EEOC's EEO Data Collection contract awarded to WESTAT, INC. for $2.8M over 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,808,432 ($2.8M)

Contractor: Westat, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Start Date: 2024-04-05

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 543 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EEO DATA COLLECTION AND CLOSEOUT ACTIVITIES: EEO-1; EEO-3; EEO-4 AND EEO-5 (FY 2020 - FY 2025)

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission obligated $2.8 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: EEO DATA COLLECTION AND CLOSEOUT ACTIVITIES: EEO-1; EEO-3; EEO-4 AND EEO-5 (FY 2020 - FY 2025) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on administrative management and consulting services for EEO data collection. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 3. The contract duration of 543 days indicates a medium-term engagement. 4. Awarded via full and open competition, allowing for broad market participation. 5. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement. 6. The contract is for delivery orders, allowing flexibility in task execution.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total contract value of $2.8 million over approximately 1.5 years (FY2020-2025, with a significant portion likely in FY2024-2025) for administrative management and consulting services related to EEO data collection appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for data collection and analysis services suggests that this pricing is competitive, especially considering the specialized nature of EEO reporting requirements. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the agency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that the agency sought proposals from all responsible sources. The number of bidders is not specified, but the use of full and open competition generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings. This approach allows the government to leverage the widest possible range of expertise and innovation.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and higher quality services due to a robust bidding process.

Public Impact

Businesses across the United States will be impacted by the EEO data collection activities facilitated by this contract. The contract supports the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's mission to enforce federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Workforce implications include the need for businesses to accurately report demographic data. The services delivered are crucial for monitoring employment trends and identifying potential disparities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if follow-on contracts are not competed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical data collection activities.
Scope creep could increase costs if not managed effectively.

Positive Signals

WESTAT, INC. has a track record in data collection and analysis.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive award process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector, specifically supporting government functions related to equal employment opportunity. This sector is vital for ensuring compliance with labor laws and promoting fair employment practices. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in data collection, analysis, and reporting for government agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract may be limited unless they are prime contractors in a future competitive bid or are subcontracted by the prime. The absence of a set-aside suggests the agency did not prioritize small business participation for this particular procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) through its contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by setting a ceiling on costs. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific performance metrics and internal oversight processes are not detailed here.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Labor Statistics Data Collection
Census Bureau Surveys
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) Activities

Risk Flags

Data Integrity Risk
Performance Schedule Risk
Contract Scope Management Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission awarded $2.8 million to WESTAT, INC.. EEO DATA COLLECTION AND CLOSEOUT ACTIVITIES: EEO-1; EEO-3; EEO-4 AND EEO-5 (FY 2020 - FY 2025)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WESTAT, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-05. End: 2025-09-30.

What is WESTAT, INC.'s experience with government contracts, particularly those involving data collection and EEO-related activities?

WESTAT, INC. has a significant history of performing data collection, survey research, and statistical analysis for various government agencies, including the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Their experience often involves managing large-scale data collection efforts, ensuring data quality, and providing analytical support. While specific details on EEO-focused contracts are not immediately available from the provided data, their general capabilities in survey methodology and data management are highly relevant to the requirements of the EEOC's EEO-1, EEO-3, EEO-4, and EEO-5 data collection and closeout activities.

How does the $2.8 million contract value compare to similar EEO data collection and administrative support contracts?

The $2.8 million contract value for approximately 1.5 years of service (spanning FY2020-2025, with the bulk likely in the later years) for EEO data collection and closeout activities appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized government consulting services. Benchmarking is challenging without specific contract details, but similar contracts for large-scale survey administration, data processing, and reporting for federal agencies can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars annually, depending on the scope, number of respondents, and complexity. Given the firm fixed-price nature and the duration, this award suggests a competitive pricing strategy by WESTAT, INC. and a well-defined scope by the EEOC.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the EEOC?

Primary risks for the EEOC in this contract include potential delays in data collection and closeout activities, which could impact the agency's ability to analyze employment trends and enforce EEO laws effectively. Data quality is another significant risk; inaccuracies or incomplete data could lead to flawed analysis and policy recommendations. There's also a risk of scope creep, where the requirements might expand beyond the initial agreement, potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed carefully, although the firm fixed-price contract mitigates direct cost increases. Finally, over-reliance on a single contractor could pose a risk if performance issues arise or if the contractor's capacity is unexpectedly diminished.

How effective is the EEOC's EEO data collection process, and how does this contract contribute to its effectiveness?

The effectiveness of the EEOC's EEO data collection process is crucial for its mandate to monitor and enforce equal employment opportunity laws. This contract directly supports the effectiveness by ensuring the administrative and technical infrastructure for collecting, processing, and closing out EEO-1, EEO-3, EEO-4, and EEO-5 data is robust and efficient. By engaging WESTAT, INC., the EEOC aims to streamline these complex processes, improve data accuracy, and ensure timely reporting. The contractor's expertise in survey management and data analysis is intended to enhance the overall quality and utility of the collected data, enabling the EEOC to better identify patterns of discrimination and inform policy.

What are the historical spending patterns for EEO data collection activities by the EEOC?

Historical spending patterns for the EEOC's EEO data collection activities are not detailed in the provided data. However, the agency has consistently collected EEO data from employers for decades, indicating a recurring need for these services. The current contract, spanning FY2020-2025, suggests a multi-year commitment to managing this function. Past contracts for similar services would likely show fluctuations based on evolving reporting requirements, technological advancements in data management, and the number of employers subject to reporting. Understanding these historical trends would provide context for the current $2.8 million award and its duration.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1600 RESEARCH BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,808,432

Exercised Options: $2,808,432

Current Obligation: $2,808,432

Actual Outlays: $2,471,589

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F009DA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline