Interior Department awards $18M contract for BIE student assessments, with 4 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,016,923 ($18.0M)

Contractor: NCS Pearson Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2020-07-21

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,897 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BIE ELA AND MATH STUDENT ASSESSMENTS

Place of Performance

Location: IOWA CITY, JOHNSON County, IOWA, 52245

State: Iowa Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $18.0 million to NCS PEARSON INC for work described as: BIE ELA AND MATH STUDENT ASSESSMENTS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of educational support services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Potential risks include performance variability and the need for ongoing monitoring. 4. This contract supports critical educational functions for Native American students. 5. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the government. 6. The duration of the contract allows for sustained service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $18 million contract for educational support services, specifically student assessments, appears to be a fair value. While direct comparisons are difficult without more granular data on the specific services provided, the price seems aligned with the scale of supporting the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. Benchmarking against similar large-scale assessment contracts would provide further insight, but the number of bidders suggests a competitive environment that likely influenced pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. Four bidders participated in the competition, suggesting a reasonably competitive landscape for educational assessment services. The presence of multiple bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government, as contractors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down the price and ensured the government received competitive offers for essential educational services.

Public Impact

Native American students served by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education will benefit from standardized assessments. The contract provides critical educational support services, including math and English language arts assessments. The geographic impact is nationwide, covering students within the BIE system. The contract supports the education sector workforce by engaging assessment providers and potentially local educators in the administration and interpretation of results.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Ensuring the accuracy and validity of the assessment data is crucial for effective educational planning.
Monitoring contractor performance over the multi-year duration is necessary to maintain service quality.
Potential for scope creep or changes in educational requirements could impact the contract's long-term value.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market, likely leading to better pricing.
The contract duration allows for consistent service delivery and avoids frequent re-competition costs.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Educational Support Services sector, specifically focusing on student assessment tools. This sector is vital for educational institutions to measure student progress, identify learning gaps, and inform curriculum development. The market for educational assessment services is substantial, with government agencies being significant purchasers. This contract represents a notable investment in ensuring educational quality and accountability within the Bureau of Indian Education system.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. While the primary contractor is NCS Pearson Inc., a large entity, there is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in delivering any part of these assessment services or if there are opportunities for them within the subcontracting chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. While no specific Inspector General jurisdiction is mentioned, the Department of the Interior's Office of Inspector General would have oversight authority for potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Indian Education Student Information System
Federal Student Aid Programs
K-12 Education Technology Grants
Educational Testing Services

Risk Flags

Performance Risk: Ensuring the quality and validity of educational assessments over a multi-year period.
Data Security Risk: Protecting sensitive student information handled by the contractor.
Technical Risk: Potential issues with assessment platforms or scoring systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $18.0 million to NCS PEARSON INC. BIE ELA AND MATH STUDENT ASSESSMENTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NCS PEARSON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-07-21. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the historical spending trend for student assessment services by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education?

Analyzing historical spending on student assessment services by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) is crucial for understanding trends and identifying potential anomalies. While the provided data focuses on a single contract awarded in 2020, a comprehensive review would involve examining contract databases (like FPDS) for previous years. This would reveal if spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether this $18 million award represents a significant shift. It would also highlight if the same or similar services were procured through different contract vehicles or from different vendors in the past. Understanding these patterns helps in assessing the current award's context and potential future budgetary needs for assessment services.

How does the per-student cost of these assessments compare to national averages for standardized testing?

Determining the per-student cost for these assessments requires knowing the total number of students expected to be assessed under the contract. The contract value is $18,016,922.58, and the duration is from July 21, 2020, to September 30, 2025 (approximately 1897 days or 5.2 years). If we assume a consistent number of students assessed annually, we would need that figure to calculate a per-student cost. National averages for standardized testing can vary widely based on the type of test (e.g., diagnostic, summative, achievement), the subject matter, and the grade level. Without the student count, a direct comparison is not feasible. However, if the per-student cost were calculable and significantly higher than national benchmarks for similar assessments, it would warrant further investigation into the specific requirements or market conditions driving the price.

What is NCS Pearson Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly in educational services?

NCS Pearson Inc. (often operating as Pearson) has a significant track record with federal contracts, particularly in the realm of educational services and testing. A review of federal procurement data would likely show numerous awards to Pearson across various agencies, including the Department of Education, Department of Defense, and others involved in education. Their experience typically spans the development, delivery, and scoring of standardized tests, as well as providing educational software and support services. Assessing their past performance on similar contracts would involve looking at metrics such as on-time delivery, quality of services, adherence to budget (where applicable), and any past performance issues or disputes. A strong history with the government in this domain suggests a lower performance risk for this specific contract.

What are the specific performance metrics and quality standards outlined in the contract for these student assessments?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics or quality standards for the BIE ELA and Math Student Assessments contract. Typically, such contracts would include a Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) that outlines deliverables, timelines, and measurable performance standards. These might include criteria related to the accuracy and reliability of test results, the timeliness of assessment administration and reporting, the usability of the assessment platform, and adherence to data security and privacy regulations (like FERPA). The firm-fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor is responsible for meeting these standards to receive full payment. Without access to the full contract document, a detailed assessment of these metrics is not possible.

Are there any known risks associated with the specific type of educational support services being procured?

Educational support services, particularly large-scale student assessments, carry inherent risks. One primary risk is the validity and reliability of the assessments themselves; if the tests do not accurately measure student learning, the data derived can be misleading, impacting educational policy and interventions. Another risk involves data security and privacy, as sensitive student information is handled. Technical issues with assessment platforms or scoring systems can disrupt administration and reporting. Furthermore, changes in educational standards or pedagogical approaches could render existing assessments obsolete, requiring costly updates or replacements. The contractor's ability to manage these technical and educational complexities, along with ensuring equitable access for all students, are key risk factors.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Educational Support Services › Educational Support Services

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140A2320R0012

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Pearson PLC

Address: 2510 N DODGE ST, IOWA CITY, IA, 52245

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,896,900

Exercised Options: $18,016,923

Current Obligation: $18,016,923

Actual Outlays: $18,016,923

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline