USAID's MANPOWER II Contract: $22.6M for Technical Services Awarded to The QED Group LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,640,209 ($22.6M)

Contractor: THE QED Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2008-09-18

End Date: 2013-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,930 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MANPOWER II - INCREMENTAL FUNDING

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $22.6 million to THE QED GROUP LLC for work described as: MANPOWER II - INCREMENTAL FUNDING Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $22.6 million, was awarded to The QED Group LLC. 2. It falls under the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. The contract duration was 1930 days, ending in December 2013. 5. The contract type was Firm Fixed Price.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $22.6 million over approximately 5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific deliverables or comparable contracts in the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category, a precise pricing assessment is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price structure implies a defined scope and cost expectation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Awarded under full and open competition, this method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a broad range of potential contractors to bid. The agency likely sought the best value through this process, but the specific impact on price discovery depends on the number and quality of bids received.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing services at a reasonable price.

Public Impact

This contract supported professional, scientific, and technical services, likely contributing to USAID's mission objectives. The duration of nearly five years suggests a significant and ongoing need for these services. The firm fixed-price contract type indicates a clear understanding of the scope and cost by both parties.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on deliverables and performance metrics.
Limited information on the specific technical services provided.
The contract ended in 2013, making current relevance difficult to assess.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Firm fixed-price contract type can provide cost certainty.
Long contract duration suggests sustained need and potential for successful service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector is broad and encompasses a wide array of specialized support. Benchmarking spending in this category is challenging without more specific service details, but contracts of this size are common for agencies requiring expert assistance.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and does not specify any small business subcontracting goals. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses is not evident from this record.

Oversight & Accountability

The award under full and open competition suggests a structured procurement process. However, further review of contract performance reports and any associated audits would be necessary to assess the effectiveness of oversight and accountability.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Contract awarded in 2008, ended in 2013 - limited current relevance.
NAICS code is very broad, making specific service analysis difficult.
No indication of small business participation.
Lack of detailed performance or deliverable information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $22.6 million to THE QED GROUP LLC. MANPOWER II - INCREMENTAL FUNDING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE QED GROUP LLC.

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 $22.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-18. End: 2013-12-31.

What specific technical services were provided under the MANPOWER II contract, and how did they align with USAID's mission objectives?

The MANPOWER II contract, valued at $22.6 million, was awarded to The QED Group LLC for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' While the exact nature of these services is not detailed, they likely supported USAID's international development programs. These could range from program evaluation and analysis to technical assistance and capacity building in various sectors relevant to USAID's mission, such as health, education, or economic development.

Given the firm fixed-price structure and full and open competition, what was the likely level of price competition and potential for cost savings for taxpayers?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type, combined with full and open competition, generally creates a strong incentive for contractors to manage costs effectively to maintain profitability. The competitive bidding process should have driven down prices by allowing multiple qualified firms to propose their best offers. This structure aims to provide taxpayers with cost certainty and ensure value for money, assuming the competition was robust and the scope well-defined.

What risks were associated with a nearly five-year contract for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' and how might they have been mitigated?

Risks for a long-term contract in a broad service category include scope creep, contractor performance issues, and evolving agency needs. Mitigation strategies could have included clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, change control processes, and potentially incorporating mechanisms for adjusting services or pricing if requirements significantly changed, while still adhering to the FFP structure where possible.

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

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1250 EYE ST NW, STE 1100, WASHINGTON, DC, 98

Business Categories: Category Business, Community Development Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,318,204

Exercised Options: $24,318,204

Current Obligation: $22,640,209

Timeline