Namibia Rangeland Project: $3.7M Spent on Consulting Services via Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,733,949 ($3.7M)

Contractor: Innovations for Poverty Action a Nonprofit Corp

Awarding Agency: Millennium Challenge Corporation

Start Date: 2012-02-16

End Date: 2020-06-30

Contract Duration: 3,057 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IMPACT EVALUATION FOR NAMIBIA RANGELAND

Plain-Language Summary

Millennium Challenge Corporation obligated $3.7 million to INNOVATIONS FOR POVERTY ACTION A NONPROFIT CORP for work described as: IMPACT EVALUATION FOR NAMIBIA RANGELAND Key points: 1. Spending focused on 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services'. 2. Contract awarded to a nonprofit, INNOVATIONS FOR POVERTY ACTION. 3. Long duration (3057 days) suggests a sustained effort. 4. Full and open competition was utilized, indicating broad market access.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $3.7M over 8 years for consulting services is difficult to benchmark without specific deliverables. The Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for identifying qualified vendors. This method generally promotes competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for a project aimed at rangeland improvement in Namibia, with the effectiveness of the consulting services directly impacting the project's success.

Public Impact

Supports international development efforts in Namibia. Focuses on rangeland management, crucial for environmental sustainability and livelihoods. Consulting services likely contributed to policy, research, or implementation strategies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can inflate costs.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Awarded to a nonprofit organization focused on poverty innovation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services', a broad category. Benchmarking is challenging without knowing the specific technical nature of the consulting provided for rangeland management.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the award went to a nonprofit corporation, not a small business. There is no information on whether small businesses were subcontracted.

Oversight & Accountability

The Millennium Challenge Corporation acted as the agency and awarding body. Oversight would involve monitoring the consulting services' progress and impact against project goals.

Related Government Programs

Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Millennium Challenge Corporation Contracting
Millennium Challenge Corporation Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract.
Lack of specific performance metrics.
Difficulty in benchmarking specialized consulting services.
Limited insight into actual project impact and long-term effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Millennium Challenge Corporation awarded $3.7 million to INNOVATIONS FOR POVERTY ACTION A NONPROFIT CORP. IMPACT EVALUATION FOR NAMIBIA RANGELAND

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INNOVATIONS FOR POVERTY ACTION A NONPROFIT CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Millennium Challenge Corporation (Millennium Challenge Corporation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-02-16. End: 2020-06-30.

What specific outcomes were achieved by the consulting services funded by this $3.7M contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific outcomes or deliverables of the consulting services. Further investigation into project reports and evaluations by the Millennium Challenge Corporation would be necessary to assess the tangible results and impact on Namibia's rangeland.

How effectively did the full and open competition process ensure competitive pricing for these specialized consulting services?

While full and open competition is designed to foster competitive pricing, the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can mitigate some of those benefits if not strictly managed. The actual price discovery effectiveness depends on the bid evaluation criteria and ongoing oversight of labor hours and rates.

What is the long-term sustainability and scalability of the rangeland management strategies developed or implemented with the help of these consultants?

The data does not provide information on the long-term sustainability or scalability of the strategies. This would require assessing the project's follow-on activities, local adoption rates, and the environmental and economic impacts observed after the contract's completion.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting 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: MCC119065RFP26

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 655 15TH ST NW STE 800, WASHINGTON, DC, 20005

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: $3,733,949

Exercised Options: $3,733,949

Current Obligation: $3,733,949

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 95332418D0014

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline