USAID contract aims to reduce security risks in South Sudan for improved aid delivery, valued at $10.03M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,026,187 ($10.0M)

Contractor: Risk and Strategic Management, Corp

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2020-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-27

Contract Duration: 2,187 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE USAID/SOUTH SUDAN IPS AND THEIR SUB-PARTNERS RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO REDUCE THEIR SECURITY RISK PROFILE WITH THE GOAL OF IMPROVING DELIVERY OF USG ASSISTANCE.

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $10.0 million to RISK AND STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT, CORP for work described as: THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE USAID/SOUTH SUDAN IPS AND THEIR SUB-PARTNERS RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO REDUCE THEIR SECURITY RISK PROFILE WITH THE GOAL OF IMPROVING DELIVERY OF USG ASSISTANCE. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on mitigating security risks for USAID/South Sudan to enhance aid delivery. 2. The contract is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price, awarded under full and open competition. 3. Risk mitigation is the primary objective, aiming to improve the operational environment for assistance. 4. The sector involves professional, scientific, and technical services related to risk management.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $10.03M appears reasonable for a multi-year effort focused on complex security risk reduction in a challenging environment. Benchmarking is difficult without specific service details, but the scope suggests a significant investment in operational security.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Awarded under full and open competition, this method likely ensured a competitive bidding process, driving price discovery and potentially achieving a fair market price for the services. The definitive contract structure allows for flexibility over its duration.

Taxpayer Impact: The investment aims to improve the efficiency and safety of USG assistance delivery, potentially leading to better outcomes and more effective use of taxpayer funds by reducing risks.

Public Impact

Enhances the safety and effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance in South Sudan. Addresses critical security challenges that could otherwise impede humanitarian and development efforts. Supports USAID's mission by creating a more secure environment for program implementation. Potential for improved delivery of essential services to beneficiaries in a high-risk region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Geopolitical instability in South Sudan poses inherent risks to contract performance.
Measuring the direct impact of security risk reduction on aid delivery can be challenging.
Long-term sustainability of security improvements beyond the contract period.

Positive Signals

Clear objective focused on a critical operational need.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990), a broad category. Spending in this area can vary widely, but contracts focused on high-risk environments and strategic management often represent significant investments due to the complexity and criticality of the services provided.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or if the nature of the services precluded their involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's objective implies a need for robust oversight to ensure that security risk reduction measures are effectively implemented and contribute to improved aid delivery. USAID's internal mechanisms and potentially external monitoring will be crucial.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Agency for International Development Contracting
Agency for International Development Programs

Risk Flags

High-risk operating environment in South Sudan.
Difficulty in quantifying the direct impact of security services on aid delivery.
Potential for scope creep or evolving security needs over the contract duration.
Dependence on local security dynamics and political stability.
Ensuring long-term sustainability of security improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $10.0 million to RISK AND STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT, CORP. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE USAID/SOUTH SUDAN IPS AND THEIR SUB-PARTNERS RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO REDUCE THEIR SECURITY RISK PROFILE WITH THE GOAL OF IMPROVING DELIVERY OF USG ASSISTANCE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RISK AND STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT, CORP.

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 $10.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-10-01. End: 2026-09-27.

How will the effectiveness of security risk reduction be measured and attributed to improved aid delivery?

Effectiveness will likely be measured through a combination of metrics, including incident reports, security assessments, and qualitative feedback from implementing partners. Attributing improvements directly to the contract requires establishing baseline security conditions and tracking changes over time, alongside monitoring aid delivery metrics like reach, timeliness, and cost-efficiency.

What are the specific security risks being addressed, and what are the mitigation strategies employed?

The specific risks are not detailed but likely include threats to personnel, assets, and program activities in South Sudan's volatile environment. Mitigation strategies could encompass security planning, risk assessments, training, intelligence gathering, and potentially coordination with local security forces or international peacekeeping missions.

What is the potential impact on the cost-effectiveness of aid delivery if security risks are not adequately reduced?

Failure to adequately reduce security risks could lead to significant cost increases through program delays, loss of assets, increased security personnel costs, medical evacuations, and potentially the suspension or cancellation of critical aid activities, ultimately diminishing the overall effectiveness and value of taxpayer investment.

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: 72066819R00003

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9401 CENTREVILLE RD STE 300, MANASSAS, VA, 20110

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,403,187

Exercised Options: $10,403,187

Current Obligation: $10,026,187

Actual Outlays: $7,668,528

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline