NSF Awards $2.38M Contract to Westat, Inc. for Program Management Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,377,819 ($2.4M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation
Start Date: 2025-05-30
End Date: 2026-05-29
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 44
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EVALUATION, ASSESSMENT, AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERICES
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Science Foundation obligated $2.4 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: EVALUATION, ASSESSMENT, AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Westat, Inc. for $2.38 million. 2. Services include evaluation, assessment, and program management. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 4. The contract duration is one year, ending May 29, 2026. 5. The sector is administrative management and general management consulting.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.38 million for a one-year period appears reasonable for specialized management consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for program evaluation and assessment services would provide a more definitive pricing assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and allows a wide range of qualified vendors to bid. This method is expected to result in fair market value.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing competitive pricing for essential program management services.
Public Impact
Supports the National Science Foundation's mission by ensuring effective program management and evaluation. Leverages external expertise for specialized assessment and management tasks. Potential for improved program outcomes through expert analysis and oversight. Contract duration of one year allows for flexibility and reassessment of needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract type is Time and Materials, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- No specific small business set-aside mentioned, potentially limiting opportunities for small businesses.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Clear statement of work for evaluation, assessment, and program management.
- Defined contract period with a clear end date.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector. Spending in this sector often supports government agencies in optimizing operations, evaluating program effectiveness, and managing complex projects.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, this approach may not specifically prioritize or guarantee opportunities for small businesses in this procurement.
Oversight & Accountability
The National Science Foundation is the contracting agency, indicating internal oversight. The contract's duration and specific deliverables will be subject to NSF's program management and oversight processes to ensure accountability and effective service delivery.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- National Science Foundation Contracting
- National Science Foundation Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials contract type.
- No explicit small business participation noted.
- Potential for cost overruns without strict monitoring.
- Reliance on external vendor for critical management functions.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, national-science-foundation, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Science Foundation awarded $2.4 million to WESTAT, INC.. EVALUATION, ASSESSMENT, AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WESTAT, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-05-30. End: 2026-05-29.
What specific metrics will be used to evaluate Westat's performance in providing evaluation, assessment, and program management services?
Performance evaluation will likely be tied to the successful completion of defined tasks and deliverables outlined in the contract statement of work. Key metrics could include timeliness of reports, quality of assessments, adherence to project milestones, and overall contribution to program effectiveness as determined by the National Science Foundation's contracting officer's representative.
What are the potential risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for these services?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts carry inherent risks of cost escalation if not managed diligently. Without fixed price ceilings or strict labor hour controls, the total cost can exceed initial estimates. This necessitates robust oversight from the agency to monitor hours, rates, and the necessity of tasks performed to prevent overspending and ensure value for taxpayer money.
How will the effectiveness of these management services be measured in relation to NSF's overall mission goals?
The effectiveness will be measured by how well Westat's services contribute to the National Science Foundation's strategic objectives. This could involve assessing improvements in program efficiency, enhanced data-driven decision-making, better identification of program successes and challenges, and ultimately, a stronger impact of NSF-funded research and initiatives.
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: 44
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
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: $7,987,908
Exercised Options: $2,377,819
Current Obligation: $2,377,819
Actual Outlays: $1,170,575
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 49100421D0016
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-05-30
Current End Date: 2026-05-29
Potential End Date: 2028-05-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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