Panagora Group Inc. receives $41.9M for technical support to USAID's Health Office

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $41,901,712 ($41.9M)

Contractor: Panagora Group Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2019-05-02

End Date: 2025-10-31

Contract Duration: 2,374 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS IS A REQUEST THE INCREMENTALLY FUND THE PANAGORA HO TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE HEALTH OFFICE TEAM FOR AN AMOUNT OF $1000000

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $41.9 million to PANAGORA GROUP INC. for work described as: THIS IS A REQUEST THE INCREMENTALLY FUND THE PANAGORA HO TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE HEALTH OFFICE TEAM FOR AN AMOUNT OF $1000000 Key points: 1. Contract value of $41.9M over its period of performance. 2. Services provided are 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 3. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, indicating potential for cost overruns. 4. Awarded as 'Not Available for Competition', raising questions about market research. 5. Long performance period of 2374 days. 6. No indication of small business set-aside or subcontracting goals.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value is $41.9 million. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, it is difficult to benchmark value for money. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed carefully. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of work and comparing it to similar technical support contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as 'Not Available for Competition', indicating a sole-source procurement. This suggests that the agency identified Panagora Group Inc. as the only responsible source capable of meeting the requirement. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for price discovery through a bidding process, potentially leading to a higher price than if multiple vendors had competed.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means there is less assurance of obtaining the best possible price and value, as competitive pressures were absent.

Public Impact

Benefits USAID's Health Office by providing essential technical support. Services likely contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of health programs. Geographic impact is global, supporting international health initiatives. Workforce implications include employment for personnel working on the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and value assessment.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure may incentivize higher costs.
Lack of transparency on specific performance metrics makes value evaluation challenging.

Positive Signals

Panagora Group Inc. is a known entity providing services to government agencies.
The contract supports critical health initiatives for USAID.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting government agencies. This sector is broad and includes a wide range of specialized services. Benchmarking would require identifying comparable contracts for technical support to international development agencies, which can be challenging due to unique requirements and agency-specific needs.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included small business set-asides. The contract was awarded to Panagora Group Inc. without competition, and no information is provided regarding subcontracting plans. This suggests that small businesses may not directly benefit from this specific award unless they are subcontractors to Panagora Group Inc., which is not detailed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms would typically be managed by the Agency for International Development (USAID) through contract officers and technical monitors. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance work statement and the Cost Plus Fixed Fee terms. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and lack of publicly available detailed performance data.

Related Government Programs

USAID Health Programs
International Development Support Services
Professional and Technical Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award raises concerns about competition and potential value.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may lead to cost uncertainty.
Lack of detailed performance metrics hinders value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $41.9 million to PANAGORA GROUP INC.. THIS IS A REQUEST THE INCREMENTALLY FUND THE PANAGORA HO TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE HEALTH OFFICE TEAM FOR AN AMOUNT OF $1000000

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PANAGORA GROUP 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 $41.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-05-02. End: 2025-10-31.

What specific technical support services does Panagora Group Inc. provide under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' to the 'Health Office Team' of the Agency for International Development (USAID). While the broad category is given, specific details on the technical support are not elaborated. This could encompass a wide range of activities such as program management support, data analysis, policy development assistance, strategic planning, or technical expertise in specific health areas relevant to USAID's mission. A deeper dive into the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) would be necessary to understand the precise nature and scope of the services rendered.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure impact the overall cost and value for taxpayers?

A Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract reimburses the contractor for allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. While the fee is fixed, the total cost to the government can vary depending on the actual costs incurred by the contractor. This structure is often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined or when there is uncertainty in the costs. For taxpayers, this means there is a risk that the total cost could exceed initial estimates if the contractor's costs are higher than anticipated. Effective oversight and robust cost controls by the agency are crucial to mitigate this risk and ensure value for money. Without detailed performance metrics and cost breakdowns, it's challenging to assess if the fixed fee is reasonable or if the overall costs represent good value.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The data states the contract was awarded as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', which is synonymous with a sole-source award. Agencies typically justify sole-source awards when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the requirement. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, urgent needs where competition is impractical, or specific expertise held by a single entity. For this contract, the justification would likely stem from Panagora Group Inc. possessing specific, indispensable expertise or resources required by USAID's Health Office that other contractors could not readily provide. A thorough justification document, usually required for sole-source procurements, would detail these reasons.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar technical support services at USAID?

The provided data focuses on a single contract award to Panagora Group Inc. and does not offer historical spending patterns for similar services at USAID. To analyze historical spending, one would need to access contract databases (like USASpending.gov) and filter for contracts awarded by USAID within the 'Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category (NAICS code 541990 or related codes) over several fiscal years. This would allow for the identification of trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the contractors frequently engaged. Without this broader dataset, it's impossible to contextualize the $41.9 million award within USAID's overall procurement history for technical support.

Are there any performance concerns or positive performance indicators associated with Panagora Group Inc. on this or similar contracts?

The provided data does not include specific performance indicators, concerns, or positive signals related to Panagora Group Inc.'s performance on this contract or others. Performance information is typically found in contract performance reports, past performance reviews, or agency evaluations, which are not included in this dataset. To assess performance, one would need to consult sources like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) or agency-specific contract management files. Without such information, it is difficult to gauge the contractor's track record and reliability.

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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8601 GEORGIA AVE STE 905, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $60,334,102

Exercised Options: $60,334,102

Current Obligation: $41,901,712

Actual Outlays: $40,364,963

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 10

Total Subaward Amount: $3,195,381

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline