USAID's $58.6M Technical Assistance Contract for Global Health Support Awarded to The QED Group LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $58,605,187 ($58.6M)

Contractor: THE QED Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2006-06-23

End Date: 2012-03-21

Contract Duration: 2,098 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.9K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THE THE GLOBAL HEALTH BUREAU, REGIONAL BUREAUS, AND FIELD MISSIONS IN THE AGENCY'S STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES IN THE HEALTH GOAL AREA.S GH/HIDN-3098-GH/TECH-NEW TASK ORDER-FY06

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20005, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $58.6 million to THE QED GROUP LLC for work described as: TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THE THE GLOBAL HEALTH BUREAU, REGIONAL BUREAUS, AND FIELD MISSIONS IN THE AGENCY'S STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES IN THE HEALTH GOAL AREA.S GH/HIDN-3098-GH/TECH-NEW TASK ORDER-FY06 Key points: 1. This contract focuses on providing crucial technical assistance to support the Agency's strategic objectives in the health goal area. 2. The QED Group LLC, a private company, is the sole awardee for this task order. 3. The contract spans nearly six years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The broad NAICS code (541990) suggests a wide range of potential professional, scientific, and technical services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar contracts for technical assistance in global health is difficult without more specific service details.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

Awarded as a competitive delivery order, suggesting it was part of a larger IDIQ or contract vehicle. However, the limited information on the specific competition process makes it hard to assess price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to support global health initiatives through technical assistance, the value of which depends on the effectiveness of the services provided.

Public Impact

Supports critical global health programs managed by USAID. Ensures technical expertise is available to regional bureaus and field missions. Aims to advance the Agency's strategic objectives in health. Funds are allocated for professional, scientific, and technical services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics.
Potential for cost creep with CPFF contract type.
Limited transparency on the competitive process for this delivery order.

Positive Signals

Addresses a clear need for technical assistance in global health.
Long-term duration suggests sustained support for strategic goals.
Awarded through a competitive process (delivery order).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically supporting global health initiatives. Spending in this sector is substantial, driven by government priorities in international development and public health.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific delivery order, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were provided.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by USAID's contracting officers and program managers. The long duration and CPFF structure necessitate robust oversight to ensure cost control and effective service delivery.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Contract duration is extensive (nearly 6 years).
Contract type (CPFF) carries inherent cost overrun risk.
NAICS code is very broad, lacking specificity on services.
Limited public information on the specific competitive process for this delivery order.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $58.6 million to THE QED GROUP LLC. TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THE THE GLOBAL HEALTH BUREAU, REGIONAL BUREAUS, AND FIELD MISSIONS IN THE AGENCY'S STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES IN THE HEALTH GOAL AREA.S GH/HIDN-3098-GH/TECH-NEW TASK ORDER-FY06

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE QED GROUP LLC.

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 $58.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-06-23. End: 2012-03-21.

What specific technical assistance activities are being provided under this contract, and how do they directly contribute to USAID's strategic health objectives?

The contract aims to provide technical assistance to the Global Health Bureau, Regional Bureaus, and Field Missions. Specific activities likely include program support, policy development, capacity building, and data analysis related to health initiatives. The direct contribution lies in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of USAID's global health programs, ensuring they meet strategic goals and address critical health challenges in partner countries.

What is the rationale for using a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for these technical assistance services, and what measures are in place to mitigate cost overruns?

CPFF contracts are often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined or involves research and development. For technical assistance, it allows flexibility. Mitigation measures typically include detailed cost proposals, regular financial reviews, robust monitoring of expenditures against the fixed fee, and clear performance expectations tied to funding. USAID's oversight is crucial to manage potential cost increases.

How was the price for this delivery order determined to be fair and reasonable, given the broad nature of the services and the CPFF structure?

Determining fair and reasonable pricing for a CPFF contract, especially with a broad scope, involves reviewing the contractor's proposed costs, including labor, overhead, and other direct costs, against established benchmarks and historical data. The fixed fee is negotiated based on the perceived risk and complexity. USAID's procurement regulations require thorough price analysis, potentially including comparison with other similar contracts or independent government cost estimates.

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 › N – Health R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1250 EYE ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20005

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $60,016,923

Exercised Options: $60,016,923

Current Obligation: $58,605,187

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDGHSI000500005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline