USAID unveils draft for $5B global stability support contract

The U.S. Agency for International Development has unveiled a draft solicitation for the next iteration of its contract vehicle known as SWIFT, which covers broad professional services in support of global stability efforts.

USAID plans for SWIFT 6 to have a $5 billion ceiling with a 10-year ordering period that would allow for task order work to continue for two years afterward. Questions regarding the draft are due to USAID by 1 p.m. Eastern time on March 2, the agency said in this Sam.gov notice Tuesday.

A pre-solicitation conference is scheduled for March 2 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. for interested companies to learn more about the contract. USAID also plans to make time at the end of the conference to meet with interested small business bidders to answer questions more specific for companies of that size.

The Support Which Implements Fast Transition program supports USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives, whose mission as described on its website is to support countries needing “fast, flexible, short-term assistance targeted at key political transition and stabilization needs."

That office works in countries where armed conflict is routine and with local entities on promoting democracy and stability through economic development, support for independent media, reconciliation and other efforts.

SWIFT 6 will have eight awards in its unrestricted full-and-open portion, which USAID says "may include at least one small business reserve contract." Between one and three awards are reserved for the small business set-aside portion.

USAID's current business forecast indicates the plan is for a final solicitation to go out on May 15 of this year and to make awards by August 1, 2024.

Companies interested in this contract should keep in mind that USAID will make awards through a two-phase voluntary down-select process, where the agency will advise bidders whether they are likely to qualify for the second round or not. Bidders will have the choice to try their chances, however.

USAID awarded the current SWIFT 5 contract in September 2019 and that program slated to expire in September 2026.