USAID Awards $31.5M for Employee Assistance and Resilience Program to Konterra Group

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,480,807 ($31.5M)

Contractor: THE Konterra Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2017-10-01

End Date: 2024-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,556 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF - THE CONTRACTOR MUST PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES TO CREATE AND MANAGE A COMPREHENSIVE, BLENDED, PERFORMANCE-BASED EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE AND RESILIENCE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS MULTIPLE CHALLENGES FACED BY USAID AT BOTH AN INSTITUTIONAL AND INDIVIDUAL LEVEL. THE AWARD CONSISTS OF A ONE-YEAR BASE AND FOUR (4) ONE-YEAR OPTION PERIODS SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT ELECT TO EXERCISE THE OPTIONS. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING CONFIDENTIAL COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES IN THE AREAS OF COUNSELING, ORGANIZATIONAL RESILIENCE, WELLNESS AND WORK-LIFE. THE CONTRACTOR ADDITIONALLY SHALL PROVIDE DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT OF THESE SERVICES ON A 24/7, 365 DAYS A YEAR BASIS. THE USAID STAFF CARE CENTER (AGENCY PROGRAM MANAGEMENT STAFF) AND THE STAFF CARE SERVICE CENTER (PHYSICAL LOCATION FOR PROVISION OF SERVICES) SHALL OPERATE IN A SEAMLESS BLENDED AND INTEGRATED MANNER TO ENSURE THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF CUSTOMIZED CARE THAT ADDRESSES THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF OUR ENTIRE WORKFORCE AND THEIR ELIGIBLE FAMILY MEMBERS (EFM).

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20005

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $31.5 million to THE KONTERRA GROUP LLC for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF - THE CONTRACTOR MUST PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES TO CREATE AND MANAGE A COMPREHENSIVE, BLENDED, PERFORMANCE-BASED EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE AND RESILIENCE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS MULTIPLE CHALLENGES FACED BY USAID AT BOTH AN INSTITUTIONAL AND INDIVIDUAL LEVEL. THE AWARD CONSISTS… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on comprehensive employee support, including counseling and organizational resilience. 2. Konterra Group LLC secured the award through full and open competition. 3. The contract spans a base year and four option years, indicating long-term need. 4. Spending is benchmarked against similar services in the 'Other Individual and Family Services' sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. Benchmarking against similar contracts in the 'Other Individual and Family Services' NAICS code is recommended for a more precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process that likely led to a fair market price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to support the well-being of USAID employees, which can indirectly benefit program delivery and operational efficiency.

Public Impact

Supports the mental health and resilience of federal employees, crucial for mission effectiveness. Provides 24/7 access to confidential services, ensuring support is available when needed. Addresses both individual challenges and institutional needs within USAID. The program aims to improve work-life balance and reduce stress among staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if program needs expand beyond initial definition.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical employee support services.

Positive Signals

Focus on performance-based outcomes aligns with effective service delivery.
Long-term contract structure allows for program stability and continuity.
Competitive award process suggests reasonable pricing.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under 'Other Individual and Family Services,' a sector that includes a wide range of support programs. Benchmarking against similar employee assistance programs within government or large organizations would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to The Konterra Group LLC, a single entity. Analysis of whether small businesses were subcontracted or had opportunities to participate in the bidding process is not detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's performance-based nature suggests that oversight will focus on outcomes and service quality. The Agency for International Development's Staff Care Center will likely manage and monitor the contractor's performance.

Related Government Programs

Other Individual and Family Services
Agency for International Development Contracting
Agency for International Development Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to the comprehensive nature of services.
Measuring the true impact of resilience programs can be complex and subjective.
Ensuring consistent quality of confidential counseling services across all interactions.
Dependence on contractor's ability to maintain 24/7 operational readiness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $31.5 million to THE KONTERRA GROUP LLC. IGF::CL::IGF - THE CONTRACTOR MUST PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES TO CREATE AND MANAGE A COMPREHENSIVE, BLENDED, PERFORMANCE-BASED EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE AND RESILIENCE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS MULTIPLE CHALLENGES FACED BY USAID AT BOTH AN INSTITUTIONAL AND INDIVIDUAL LEVEL. THE AWARD CONSISTS OF A ONE-YEAR BASE AND FOUR (4) ONE-YEAR OPTION PERIODS SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT ELECT TO EXERCISE THE OPTIONS. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING CONFIDENTIAL COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES IN THE AREAS OF COUNSEL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE KONTERRA 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 $31.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-10-01. End: 2024-09-30.

What is the specific methodology used to measure the 'performance-based' aspects of this employee assistance program, and how is success defined?

The contract specifies that the program should be 'performance-based,' implying that contractor compensation or continued contract options are tied to achieving specific, measurable outcomes related to employee well-being and resilience. Success metrics likely include utilization rates, client satisfaction surveys, and potentially indicators of reduced absenteeism or improved productivity, though the exact metrics are not detailed here.

What are the potential risks associated with consolidating employee assistance and resilience services under a single, long-term contract, particularly regarding service quality and adaptability?

Consolidating services under one contractor can lead to economies of scale and streamlined delivery. However, risks include potential complacency, reduced innovation over time, and challenges in adapting to rapidly evolving mental health needs or organizational changes. Over-reliance on a single provider might also limit flexibility if specialized external expertise becomes necessary.

How does the cost of this comprehensive employee assistance and resilience program compare to industry benchmarks for similar services provided to organizations of USAID's size and scope?

Without specific per-unit cost data or detailed service level agreements, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the $31.5 million total award over potentially five years for a 24/7 comprehensive program suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking against private sector EAP contracts or similar federal agency programs would be necessary to assess its cost-effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Individual and Family Services › Other Individual and Family 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-17-000072

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 700 12TH ST NW STE 700, WASHINGTON, DC, 20005

Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,480,807

Exercised Options: $31,480,807

Current Obligation: $31,480,807

Actual Outlays: $22,236,671

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline