AECOM gets second chance at USAID work in Ukraine
Aerial view of the city of Kharkiv in Ukraine. Gettyimages.com/ 3sbworld
By
Nick Wakeman
The U.S. Agency for International Development will re-examine its evaluation and decision to choose Amentum for the contract.
In a relatively quick order, the U.S. Agency for International Development has pulled back a $53 million contract with AECOM after it complained about the award going to Amentum.
The contract supports USAID projects in Ukraine, specifically efforts to restore the country’s infrastructure and basic citizen services. USAID has a variety of projects underway focused on water, energy, telecommunications and other areas.
This contract is for engineering services that support those projects.
After Amentum won the contract in May, AECOM raised objections with the Government Accountability Office about how USAID evaluated the proposals and conducted discussions. AECOM also argued that the agency used unstated evaluation criteria.
Only a month later, USAID has decided to pull back the award and review the procurement.
If needed, USAID will also hold discussions with AECOM and Amentum. USAID will also make a new award decision after the review.
AECOM carved out Amentum as an independent company in 2020. Amentum is now in the process of merging with the government technology and services businesses of Jacobs.