Reading for East Africa’s Development (READ)

USAID's Kenya mission awarded a Master IDIQ for technical assistance and education services across East Africa through January 31, 2028, with a combined ceiling of $300 million. The vehicle remains open with 18 months of ordering authority remaining. Two task orders totaling $87 million in potential value have been issued to date, with $24.4 million obligated, representing early-stage execution of the five-year vehicle established in January 2023.

The scope covers activities to increase access to and quality of basic education (grades 1–8, pre-primary, and accelerated programs) across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and other East African nations. Work includes classroom instruction, assessment, materials development, education systems strengthening, and research focused on reading outcomes in primary grades, as defined by host-country governments and delivered in public and non-state schools.

Education Development Center, Inc. and DAI Global LLC each hold one task order. EDC dominates the portfolio with $79.5 million in potential value; DAI holds $7.5 million. Both awards are unrestricted, and all work funds USAID/Kenya primary education initiatives. The task orders, both cost-plus-fixed-fee arrangements, represent narrowly focused programs: the Kenya Primary Literacy Program (awarded December 2023, $79.5 million ceiling) and the Kenya Primary Education Evaluation & Assessment Program (awarded October 2024, $7.5 million ceiling), with both completing by late February 2025.

Ordering velocity remains light at approximately one order per year since award. The combined potential value of $87 million against the $300 million ceiling indicates substantial room for additional task-order competition. Competition appears limited to a small number of education-focused development contractors with demonstrated East Africa and USAID experience.

The purpose of this contract is to provide technical assistance and services to increase access to high-quality basic education as defined by host-country governments and improve student learning outcomes, particularly but not limited to reading outcomes in the primary grades. Basic education may include activities for learners in grades 1-8, pre-primary levels, and alternative or accelerated education programs in public or non-state schools. The IDIQs will be available for missions in East Africa including but not limited to Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Somalia