Department of Education awards $20.16M contract for ERIC database operations and improvements to Applied Enterprise Management Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,164,838 ($20.2M)

Contractor: Applied Enterprise Management Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2018-07-23

End Date: 2022-04-22

Contract Duration: 1,369 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: UNDER THIS TASK ORDER, THE DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO CONTRACT WITH A VENDOR TO OPERATE AND MAKE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE USEFULNESS AND USABILITY OF THE EDUCATION RESOURCE INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) DATABASE.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20002

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $20.2 million to APPLIED ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION for work described as: UNDER THIS TASK ORDER, THE DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO CONTRACT WITH A VENDOR TO OPERATE AND MAKE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE USEFULNESS AND USABILITY OF THE EDUCATION RESOURCE INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) DATABASE. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on enhancing the usability and usefulness of the ERIC database. 2. Applied Enterprise Management Corporation selected through full and open competition. 3. Contract duration of 1369 days indicates a long-term operational requirement. 4. Firm-fixed-price contract type suggests defined scope and cost certainty. 5. Services provided fall under Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services. 6. The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 7. Geographic location of performance is Washington D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $20.16 million over nearly four years for operating and improving a critical federal education database appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar large-scale data management and IT service contracts for federal agencies suggests this pricing is within expected ranges, especially considering the specialized nature of the ERIC database. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost control for the government, assuming the scope of 'continuous improvements' was well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters competitive pricing and encourages a wider pool of qualified contractors. The open competition suggests the Department of Education sought the best value and technical solution available in the market for operating and enhancing the ERIC database.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a broader range of innovative solutions, ensuring the government receives optimal value for its investment.

Public Impact

Researchers, educators, students, and policymakers benefit from an improved and accessible ERIC database. The contract ensures the continued operation and enhancement of a vital resource for education research and information. Services are performed in Washington D.C., impacting the local IT and professional services workforce. The ERIC database serves a national audience, providing access to a vast collection of education-related literature.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in 'continuous improvements' if not clearly defined.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical database operations and enhancements.
Risk of vendor lock-in if transition to a new vendor is complex.

Positive Signals

Contractor has a track record of operating and improving federal IT systems.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive selection process.
Long contract duration allows for stable operations and planned improvements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on data management, web hosting, and related infrastructure services. The market for such services is highly competitive, with numerous providers offering solutions for government agencies. The ERIC database is a unique and significant federal asset, and its operation requires specialized expertise in managing large datasets and ensuring user accessibility. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar large-scale federal data repository management contracts would likely be in the multi-million dollar range annually.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, large businesses were likely the primary bidders. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this delivery order. The absence of a small business set-aside means opportunities for small businesses to directly participate in this specific contract are limited, though they may be involved as subcontractors to the prime vendor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the vendor to deliver specified services and improvements. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award notices and public databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Data Management Services
Information Technology Services
Web Hosting and Infrastructure
Education Research Databases
Government IT Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope in 'continuous improvements'
Reliance on a single vendor for critical infrastructure

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $20.2 million to APPLIED ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION. UNDER THIS TASK ORDER, THE DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO CONTRACT WITH A VENDOR TO OPERATE AND MAKE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE USEFULNESS AND USABILITY OF THE EDUCATION RESOURCE INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) DATABASE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APPLIED ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-07-23. End: 2022-04-22.

What is the track record of Applied Enterprise Management Corporation with federal contracts, particularly in managing large databases and IT infrastructure?

Applied Enterprise Management Corporation (AEMC) has a history of performing federal IT contracts. While specific details on their experience with databases as large and specialized as ERIC are not fully elaborated in the provided data, their selection through full and open competition suggests they met the technical qualifications and demonstrated capability required for this task. A deeper dive into AEMC's contract history, performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and past projects would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their suitability for operating and improving the ERIC database. Their ability to successfully manage similar complex IT infrastructure and data processing tasks for other federal agencies would be a key indicator of their reliability and expertise in this domain.

How does the awarded amount of $20.16 million compare to historical spending on the ERIC database operations?

The provided data indicates a contract value of $20,164,837.93 awarded on July 23, 2018, with an end date of April 22, 2022, spanning approximately 1369 days (around 3.75 years). This averages to roughly $5.38 million per year. To compare this to historical spending, one would need access to prior contract data for the ERIC database. If previous contracts were significantly higher or lower, it could indicate changes in scope, service levels, or market pricing. Without historical data, it's difficult to definitively state if this award represents an increase or decrease in investment, but the annual average provides a baseline for future comparisons.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of Applied Enterprise Management Corporation in operating and improving the ERIC database?

The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, typical KPIs for such a contract would likely focus on database uptime and availability, response times for user queries, data accuracy and integrity, the successful implementation of 'continuous improvements' to usability and usefulness, user satisfaction rates, and adherence to security protocols. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract implies that meeting defined service levels and delivering the contracted improvements are paramount. Performance would likely be monitored through regular reports, system audits, and potentially user feedback mechanisms.

What specific 'continuous improvements' to the ERIC database's usefulness and usability were mandated or expected under this contract?

The contract mandates 'continuous improvements to the usefulness and usability of the Education Resource Information Center (ERIC) database.' While the specific details of these improvements are not itemized in the provided summary data, they would typically encompass enhancements to the search functionality, user interface design, data organization and categorization, accessibility features (e.g., for users with disabilities), integration with other educational resources, and potentially the expansion of the database's content or metadata. The scope of these improvements would have been defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), and their successful implementation would be a key factor in evaluating the contractor's performance.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader federal education data landscape?

This contract ensures the continued availability and enhancement of the ERIC database, a cornerstone resource for education research in the United States. By maintaining and improving its usefulness and usability, the contract supports evidence-based policymaking, informs educational practice, and facilitates scholarly research. A well-functioning ERIC database contributes to a more robust federal education data ecosystem, enabling easier access to critical information for educators, researchers, and the public. The improvements made under this contract could lead to better data discoverability, increased utilization of research findings, and ultimately, advancements in the field of education.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 91990018Q0016

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Address: 13880 DULLES CORNER LN STE 300, HERNDON, VA, 20171

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,773,012

Exercised Options: $20,773,012

Current Obligation: $20,164,838

Actual Outlays: $15,695,427

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $6,934,052

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0412J

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline