USAID's $189M Foreign Assistance Program Contract Awarded to ARD, Inc. for Technical Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $189,226,319 ($189.2M)
Contractor: ARD, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development
Start Date: 2005-10-27
End Date: 2011-10-26
Contract Duration: 2,190 days
Daily Burn Rate: $86.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Plain-Language Summary
Agency for International Development obligated $189.2 million to ARD, INC. for work described as: FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Key points: 1. Significant contract value for professional, scientific, and technical services. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration is substantial, spanning over 6 years. 4. No explicit mention of small business participation.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar contracts for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' is needed to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally aims to secure the best value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for foreign assistance, with the efficiency of spending dependent on program outcomes and cost management.
Public Impact
Supports international development goals through professional and technical services. Potential impact on recipient countries' infrastructure and capacity building. Transparency in spending is crucial for public trust in foreign aid programs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Long contract duration
- Lack of small business participation noted
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Clear agency and service description
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category often supporting government agencies in specialized areas. Benchmarks for similar service contracts vary widely based on scope and expertise required.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed or if the nature of the services did not lend itself to small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight by the Agency for International Development (USAID) is critical to ensure the effective and efficient use of funds. Contract performance reviews and audits are standard mechanisms for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Agency for International Development Contracting
- Agency for International Development Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with CPFF contract type
- Long contract duration may reduce flexibility
- Lack of small business participation noted
- Need for detailed performance metrics for foreign assistance
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, agency-for-international-development, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Agency for International Development awarded $189.2 million to ARD, INC.. FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ARD, INC..
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 $189.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-10-27. End: 2011-10-26.
What specific technical services were provided under this contract, and how did they contribute to the foreign assistance program's objectives?
The contract was for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' While the exact nature of these services isn't detailed, they likely supported USAID's mission in areas such as program evaluation, technical assistance, research, or capacity building in foreign countries. The effectiveness would be measured against the specific goals set for the foreign assistance program.
Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, what measures were in place to control costs and ensure value for money?
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require robust oversight to manage costs. USAID would typically implement detailed reporting requirements, regular performance reviews, and potentially audits to ensure the contractor's costs were reasonable and allocable to the contract. The fixed fee component provides some incentive for efficiency, but vigilance is key.
How was the success of the foreign assistance program measured, and what was the contractor's role in achieving those metrics?
Measuring the success of foreign assistance programs is complex and depends on the program's specific goals (e.g., economic development, health improvements, democratic governance). The contractor's role would be defined by the statement of work, outlining deliverables and performance standards. USAID would be responsible for tracking overall program outcomes and the contractor's contribution to them.
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: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Tetra Tech, Inc.
Address: 159 BANK ST, BURLINGTON, VT, 05401
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $189,998,971
Exercised Options: $189,998,971
Current Obligation: $189,226,319
Actual Outlays: $4,707
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-10-27
Current End Date: 2011-10-26
Potential End Date: 2016-11-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-10-01
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