Unlock Aid@unlockaid
📣 This week, we’re releasing Glassdoor for Primes, a first-of-its kind industry report providing insights into the business practices of 26 of the largest U.S. government contractors in global development, humanitarian response, and U.S. foreign assistance.
❓Why this report?
U.S. foreign assistance spending is highly concentrated. In a typical year, just 10 aid industry contractors take home more than 50% of every contract dollar spent by America's premier aid agency @USAID. Just 25 organizations capture more than 60% of all agency spending, including grants and contracts. Typically, the only way for more innovative firms or local organizations to work with an agency like @USAID is as a subrecipient to one of their largest contracting partners.
This report captures survey data regarding how the biggest prime contractors in global development and humanitarian response work with local groups and social innovators, based on survey data from the subrecipients themselves.
🔎 What we learned
Business practices vary widely across large U.S. government prime contractors. While a few organizations received high marks, particularly a few international NGOs, most aid industry contractors did not.
On average, prime contractors disbursed to subrecipients just 59% of of what they promised, and nearly 80% of respondents reported funding delays, some lasting more than a year. Subrecipients also expressed concerns about how large prime contractors used their intellectual property.
🏫 No matter your role in the ecosystem, the report includes recommendations for you.
We’d love to hear what you think. A link to download the report is in the comments. What stood out to you?
