USAID's $16.9M contract with DPK Consulting aimed to improve justice in Haiti, spanning over 7 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,941,525 ($16.9M)

Contractor: DPK Consulting

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2009-04-28

End Date: 2016-07-07

Contract Duration: 2,627 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IMPROVING JUSTICE SERVICE DELIVERY AND SECTOR REFORM IN HAITI IN THE SHORT TERM WHILE BUILDING AND ADEQUATE BASE AND ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR SECTOR REFORM AND INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING IN THE LONG TERM BY STRENGTHENING THE HAITIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN HAITI,

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $16.9 million to DPK CONSULTING for work described as: IMPROVING JUSTICE SERVICE DELIVERY AND SECTOR REFORM IN HAITI IN THE SHORT TERM WHILE BUILDING AND ADEQUATE BASE AND ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR SECTOR REFORM AND INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING IN THE LONG TERM BY STRENGTHENING THE HAITIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN HAITI, Key points: 1. The contract's objective was to enhance Haiti's criminal justice system, focusing on both short-term service delivery and long-term institutional strengthening. 2. With a duration of over 7 years, the contract represents a significant, long-term commitment to sector reform in a challenging environment. 3. The cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type suggests that costs were reimbursed, with a fixed fee negotiated upfront, potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 4. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified contractors. 5. The broad scope of work, encompassing justice service delivery and sector reform, presents inherent complexity and potential risks. 6. The contract's success hinges on the stability and capacity of Haitian institutions, which are subject to significant external factors.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its specific focus on justice sector reform in Haiti and its long duration. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, while allowing for flexibility, can sometimes lead to higher final costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not meticulously managed. Without comparable contracts for similar complex, long-term development initiatives in comparable regions, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the substantial investment over seven years suggests a significant effort to achieve deep-rooted reform.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple bidders were likely considered. This competitive process is generally expected to yield better pricing and service offerings. The number of bidders (6) indicates a reasonable level of interest, though the specific qualifications and proposals would determine the true extent of competition's impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages contractors to offer their best value, potentially leading to more efficient use of public funds and better outcomes for the program.

Public Impact

Haitian citizens and residents are the primary beneficiaries through improved justice service delivery and a strengthened criminal justice system. The contract aims to deliver institutional strengthening and sector reform within Haiti's legal and judicial framework. The geographic impact is concentrated within Haiti, addressing specific national challenges. Workforce implications include potential training and capacity building for Haitian judicial personnel and related service providers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Complexity of implementing justice sector reform in a post-conflict/developing nation context.
Potential for political instability in Haiti to disrupt program implementation and effectiveness.
Challenges in measuring and attributing direct impact of the contract on justice outcomes.
Reliance on local capacity and infrastructure, which may be underdeveloped.
Long-term sustainability of reforms post-contract completion.

Positive Signals

Long-term commitment (over 7 years) allows for sustained effort and deeper impact.
Focus on both service delivery and institutional strengthening addresses immediate needs and long-term capacity.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Clear objectives for improving the criminal justice system provide a defined scope.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Support Services' category, specifically focusing on international development and governance. The market for such services involves specialized expertise in legal systems, institutional reform, and program management in challenging environments. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique geopolitical context of Haiti and the specific nature of justice sector reform, which often requires tailored, long-term approaches rather than standardized service provision.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. Given the specialized nature of international development and justice sector reform, the primary contractor likely possesses unique expertise. The extent to which small businesses were involved, either as prime contractors or subcontractors, would require further investigation into the contract's specific terms and performance reports.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Agency for International Development (USAID), likely through its Inspector General's office and program monitoring units. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance metrics and reporting requirements. Transparency would be facilitated through public contract databases and potentially through USAID's public reporting on its development assistance programs.

Related Government Programs

USAID Development Assistance Programs
International Rule of Law Programs
Haiti Reconstruction and Development Initiatives
Criminal Justice System Strengthening Projects

Risk Flags

Long contract duration increases exposure to changing political and economic conditions.
Complexity of justice sector reform in a developing nation presents inherent implementation challenges.
Potential for cost overruns due to cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type.
Sustainability of reforms post-contract completion is a significant risk factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $16.9 million to DPK CONSULTING. IMPROVING JUSTICE SERVICE DELIVERY AND SECTOR REFORM IN HAITI IN THE SHORT TERM WHILE BUILDING AND ADEQUATE BASE AND ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR SECTOR REFORM AND INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING IN THE LONG TERM BY STRENGTHENING THE HAITIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN HAITI,

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DPK CONSULTING.

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 $16.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-04-28. End: 2016-07-07.

What was the contractor's track record prior to this award?

DPK Consulting's track record prior to this award would need to be assessed through databases like SAM.gov, past performance reviews, and any publicly available project portfolios. As a consulting firm, their experience likely spans various government contracts, potentially including international development, public administration, and technical assistance. A thorough review would examine their performance on similar USAID or other federal agency contracts, focusing on their ability to manage complex projects, deliver results within budget and schedule, and adhere to compliance requirements. Specific details on their past performance metrics, client satisfaction, and any past issues or commendations would be crucial for a comprehensive understanding of their capabilities relevant to this Haiti justice reform contract.

How does the total contract value compare to similar international justice reform initiatives?

Comparing the $16.9 million total contract value to similar international justice reform initiatives requires careful consideration of scope, duration, geographic context, and specific objectives. Justice sector reform projects can vary significantly in cost based on the scale of the target country's system, the level of existing capacity, the political and security environment, and the specific reforms being pursued (e.g., judicial training, legislative reform, infrastructure development). While $16.9 million over 7 years represents a substantial investment, it might be moderate compared to large-scale, multi-billion dollar stabilization or reconstruction efforts in larger or more complex environments. Conversely, for a focused initiative within a specific country like Haiti, it could represent a significant allocation. Benchmarking would necessitate identifying contracts with similar goals (e.g., strengthening rule of law, improving judicial efficiency) in comparable low-income or post-conflict countries, considering factors like the number of beneficiaries, the scope of institutional change targeted, and the duration of the intervention.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) and how was performance measured?

The key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract would likely have been tied to the specific objectives of improving justice service delivery and sector reform in Haiti. These could have included metrics related to the efficiency of the Haitian criminal justice system (e.g., case processing times, backlog reduction), the capacity of judicial institutions (e.g., number of personnel trained, adoption of new procedures), public perception of justice (e.g., survey data on trust in the judiciary), and the successful implementation of legal or policy reforms. Performance measurement would typically involve regular reporting by DPK Consulting, site visits, data collection from Haitian institutions, and potentially independent evaluations conducted by USAID or third-party experts. The contract's success would be assessed against the achievement of these predefined KPIs over its multi-year duration.

What are the primary risks associated with implementing a justice reform program in Haiti?

Implementing a justice reform program in Haiti carries significant risks, primarily stemming from the country's persistent political instability, socio-economic challenges, and weak institutional capacity. Political volatility can lead to frequent changes in government leadership and policy priorities, disrupting reform efforts and undermining long-term planning. Widespread poverty and limited resources within Haiti can hinder the effective implementation of new systems and the sustainability of reforms once external support concludes. Furthermore, security concerns, including crime and corruption, can impede access to justice for citizens and compromise the integrity of judicial processes. The capacity of local institutions to absorb and manage reforms, coupled with potential resistance to change, also presents a considerable risk. Finally, external factors such as natural disasters can further exacerbate existing challenges and divert attention and resources from reform agendas.

How has USAID's spending in Haiti's justice sector evolved over time?

Assessing USAID's spending evolution in Haiti's justice sector requires analyzing historical budget allocations and contract awards over multiple fiscal years. This specific contract, awarded in 2009 and ending in 2016, represents a significant portion of USAID's investment during that period. To understand the broader trend, one would need to examine prior and subsequent funding cycles, looking at the total amount allocated to justice sector programs, the number and types of contracts awarded, and the specific areas of focus (e.g., police reform, judicial training, anti-corruption initiatives). Trends might indicate shifts in strategic priorities, responses to changing conditions in Haiti, or the effectiveness of previous interventions. A comprehensive analysis would involve comparing spending levels and program focus across different administrations and evolving needs in Haiti.

What is the potential for long-term sustainability of the reforms initiated under this contract?

The long-term sustainability of reforms initiated under this contract is a critical concern, heavily dependent on the capacity and commitment of Haitian institutions to maintain and build upon the progress achieved. Key factors influencing sustainability include the extent to which local ownership and leadership were fostered throughout the project, the integration of new procedures and training into existing government structures, and the availability of sustained domestic funding for the justice sector. If reforms were heavily reliant on external expertise and funding without a strong foundation of local buy-in and capacity development, their longevity could be limited. Continuous monitoring, adaptive management, and follow-on support may be necessary to ensure that the improvements translate into lasting change within Haiti's justice system beyond the contract's end date.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Other Support Services › All Other Support 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: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Tetra Tech, Inc. (UEI: 045224250)

Address: 605 MARKET ST STE 800, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94105

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,618,943

Exercised Options: $20,618,673

Current Obligation: $16,941,525

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline