Inter-American Foundation Awarded a Contract to MORALES Y MORALES ASOCIADOS for $281,675.00

Summary of Award

The awarded contract data from usaspending.gov illustrates an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement established between the US federal government and the contracting entity "Morales Y Morales Asociados." This contract, identified by the unique award ID "CONT_IDV_20343123D00003_2036" and PIID "20343123D00003," is designated to provide auditing services in El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Panama, beginning from February 15, 2023, and set to conclude on February 28, 2025.

### Contract Structure and Key Details

The IDIQ contract is structured to allow flexibility in delivering auditing services over a specified period without a predetermined total value for the amount of services to be provided. The maximum potential value of the contract, should all options be exercised, is $281,675, with a current total account outlay of $92,582.31. It is noteworthy that no obligations have been made thus far, meaning that disbursements or recorded costs are yet to follow the current outlays. The contract is funded under "code Q," highlighting its significance within the designated funding category. The contract was established after a competitive process, evidenced by the "full and open competition" label, according to the solicitation documented as "RFQ-IAF-15001-23-0009." Only one offer was received, indicating limited competition, possibly due to the unique nature of the services or geographical specificity. No set-aside programs are utilized, aligning with its categorization as an international or foreign-owned business contract. ### Recipient Organization "Morales Y Morales Asociados," headquartered in San Salvador, El Salvador, is a foreign-owned business categorized under several key descriptors: "Category Business," "Foreign Owned," "Not Designated a Small Business," and "Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership." Their primary operational focus is encapsulated within the NAICS code 541211, representing "Offices of Certified Public Accountants." This aligns seamlessly with their contractual obligations for auditing services, assertively placing them within the professional, scientific, and technical services domain (NAICS 54). The contract recipient does not qualify as a small business, influencing the competitive factors and available bidding mechanisms. As a partnership, "Morales Y Morales Asociados" is likely to leverage a network of certified professionals to operationalize the audit services across the designated geographies. ### Governmental Context The funding agency recorded is the Inter-American Foundation (IAF), an agency reflecting the United States' endeavours in promoting economic and social progress in Latin America and the Caribbean. The awarding agency, however, falls under the Department of the Treasury's umbrella, specifically managed through the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. There's no related sub-award count or total sub-award amount, indicating a direct operational engagement without intermediary parties; this might streamline the auditing process, minimize bureaucratic red tape, and enhance accountability. ### Contractual Services and Codes The contractual service is classified under the Product Service Code (PSC) R704, which defines the core service as auditing under the broader category of management support services. This delineation identifies the service as "Support- Management: Auditing," a niche within professional, administrative, and operational support services. Moreover, the IDIQ contract is described with potential price variations, where pricing is determined per order, offering flexibility to adapt to specific auditing requirements or expanded scopes across different fiscal engagements or territories. ### Period of Performance and Adjustments The contractual period is firmly demarcated from mid-February 2023 to late February 2025. Notably, although the end date is specified, there are provisions for adjustments in the last modified date, extending it to March 28, 2025. The indication of no multi-year commitment underlines an annual performance evaluation, pivotal for appraisals of audit scope and quality. ### Conclusion The awarded IDIQ contract presents a structured yet flexible financial engagement between the US government and a prominent foreign auditing firm. This partnership is poised to scrutinize fiscal practices and financial governance across selected Latin American nations, potentially providing vital insights to bolster economic accountability and transparency. Despite its structured framework, the contract still relies heavily on situational requirements and the strategic capacity of "Morales Y Morales Asociados" to execute the auditing mandates effectively. The complete absence of subawards suggests a reliance on the primary contractor's capability to deliver, accentuating their proficiency in this domain. The intricacies of the contractual engagement underscore the evolving paradigms of international cooperation, where detailed audit assignments are instrumental in fostering economic symmetry and fiscal prudence across borders.