Inter-American Foundation Awarded a Contract to CERVANTES MANUEL & ASOCIADOS SC for $494,095.00

Summary of Award

The JSON response from usaspending.gov details a federal contract awarded to CERVANTES MANUEL & ASOCIADOS SC, a certified public accounting firm based in Guatemala. The contract, identified by the unique award ID CONT_IDV_20343122D00001_2036, involves providing audit services for the Inter-American Foundation (IAF) under the contract name "GUATEMALA GRANT AUDIT SERVICES FOR IAF." It is an Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, allowing the government to order an unspecified number of services during the period of the contract.

Awarded by the Department of the Treasury through its Bureau of the Fiscal Service, the contract serves the IAF, which focuses on supporting grassroots development initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean. The award was signed on February 18, 2022, and spans a period of performance from February 22, 2022, to February 28, 2025, with a possible order deadline until February 21, 2027.

The contractor, CERVANTES MANUEL & ASOCIADOS SC, is classified under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541211, denoting "Offices of Certified Public Accountants." The firm offers auditing, management support services, and is equipped to handle extensive audit services for government and international clients. As a foreign-owned business not incorporated in the U.S., CERVANTES MANUEL & ASOCIADOS SC is positioned as an international organization with special designations, including not being classified as a small business. The total potential value of the contract, factoring in all options, is $494,095. However, as of the latest data, the total obligation remains at $0, perhaps indicating the nature of IDIQ contracts where the exact value of the contract is determined by future orders. Despite this, the department has accounted for a total outlay of $131,908.43 under fund code "Q," showing some expenditure already tied to the contract. Throughout the contract period, multiple modifications (or "Mods") have occurred, reflecting the dynamic nature of such agreements. Transaction records indicate several key actions, but each transaction maintains a recorded value of $0, further underscoring the IDIQ's flexible spending terms. These modifications are denoted by unique codes, such as "P00001," "P00002," and so on, culminating with the latest, "P00008." Despite the zero transaction amounts, the series of modifications suggests ongoing activity and oversight, potentially involving administrative adjustments, scope clarifications, or incremental orders. The awarding and funding agencies, including the Department of the Treasury and the Inter-American Foundation, play crucial roles in these discussions, as seen in their aligned efforts to manage fiscal responsibilities and developmental goals through this audit arrangement. The award’s solicitation process was conducted under full and open competition, with negotiated proposals or quotes, guided by specific statutory authority and described as a single-award contract. This approach ensures competitive practices while securing services that align with federal regulations and objectives. Furthermore, the contract highlights adherence to the Foreign Funding clause, marking it as a foreign-owned enterprise outside U.S. incorporation standards. The contract's primary focus is on auditing, identified under the Product or Service Code (PSC) "R704." This aligns with the government’s requirement for management support services in auditing, emphasizing transparency and efficacy in financial operations, especially within international grant management programs. CERVANTES MANUEL & ASOCIADOS SC is strategically positioned in Guatemala, a country central to the IAF's operational focus. This geographical alignment suggests logistical and cultural advantages in executing audit tasks. Such proximity allows the firm to effectively engage with local stakeholders, manage logistical challenges, and integrate regional insights into its auditing processes, thereby enhancing the audit quality and relevance. In analysis, the awarded contract represents a critical infrastructure for maintaining accountability and transparency in grant disbursements managed by the IAF, reflecting the U.S. government's commitment to fostering responsible financial practices across international development initiatives. The collaborative effort between the Treasury, its Bureau of the Fiscal Service, and the Inter-American Foundation underscores continued partnership efforts to support sustainable development in Latin America while ensuring rigorous oversight and compliance with financial stewardship principles. CERVANTES MANUEL & ASOCIADOS SC, through its specialized audit services, becomes a linchpin in verifying that grant funds achieve intended impacts, fostering greater trust and efficacy in international aid delivery, ultimately contributing to grassroots empowerment and socioeconomic advancement in the region.