USAID's $230M Active Citizenry Activity aims to boost civic participation and advocacy for positive change

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,000,000 ($23.0M)

Contractor: Global Communities, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2022-09-21

End Date: 2025-02-12

Contract Duration: 875 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE CONTRACT FOR THE USAID ACTIVE CITIZENRY ACTIVITY THE ACTIVITY AIMS TO INCREASE CITIZENS PARTICIPATION IN CIVIC LIFE AND SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS TO ADVOCATE FOR POSITIVE CHANGES, FOSTER SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ADVANCEMENT, AND IMPROVE OVERALL LIVI

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $23.0 million to GLOBAL COMMUNITIES, INC. for work described as: THE CONTRACT FOR THE USAID ACTIVE CITIZENRY ACTIVITY THE ACTIVITY AIMS TO INCREASE CITIZENS PARTICIPATION IN CIVIC LIFE AND SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS TO ADVOCATE FOR POSITIVE CHANGES, FOSTER SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ADVANCEMENT, AND IMPROVE OVERALL LIVI Key points: 1. Focuses on increasing citizen engagement in civic life and advocacy for societal improvements. 2. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, indicating potential for cost overruns. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. Contract duration is 875 days, with a significant period remaining. 5. The activity aims to foster social and political advancement through citizen action. 6. Performance is measured against objectives related to citizen participation and advocacy effectiveness.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $230 million for a period of approximately 2.5 years appears substantial for an activity focused on civic engagement. Benchmarking against similar USAID-funded democracy and governance programs would be necessary to fully assess value for money. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while common, can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed diligently, as contractor incentives are primarily focused on completing the scope of work rather than strict cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This suggests a robust bidding process where multiple organizations likely vied for the opportunity. The presence of multiple bidders generally fosters price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing, although the specific number of bids received is not detailed here.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the most effective and cost-efficient approach to achieving the activity's objectives. Full and open competition increases the likelihood that the government is receiving fair market value for the services procured.

Public Impact

Citizens and civil society organizations in target regions will benefit from enhanced capacity and resources for civic engagement. The activity delivers services aimed at increasing citizen participation in governance, advocating for policy changes, and fostering social advancement. Geographic impact is global, as indicated by the contract's scope, suggesting a broad reach for the program's initiatives. Workforce implications include potential job creation within implementing organizations and capacity building for local civil society actors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may incentivize cost escalation if not closely monitored.
The broad scope of 'increasing citizen participation' could present challenges in defining and measuring success metrics.
Global reach necessitates complex logistical and security considerations for program implementation.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a potentially well-vetted and competitive selection process.
The focus on civic engagement aligns with U.S. foreign policy objectives in promoting democracy and good governance.
Clear objectives related to citizen participation and advocacy provide a framework for performance evaluation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to international development and governance. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private contractors specializing in democracy promotion, civic engagement, and capacity building. USAID is a major procurer in this space, with significant annual spending on activities designed to foster democratic institutions and civil society globally. Benchmarking would involve comparing this contract's value and scope to other similar USAID or international donor-funded programs in the democracy and governance sector.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides or subcontracting plans for this contract. As a large contract awarded through full and open competition, it is possible that Global Communities, Inc. may engage small businesses as subcontractors. However, without explicit information on subcontracting goals or performance, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities for small businesses were adequately considered.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is primarily the responsibility of the Agency for International Development (USAID). As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, USAID will need to closely monitor expenditures to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract's objectives. Accountability measures would typically involve regular performance reporting from the contractor, site visits, and potentially independent evaluations. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases, though specific programmatic details and financial breakdowns may be limited.

Related Government Programs

USAID Democracy and Governance Programs
International Civic Education Initiatives
Civil Society Strengthening Programs
Public Participation and Advocacy Projects

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
Measuring the impact of civic engagement activities can be complex and subjective.
Operating in global, potentially sensitive political environments presents security and political risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $23.0 million to GLOBAL COMMUNITIES, INC.. THE CONTRACT FOR THE USAID ACTIVE CITIZENRY ACTIVITY THE ACTIVITY AIMS TO INCREASE CITIZENS PARTICIPATION IN CIVIC LIFE AND SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS TO ADVOCATE FOR POSITIVE CHANGES, FOSTER SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ADVANCEMENT, AND IMPROVE OVERALL LIVI

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GLOBAL COMMUNITIES, 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 $23.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-21. End: 2025-02-12.

What is the track record of Global Communities, Inc. in managing large-scale USAID activities related to civic engagement?

Global Communities, Inc. has a history of implementing USAID-funded projects, including those focused on democracy, governance, and civil society strengthening. Their experience often involves working in complex environments to build local capacity and promote citizen participation. To assess their track record specifically for this 'Active Citizenry Activity,' a review of their past performance evaluations, financial audits, and any documented successes or challenges on similar projects would be crucial. This would involve examining their ability to meet performance targets, manage budgets effectively, and navigate political and social sensitivities inherent in civic engagement work. A detailed analysis would look at the scale and complexity of previous projects, the geographic regions of operation, and the specific outcomes achieved, comparing them to the objectives outlined in this current contract.

How does the $230 million contract value compare to similar USAID civic engagement activities?

The $230 million value for the USAID Active Citizenry Activity is substantial and suggests a significant, long-term investment in fostering citizen participation and advocacy. To benchmark this value, one would compare it against other large-scale USAID programs with similar objectives, such as those focused on democracy, human rights, governance, and civil society strengthening. Factors such as the geographic scope (global vs. specific countries), the duration of the activity, and the specific interventions planned (e.g., capacity building, policy reform advocacy, technology integration) heavily influence cost. A comprehensive comparison would involve analyzing the cost per beneficiary, cost per outcome achieved, and overall program efficiency metrics from comparable contracts awarded over the past five to ten years. Without such comparative data, it is difficult to definitively state whether $230 million represents excellent, fair, or questionable value.

What are the primary risks associated with implementing an activity focused on increasing citizen participation in potentially sensitive political environments?

Implementing an activity aimed at increasing citizen participation, especially in contexts where civic space may be restricted or politically sensitive, carries several inherent risks. These include political interference or backlash from incumbent governments or powerful groups who may view increased citizen engagement as a threat. There is also a risk of co-option, where intended beneficiaries or civil society organizations may become unduly influenced by external actors or political agendas, compromising their independence. Security risks for program staff and participants are also a concern, particularly in volatile regions. Furthermore, managing expectations among citizens and ensuring that advocacy efforts lead to tangible positive changes can be challenging, potentially leading to disillusionment if progress is slow or unattainable. Finally, ensuring the sustainability of citizen engagement beyond the life of the project requires careful planning and local ownership.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) likely to be used to measure the success of the Active Citizenry Activity?

The success of the Active Citizenry Activity would likely be measured through a combination of quantitative and qualitative Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) focused on increasing citizen participation and advocacy. Quantitative KPIs might include the number of citizens participating in civic actions, the number of advocacy campaigns launched or supported, the number of civil society organizations receiving training or grants, and the percentage increase in citizen awareness of governance issues. Qualitative KPIs could assess the depth and effectiveness of citizen engagement, the quality of advocacy efforts, the extent to which citizen voices influence policy decisions, and the perceived impact on social and political advancement. Indicators related to the strengthening of democratic institutions, improvements in transparency and accountability, and the fostering of a more active and informed citizenry would also be critical. The specific KPIs would be detailed in the contract's Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plan.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure influence contractor incentives and potential cost control?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure is designed to cover the contractor's allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee, representing profit. This structure incentivizes the contractor to complete the scope of work as defined. However, it can create a potential conflict regarding cost control. Since the contractor's fee is fixed, there is less direct financial incentive to minimize costs compared to, for example, a fixed-price contract. The primary incentive is to ensure the work is done correctly and on time to earn the fee. While the government reviews and approves costs, the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns only if they exceed the estimated cost ceiling, but their fee remains constant. This means the government bears the majority of the cost risk. Effective oversight by the contracting agency is crucial to scrutinize allowable costs, ensure efficiency, and prevent unnecessary expenditures to maximize value for the taxpayer.

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: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: 72029422R00002

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8601 GEORGIA AVE STE 300, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910

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: $28,784,925

Exercised Options: $28,784,925

Current Obligation: $23,000,000

Actual Outlays: $9,525,295

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $2,210,221

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline