USAID's $10.2M contract for economic reform technical assistance awarded to University Research Corporation, International

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,190,144 ($10.2M)

Contractor: University Research Corporation, International

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2007-04-13

End Date: 2010-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,266 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INSTITUTIONAL REFORM PROGRAM UNDER THE COMMERCIAL LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL REFORM.

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $10.2 million to UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CORPORATION, INTERNATIONAL for work described as: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INSTITUTIONAL REFORM PROGRAM UNDER THE COMMERCIAL LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL REFORM. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in institutional reform and economic growth. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding process for this service. 3. Contract duration of over three years indicates a substantial, ongoing need for these services. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 5. This award falls within the broader category of management consulting services. 6. Performance is tied to the Economic Growth and Institutional Reform Program.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $10.2 million over three years for technical assistance in economic growth and institutional reform appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar contracts for international development consulting is challenging without more specific service details. However, the fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to manage costs effectively. The award to a single contractor implies a focus on specialized expertise, but also warrants scrutiny for potential cost efficiencies that might be gained through broader competition or alternative service delivery models.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. This approach is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust process was intended. The outcome of this competition, resulting in a single awardee, implies that the selected contractor, University Research Corporation, International, offered the best value proposition among the competing entities.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better quality services. It ensures that a wide range of potential providers have the opportunity to bid, preventing potential monopolies and encouraging innovation.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include developing countries and their institutions targeted by the Economic Growth and Institutional Reform Program. Services delivered include technical assistance aimed at fostering economic growth and strengthening institutional frameworks. Geographic impact is likely global, focusing on regions or countries identified by USAID for development assistance. Workforce implications may involve the deployment of specialized consultants and experts in economic development and reform.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep given the broad nature of 'technical assistance' and 'institutional reform'.
Ensuring measurable outcomes and impact from the technical assistance provided.
Dependency on a single contractor for critical development program support.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Fixed-price contract type helps in cost control and budget predictability.
Contract duration aligns with the long-term nature of economic development programs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Management Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541618), a broad category encompassing advisory and assistance services for organizations. The market for international development consulting is substantial, with numerous firms specializing in economic growth, institutional reform, and technical assistance. USAID is a major procurer in this space, often seeking expertise to implement complex programs in developing nations. Benchmarks for similar contracts would typically involve comparing rates for senior economists, policy advisors, and program managers engaged in international development.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without further details on subcontracting goals or performance, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear, though large prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Agency for International Development (USAID), likely through a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract's performance requirements and deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases, though detailed programmatic reporting may be internal to USAID or subject to specific disclosure rules for development programs.

Related Government Programs

Economic Growth Programs
Institutional Reform Initiatives
International Development Assistance
Management and Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues given the complexity of economic reform.
Risk of insufficient impact measurement for development programs.
Dependency on contractor expertise for critical program functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $10.2 million to UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CORPORATION, INTERNATIONAL. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INSTITUTIONAL REFORM PROGRAM UNDER THE COMMERCIAL LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL REFORM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CORPORATION, INTERNATIONAL.

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 $10.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-04-13. End: 2010-09-30.

What specific deliverables were expected from University Research Corporation, International under this contract?

The contract focused on providing technical assistance to support the Economic Growth and Institutional Reform Program. Specific deliverables would typically include detailed reports, policy recommendations, training materials, workshops, and strategic plans tailored to the needs of the program and the recipient countries. The exact nature and frequency of these deliverables would be outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), which details the tasks, objectives, and expected outcomes. For instance, deliverables might involve assessments of legal frameworks, proposals for regulatory reform, or capacity-building plans for local institutions. The success of the contract would be measured against the timely and effective submission and implementation of these outputs.

How does the $10.2 million contract value compare to similar technical assistance contracts for economic development?

Comparing the $10.2 million value requires context regarding the duration, scope, and geographic focus of similar contracts. Contracts for large-scale, multi-year technical assistance programs in international development can range from a few million to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the complexity and scale of the supported initiatives. This contract, spanning over three years, suggests a significant but not exceptionally large investment for a program aimed at economic growth and institutional reform. Benchmarking would ideally involve looking at contracts with similar objectives, such as improving business environments, strengthening legal systems, or promoting trade in developing countries, and assessing the level of effort (e.g., number of expert person-days) and specific services provided.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of this contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a contract of this nature would be directly tied to the objectives of the Economic Growth and Institutional Reform Program. While not explicitly detailed in the provided data, typical KPIs could include measurable improvements in specific economic indicators (e.g., GDP growth, foreign direct investment, ease of doing business rankings), the successful implementation of policy reforms, enhanced capacity of local institutions (measured through training completion rates or adoption of new processes), increased private sector participation, or the development and adoption of new legal or regulatory frameworks. The contract's performance would likely be assessed through regular progress reports submitted by the contractor and reviewed by USAID's COR, focusing on the achievement of these predefined metrics.

What is the track record of University Research Corporation, International in delivering similar international development services?

University Research Corporation, International (URC) has a history of working on international development projects, often focusing on health systems strengthening, but also engaging in broader technical assistance. Their track record typically involves managing complex projects funded by agencies like USAID, the World Bank, and others. Evaluating their specific performance on this particular contract would require examining past performance reviews, any past performance questionnaires (PPQs) submitted during the bidding process, and any publicly available reports or evaluations of their work. Generally, established international development firms like URC are assessed on their ability to manage budgets, meet timelines, achieve programmatic goals, and navigate complex political and cultural environments.

Were there any significant risks identified during the contract award process, and how were they mitigated?

The provided data does not detail specific risks identified during the award process. However, common risks associated with technical assistance contracts for economic reform include political instability in the target countries, resistance to reform from local stakeholders, corruption, challenges in measuring impact, and contractor performance issues. Mitigation strategies typically involve thorough risk assessments during program design, building flexibility into the contract to adapt to changing circumstances, establishing strong monitoring and evaluation frameworks, ensuring robust financial controls, and maintaining open communication channels with both the funding agency (USAID) and local partners. The 'full and open competition' process itself can be seen as a risk mitigation strategy, aiming to select the most capable and lowest-risk bidder.

How has USAID's spending on management consulting services evolved over the years, and where does this contract fit?

USAID's spending on management consulting services, including technical assistance for economic development, has historically been substantial as it is a core function of the agency's mission. The evolution of this spending is influenced by global development priorities, geopolitical shifts, and the agency's strategic objectives. This $10.2 million contract represents a specific allocation towards supporting economic growth and institutional reform in targeted regions. To understand its place in the broader spending pattern, one would need to analyze historical USAID budget allocations and contract awards for similar services over multiple fiscal years. This contract appears to be a mid-sized award within the broader portfolio of USAID's consulting expenditures, reflecting a commitment to specific program goals.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Management 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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2105 MORRILL HALL, COLLEGE PARK, MD, 20742

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,343,261

Exercised Options: $10,343,261

Current Obligation: $10,190,144

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDAFPI000400004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline