ARD, Inc. awarded $46.6M for Property Rights and Resource Governance Program, a competitive delivery order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $46,604,138 ($46.6M)

Contractor: ARD, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2007-09-12

End Date: 2013-09-10

Contract Duration: 2,190 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER FOR PROPERTY RIGHTS AND RESOURCE GOVERNANCE PROGRAM (PRRG)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20523

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $46.6 million to ARD, INC. for work described as: TASK ORDER FOR PROPERTY RIGHTS AND RESOURCE GOVERNANCE PROGRAM (PRRG) Key points: 1. Contract value of $46.6M over 6 years indicates significant investment in governance programs. 2. Competition dynamics for this delivery order are not fully detailed but suggest a competitive process. 3. Risk indicators include the Cost Plus Fixed Fee pricing structure, which can incentivize cost overruns. 4. Performance context is tied to the Property Rights and Resource Governance Program, suggesting a focus on international development. 5. Sector positioning is within administrative and management consulting services, supporting complex program delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $46.6 million over six years for administrative and management consulting services appears substantial. Benchmarking this against similar international development programs would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while common for complex services, carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not closely managed. Without specific performance metrics or comparisons to similar contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents excellent value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that multiple vendors likely had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific task order. While competitive, the exact number of bidders and the nature of the competition (e.g., best value vs. lowest price technically acceptable) would provide further insight into price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a more efficient allocation of resources and potentially driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include international communities and governments receiving support for property rights and resource governance. Services delivered encompass consulting and management support for complex governance programs. Geographic impact is likely global, supporting USAID's international development objectives. Workforce implications include employment for consultants and program managers in the international development sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may lead to cost overruns if not managed stringently.
Limited public information on specific performance metrics makes it challenging to assess program effectiveness.
The duration of the contract (6 years) requires sustained oversight to ensure continued value.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value.
Focus on property rights and resource governance addresses critical development needs.
Contracting vehicle (delivery order) implies it's part of a larger, pre-competed framework.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative and general management consulting. This sector is crucial for supporting government agencies in implementing complex programs, particularly in international development. Spending in this area often supports policy development, program management, and technical assistance. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other USAID contracts for similar governance or program management services.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans for this specific delivery order is not provided in the data. As a competitive delivery order, it's possible that small businesses could have participated as prime contractors or subcontractors, but the extent of their involvement is unknown without further details. Analysis would require data on subcontracting goals and achievements.

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 performance work statement and reporting requirements. Transparency is often facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance data may be less accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

USAID International Development Programs
Global Governance Initiatives
Property Rights Programs
Resource Management Consulting

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
Limited public data on specific performance outcomes.
Contract duration requires sustained oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $46.6 million to ARD, INC.. TASK ORDER FOR PROPERTY RIGHTS AND RESOURCE GOVERNANCE PROGRAM (PRRG)

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 $46.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-12. End: 2013-09-10.

What is the specific nature of the 'Property Rights and Resource Governance Program (PRRG)' that ARD, Inc. is supporting?

The Property Rights and Resource Governance Program (PRRG) is an initiative likely aimed at strengthening legal and institutional frameworks for property rights and natural resource management in developing countries. This can involve technical assistance, policy reform, capacity building for local institutions, and support for land tenure security. The goal is often to promote equitable resource distribution, reduce conflict, and foster sustainable economic development by ensuring clear and enforceable rights to land and resources.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure compare to other contract types for similar international development consulting services?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure is common for complex services where the scope of work may evolve or is difficult to define precisely upfront, such as in international development programs. It allows the contractor to recover allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee, providing an incentive for efficiency. However, it carries a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts if costs exceed projections. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF offers more flexibility but less cost certainty for the government. For similar services, agencies often use a mix of contract types depending on the program's maturity and predictability.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate ARD, Inc.'s performance under this contract?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not publicly detailed in the provided data. However, for a program focused on property rights and resource governance, typical KPIs might include the number of land tenure rights formally recognized, the reduction in land-related disputes, the successful implementation of new resource management policies, the capacity-building achievements of local institutions, and the overall impact on sustainable development or economic growth in the target regions. USAID would have established these KPIs in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS).

What is the historical spending trend for ARD, Inc. with the Agency for International Development (USAID)?

The provided data only details one specific contract award of $46.6 million to ARD, Inc. from USAID. To understand the historical spending trend, a broader analysis of all contracts awarded to ARD, Inc. by USAID over multiple years would be required. This would involve querying federal procurement databases to identify the volume, value, and types of services ARD, Inc. has provided to USAID historically. Without this broader dataset, it's impossible to determine a trend.

What is the typical duration and value range for USAID contracts in administrative and general management consulting services?

The typical duration and value range for USAID contracts in administrative and general management consulting services can vary significantly based on the program's scope, complexity, and geographic focus. Contracts can range from short-term technical assistance projects valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars to large, multi-year programs like the one awarded to ARD, Inc. ($46.6M over 6 years), which can reach tens or even hundreds of millions. Longer durations (5-10 years) and higher values are common for major development initiatives requiring sustained support and capacity building.

How does the competitive landscape for large international development consulting contracts typically function?

The competitive landscape for large international development consulting contracts, particularly those issued by agencies like USAID, is often characterized by a mix of large, established prime contractors and a network of specialized subcontractors. Contracts are frequently competed through broad agency announcements (BAAs), indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicles, or specific task order competitions against pre-awarded IDIQs. Competition can be intense, with multiple firms vying for significant awards. The process often emphasizes technical approach, past performance, management capability, and price, with 'best value' trade-offs being common.

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: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Tetra Tech, Inc. (UEI: 045224250)

Address: 159 BANK ST, BURLINGTON, VT, 05401

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $237,121,135

Exercised Options: $237,121,135

Current Obligation: $46,604,138

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDEPPI000600008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline