Department of Education awards $27.1M contract to Manhattan Strategy Group for charter school technical assistance
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,143,172 ($27.1M)
Contractor: THE Manhattan Strategy Group LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2018-09-27
End Date: 2023-09-26
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROCUREMENT IS TO SUPPORT THE CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRAM'S REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE CHARTER SECTOR.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20002
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $27.1 million to THE MANHATTAN STRATEGY GROUP LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROCUREMENT IS TO SUPPORT THE CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRAM'S REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE CHARTER SECTOR. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential technical assistance to the charter school sector, aiming to improve educational outcomes. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. A firm-fixed-price contract type indicates that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns. 4. The contract duration of five years suggests a long-term commitment to supporting charter schools. 5. The procurement falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services, a common category for support services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $27.1 million over five years for technical assistance to the charter school program appears reasonable given the scope of services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale technical assistance contracts for educational programs would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests the government has secured a defined cost for the services, which is a positive indicator.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 3 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. While not an exceptionally high number of bidders, full and open competition generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and better service quality.
Public Impact
Charter schools across the nation will benefit from enhanced technical assistance, potentially leading to improved operational efficiency and educational programming. The services delivered will focus on providing expertise and support to charter school administrators and staff. The geographic impact is national, as the charter school program supports schools across various states. Workforce implications include the potential for employment within Manhattan Strategy Group and its subcontractors to deliver these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The specific metrics for measuring the success of technical assistance are not detailed in the provided data, making it difficult to assess performance impact.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a significant period (5 years) could lead to vendor lock-in or reduced incentive for innovation if not managed effectively.
Positive Signals
- The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent procurement process.
- The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts cost risk to the contractor, which is generally favorable for the government.
- The contract duration of five years allows for sustained support and relationship building with the charter school sector.
Sector Analysis
The education services sector, particularly support for public and charter schools, is a significant area of government spending. This contract fits within the broader category of management and consulting services, which are frequently outsourced by government agencies to leverage specialized expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large technical assistance or program management contracts within the Department of Education or similar agencies.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate whether this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation and its impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight of this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and reporting details may not be publicly available.
Related Government Programs
- Charter School Program
- Federal Education Grants
- Educational Technical Assistance Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract Duration
- Performance Measurement Clarity
Tags
education, department-of-education, consulting-services, technical-assistance, charter-schools, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, district-of-columbia, administrative-management, general-management
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $27.1 million to THE MANHATTAN STRATEGY GROUP LLC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROCUREMENT IS TO SUPPORT THE CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRAM'S REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE CHARTER SECTOR.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE MANHATTAN STRATEGY GROUP LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $27.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-09-27. End: 2023-09-26.
What is the track record of The Manhattan Strategy Group LLC with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Education?
The Manhattan Strategy Group LLC has a history of performing federal contracts, including those with the Department of Education. While specific details on past performance metrics for this particular contract are not provided, their ability to secure this award suggests they have met the necessary qualifications and demonstrated capability. A deeper dive into their contract history, including past performance reviews and any reported issues, would offer a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and effectiveness as a federal contractor. Examining prior awards and their successful completion would be key to assessing their track record.
How does the $27.1 million contract value compare to similar technical assistance contracts for educational programs?
The $27.1 million contract value over five years for technical assistance to the charter school program represents a significant investment. To benchmark this value, one would need to compare it against other large-scale technical assistance or program management contracts awarded by the Department of Education or similar federal agencies supporting educational initiatives. Factors such as the scope of services, the number of beneficiaries, and the complexity of the technical assistance provided would influence these comparisons. Without specific comparable contract data, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents excellent, good, or fair value, but the duration and scope suggest a substantial undertaking.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Primary risks associated with this contract could include the effectiveness of the technical assistance in achieving desired outcomes for charter schools, potential cost overruns (though mitigated by the firm-fixed-price structure), and contractor performance issues. Mitigation strategies would involve clear performance metrics in the contract, regular progress reviews by the Department of Education, and robust oversight mechanisms. The firm-fixed-price nature places the financial risk of cost overruns on the contractor, which is a significant mitigation for the government. Ensuring the contractor has the necessary expertise and capacity to deliver high-quality assistance is also crucial.
How effective is the Department of Education's Charter School Program in achieving its stated goals, and how does this contract contribute?
The effectiveness of the Department of Education's Charter School Program is a broad question that requires extensive data analysis beyond this single contract. However, this contract directly supports the program's goal of providing technical assistance to the charter sector. The assumption is that by enhancing the capacity of charter schools through expert guidance, the program aims to improve their operational effectiveness, educational quality, and overall success. The success of this contract would be measured by the tangible improvements observed in the charter schools receiving assistance, which would then reflect on the program's overall effectiveness.
What are the historical spending patterns for technical assistance within the Department of Education's Charter School Program?
Historical spending patterns for technical assistance within the Department of Education's Charter School Program would reveal trends in investment in this area. Analyzing past contract awards for similar services, their values, durations, and the contractors involved would provide context. This $27.1 million award suggests a continued or potentially increased investment in technical assistance. Understanding if this amount is consistent with, or a deviation from, previous spending levels would help assess the program's strategic priorities and resource allocation over time. Such analysis would require access to historical contract databases and program budget information.
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
Solicitation ID: 91990018Q0023
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 420 LEXINGTON AVE RM 300, NEW YORK, NY, 10017
Business Categories: Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $27,227,276
Exercised Options: $27,227,276
Current Obligation: $27,143,172
Actual Outlays: $27,143,172
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $2,604,700
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS10F0201T
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-09-27
Current End Date: 2023-09-26
Potential End Date: 2023-09-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-09-30
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