CANBERRA — Delays in past business forecast calls have seen the U.S. Agency for International Development skip Q4 of 2018 and move straight to Q1 of 2019. But the data and call from this quarter provide important insights into the year that was and the opportunities that will be.
Trends in the reduced number of business opportunities between years have continued, along with the value of opportunities. A total of 166 opportunities are available this quarter worth a total of $7.9 billion. This is a significant decrease from the 204 opportunities worth up to $16.9 billion at the same time last year.
The decline is part of growing procurement reform within the U.S. government aiming for better value and consistency in spending including through whole-of-government contract arrangements. And according to USAID, the coming year will see more efficiencies planned in contracts and opportunities.