State Department awards $6.5M contract to NCS Pearson for foreign service exam administration
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,571,591 ($6.6M)
Contractor: NCS Pearson, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2020-12-10
End Date: 2026-06-09
Contract Duration: 2,007 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF HUMAN RESOURCES, REQUIRES THE ADMINISTRATION OF VALIDATED WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS IN THE SELECTION PROCESS TO IDENTIFY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FOR FOREIGN SERVICE EMPLOYMENT.
Place of Performance
Location: MINNEAPOLIS, HENNEPIN County, MINNESOTA, 55437
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $6.6 million to NCS PEARSON, INC. for work described as: THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF HUMAN RESOURCES, REQUIRES THE ADMINISTRATION OF VALIDATED WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS IN THE SELECTION PROCESS TO IDENTIFY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FOR FOREIGN SERVICE EMPLOYMENT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to NCS Pearson, Inc. for administration of validated written examinations. 2. The contract aims to identify qualified candidates for Foreign Service employment. 3. This is a firm-fixed-price contract with a duration of approximately 2007 days. 4. The contract falls under the Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $6.57 million appears reasonable for specialized examination administration services. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for large-scale testing and candidate assessment would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method is expected to yield fair pricing and identify the most capable vendor for these critical services.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used efficiently through a competitive process to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of the Foreign Service selection process.
Public Impact
Ensures a standardized and fair process for selecting future Foreign Service officers. Supports the Department of State's mission by identifying qualified personnel for diplomatic roles. The contract's duration suggests a long-term need for these assessment services. Potential impact on the applicant pool and the diversity of candidates entering the Foreign Service.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized.
- Reliance on a single vendor for a critical selection process.
Positive Signals
- Clear objective for candidate identification.
- Use of validated examinations suggests a focus on objective assessment.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling sector, specifically related to assessment and testing services. Government spending in this area often supports recruitment, certification, and selection processes across various agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in the bidding process or as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of State's Bureau of Human Resources. Standard government oversight for contract performance and financial management would apply.
Related Government Programs
- Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may limit flexibility.
- Potential for single-source dependency if competition is not re-established.
- Reliance on external vendor for critical HR function.
- Need for ongoing validation of exam content and administration.
Tags
marketing-research-and-public-opinion-po, department-of-state, mn, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $6.6 million to NCS PEARSON, INC.. THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF HUMAN RESOURCES, REQUIRES THE ADMINISTRATION OF VALIDATED WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS IN THE SELECTION PROCESS TO IDENTIFY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FOR FOREIGN SERVICE EMPLOYMENT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NCS PEARSON, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $6.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-12-10. End: 2026-06-09.
What is the specific methodology used for validating these written examinations, and how does it ensure fairness and accuracy in candidate assessment?
The validation methodology for these written examinations is crucial for ensuring their effectiveness in identifying qualified Foreign Service candidates. While specific details are not provided, validated exams typically undergo rigorous psychometric analysis, including content validity (ensuring questions align with job requirements), criterion-related validity (demonstrating a correlation between test scores and job performance), and construct validity (measuring the intended underlying abilities). This process often involves subject matter experts, statistical analysis, and pilot testing to confirm the exam's reliability and fairness across diverse applicant groups.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for NCS Pearson, Inc. under this contract, and how is their performance monitored to ensure quality and timeliness?
Key performance indicators for NCS Pearson, Inc. likely focus on the accuracy and timeliness of exam administration, test security, and candidate data management. Performance monitoring would typically involve regular reporting from the contractor, periodic reviews by the Department of State contracting officer's representative (COR), and potentially audits of their processes. Ensuring the integrity of the selection process requires strict adherence to protocols for test delivery, scoring, and reporting, with penalties or corrective actions stipulated for any failures to meet agreed-upon service levels.
Given the long-term nature of the contract, what contingency plans are in place should NCS Pearson, Inc. be unable to fulfill its obligations, or if a superior testing technology emerges?
Contingency planning for long-term contracts like this is essential. The Department of State would likely have clauses addressing contractor default or failure to perform, potentially allowing for termination and re-competition or assignment to another qualified vendor. Furthermore, the contract may include provisions for periodic reviews of the testing technology and methodology, allowing for adjustments or the incorporation of new, more effective assessment tools if they become available and meet validation standards, ensuring the Foreign Service continues to utilize the most appropriate methods for candidate selection.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling
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: 19AQMM20R0167
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 5601 GREEN VALLEY DR, MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 55437
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: $12,414,034
Exercised Options: $12,414,034
Current Obligation: $6,571,591
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-12-10
Current End Date: 2026-06-09
Potential End Date: 2026-06-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-04
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