USAID's $145.6M contract for education reform services awarded to JUAREZ & ASSOCIATES, INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,564,302 ($14.6M)

Contractor: Juarez & Associates, Inc

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2009-09-25

End Date: 2014-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,648 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EDUCATION REFORM IN THE CLASSROOMTAS::72 1021::TAS

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $14.6 million to JUAREZ & ASSOCIATES, INC for work described as: EDUCATION REFORM IN THE CLASSROOMTAS::72 1021::TAS Key points: 1. Contract awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for price discovery. 2. The contract duration of over 4 years indicates a significant, long-term commitment. 3. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' a broad category. 4. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure can incentivize cost control but requires careful oversight. 5. No specific small business set-aside was noted, raising questions about broader economic impact. 6. The contract's value places it as a substantial investment in education reform initiatives.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable project data. The CPFF structure, while common, can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. The fixed fee component provides some predictability, but the overall cost is subject to the direct costs incurred by the contractor. Without more granular data on the services delivered and their outcomes, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER,' indicating it was competed among multiple offerors. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature suggests that the agency sought to obtain the best value through a bidding process. This approach generally leads to more favorable pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it fosters price reduction and encourages contractors to offer their most competitive terms.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries likely include students, educators, and educational institutions in regions targeted by USAID's education reform programs. Services delivered are expected to focus on improving educational systems, curriculum development, teacher training, and policy implementation. Geographic impact will be concentrated in the countries or regions where USAID implements its education initiatives. Workforce implications may include the employment of local and international education specialists, consultants, and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost creep under the CPFF structure if not rigorously monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and impact of the services.
Broad service category may obscure the precise nature and focus of the work performed.
Limited information on small business participation or subcontracting opportunities.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, indicating potential for good value.
Long contract duration suggests a sustained commitment to addressing complex educational challenges.
Contractor JUAREZ & ASSOCIATES, INC. has experience in professional, scientific, and technical services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under NAICS code 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services). This broad category encompasses a wide range of specialized services. Spending in this sector is significant across government agencies for consulting, research, and technical support. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific sub-services provided within education reform.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside for this contract (ss=false, sb=false). This suggests that the contract was not exclusively reserved for small businesses. The extent of small business subcontracting is also not detailed. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem or whether opportunities were actively created for them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Agency for International Development (USAID). As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, USAID would be responsible for monitoring the contractor's direct costs, ensuring compliance with the contract terms, and verifying the achievement of milestones. Transparency would be facilitated through regular reporting requirements from the contractor and potentially through USAID's public contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply for any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

USAID Education Programs
International Development Assistance
Global Education Initiatives
Technical Assistance Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
Performance Measurement Difficulty
Scope Creep Potential
Contractor Efficiency Monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $14.6 million to JUAREZ & ASSOCIATES, INC. EDUCATION REFORM IN THE CLASSROOMTAS::72 1021::TAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JUAREZ & ASSOCIATES, 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 $14.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-25. End: 2014-03-31.

What is the track record of JUAREZ & ASSOCIATES, INC. with USAID and similar contracts?

JUAREZ & ASSOCIATES, INC. has a history of performing professional, scientific, and technical services. Their track record with USAID would need to be reviewed through contract databases and performance reports to assess their past performance on similar international development and education reform projects. Key indicators would include on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of work, and client satisfaction. A deeper dive would involve examining past awards, contract modifications, and any documented performance issues or commendations to understand their reliability and expertise in executing complex, long-term contracts.

How does the $145.6 million value compare to other USAID education reform contracts?

The $145.6 million value positions this contract as a significant investment in education reform by USAID. To benchmark its value, one would compare it to other USAID contracts for similar services, both in terms of scope and geographic focus. If other comparable contracts for large-scale education reform initiatives are in a similar dollar range, it suggests this award is in line with agency spending patterns for such complex undertakings. Conversely, if it is substantially higher or lower than comparable awards, it would warrant further investigation into the specific services, duration, and market conditions.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract of this magnitude?

The primary risks with a CPFF contract of this magnitude include potential cost overruns if the contractor's direct costs exceed projections, even though the fixed fee remains constant. There's also a risk of scope creep, where the project expands beyond its original intent, leading to increased costs and potentially delayed timelines. Contractor performance and efficiency are critical; if the contractor is inefficient, the government bears the cost of that inefficiency. Robust oversight is essential to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable, and that the contractor is motivated to control expenses while delivering quality services. The fixed fee itself needs to be appropriately set to incentivize performance without being excessive.

What specific outcomes or performance metrics are expected from this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact outcomes or performance metrics for this contract. Typically, contracts for education reform would include metrics related to improvements in student learning outcomes, teacher effectiveness, curriculum relevance, educational system efficiency, policy implementation success, and stakeholder engagement. USAID would establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and milestones that JUAREZ & ASSOCIATES, INC. must meet. These metrics are crucial for assessing the contractor's performance and the overall impact of the program on the target educational systems and beneficiaries.

How has USAID's spending on 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' evolved over time?

Analyzing USAID's historical spending on NAICS code 541990 ('All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services') would reveal trends in their reliance on external expertise for a variety of support functions. This category is broad, so understanding the specific sub-services procured would be key. An upward trend might indicate increasing reliance on specialized external support, while a downward trend could suggest insourcing or shifts in program focus. Comparing this trend to overall USAID budget fluctuations and strategic priorities would provide context on how these services fit into the agency's mission delivery.

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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12139 NATIONAL BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA, 90064

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,564,302

Exercised Options: $14,564,302

Current Obligation: $14,564,302

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDEDHI000500033

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline