USAID's $31.3M contract for education quality and access for underserved populations awarded to Juarez & Associates, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,289,668 ($31.3M)

Contractor: Juarez & Associates, Inc

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2014-03-26

End Date: 2021-10-31

Contract Duration: 2,776 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF CLOSELY ASSOCIATED FUNCTIONS THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO IMPROVE EDUCATION QUALITY AND ACCESS FOR UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS, I.E., INDIGENOUS CHILDREN AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH.

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $31.3 million to JUAREZ & ASSOCIATES, INC for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF CLOSELY ASSOCIATED FUNCTIONS THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO IMPROVE EDUCATION QUALITY AND ACCESS FOR UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS, I.E., INDIGENOUS CHILDREN AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH. Key points: 1. Contract aims to enhance educational outcomes for indigenous children and out-of-school youth. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process. 3. Contract duration of 2776 days indicates a long-term commitment to program goals. 4. Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may incentivize contractor efficiency. 5. Focus on underserved populations highlights a commitment to social equity. 6. The contract's objective aligns with broader development goals for education.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $31,289,668.31 over approximately 7.6 years suggests a significant investment in improving education quality and access. Benchmarking this against similar international development contracts for educational services requires detailed analysis of scope, geographic focus, and specific deliverables. However, the duration and funding level indicate a substantial program. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee, which can be effective for complex projects where costs are difficult to predict, but it necessitates careful oversight to ensure cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 2 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this contract. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, a competitive process was still employed, which is a positive sign for price discovery and value for money.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for the funds expended on improving educational access for vulnerable populations.

Public Impact

Indigenous children in underserved regions will benefit from improved educational quality and access. Out-of-school youth will be provided with opportunities to re-engage with educational systems. The program aims to deliver enhanced learning materials, teacher training, and potentially infrastructure support. Geographic impact will likely be concentrated in regions with significant indigenous populations and high rates of out-of-school youth. Workforce implications may include local employment opportunities for educators, administrators, and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not managed diligently.
Ensuring equitable distribution of resources to truly underserved populations requires robust monitoring.
Measuring the long-term impact on educational quality and access can be challenging.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent procurement process.
Long contract duration (2776 days) allows for sustained program implementation and impact.
Focus on critical development areas (education, underserved populations) aligns with USAID's mission.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code (541990). This broad category encompasses a wide range of services, including program management, technical assistance, and consulting for development initiatives. Comparable spending in this area often involves international aid organizations and government agencies investing in social programs, education, and capacity building in developing regions. The market size for such services is substantial, driven by global development goals and foreign assistance budgets.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The primary contractor, Juarez & Associates, Inc., would be responsible for managing the entire scope of work. Any subcontracting would be at their discretion and not mandated by a small business set-aside requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Agency for International Development (USAID). As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, USAID would be responsible for monitoring the contractor's costs to ensure they are reasonable and allowable, as well as overseeing the achievement of performance objectives. Transparency would be facilitated through regular reporting requirements from the contractor. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction isn't detailed here, USAID's Office of Inspector General typically has oversight over agency contracts to detect and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

Related Government Programs

USAID Education Programs
International Development Assistance
Global Education Initiatives
Programs for Indigenous Populations
Youth Education and Development

Risk Flags

Cost Control Risk (CPFF)
Performance Measurement Complexity
Geopolitical Instability in Target Regions
Sustainability of Program Impact

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $31.3 million to JUAREZ & ASSOCIATES, INC. IGF::CL::IGF CLOSELY ASSOCIATED FUNCTIONS THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO IMPROVE EDUCATION QUALITY AND ACCESS FOR UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS, I.E., INDIGENOUS CHILDREN AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JUAREZ & ASSOCIATES, 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 $31.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-03-26. End: 2021-10-31.

What is the track record of Juarez & Associates, Inc. in managing large-scale international education development contracts?

Juarez & Associates, Inc. has a history of working on contracts related to international development and technical assistance. To fully assess their track record for this specific contract, a deeper dive into their past performance on similar USAID or other federal agency contracts is necessary. This would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, any documented issues or successes, and their experience with the specific regions or populations targeted by this award. Their ability to manage Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts, control costs, and achieve programmatic objectives in complex environments would be key indicators of their suitability and past success.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar USAID initiatives focused on education in underserved regions?

The total award of approximately $31.3 million over nearly 8 years represents a significant investment. To benchmark its value, comparisons should be made with other USAID contracts or similar international development projects that aim to improve education quality and access for marginalized groups, particularly indigenous children and out-of-school youth. Factors such as the geographic scope, the specific interventions planned (e.g., curriculum development, teacher training, infrastructure), and the target population size are crucial for a meaningful comparison. Without access to a database of comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents high or low value, but the funding level suggests a comprehensive and potentially impactful program.

What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for this program?

The primary risk with a CPFF contract is the potential for cost overruns if the contractor does not manage expenses efficiently, as the government agrees to pay all allowable costs. While the fixed fee provides the contractor with an incentive to control costs to maximize their profit, there's less direct incentive for cost reduction compared to fixed-price contracts. USAID's oversight is critical to ensure that costs incurred are reasonable, allocable, and necessary for contract performance. Another risk is that the contractor might prioritize activities that increase costs to achieve a higher fee, although the fixed fee structure mitigates this to some extent. Robust monitoring and auditing by the agency are essential to manage these risks.

How will the success of this contract be measured, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs)?

The success of this contract will likely be measured against specific performance work statement (PWS) objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) established by USAID. These KPIs would typically focus on measurable improvements in educational access (e.g., enrollment rates, attendance), educational quality (e.g., learning outcomes, test scores, teacher competency), and the reach to targeted underserved populations. The contract's objective to 'improve education quality and access' suggests KPIs related to increased enrollment, reduced dropout rates, improved literacy and numeracy, and enhanced teaching methodologies. Regular progress reports and potentially independent evaluations would be used to track these KPIs and assess overall program effectiveness.

What is the historical spending trend for USAID's education programs targeting indigenous children and out-of-school youth?

Analyzing historical spending trends for USAID's education programs targeting indigenous children and out-of-school youth requires access to USAID's historical contract and grant databases. Generally, USAID allocates significant funding towards education as a key development sector, with specific initiatives often focusing on vulnerable or marginalized groups. Spending in this area can fluctuate based on global priorities, specific country needs, and the availability of funding. Contracts like this one, with a substantial award value, suggest a continued commitment to addressing educational disparities. A detailed analysis would involve examining budget allocations, program portfolios, and the number and value of awards made over several fiscal years.

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

Address: 12139 NATIONAL BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA, 90064

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,317,138

Exercised Options: $31,317,138

Current Obligation: $31,289,668

Actual Outlays: $3,796,904

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline