USAID's $38.6M wildlife trafficking task order to ARD, Inc. aims to bolster enforcement networks

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $38,661,256 ($38.7M)

Contractor: ARD, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2021-06-30

End Date: 2025-02-14

Contract Duration: 1,325 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THE WABILED TASK ORDER IS TO I) STRENGTHEN NATIONAL AND REGIONAL NETWORKS AND INSTITUTIONS BY BUILDING THEIR CAPACITY TO ENFORCE AND PROSECUTE WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING LAWS, II) IMPROVE THE REGIONAL AND TRANSBOUNDARY COOPERATION AND CONSER

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $38.7 million to ARD, INC. for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THE WABILED TASK ORDER IS TO I) STRENGTHEN NATIONAL AND REGIONAL NETWORKS AND INSTITUTIONS BY BUILDING THEIR CAPACITY TO ENFORCE AND PROSECUTE WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING LAWS, II) IMPROVE THE REGIONAL AND TRANSBOUNDARY COOPERATION AND CONSER Key points: 1. Focuses on capacity building for wildlife trafficking law enforcement and prosecution. 2. Aims to enhance regional and transboundary cooperation in combating wildlife crime. 3. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, indicating potential for cost overruns. 4. Performance period spans over three years, suggesting a sustained effort. 5. The contract is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery contract. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $38.6 million over approximately three years for capacity building in wildlife trafficking enforcement appears reasonable given the complexity of the issue. However, without specific benchmarks for similar international capacity-building programs or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type introduces some risk, as costs can fluctuate, but it is common for services requiring flexibility. Further analysis of the contractor's historical performance and cost efficiency on similar projects would be beneficial.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified contractors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of three bidders indicates a degree of competition, which is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring a competitive market. The specific details of the bidding process, including the number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria, would provide further insight into the effectiveness of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions.

Public Impact

Benefits national and regional institutions involved in combating wildlife trafficking. Services delivered include capacity building for law enforcement and prosecution. Geographic impact is regional and transboundary, focusing on cooperation. Workforce implications include training and equipping personnel involved in enforcement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost uncertainty.
Limited public information on specific performance metrics and outcomes.
Complexity of international cooperation may present implementation challenges.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Focus on a critical global issue: wildlife trafficking.
Contract duration allows for sustained program implementation and impact.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically addressing issues related to environmental protection and law enforcement capacity building. The market for such services is driven by government needs for specialized expertise in complex global challenges. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in other international development and security assistance programs focused on combating transnational crime and environmental degradation.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides or significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The focus appears to be on larger, specialized service providers capable of managing complex international programs. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be needed to assess any potential impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms would typically be managed by the Agency for International Development (USAID) through contract officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance metrics outlined in the task order. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific program-level details may be limited.

Related Government Programs

Combating Wildlife Trafficking Programs
International Law Enforcement Assistance
Environmental Security Initiatives
Transnational Crime Prevention

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
Complexity of international cooperation
Potential for political instability in target regions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $38.7 million to ARD, INC.. THE PURPOSE OF THE WABILED TASK ORDER IS TO I) STRENGTHEN NATIONAL AND REGIONAL NETWORKS AND INSTITUTIONS BY BUILDING THEIR CAPACITY TO ENFORCE AND PROSECUTE WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING LAWS, II) IMPROVE THE REGIONAL AND TRANSBOUNDARY COOPERATION AND CONSER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARD, 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 $38.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-30. End: 2025-02-14.

What is ARD, Inc.'s track record in managing large-scale international capacity-building programs, particularly in the area of law enforcement and environmental crime?

ARD, Inc. has a history of implementing international development projects, often focusing on environmental management, natural resource governance, and economic growth. While specific details on their experience with wildlife trafficking enforcement capacity building are not immediately available from the provided data, their general expertise in managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs in developing countries suggests they possess relevant capabilities. A deeper dive into their past performance reports, client testimonials, and project portfolios would be necessary to fully assess their suitability and past successes in this specific niche. Examining their financial health and any past performance issues on similar contracts would also be crucial for a comprehensive risk assessment.

How does the $38.6 million cost compare to similar international capacity-building contracts for combating wildlife trafficking?

Benchmarking the $38.6 million cost against similar contracts is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of international wildlife trafficking capacity-building initiatives. However, the value suggests a significant, multi-year effort involving multiple countries or regions. Factors influencing cost include the scope of activities (training, equipment, policy reform), the number of beneficiaries, the geographic reach, and the duration of the program. Contracts of this magnitude often involve extensive logistical, personnel, and technical support. A detailed cost-volume-profit analysis or comparison with contracts of similar duration and objectives, even if in related fields like anti-corruption or general rule of law, could provide a more informed perspective on value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Key risks include the complexity of coordinating efforts across multiple national and regional institutions, potential political instability in target regions, corruption, and the inherent challenges in disrupting well-established trafficking networks. Furthermore, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type carries a risk of cost overruns if not managed diligently. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks, strong partnerships with local governments and NGOs, adaptive management approaches to address changing circumstances, and rigorous financial oversight by USAID. The contractor's experience in navigating complex international environments and their proposed management plan would be critical indicators of their ability to mitigate these risks.

What are the expected program effectiveness indicators and how will success be measured?

Program effectiveness will likely be measured by indicators related to increased capacity of law enforcement agencies (e.g., number of successful prosecutions, seizures of trafficked wildlife), improved inter-agency and cross-border cooperation (e.g., joint operations, information sharing agreements), and strengthened legal frameworks. Success will be determined by the extent to which these capacity-building efforts lead to a demonstrable reduction in wildlife trafficking activities within the targeted regions. USAID's standard monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks would typically guide the measurement of these outcomes, requiring regular reporting from ARD, Inc. on progress against defined performance metrics.

What is the historical spending trend for USAID or similar agencies on programs aimed at combating wildlife trafficking?

USAID has consistently allocated resources towards combating wildlife trafficking as part of its broader conservation and security assistance efforts. Historical spending trends show a growing recognition of wildlife trafficking as a critical transnational crime impacting biodiversity, national security, and economic stability. While specific figures for this particular task order are $38.6 million, overall US government spending on combating wildlife trafficking, including contributions from agencies like the Department of the Interior, Department of Justice, and State Department, has been substantial and has seen increases in recent years. This reflects a strategic prioritization of the issue.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 72064119R00003

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Address: 159 BANK ST STE 300, BURLINGTON, VT, 05401

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,661,256

Exercised Options: $48,661,256

Current Obligation: $38,661,256

Actual Outlays: $35,931,303

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 7

Total Subaward Amount: $7,241,717

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 7200AA18D00003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline