USAID's Africa Bureau Spends $23.7M on Management Consulting Services with Zemitek LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,696,835 ($23.7M)

Contractor: Zemitek LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2016-02-08

End Date: 2022-03-02

Contract Duration: 2,214 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF USAID'S AFRICA BUREAU INSTITUTIONAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES.

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 $23.7 million to ZEMITEK LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF USAID'S AFRICA BUREAU INSTITUTIONAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES. Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Zemitek LLC for administrative and management consulting services totaled $23.7 million. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration was 2214 days, spanning from February 2016 to March 2022. 4. The primary service category is Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of $23.7 million for management consulting services appears within a reasonable range for a multi-year, comprehensive support contract. Benchmarking against similar large-scale, long-term consulting engagements would provide a clearer picture of its value proposition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting that while multiple sources were considered, some were excluded. This method aims for competition but the exclusion criteria could impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The $23.7 million expenditure represents taxpayer funds allocated to support USAID's Africa Bureau operations through management consulting services.

Public Impact

Taxpayers funded $23.7 million for administrative and management consulting services for USAID's Africa Bureau. The contract supported critical operational and management functions within the agency. The long duration of the contract (over 6 years) suggests ongoing and substantial support needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price creep in Time and Materials contracts.
Exclusion of sources in the competition method warrants further review.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition was utilized, promoting a degree of market fairness.
The contract addressed essential administrative and management needs for USAID's Africa Bureau.

Sector Analysis

The sector involves administrative and management consulting, a common area for government support services. Spending benchmarks for similar contracts can vary widely based on scope, duration, and agency needs, but $23.7 million over six years is a significant investment.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the prime contractor is Zemitek LLC. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting to small businesses, which is a missed opportunity for broader economic impact.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's long duration and significant value necessitate robust oversight to ensure performance, cost control, and adherence to contract terms. The 'exclusion of sources' aspect of the competition also warrants scrutiny.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Agency for International Development Contracting
Agency for International Development Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Lack of transparency regarding the exclusion of sources in the procurement process.
Absence of clear performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
No indication of small business subcontracting participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $23.7 million to ZEMITEK LLC. IGF::OT::IGF USAID'S AFRICA BUREAU INSTITUTIONAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ZEMITEK 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 $23.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-02-08. End: 2022-03-02.

What specific management and administrative challenges did the Africa Bureau face that necessitated a $23.7 million, six-year consulting contract?

The contract likely addressed complex operational, logistical, and strategic management needs within USAID's Africa Bureau, potentially including program support, policy implementation, and organizational efficiency improvements. The significant investment suggests a need for specialized expertise to navigate the unique challenges of operating in diverse African contexts and managing large-scale development programs.

How did the 'exclusion of sources' in the full and open competition impact the final contract price and the quality of services received?

The exclusion of certain sources, while still allowing for full and open competition among the remaining pool, could have limited the competitive pressure on pricing and innovation. Understanding the rationale for exclusion is crucial to assess if it was justified by specific requirements or if it potentially led to a suboptimal price or service outcome for the government.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for Zemitek LLC, and how effectively were they met throughout the contract's lifecycle?

Detailed KPIs are not provided in the data. Effective oversight would involve tracking metrics related to project delivery, cost efficiency, client satisfaction, and contribution to USAID's mission objectives in Africa. Without this information, a definitive assessment of the contract's effectiveness and value for money is challenging.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: SOL-OAA-15-000077

Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8070 GEORGIA AVE STE 313, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910

Business Categories: Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,044,303

Exercised Options: $23,937,809

Current Obligation: $23,696,835

Actual Outlays: $12,417,890

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline