Interior Department awards $500K for elementary school facilitator services in Arizona

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $500,000 ($500.0K)

Contractor: Wested

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-03-07

End Date: 2028-05-08

Contract Duration: 1,158 days

Daily Burn Rate: $432/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: FACILITATOR SERVICE, HAVASUPAI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Place of Performance

Location: SUPAI, COCONINO County, ARIZONA, 86435

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $500,000 to WESTED for work described as: FACILITATOR SERVICE, HAVASUPAI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Key points: 1. Contract awarded to WESTED for educational support services. 2. The contract duration is over 4 years, indicating a long-term need. 3. Services are for Havasupai Elementary School, suggesting a specific educational focus. 4. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), implying a focus on smaller value procurements. 5. The award type is a Purchase Order, a common method for acquiring goods and services. 6. The contract uses a Time and Materials pricing structure, which can pose cost control challenges.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $500,000 over approximately 4 years for facilitator services at an elementary school appears reasonable for specialized educational support. However, without specific benchmarks for similar facilitator roles in Bureau of Indian Education schools, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The Time and Materials pricing structure warrants careful monitoring to ensure costs remain within expectations and do not escalate beyond the initial estimate.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition for smaller dollar value procurements. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP generally encourages competition among qualified vendors. This method aims to balance the need for efficient procurement with ensuring fair opportunity for businesses to bid on government contracts.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP for this value likely ensures a competitive price for taxpayers by allowing multiple vendors to offer their services, preventing a single source from dictating terms.

Public Impact

Students at Havasupai Elementary School will benefit from enhanced educational support services. The services provided will contribute to the academic and developmental needs of the students. The geographic impact is focused on the Havasupai community in Arizona. The contract supports the educational mission of the Bureau of Indian Education.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it hard to gauge expected outcomes.
The limited competition under SAP, while intended to be open, might not always yield the lowest possible price compared to larger, more formal solicitations.

Positive Signals

The contract was competed, indicating an effort to secure competitive pricing.
The award to WESTED suggests a selection based on qualifications for educational support services.
The long duration of the contract implies a stable and ongoing need for these services, potentially leading to better service integration.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Educational Support Services sector, specifically serving an elementary school under the Bureau of Indian Education. The market for educational support services is diverse, ranging from tutoring and specialized instruction to administrative and logistical assistance. Government contracts in this area often focus on providing resources to underserved or specific populations, such as Native American students, where specialized needs may exist. Benchmarking this contract's value against similar services for K-12 educational institutions, particularly those serving unique demographic groups, would provide further context on its cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside or if WESTED is a small business. Therefore, its direct impact on the small business ecosystem cannot be determined from this information. Further analysis would be needed to ascertain subcontracting opportunities for small businesses and the overall effect on small business participation in government contracting for educational services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education within the Department of the Interior. Standard procurement regulations and contract management practices would apply. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases, but specific performance monitoring and accountability measures would be detailed within the contract itself. The Inspector General for the Department of the Interior would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Indian Education Programs
K-12 Educational Services
Federal Education Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Need for robust oversight to ensure service quality and efficiency.
Limited insight into contractor's specific past performance for this type of service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $500,000 to WESTED. FACILITATOR SERVICE, HAVASUPAI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WESTED.

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 $500,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-07. End: 2028-05-08.

What is the track record of WESTED in providing similar educational support services to federal agencies or educational institutions?

A thorough review of WESTED's past performance is crucial for assessing their capability to fulfill this contract. This would involve examining their history with federal contracts, specifically those involving educational support, facilitator services, or work with Native American student populations. Key indicators would include on-time delivery, adherence to budget, client satisfaction, and any past performance issues or disputes. Information from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and contractor performance assessment reports (CPARS) would be essential to gauge their reliability and expertise in this domain. Without this specific data, the assessment of risk associated with contractor performance remains incomplete.

How does the estimated cost per year for these facilitator services compare to market rates for similar roles in Arizona or for Bureau of Indian Education schools?

To benchmark the value, we would compare the approximate annual cost of $125,000 ($500,000 / 4 years) against market rates for educational facilitators in Arizona. This comparison should ideally consider roles with similar responsibilities, required qualifications, and the specific context of serving a remote or specialized school like Havasupai Elementary. Data from salary surveys, industry reports on educational staffing costs, and potentially other federal or state contracts for similar services would be consulted. If the rate is significantly higher than comparable positions, it could indicate potential overpricing or unique service requirements justifying the cost. Conversely, a lower rate might suggest favorable pricing or potential risks to service quality.

What are the specific risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure for this contract?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost escalation, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor, plus a fixed fee or percentage. Without robust oversight and clear task definitions, contractors may have less incentive to control costs or complete tasks efficiently. This can lead to the final cost exceeding initial estimates. To mitigate these risks, the contracting agency must implement strong project management, closely monitor labor hours and material expenditures, establish not-to-exceed (NTE) limits, and ensure detailed reporting requirements are met. Regular reviews of invoices and progress reports are essential to ensure the services remain within the scope and budget.

What is the historical spending pattern for educational support services at Havasupai Elementary School or similar Bureau of Indian Education schools?

Analyzing historical spending provides context for the current award. We would investigate previous contracts awarded to Havasupai Elementary or comparable schools within the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) for facilitator or similar educational support services. This includes examining the value, duration, and contractors involved in past awards. Significant increases or decreases in spending, or frequent changes in contractors, could signal shifts in program needs, funding levels, or performance issues. Understanding these patterns helps assess whether the current $500,000 award is consistent with historical investment or represents a new initiative or a change in service delivery approach.

How will the effectiveness of the facilitator services be measured and ensured under this contract?

The effectiveness of the facilitator services will be determined by the performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the contract statement of work. While not detailed in the provided summary, typical measures could include student engagement levels, improvements in specific academic areas, successful implementation of educational programs, and feedback from school staff and students. The contract likely includes provisions for regular progress reports, performance reviews, and potentially site visits by agency officials. The Bureau of Indian Education's oversight mechanisms will be critical in ensuring that the services provided by WESTED meet the intended educational objectives and contribute positively to the learning environment at Havasupai Elementary School.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140A2325Q0053

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 730 HARRISON ST FL 5, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94107

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $575,000

Exercised Options: $500,000

Current Obligation: $500,000

Actual Outlays: $200,267

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline