's annual budget reports and program portfolios for the Middle East region.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 72027821R00007

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Address: 200 12TH ST SOUTH, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,854,868

Exercised Options: $35,854,868

Current Obligation: $35,854,867

Actual Outlays: $29,011,597

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline