USAID's $26M Africa Leadership Training contract awarded via full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,984,190 ($26.0M)

Contractor: Domestic Awardees (undisclosed)

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2010-09-13

End Date: 2014-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,236 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AFR/SD/EGEA - NEW TASK ORDER THROUGH THE FORECAST IQC FOR AFRICA LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20814

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $26.0 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: AFR/SD/EGEA - NEW TASK ORDER THROUGH THE FORECAST IQC FOR AFRICA LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING Key points: 1. Contract awarded through an existing indefinite-quantity contract (IQC) for leadership training and capacity building in Africa. 2. The contract was competed fully and openly, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 4. The duration of the contract is over 3 years, indicating a significant commitment of resources. 5. The specific awardee is undisclosed, limiting transparency on contractor selection. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services', a broad category.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the undisclosed awardee and the broad nature of the services. The CPFF contract type inherently carries risks of cost escalation, as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee. Without specific performance metrics or comparisons to similar leadership training programs, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The contract's value of approximately $26 million over three years suggests a substantial investment in capacity building.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 5 bids suggests a reasonable level of competition for this task order. However, the specific details of the competition, such as the number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria, are not provided, making it difficult to fully assess the effectiveness of the competition in driving down costs.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple bidders to offer competitive pricing, potentially leading to better value for the government's investment.

Public Impact

African leaders and government officials are the primary beneficiaries, receiving training and capacity-building support. The services delivered aim to enhance leadership skills and institutional capacity within African nations. The geographic impact is focused on Africa, supporting U.S. foreign policy objectives in the region. The contract may have implications for the workforce in the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, particularly those specializing in international development and training.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can incentivize contractors to incur more costs than necessary to increase their fixed fee, if not properly managed.
The undisclosed awardee raises concerns about transparency in the procurement process and contractor accountability.
The broad NAICS code (541990) makes it difficult to ascertain the precise nature of the services and benchmark them effectively.
The contract duration of over three years requires sustained oversight to ensure objectives are met and funds are used efficiently.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through a full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
The task order was issued under an existing Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC), which can streamline the procurement process for follow-on work.
The contract aims to build leadership capacity in Africa, aligning with U.S. foreign assistance goals.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on international development and capacity building. The market for such services is diverse, encompassing think tanks, consulting firms, and non-profit organizations. While specific spending benchmarks for 'Africa Leadership Training' are not readily available, USAID's overall budget for international development programs is substantial, indicating a significant market for these types of services. This contract represents a specific investment within that broader landscape.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary focus would be on whether the prime contractor engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. Without information on the prime awardee, it's impossible to assess subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem. Agencies are encouraged to promote small business participation, but this contract does not appear to have been specifically designed to do so.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Agency for International Development (USAID). As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight is crucial to monitor allowable costs and ensure the fixed fee is justified by performance. Transparency is limited by the undisclosed awardee. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply, allowing for audits and investigations into waste, fraud, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

USAID Capacity Building Programs
International Leadership Development Initiatives
Foreign Assistance Professional Services
Africa Development Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Overruns Risk (CPFF)
Lack of Transparency (Undisclosed Awardee)
Broad Service Category (NAICS 541990)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $26.0 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). AFR/SD/EGEA - NEW TASK ORDER THROUGH THE FORECAST IQC FOR AFRICA LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED).

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 $26.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-09-13. End: 2014-01-31.

What specific leadership training modules or curriculum were developed or utilized under this contract, and how were they tailored to the African context?

The provided data does not detail the specific curriculum or training modules. However, contracts for leadership training and capacity building typically involve developing or adapting curricula to address the unique challenges and opportunities within the target region. For USAID projects in Africa, this often includes modules on public administration, economic development, governance, public health, and conflict resolution, tailored to the specific needs of African nations and their leaders. The effectiveness of such programs hinges on culturally relevant content, participatory methodologies, and measurable outcomes in leadership competency and institutional strengthening. Further analysis would require access to the contract's statement of work and performance reports.

How does the cost per participant for this training compare to similar leadership development programs funded by USAID or other government agencies?

Calculating a precise cost per participant is not feasible with the current data, as the total contract value ($26M) and the number of participants are not specified. To benchmark this, one would need to know the total number of individuals trained and the total direct costs associated with training delivery (excluding overhead and fee, if possible, for a more accurate comparison). Generally, the cost per participant can vary widely based on the intensity of the training, the duration, the level of the participants (e.g., mid-career vs. senior leaders), the geographic location of delivery, and the specific expertise required. USAID often publishes data on its programs, and comparing this contract's estimated cost per participant against similar initiatives would reveal its relative cost-effectiveness.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) established for this contract, and how did the contractor perform against them?

The provided data does not include the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set for this contract. Typically, for leadership training and capacity-building contracts, KPIs might include measures such as participant satisfaction scores, demonstrated improvement in leadership competencies (assessed through pre- and post-training evaluations or 360-degree feedback), successful implementation of new strategies or policies by trained leaders, or improvements in organizational performance metrics within the participants' institutions. Assessing contractor performance would require reviewing performance reports, client feedback, and any independent evaluations conducted by USAID. Without this information, it's impossible to determine if the contractor met or exceeded expectations.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar leadership training and capacity-building contracts awarded by USAID in Africa over the past five years?

Analyzing historical spending requires access to a broader dataset of USAID contracts. However, it is generally understood that USAID consistently invests in leadership development and capacity building across various sectors in Africa as part of its foreign assistance strategy. Spending in this area can fluctuate based on geopolitical priorities, specific program initiatives, and the overall agency budget. Contracts can range from small, targeted workshops to large, multi-year programs. The $26 million awarded for this specific task order suggests a significant, multi-year commitment, which may be indicative of a larger trend or a specific strategic focus on leadership development within the agency's Africa portfolio during that period.

Given the CPFF contract type, what mechanisms were in place to control costs and ensure the fixed fee was commensurate with performance?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts require robust oversight to manage costs effectively. Mechanisms typically include detailed review and auditing of all claimed costs to ensure they are allowable, allocable, and reasonable. USAID contracting officers would monitor the contractor's spending against the estimated cost. The fixed fee is negotiated upfront and should be tied to specific performance objectives. If performance is subpar, the agency may have grounds to withhold the fee or seek remedies. Regular progress reports, financial reviews, and potentially independent cost audits are essential to ensure the contractor is operating efficiently and that the fee remains justified throughout the contract's life.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 F ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20405

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,995,756

Exercised Options: $25,995,756

Current Obligation: $25,984,190

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDEDHI000500004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline