USAID's $25.4M East Africa Contract Boosts Economic Resiliency and Ecosystem Sustainability

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,428,114 ($25.4M)

Contractor: ARD, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2012-12-14

End Date: 2018-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,963 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF - THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO STRENGTHEN THE RESILIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF EAST AFRICAN ECONOMIES, TRANS-BOUNDARY FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, AND COMMUNITIES, TARGETING THREE KEY DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES OF EAST AFRICA THAT ARE LIKEWISE HIGH PRIORITY AREAS FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT (USG) AS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL IN SECTION C, STATEMENT OF WORK.

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $25.4 million to ARD, INC. for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF - THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO STRENGTHEN THE RESILIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF EAST AFRICAN ECONOMIES, TRANS-BOUNDARY FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, AND COMMUNITIES, TARGETING THREE KEY DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES OF EAST AFRICA THAT ARE LIKEWISE HIGH PRIORITY AREAS FOR THE… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical East African development challenges aligned with USG priorities. 2. ARD, Inc. secured the award through full and open competition. 3. The contract aimed to strengthen economies, freshwater ecosystems, and communities. 4. Spending occurred over nearly 2,000 days, indicating a long-term program.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness. Benchmarking against similar international development contracts is difficult due to unique program scopes.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing by allowing all eligible vendors to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were directed towards critical development goals in East Africa, aiming for long-term economic and environmental benefits.

Public Impact

Strengthens economic stability in a key developing region. Addresses environmental concerns related to vital freshwater ecosystems. Supports community resilience against development challenges. Aligns with U.S. foreign policy objectives in East Africa.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns in long-term, complex development projects.
Measuring the direct impact and ROI of development aid can be challenging.

Positive Signals

Addresses high-priority USG development goals.
Utilizes a competitive bidding process.
Focuses on sustainable economic and environmental outcomes.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically focusing on international development. Spending benchmarks for such programs vary widely based on geographic scope and specific objectives.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses participated in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Awarded by the Agency for International Development (USAID), this contract likely falls under standard federal oversight mechanisms. The long duration suggests ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Long contract duration increases exposure to changing geopolitical and economic conditions.
Complexity of development goals makes measuring direct impact challenging.
Potential for cost creep in cost-plus contracts.
Reliance on external factors (e.g., climate, political stability) for success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $25.4 million to ARD, INC.. IGF::CL::IGF - THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO STRENGTHEN THE RESILIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF EAST AFRICAN ECONOMIES, TRANS-BOUNDARY FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, AND COMMUNITIES, TARGETING THREE KEY DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES OF EAST AFRICA THAT ARE LIKEWISE HIGH PRIORITY AREAS FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT (USG) AS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL IN SECTION C, STATEMENT OF WORK.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARD, 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 $25.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-12-14. End: 2018-04-30.

What specific metrics were used to measure the success of strengthening East African economies and ecosystems?

Success metrics would likely include indicators such as GDP growth in targeted regions, poverty reduction rates, improvements in agricultural yields, water quality improvements, biodiversity indices, and the successful implementation of sustainable resource management practices. The contract's Statement of Work would detail these specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.

How was the long-term sustainability of the project's outcomes ensured beyond the contract period?

Sustainability is typically ensured through capacity building of local institutions and communities, fostering local ownership of initiatives, establishing long-term partnerships with regional governments and NGOs, and integrating project activities into existing national or regional development plans. Knowledge transfer and the development of self-sufficient local systems are key components.

What were the primary risks associated with implementing development programs in East Africa, and how were they mitigated?

Primary risks include political instability, corruption, logistical challenges in remote areas, climate change impacts, and potential for community resistance or lack of buy-in. Mitigation strategies likely involved thorough risk assessments, adaptive management approaches, strong local partnerships, transparent financial controls, security protocols, and continuous stakeholder engagement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › ECONOMIC GROWTH/PRODUCTIVITY R&D

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.

Address: 159 BANK ST STE 300, BURLINGTON, VT, 05401

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,450,224

Exercised Options: $25,450,224

Current Obligation: $25,428,114

Actual Outlays: $2,970

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $2,668,082

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline