Crown Agents USA and the MCC
Crown Agents USA, Inc. (CA-USA) is an active implementing partner of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) with experience in both Threshold Programs and in Compact Countries. Presently, Crown Agents USA's track record includes contracts as Procurement Agent and Procurement Oversight Advisor in five Compact countries: Morocco, Tanzania, Mongolia, Namibia and Honduras. We are also a major partner on the MCC Capacity Building IDIQ, a program designed to assist compact eligible and compact implementing countries in the following areas: project design, financial management, accounting, auditing, budgeting, procurement, project management, monitoring & evaluation and board governance.
MCC Contracts
MCC Capacity Building Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract, 2009-2012. Crown Agents is a major subcontractor to Management Systems International, Inc. (MSI). The objectives of the program will work to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the governments receiving grants from the MCC. Crown Agents will conduct training assessment, design, curriculum planning, professional certification and capacity building programs. Our primary lead responsibility is in the following areas: Financial Management, Accounting, Auditing, Budgeting and Procurement.
Compact Country Programs
Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) - Morocco Procurement Services Agent and Procurement Oversight Advisor, 2009-2014. Crown Agents USA is undertaking Procurement Agent and Oversight and Advisory services to the Government of Morocco's five-year, $697.5M Compact with the MCC. The Compact focuses on investments in fruit tree productivity, small-scale fisheries, and artisan crafts in order to modernize and unlock opportunities in these sectors. Small business creation and growth is also being supported by investments in financial services and enterprise support. We are assisting the L'Agence de Partenariat pour le Progrès (APP) in coordinating the procurement activities of multiple public and private sector organizations to achieve the development goals of the Compact. Our program also features capacity building activities to strengthen national systems and performance in public procurement.
MCA - Tanzania Procurement Agent and Oversight Advisor, 2008-2014. For Tanzania's $698 million Compact with the MCC, Crown Agents USA provides valuable procurement assistance for the Government of Tanzania. These efforts are helping Tanzania address transportation network inadequacies by improving roads that will increase commerce by helping connect communities with markets, schools, and health clinics; improve the reliability and quality of electric power and extend electricity service to communities not currently served -- a vital commodity for rural villages and businesses to thrive; and increase the availability and reliability of potable water for domestic and commercial use which will increase the health and productivity of Tanzanians by reducing the incidence of water-related disease, particularly among children.
MCA - Mongolia Procurement Agent, 2008-2013. Crown Agents USA is the Procurement Agent under the Government of Mongolia's Compact with the MCC. In order to reduce poverty and increase economic growth, the Government of Mongolia has chosen to focus on improving the rail system, property rights, vocational education and access to health care to prevent non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular disease, cancer and trauma).
MCA-Namibia Procurement Agent, 2009-2010. The MCC's five-year, $304.5 million Compact aims to reduce poverty and accelerate economic growth by improving the quality of education and training for underserved populations. It also attempts to increase the incomes of poor Namibians in the northern areas of the country by capitalising on some of Namibia's advantages such as large areas of semi-arid communal land suitable for livestock, and diverse wildlife and unique landscapes ideal for ecotourism. Crown Agents USA was the Procurement Services Agent to the MCA-Namibia.
MCA - Honduras Procurement Oversight Advisor, 2006-2011. Crown Agents USA's Procurement Advisor provided advice necessary to ensure the integrity, competitiveness, and transparency of MCA-Honduras procurements under its Compact Program. At key points in major procurements, the Procurement Supervisor and the Procurement Oversight Advisor advised MCA-Honduras and MCC, respectively, in issuing a "no objection" and otherwise ensuring the efficiency and integrity of the procurement process.
Threshold Country Programs
Kenya: Reforming the Public Procurement System, 2007- 2011. Under the MCC's threshold program, administered by United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Kenya, Crown Agents USA worked with the prime contractor ARD to support procurement reform in the public sector. Crown Agents USA provided Kenya's Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) with technical assistance and training in procurement auditing and record management. Through these efforts, Crown Agents USA assisted the PPOA to build their capacity and reduce public sector corruption.
Tanzania: Training for the Prevention of Corruption Bureau (PCB), 2007. USAID administered the MCC's Threshold Country Program in Tanzania. Crown Agents USA implemented a training program to enhance the technical capabilities of the PCB in order for the Government of Tanzania to be able to combat corruption in the public procurement sector more effectively.
For more information, please see related projects on the right side of the page.