USAID's $17.5M Foreign Assistance Program Awarded to Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees Lacks Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,546,841 ($17.5M)

Contractor: Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2006-06-20

End Date: 2009-12-18

Contract Duration: 1,277 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $17.5 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES for work described as: FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Key points: 1. Significant spending on professional, scientific, and technical services for foreign aid. 2. Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overspending and value for taxpayer money. 3. The contract type and awardees suggest a niche service area, potentially limiting broader market engagement. 4. Long contract duration (1277 days) could indicate a complex or ongoing program requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's total value is $17.5 million. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price represents fair market value for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. Benchmarking is challenging due to the 'Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees' designation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was 'NOT COMPETED', indicating a limited competition approach. This likely restricted price discovery and potentially led to a higher cost than a fully competed contract. The specific reasons for limited competition are not detailed.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have received the best possible price for these services, potentially leading to inefficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

Taxpayer funds are being allocated to foreign assistance programs, impacting national budget priorities. The effectiveness of these services in achieving foreign policy or development goals is not directly assessed here but is a key outcome. The 'Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees' designation raises questions about transparency and the specific entities benefiting from US government funds.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency on awardees

Positive Signals

Supports foreign assistance objectives
Addresses specific technical service needs

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically NAICS code 541990. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on government needs, but competitive procurement is generally expected to ensure value.

Small Business Impact

The awardee is listed as 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES', and the contract is 'NOT COMPETED'. There is no indication that small businesses were specifically solicited or awarded portions of this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The lack of competition suggests potential weaknesses in oversight regarding procurement processes. Further review would be needed to understand the justification for not competing and to ensure accountability for the funds expended.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Agency for International Development Contracting
Agency for International Development Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for sole-source award without clear justification
Limited transparency regarding awardees
Difficulty in assessing value for money
Potential for inefficient use of taxpayer funds

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $17.5 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES. FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES.

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 $17.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-06-20. End: 2009-12-18.

What was the specific justification for not competing this $17.5 million contract, and were alternative procurement methods considered?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED'. Without further documentation, the specific justification remains unknown. Agencies typically cite reasons such as urgent and compelling needs, or that only one responsible source exists. The lack of competition here warrants further investigation into the procurement process to ensure it adhered to federal acquisition regulations and best practices for taxpayer value.

How does the performance of 'Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees' compare to potential competitors in terms of cost and effectiveness for these technical services?

Direct comparison is impossible due to the lack of competition. The 'Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees' designation lacks specificity, making it difficult to benchmark their performance or cost against known entities. A competitive process would have allowed for evaluation of multiple offers, providing data on both cost-effectiveness and technical capability, thus ensuring better value and service delivery for the foreign assistance program.

What specific foreign assistance outcomes or objectives were achieved with this $17.5 million expenditure, and can their success be attributed to the chosen service providers?

The data provided focuses on the contract's procurement details and does not include information on the specific foreign assistance outcomes or objectives achieved. Attributing success to the chosen service providers is challenging without performance metrics or a clear link between the services rendered and the program's goals. A post-award review or program evaluation would be necessary to assess the effectiveness and impact of this spending.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2011 CRYSTAL DR STE 911, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $92,486,841

Exercised Options: $81,539,394

Current Obligation: $17,546,841

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline