USAID's $22.3M 'Improved Health of Bolivians' program awarded to John Snow, Inc. for technical services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,283,062 ($22.3M)

Contractor: John Snow, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2005-04-01

End Date: 2011-11-30

Contract Duration: 2,434 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IMPROVED HEALTH OF BOLIVIANS PROGRAM

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $22.3 million to JOHN SNOW, INCORPORATED for work described as: IMPROVED HEALTH OF BOLIVIANS PROGRAM Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in international health initiatives. 2. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term commitment to program goals. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified contractors. 4. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code covers a wide range of potential activities. 5. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type allows for flexibility but requires careful cost management. 6. The absence of small business set-aside suggests the primary contractor was not a small business, and subcontracting opportunities may be limited.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable international health program contracts. The total award of over $22 million over approximately 6.7 years (2434 days) suggests an average annual spend of roughly $3.3 million. This figure needs to be assessed against the scope of work, the specific health outcomes targeted, and the operational costs in Bolivia. Without detailed cost breakdowns or performance data, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money, but the duration and total amount indicate a substantial program.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' meaning that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This typically suggests that the agency sought the best possible solution and price by allowing a wide range of potential contractors to compete. The number of bidders (4) is moderate, indicating some level of interest but not an overwhelming response. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring a competitive market.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and better pricing. It ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by selecting the most capable and reasonably priced offeror.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the population of Bolivia, who are expected to experience improved health outcomes. The program likely delivers a range of technical assistance and services related to public health, disease prevention, and healthcare system strengthening. Geographic impact is focused within Bolivia, potentially targeting specific regions or national-level health initiatives. Workforce implications could include the employment of local Bolivian health professionals, international experts, and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize contractors to increase costs to maximize their fee if not managed tightly.
The broad NAICS code 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' may indicate a less defined scope, potentially leading to scope creep.
Limited information on specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the program's effectiveness and value for money.
The contract duration is long, increasing the risk of changing health needs or geopolitical factors impacting program success.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contractor, John Snow, Inc., is a known entity in global health and development, implying relevant expertise.
The substantial funding indicates a significant commitment to addressing health challenges in Bolivia.
The contract's long duration (over 6 years) allows for sustained impact and program development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to international development and public health. The market for such services is global, with numerous organizations specializing in health, aid, and technical assistance. USAID is a major procurer in this space, funding programs aimed at improving health, governance, and economic development in partner countries. Benchmarking spending requires comparison to similar USAID-funded health programs or contracts awarded by other international development agencies for comparable services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the competition was open to all qualified offerors, including large businesses. While there is no explicit mention of subcontracting plans, large prime contractors often engage small businesses for specialized services. However, without specific subcontracting goals or reporting, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear, and opportunities may be limited to specific needs identified by the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Agency for International Development (USAID), likely through its contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would typically apply to investigate fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

USAID Global Health Programs
International Health Assistance
Public Health Initiatives in Developing Countries
Technical Assistance Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure if not tightly managed.
Risk associated with implementing complex health programs in a developing country context.
Dependency on specific health indicators which may be influenced by external factors.
Contract duration is long, increasing exposure to changing political or economic environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $22.3 million to JOHN SNOW, INCORPORATED. IMPROVED HEALTH OF BOLIVIANS PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JOHN SNOW, INCORPORATED.

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 $22.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-04-01. End: 2011-11-30.

What specific health outcomes was the 'Improved Health of Bolivians Program' designed to achieve, and what evidence exists of its success?

The provided data does not detail the specific health outcomes targeted by the 'Improved Health of Bolivians Program.' Such programs typically aim to reduce mortality rates (e.g., maternal, infant, child), improve access to healthcare services, enhance disease prevention and control (e.g., infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases), strengthen health systems, and promote health behaviors. Assessing success would require access to program evaluation reports, performance monitoring data, and independent assessments that measure changes in key health indicators within Bolivia during the contract period (2005-2011). Without this information, a definitive statement on program success cannot be made.

How does the $22.3 million contract value compare to other USAID health programs in similar regions or of similar scope?

Comparing the $22.3 million contract value requires context regarding the specific health challenges addressed, the duration, and the geographic scope. USAID funds a wide array of health programs globally, with costs varying significantly based on the complexity of interventions, the country's economic status, and the targeted health issues. For instance, large-scale initiatives focusing on HIV/AIDS, malaria, or tuberculosis control in high-burden countries can often exceed this amount. Smaller, more targeted technical assistance programs might be significantly less. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze the average award values for USAID health contracts in Latin America or for programs with similar objectives (e.g., primary healthcare strengthening, maternal and child health) during the 2005-2011 timeframe.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for John Snow, Inc. under this contract, and how were they measured?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) established for John Snow, Inc. under the 'Improved Health of Bolivians Program.' Typically, contracts of this nature include a Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) that outlines specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives. These KPIs would likely relate to improvements in health service delivery, training of local health workers, implementation of public health campaigns, or strengthening of health infrastructure. Measurement methods would depend on the KPI, potentially involving surveys, health facility data collection, mortality statistics, and programmatic reporting.

Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, what mechanisms were in place to control costs and ensure efficiency?

A Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type means the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. To control costs and ensure efficiency under CPFF, USAID would have implemented several oversight mechanisms. These include rigorous auditing of contractor expenses to ensure they are allowable, allocable, and reasonable; regular progress reviews and performance monitoring to ensure the work is proceeding as planned and efficiently; clear definition and adherence to the scope of work to prevent scope creep; and potentially incentive clauses or penalties tied to performance or cost savings, although the 'fixed fee' aspect implies the profit is predetermined. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) plays a crucial role in day-to-day oversight.

What is John Snow, Inc.'s track record with USAID, particularly in health programs in Latin America?

John Snow, Inc. (JSI) has a well-established track record of working with USAID on global health initiatives. JSI is a recognized leader in international public health and development, often implementing projects related to maternal and child health, infectious disease control, health systems strengthening, and supply chain management. Their work spans numerous countries, including those in Latin America. While this specific contract ($22.3M, 2005-2011) is one example, JSI has managed numerous other contracts and grants from USAID and other governmental and non-governmental organizations, demonstrating a consistent ability to deliver on complex health programs. A deeper dive into USAID contract databases would reveal the full extent and nature of their past and present engagements.

What was the total spending by USAID on health programs in Bolivia during the period this contract was active (2005-2011)?

The provided data focuses solely on this specific contract awarded to John Snow, Inc. It does not offer information on USAID's total spending on health programs in Bolivia between 2005 and 2011. To determine this, one would need to query comprehensive USAID spending databases, filtering by country (Bolivia), sector (Health), and the specified time frame. This would encompass all contracts, grants, and other funding mechanisms USAID utilized to support health initiatives in Bolivia during that period, providing a broader picture of US government investment in the country's health sector.

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

Solicitation ID: 51104030

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 44 FARNSWORTH ST FL 7, BOSTON, MA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,328,355

Exercised Options: $22,328,355

Current Obligation: $22,283,062

Timeline