USAID's $53M JHRSS Activity with DAI Global LLC aims to reduce violence and impunity, and protect human rights

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $52,980,351 ($53.0M)

Contractor: DAI Global LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2016-09-28

End Date: 2025-02-26

Contract Duration: 3,073 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF - JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS AND SECURITY STRENGTHENING (JHRSS) ACTIVITY WILL SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS TO REDUCE VIOLENCE IN TARGET AREAS, REDUCE IMPUNITY, AND PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS.

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $53.0 million to DAI GLOBAL LLC for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF - JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS AND SECURITY STRENGTHENING (JHRSS) ACTIVITY WILL SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS TO REDUCE VIOLENCE IN TARGET AREAS, REDUCE IMPUNITY, AND PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical areas of violence reduction, impunity, and human rights protection. 2. Long duration of over 8 years suggests a sustained effort in complex development challenges. 3. Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee contract type may incentivize cost overruns if not closely monitored. 4. The contract is awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified contractors. 5. The professional, scientific, and technical services sector often involves specialized expertise and can be costly. 6. Performance period extends into early 2025, requiring ongoing oversight and evaluation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics and comparable project data. The Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee structure, while allowing flexibility, can lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed diligently. The total award amount of over $52.9 million over nearly 8.5 years suggests a significant investment in the program's objectives. Further analysis would require comparing cost per outcome against similar international development initiatives focused on violence reduction and human rights.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service quality. The presence of multiple bidders allows the agency to select the most capable and cost-effective solution for achieving the program's complex objectives.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring that the government receives competitive pricing and the best value for its investment, as multiple companies vie for the contract.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include populations in targeted areas experiencing violence and human rights abuses. Services delivered aim to reduce violence, decrease impunity for perpetrators, and strengthen human rights protections. Geographic impact is focused on specific, likely high-need, regions within the program's operational scope. Workforce implications include employment for technical experts, program managers, and local staff involved in implementation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee structure requires rigorous oversight to prevent potential cost escalations.
Long contract duration increases the risk of scope creep or misalignment with evolving needs.
Measuring the impact of 'reducing violence' and 'reducing impunity' can be complex and data-intensive.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Focus on critical development areas (violence reduction, human rights) aligns with strategic foreign policy goals.
Long-term engagement allows for sustained impact and adaptation to on-the-ground realities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under NAICS code 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services). This broad category encompasses a wide range of specialized services, including those related to international development, program management, and technical assistance. The market for such services is global and highly competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in areas like governance, security, and human rights. USAID's spending in this area is consistent with its mission to advance U.S. foreign policy and development objectives.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation (sb) was not a specific set-aside (false). There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not detailed, and it's unclear if small businesses will be significantly involved as subcontractors or partners in delivering these services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Agency for International Development (USAID), likely through its contracting officers and program monitors. The Inspector General (IG) of USAID would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations related to potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency would depend on USAID's public reporting practices regarding program performance and financial expenditures.

Related Government Programs

USAID Development Assistance
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement
Global Peace Operations Initiative
Rule of Law Programs

Risk Flags

Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee contract type requires careful monitoring to control costs.
Long contract duration may lead to misalignment with evolving needs.
Measuring impact in complex areas like violence reduction can be challenging.
Potential security and political risks in target regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $53.0 million to DAI GLOBAL LLC. IGF::CL::IGF - JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS AND SECURITY STRENGTHENING (JHRSS) ACTIVITY WILL SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS TO REDUCE VIOLENCE IN TARGET AREAS, REDUCE IMPUNITY, AND PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DAI GLOBAL 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 $53.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-28. End: 2025-02-26.

What is the track record of DAI Global LLC in managing similar international development contracts focused on security and human rights?

DAI Global LLC has a significant history of managing large-scale international development projects for various U.S. government agencies, including USAID. They have experience in areas such as economic growth, governance, and peace and stability. While specific details on their performance for the JHRSS Activity are not provided in this data snippet, their extensive portfolio suggests a capacity to handle complex programs. A deeper dive into their past performance reviews, audit reports, and project outcomes for similar contracts would be necessary to fully assess their track record in security and human rights programming. This would involve examining their ability to meet objectives, manage budgets, and adhere to compliance requirements in challenging environments.

How does the Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) pricing structure compare to other contract types for achieving similar development goals, and what are the associated risks?

The Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) structure is often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined or when there is a high degree of uncertainty, common in complex development initiatives like violence reduction. It reimburses the contractor for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. Compared to fixed-price contracts, CPFF offers flexibility but carries a higher risk of cost overruns, as the contractor is incentivized to incur costs to achieve the fixed fee. For taxpayers, this means potentially higher overall costs if not managed with stringent oversight. Fixed-price contracts, conversely, offer greater cost certainty but may be less suitable for programs requiring adaptability to changing conditions on the ground. Other types like Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee (CPIF) could offer a balance by linking profit to performance targets.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of the JHRSS Activity in reducing violence and impunity?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the JHRSS Activity. However, typical KPIs for programs aiming to reduce violence might include metrics such as a decrease in reported violent incidents in target areas, a reduction in specific crime rates (e.g., homicides, assaults), and improved community perceptions of safety. For reducing impunity, KPIs could involve an increase in the number of reported cases reaching judicial processes, a higher conviction rate for certain offenses, or improved public trust in law enforcement and judicial systems. Measuring human rights protection might involve tracking the number of reported violations, the effectiveness of response mechanisms, and the strengthening of relevant legal and institutional frameworks. USAID typically requires detailed monitoring and evaluation plans with specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) indicators for such activities.

What is the historical spending trend for USAID's programs focused on justice, human rights, and security strengthening?

Historical spending data for USAID's programs in justice, human rights, and security strengthening would reveal trends in U.S. foreign assistance priorities. While this specific contract represents a significant investment, understanding the broader context requires examining USAID's budget allocations and expenditures across similar initiatives over multiple fiscal years. Trends might indicate shifts in focus due to geopolitical events, evolving development challenges, or changes in administration priorities. Analyzing this historical spending can help benchmark the current investment, identify patterns of funding for specific regions or types of interventions, and assess the long-term commitment to these critical areas. Without access to USAID's historical budget documents and contract databases, a precise trend analysis is not possible from the given data.

What are the potential risks associated with implementing a program focused on reducing violence and impunity in potentially unstable regions?

Implementing programs focused on reducing violence and impunity in potentially unstable regions carries significant risks. These include security risks to personnel, both implementing staff and beneficiaries, due to ongoing conflict or criminal activity. Political risks are also high, as changes in government, policy shifts, or corruption can undermine program objectives. Operational risks involve challenges in logistics, access to remote areas, and the difficulty of establishing trust with local communities and authorities. Furthermore, there's a risk of unintended consequences, where interventions might inadvertently exacerbate tensions or create new forms of instability. Measuring impact in such environments is also challenging due to data limitations and the complex nature of social change. Effective risk mitigation requires robust security protocols, adaptive management, strong local partnerships, and continuous contextual analysis.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: SOL-522-16-000007

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7600 WISCONSIN AVE STE 200, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $54,170,761

Exercised Options: $54,170,761

Current Obligation: $52,980,351

Actual Outlays: $31,603,890

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 20

Total Subaward Amount: $6,243,482

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDOAAI1300033

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline