USAID's $11.4M governance contract with Management Systems International, Inc. aimed to improve citizen security

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,405,720 ($11.4M)

Contractor: Management Systems International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2007-01-01

End Date: 2012-09-26

Contract Duration: 2,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IMPROVED GOVERNANCE THROUGH CITIZEN SECURITY.TAS::72 1037::TAS

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $11.4 million to MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: IMPROVED GOVERNANCE THROUGH CITIZEN SECURITY.TAS::72 1037::TAS Key points: 1. The contract focused on enhancing governance through citizen security initiatives, indicating a strategic investment in public administration and safety. 2. Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services were the core offerings, suggesting a need for expert guidance in operational efficiency. 3. The contract duration of 2095 days (nearly 6 years) points to a long-term commitment to achieving the stated governance objectives. 4. The use of a Time and Materials contract type may introduce cost variability, requiring diligent oversight to manage expenditures effectively. 5. The contract was awarded competitively, suggesting potential for fair pricing and a range of solutions considered. 6. The absence of small business set-asides indicates the primary contractor was not a small business, and subcontracting opportunities are not explicitly mandated.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable project data. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to higher costs if not managed closely. The total award amount of $11.4 million over nearly six years suggests a moderate investment for governance improvement programs. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and outcomes achieved against the cost.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through a competitive delivery order process, indicating that multiple vendors likely had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 5 bids suggests a reasonable level of competition for this requirement. A competitive award generally implies that the government sought the best value proposition among qualified offerors, potentially leading to more favorable pricing and service terms.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering price discovery and encouraging vendors to offer their best terms.

Public Impact

Citizens in regions targeted by USAID's governance programs are the primary beneficiaries, experiencing improved security and public administration. The contract delivered consulting services focused on enhancing governance structures and citizen security mechanisms. The geographic impact is likely concentrated in countries or regions where USAID implements its international development and security assistance programs. The contract supported the development and implementation of strategies to improve public safety and trust in governance institutions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value for money.
Limited information on the specific outcomes achieved hinders a full understanding of program effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Awarded competitively, suggesting a thorough vetting of potential contractors.
Long contract duration indicates a sustained effort towards achieving governance goals.
Focus on citizen security aligns with critical international development objectives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. This sector is crucial for government agencies seeking to improve operational efficiency, implement new policies, and manage complex programs. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in areas like public administration, security sector reform, and organizational development. The spending benchmark for similar governance and citizen security consulting contracts can vary widely based on scope, duration, and geographic complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). The prime contractor, Management Systems International, Inc., is not listed as a small business. Therefore, the direct impact on small business set-asides is none. However, the potential for subcontracting opportunities exists, depending on the prime contractor's strategy and the nature of the services required. Without specific subcontracting plans or reports, it's difficult to quantify the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Agency for International Development (USAID) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting mechanisms, though specific project details and outcomes may be subject to confidentiality. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

USAID Governance Programs
International Security Assistance
Public Administration Consulting
Citizen Security Initiatives

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Difficulty in quantifying specific outcomes and value for money without detailed performance data.
Limited transparency on specific project activities and their impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $11.4 million to MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. IMPROVED GOVERNANCE THROUGH CITIZEN SECURITY.TAS::72 1037::TAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 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 $11.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-01-01. End: 2012-09-26.

What was the specific nature of the 'improved governance through citizen security' initiatives undertaken by Management Systems International, Inc. under this contract?

The contract focused on providing Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services to enhance governance structures and citizen security. While the provided data does not detail specific initiatives, such contracts typically involve advising on policy development, institutional capacity building, security sector reform, community policing strategies, and strengthening the rule of law. The goal is often to improve the relationship between citizens and security forces, increase public safety, and foster trust in government institutions. The 'TAS::72 1037::TAS' identifier might relate to a specific program or task order within USAID's broader portfolio, potentially linked to a particular country or region where these initiatives were implemented.

How does the $11.4 million award compare to other USAID contracts for similar governance and citizen security consulting services?

Comparing the $11.4 million award requires context regarding the contract's duration (nearly 6 years) and scope. For long-term, multi-year international development contracts focused on complex areas like governance and citizen security, this amount represents a moderate investment. USAID often awards larger contracts for major infrastructure or multi-country programs, while smaller contracts might focus on specific technical assistance or pilot projects. The value proposition also depends heavily on the specific outcomes achieved. Without detailed performance reports or a direct comparison of deliverables and impact, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent or fair value relative to other similar engagements. However, the competitive award process suggests an effort to secure reasonable pricing.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract, and did Management Systems International, Inc. meet them?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or performance reports for this contract. Typically, contracts of this nature would have defined metrics related to improvements in public safety, citizen trust in security institutions, effectiveness of governance reforms, or the successful implementation of specific security strategies. Measuring the success of 'improved governance through citizen security' is inherently complex and often involves qualitative assessments alongside quantitative data. To determine if Management Systems International, Inc. met its objectives, one would need to access USAID's internal performance evaluations, contract close-out reports, or any publicly available program impact assessments related to this specific award.

What is the track record of Management Systems International, Inc. (MSI) in delivering similar governance and security-related contracts for USAID or other federal agencies?

Management Systems International, Inc. (MSI) has a significant track record with USAID and other federal agencies in implementing international development projects, including those focused on governance, security, and economic growth. A review of federal procurement data often shows MSI as a frequent recipient of contracts in these areas. Their experience typically spans program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation across various geographic regions. While this specific contract was for $11.4 million over nearly six years, MSI has likely managed contracts of varying sizes and complexities. Assessing their overall track record would involve examining past performance reviews, contract awards, and project outcomes across their portfolio to gauge consistency and effectiveness.

Given the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, what measures were in place to control costs and ensure efficiency for this $11.4 million award?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, while offering flexibility, carry inherent risks of cost escalation if not managed diligently. For this $11.4 million award, USAID would have implemented oversight mechanisms such as establishing ceiling prices, requiring detailed timesheets and expense reports, conducting regular reviews of labor hours and செலவு, and potentially incorporating fixed-price components for specific deliverables. The contracting officer's representative (COR) plays a crucial role in monitoring the contractor's performance and expenditures. The competitive nature of the award may have also incentivized MSI to propose efficient labor rates and manage resources effectively to stay within the overall award amount. However, the effectiveness of cost control ultimately depends on the rigor of USAID's oversight.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 600 WATER ST SW STE A, WASHINGTON, DC, 98

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,405,720

Exercised Options: $11,405,720

Current Obligation: $11,405,720

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDDFDI000500251

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline