USAID's $24M contract for school effectiveness consulting awarded to Creative Associates International, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,058,556 ($24.1M)

Contractor: Creative Associates International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2012-03-08

End Date: 2022-05-17

Contract Duration: 3,722 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF OTHER FUNCTIONS - IMPROVED SCHOOL EFFECTIVENESS PROGRAM

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $24.1 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF OTHER FUNCTIONS - IMPROVED SCHOOL EFFECTIVENESS PROGRAM Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the long duration and cost-plus contract type, suggesting potential for cost overruns. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition, which is positive for price discovery. 3. Risk indicators include the cost-plus contract type and a long performance period, which can increase cost uncertainty. 4. Performance context is for improving school effectiveness, a critical but complex area for international development. 5. Sector positioning is within professional services for international development, a niche requiring specialized expertise.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of $24 million over approximately 10 years suggests a moderate annual spend. The cost-plus fixed fee structure, while allowing for flexibility, inherently carries a higher risk of cost escalation compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar international development consulting contracts is challenging due to the specialized nature of 'school effectiveness,' but the duration and cost structure warrant careful monitoring of expenditures to ensure value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of two bidders suggests a reasonable level of competition for this specialized service. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, a competitive process is a positive sign for achieving a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a range of offers and potentially leading to more competitive pricing than a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include students and educators in regions targeted by USAID's international development programs. Services delivered focus on improving educational outcomes and school management systems. Geographic impact is likely concentrated in developing countries where USAID operates. Workforce implications may involve local education professionals and international consultants.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus contract type can lead to unpredictable final costs.
Long contract duration increases the risk of scope creep and cost overruns.
Measuring the direct impact of 'school effectiveness' programs can be challenging.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Contractor has experience in international development, likely bringing relevant expertise.
Focus on education aligns with critical development goals.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on international development consulting. The market for such services is characterized by specialized expertise, long-term engagements, and a reliance on government funding, particularly from agencies like USAID. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the niche nature of school effectiveness, but overall spending on international development aid and consulting services runs into billions annually.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the primary competition was likely among larger, established firms. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could represent missed opportunities for smaller entities to contribute to this project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under USAID's contracting officer and potentially its Office of Inspector General (OIG). The Inspector General's office is responsible for auditing and investigating waste, fraud, and abuse in USAID programs. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed programmatic performance reports may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

USAID Education Programs
International Development Consulting Services
Global School Improvement Initiatives

Risk Flags

Cost-plus contract type
Long contract duration (10 years)
Potential for cost overruns
Difficulty in measuring direct impact

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $24.1 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF OTHER FUNCTIONS - IMPROVED SCHOOL EFFECTIVENESS PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, 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 $24.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-03-08. End: 2022-05-17.

What is the track record of Creative Associates International, Inc. with USAID and similar contracts?

Creative Associates International, Inc. has a significant history of working with USAID and other government agencies on international development projects. Their portfolio often includes education, democracy and governance, and economic growth initiatives. While specific performance metrics for this particular contract are not detailed in the provided data, their longevity and repeated awards suggest a generally satisfactory performance history. However, a deeper dive into past performance evaluations, any past disputes, or audit findings related to their contracts would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record.

How does the cost-plus fixed fee structure compare to other contract types for similar services?

Cost-plus fixed fee (CPFF) contracts are common in complex, long-term projects where the final costs are difficult to estimate precisely at the outset, such as in research and development or international development. This structure reimburses the contractor for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. Compared to fixed-price contracts, CPFF offers more flexibility but carries a higher risk of cost overruns for the government, as the contractor is incentivized to incur costs to complete the work. However, it can be advantageous when project scope is uncertain or evolving. For services like school effectiveness consulting, where outcomes can be influenced by numerous external factors, CPFF might be deemed appropriate, but it necessitates robust oversight to manage costs effectively.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of 'school effectiveness' programs?

Measuring the success of 'school effectiveness' programs is inherently complex and relies on a variety of KPIs. These can include improvements in student learning outcomes (e.g., test scores, literacy rates), teacher performance and retention, school management efficiency, student attendance and dropout rates, and the implementation of improved pedagogical practices. For this specific contract, USAID would likely have established specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. The effectiveness of the contractor would be assessed against these KPIs, often through regular reporting, site visits, and independent evaluations, though the exact KPIs are not detailed in the provided summary data.

What is the historical spending trend for USAID's school effectiveness or similar educational consulting programs?

Historical spending on USAID's education programs, including those focused on school effectiveness, has varied over the years based on global development priorities and budget allocations. While the specific data for 'school effectiveness' consulting is not provided here, USAID's overall education portfolio represents a significant portion of its development assistance. Trends often show a shift towards capacity building, teacher training, and curriculum development. Analyzing past USAID budget requests and congressional appropriations for education would reveal broader spending patterns. This particular contract, awarded in 2012 and ending in 2022, represents a substantial, long-term investment within that portfolio during its active period.

What are the potential risks associated with a 10-year contract duration for consulting services?

A 10-year contract duration for consulting services presents several potential risks. Firstly, the risk of cost escalation is significant, as unforeseen economic changes, inflation, or scope creep can drive up expenses over such a long period, especially with a cost-plus contract. Secondly, the relevance of the initial scope and objectives may diminish over a decade due to evolving educational landscapes, technological advancements, or shifts in development priorities. Thirdly, maintaining contractor performance and engagement at a high level for an extended duration can be challenging. Finally, there's a risk that the government may become locked into a particular approach or contractor, potentially missing out on innovative solutions or more cost-effective alternatives that emerge over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting 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: 5301 WISCONSIN AVE NW STE 700, WASHINGTON, DC, 20015

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,137,835

Exercised Options: $24,137,835

Current Obligation: $24,058,556

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline