USAID Uganda CLA contract awarded to The QED Group LLC for over $36 million to enhance program impact

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,246,493 ($36.2M)

Contractor: THE QED Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2019-06-14

End Date: 2024-11-26

Contract Duration: 1,992 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO SUPPORT USAID UGANDA STRENGTHEN OVERALL COLLABORATING, LEARNING AND ADAPTING (CLA) PERFORMANCE IN ORDER TO, IN TURN, ENHANCE PROGRAM IMPACT TO ACCELERATE USAID S TRANSITION OUT OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE IN UGANDA. THIS CONTRACT WILL PROVIDE A BROAD RANGE OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, LOGISTICS, SMALL GRANTS AND OTHER SUPPORT TO ASSIST USAID STAFF AND, TO A LESSER EXTENT, AS CALLED UPON BY USAID, THE STAFF OF USAID IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS (IPS).

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $36.2 million to THE QED GROUP LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO SUPPORT USAID UGANDA STRENGTHEN OVERALL COLLABORATING, LEARNING AND ADAPTING (CLA) PERFORMANCE IN ORDER TO, IN TURN, ENHANCE PROGRAM IMPACT TO ACCELERATE USAID S TRANSITION OUT OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE IN UGANDA. THIS CONTRACT WILL PROVIDE A BROAD… Key points: 1. Contract aims to improve USAID Uganda's Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) performance to accelerate transition out of foreign assistance. 2. Services include broad technical assistance, professional development, logistics, and small grants. 3. The contract is structured as a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) type. 4. Performance period spans from June 2019 to November 2024, totaling 1992 days. 5. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 6. The QED Group LLC is the sole awardee. 7. This contract supports USAID's strategic goal of reducing reliance on foreign aid in Uganda.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of over $36 million over approximately five years suggests a significant investment in USAID Uganda's operational capacity. Benchmarking against similar technical assistance contracts for USAID missions requires detailed analysis of scope and duration. However, the CPFF structure allows for flexibility in adapting to evolving needs, which can be cost-effective if managed well. The fixed fee component provides a degree of cost control for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple interested parties had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 7 bidders suggests a reasonably competitive environment for this type of service. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a marketplace of ideas and pricing, leading to potentially better value.

Public Impact

USAID Uganda staff and implementing partners benefit from enhanced technical assistance and professional development. Improved program impact and accelerated transition out of foreign assistance are key outcomes. The services delivered aim to strengthen the overall effectiveness of USAID's development programs in Uganda. Workforce implications include professional development opportunities for USAID staff and partners.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not closely monitored.
Scope creep could increase the overall cost beyond initial projections.
Ensuring effective knowledge transfer and sustainability of improvements beyond the contract period.

Positive Signals

Clear objective to enhance program impact and facilitate USAID's transition out of foreign assistance.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Long-term engagement allows for sustained support and capacity building.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting international development assistance. The market for such services is characterized by specialized firms with expertise in program management, technical advisory, and capacity building for government agencies like USAID. Spending in this area is driven by foreign policy objectives and the need for effective program implementation in developing countries.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting goals for this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved as subcontractors or if there were opportunities missed for their participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is typically managed by USAID contracting officers and program officials. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

USAID Development Assistance Programs
USAID Uganda Mission Support
Technical Assistance Contracts
Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Initiatives

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage potential cost escalations.
Long contract duration increases the risk of scope creep or changing requirements.
Effectiveness of CLA framework implementation is critical for achieving transition goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $36.2 million to THE QED GROUP LLC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO SUPPORT USAID UGANDA STRENGTHEN OVERALL COLLABORATING, LEARNING AND ADAPTING (CLA) PERFORMANCE IN ORDER TO, IN TURN, ENHANCE PROGRAM IMPACT TO ACCELERATE USAID S TRANSITION OUT OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE IN UGANDA. THIS CONTRACT WILL PROVIDE A BROAD RANGE OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, LOGISTICS, SMALL GRANTS AND OTHER SUPPORT TO ASSIST USAID STAFF AND, TO A LESSER EXTENT, AS CALLED UPON BY USAID, THE STAFF OF USAID IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS (IPS).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE QED GROUP 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 $36.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-06-14. End: 2024-11-26.

What is the track record of The QED Group LLC in delivering similar technical assistance contracts for USAID?

The QED Group LLC has a history of working with USAID on various projects, often involving technical assistance, program support, and capacity building in international development contexts. Their portfolio includes contracts focused on monitoring and evaluation, learning, and adaptive management, aligning with the objectives of the Uganda CLA contract. Analyzing their past performance on similar CPFF contracts, particularly those with large dollar values and long durations, would provide insight into their ability to manage complex projects, control costs, and achieve desired outcomes. Specific details on project success rates, client satisfaction, and any past performance issues would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar USAID CLA or technical assistance contracts in other countries?

Directly comparing the total contract value of $36.2 million to other USAID CLA or technical assistance contracts requires careful consideration of scope, duration, geographic location, and specific services rendered. Contracts supporting large USAID missions or those with ambitious development goals often command higher values. Benchmarking would involve identifying contracts with similar objectives (e.g., enhancing program effectiveness, facilitating transitions) and similar contract types (e.g., CPFF). Factors like the cost of living in Uganda, the complexity of the local operating environment, and the specific technical expertise required will influence cost. Without a detailed comparison of task orders and labor rates across multiple contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract?

The success of this contract is likely measured through a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tied to the Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) framework and USAID's broader objectives in Uganda. These KPIs would typically focus on improvements in USAID's internal learning processes, the effective adaptation of programs based on evidence, and the enhanced impact of development initiatives. Specific metrics might include the number of learning events conducted, the quality of adaptive management plans developed, the extent to which program strategies are modified based on findings, and ultimately, the measurable progress towards USAID's transition goals. The contract's performance work statement (PWS) would detail these specific KPIs and their targets.

What is the risk associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for this project?

The primary risk associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is the potential for cost overruns if the contractor's actual costs exceed initial estimates, although the fixed fee provides a ceiling on the contractor's profit. For USAID, the risk lies in ensuring robust oversight to prevent unnecessary expenditures and to verify that costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract. The contractor bears the risk of costs exceeding the estimated amount, as their fee is fixed. Effective management requires diligent monitoring of expenditures, regular audits, and clear communication to ensure the contractor remains within budget while achieving the contract's objectives.

How has USAID Uganda's spending on technical assistance and program support evolved over the years, and does this contract represent a significant shift?

Analyzing USAID Uganda's historical spending patterns on technical assistance and program support would provide context for this $36.2 million contract. If previous spending on similar services was significantly lower, this contract could represent a strategic increase in investment aimed at achieving specific transition goals. Conversely, if USAID has consistently awarded large contracts for program support, this might be in line with established practices. Understanding the trend helps assess whether this contract is an anomaly or part of a sustained strategy to enhance operational capacity and program effectiveness in preparation for reduced foreign assistance.

What are the potential implications for USAID's long-term strategy in Uganda given the contract's objective to accelerate the transition out of foreign assistance?

This contract's objective to accelerate USAID's transition out of foreign assistance has significant long-term implications for USAID's strategy in Uganda. It suggests a deliberate effort to build local capacity, strengthen Ugandan institutions, and foster self-reliance, thereby reducing the need for direct U.S. foreign aid. The success of the CLA framework supported by this contract is crucial for ensuring that programs are effective, sustainable, and aligned with Uganda's development priorities. Ultimately, this contract aims to facilitate a more independent and resilient Ugandan development landscape, marking a strategic shift towards partnership and local ownership.

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: 72061718R00008

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1820 N FORT MYERS DR STE 700, ARLINGTON, VA, 22209

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,998,525

Exercised Options: $46,998,525

Current Obligation: $36,246,493

Actual Outlays: $34,690,054

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 12

Total Subaward Amount: $14,909,988

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline