MCC awards $4.8M for Energy Technical Advisory Services in Senegal to WSP Canada Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,838,867 ($4.8M)

Contractor: WSP Canada Inc.

Awarding Agency: Millennium Challenge Corporation

Start Date: 2021-03-05

End Date: 2026-09-04

Contract Duration: 2,009 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Energy

Official Description: ENERGY TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICES SENEGAL

Plain-Language Summary

Millennium Challenge Corporation obligated $4.8 million to WSP CANADA INC. for work described as: ENERGY TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICES SENEGAL Key points: 1. Contract awarded to WSP Canada Inc. for energy technical advisory services. 2. The contract has a duration of approximately 5 years. 3. The contract type is Time and Materials. 4. The agency is the Millennium Challenge Corporation. 5. The NAICS code is 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.8M over 5 years appears reasonable for specialized technical advisory services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for energy consulting in developing nations would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting some level of competition, but the specific method and its impact on price discovery are not detailed. Further information on the solicitation process is needed.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is tied to the effective use of funds for energy sector development in Senegal, aiming for long-term economic benefits.

Public Impact

Supports energy sector development in Senegal. Provides technical expertise to the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Aims to improve administrative and management consulting services for energy projects.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed competition information.
Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely.
Contract duration is long, requiring sustained oversight.

Positive Signals

Focus on a critical sector (Energy).
Awarded by a reputable agency (MCC).
Potential for positive impact on Senegal's energy infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically management and technical consulting for the energy industry. Spending benchmarks for similar advisory services can vary widely based on project scope and region.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial given the Time and Materials contract type and the long duration. The Millennium Challenge Corporation's established oversight mechanisms will be key to ensuring accountability and effective service delivery.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Millennium Challenge Corporation Contracting
Millennium Challenge Corporation Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract.
Limited transparency on the competitive bidding process.
Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Millennium Challenge Corporation awarded $4.8 million to WSP CANADA INC.. ENERGY TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICES SENEGAL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WSP CANADA INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-03-05. End: 2026-09-04.

What specific technical advisory services are being provided under this contract, and how do they align with Senegal's energy development goals?

The contract is for 'Energy Technical Advisory Services' under NAICS code 541611. While the specific services aren't detailed, they likely encompass technical assessments, project planning, policy advice, and capacity building within Senegal's energy sector. Alignment with national goals would depend on the specific objectives set forth by the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the government of Senegal for energy infrastructure and reform.

What is the rationale for using a Time and Materials contract, and what measures are in place to control costs and prevent overruns?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to change. For cost control, the Millennium Challenge Corporation likely employs strict monitoring of labor hours, rates, and direct costs. Establishing clear ceilings, requiring detailed reporting, and conducting regular reviews are essential to manage potential cost overruns inherent in T&M agreements.

How will the effectiveness of WSP Canada Inc.'s advisory services be measured to ensure successful outcomes for Senegal's energy sector?

Effectiveness will likely be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to project milestones, technical report quality, successful implementation of recommendations, and contributions to the overall goals of the energy program in Senegal. Regular performance reviews between MCC and WSP Canada Inc., incorporating feedback from local stakeholders, will be critical for assessing impact and ensuring accountability.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 95332421Q0011

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1600 BOUL RENE-LEVESQUE O, MONTREAL

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,838,867

Exercised Options: $4,838,867

Current Obligation: $4,838,867

Actual Outlays: $1,278,151

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 95332418A0054

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline