USAID's $23.5M Climate Fund Contract Awarded to Partners for Global Research and Development

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,482,637 ($23.5M)

Contractor: Partners for Global Research and Development, LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2013-09-25

End Date: 2021-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,744 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF CONTRACT: PACIFIC-AMERICAN CLIMATE FUND SBA REQUIREMENT NUMBER: 0353/13/303723

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $23.5 million to PARTNERS FOR GLOBAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF CONTRACT: PACIFIC-AMERICAN CLIMATE FUND SBA REQUIREMENT NUMBER: 0353/13/303723 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. 2. Significant duration of 2744 days (over 7 years). 3. Awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources', suggesting a complex procurement. 4. No small business participation noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. The fixed fee component provides some incentive for efficiency, but the overall cost is subject to the actual costs incurred by the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' indicates a non-standard procurement process. While competition was sought, the exclusion of certain sources may limit the pool of potential bidders and potentially impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The substantial value of this contract represents a significant allocation of taxpayer funds towards climate initiatives managed by USAID.

Public Impact

Impacts climate change research and development initiatives funded by USAID. Supports administrative and management consulting services crucial for program execution. Long contract duration suggests a sustained effort in climate program management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost creep in CPFF contracts.
Limited competition method raises questions about best value.
Lack of small business involvement.

Positive Signals

Clear objective related to climate change.
Long-term engagement allows for sustained program support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically management consulting. Spending benchmarks for similar long-term, high-value consulting contracts can vary widely depending on scope and agency.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business, and there is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data. This represents a missed opportunity for small business engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' suggests a need for robust oversight to ensure the procurement process was fair and justified. USAID's internal controls and reporting mechanisms are critical for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Agency for International Development Contracting
Agency for International Development Programs

Risk Flags

Procurement method raises questions about competition breadth.
CPFF contract type can be susceptible to cost overruns.
No small business participation noted.
Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $23.5 million to PARTNERS FOR GLOBAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF CONTRACT: PACIFIC-AMERICAN CLIMATE FUND SBA REQUIREMENT NUMBER: 0353/13/303723

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PARTNERS FOR GLOBAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, 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 $23.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-09-25. End: 2021-03-31.

What specific factors led to the exclusion of sources in this 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' procurement, and how did this impact the final contract price?

The exclusion of sources typically occurs when specific technical capabilities, past performance, or unique requirements necessitate a narrowed bidder pool. Understanding these factors is crucial to assess if the competition, despite being 'full and open' among the selected few, truly yielded the best possible price and value for the government. Without this information, it's difficult to definitively gauge the taxpayer impact beyond the stated award amount.

How effectively has Partners for Global Research and Development, LLC managed the $23.5 million contract to achieve USAID's climate program objectives, given the CPFF structure?

Assessing effectiveness requires reviewing USAID's performance evaluations and project deliverables. The CPFF structure, while allowing flexibility, necessitates close monitoring by the agency to ensure costs remain reasonable and that the contractor is incentivized to meet or exceed program goals efficiently. A lack of transparency on performance metrics makes a definitive judgment on effectiveness challenging.

What is the long-term strategic value of this 7-year contract for USAID's climate initiatives, and are there mechanisms in place to adapt to evolving climate science and policy?

The long-term nature of the contract suggests a strategic investment in sustained climate program management. However, its value is contingent on the contractor's ability to remain agile and incorporate new scientific findings and policy shifts. USAID's oversight should ensure the contract allows for necessary modifications to maintain relevance and maximize long-term impact in a rapidly changing field.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8070 GEORGIA AVE STE 201, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,541,293

Exercised Options: $25,541,293

Current Obligation: $23,482,637

Actual Outlays: $726,800

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline