Inter-American Foundation Awarded a Contract to ALVAREZ, MARIA FLORENCIA for $353,870.00

Summary of Award

The contract award detailed in the JSON response from usaspending.gov showcases the complexities and nuances of federal government transactions, specifically a contract between the U.S. Department of the Treasury and a foreign-based recipient, Maria Florencia Alvarez. This contract, identified by the unique award ID "CONT_AWD_20343125F00004_2036_20343125D00003_2036," is structured as a delivery order with a defined scope of providing in-country support services for Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. Notably, the contract is categorized under the primary service code "R699," denoting administrative and support services with a specific focus on “Other Grantmaking and Giving Services” according to the NAICS classification "813219."

Awarded on December 20, 2024, this endowment totals an obligation of $353,870. This amount underscores not only the financial commitment but also the strategic investment by the U.S. in forging and maintaining overseas relations through administrative support in South America. The period of performance for this delivery order commences on January 1, 2025, and concludes on February 28, 2025, effectively spanning two months, which aligns with the exigent nature of the service requirement.

Maria Florencia Alvarez, the contract recipient, is based in Argentina, specifically in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Her business is categorized as a foreign-owned, non-profit entity. This designation is crucial as it provides a lens into the broad flexibility of the U.S. federal contracting landscape, enabling diverse cooperative engagements beyond the domestic sphere. The contract serves the Bureau of the Fiscal Service under the umbrella of the Department of the Treasury, illustrating the administrative interconnectedness within federal agencies. Funding, however, is provided by the Inter-American Foundation (IAF), an independent U.S. government agency, highlighting an inter-agency collaboration aimed at promoting development and partnership across the Americas. The financial execution of this contract unfolds through a series of transactions, each playing a pivotal role in the contract lifecycle. A total of four major transactions are documented, illustrating the chronological release of funds and modification of contract terms as necessary. The initial transaction, conducted on December 20, 2024, marks the enactment of the contract with a full transaction amount of $353,870. This initial disbursal underpins the primary fiscal responsibility and sets the operational scope in motion. Subsequent transactions on February 28, March 18, and April 10 of 2025 indicate modifications labeled as "P00001", "P00002", and "P00003", respectively. These transactions, while reflecting zero transaction amount, likely represent administrative adjustments or compliance updates. The consistent reference to "def_code": "Q" throughout the transactions suggests a uniform coding linked perhaps to budgetary classifications or compliance standards within the federal framework. Crucially, the contract was awarded following a "full and open competition” process as indicated by the extent competed description. This highlights the transparency and competitiveness ingrained in the U.S. federal contract awards ecosystem. Furthermore, the contract adheres to a "Time and Materials" pricing structure, suggesting variable costs based on the hours worked and materials used, which is a common approach in contracts involving labor-intensive services. The governing provisions adhere to regulatory and statutory requirements, as evidenced by the descriptions associated with various compliance codes—ranging from labor standards to commercial item acquisition. The involvement of a "foreign-owned business not incorporated in the U.S." implies compliance with additional statutory criteria, ensuring alignment with federal procurement policies and foreign ownership regulations. The contractual operations are further augmented by leveraging "negotiated proposal/quote" solicitation procedures, which often provide more flexibility and a collaborative approach between government entities and contractors. Overall, this contract epitomizes strategic international collaboration facilitated through meticulous administrative support contracts. It's a pointed exemplar of how the U.S. government extends its operational and developmental outreach across continents through tailored and well-regulated contractual engagements. As the Department of the Treasury collaborates with the Inter-American Foundation, both entities underscore the significance of administrative support as a keystone in fortifying bilateral relations, promoting regional stability, and ensuring precise execution of grantmaking services in Latin America. Through such contract awards, it's evident that the Federal Government not only stimulates global collaboration but also bolsters its mission objectives abroad, utilizing its procurement policies to harness diverse talent and expertise worldwide, thus fostering a richly interconnected international framework.