Department of Education awards $23.5M NAEP contract to Educational Testing Service for R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,461,234 ($23.5M)
Contractor: Educational Testing Service
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2019-07-01
End Date: 2025-02-19
Contract Duration: 2,060 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS PLANNING AND COORDINATION CONTRACT FOR THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS, INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES, WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $23.5 million to EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE for work described as: NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS PLANNING AND COORDINATION CONTRACT FOR THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS, INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES, WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Key points: 1. The contract supports the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), a key federal education data source. 2. Educational Testing Service (ETS) is a major player in educational assessment, indicating significant sector expertise. 3. The contract's cost-plus award fee structure allows for performance-based incentives. 4. Potential risks include the long duration and the complexity of large-scale educational assessments.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $23.5 million over approximately 2.5 years for a large-scale national assessment program appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale research and development contracts for federal data collection and analysis is needed for a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method allows multiple qualified vendors to bid, potentially leading to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing the best value for the services provided.
Public Impact
Ensures continued data collection and reporting for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Provides insights into student achievement across various subjects and demographics. Supports evidence-based policymaking in education at federal, state, and local levels. The contract's duration may impact the stability of assessment methodologies and data comparability over time.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration (2060 days)
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Award fee structure incentivizes performance
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities sector (NAICS 541720). Spending in this sector often involves complex data collection, analysis, and reporting, requiring specialized expertise. Benchmarks for similar large-scale federal research contracts are essential for evaluating value.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract. Given the nature of the work, it is likely that larger, established research organizations are the primary contractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Education, through the Institute of Education Sciences, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight is crucial to ensure the quality and integrity of the NAEP data collection and reporting, as well as to manage the cost-plus award fee structure effectively.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPAF structure
- Long contract duration may limit flexibility
- Complexity of managing large-scale national assessments
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical national data
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-education, dc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $23.5 million to EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE. NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS PLANNING AND COORDINATION CONTRACT FOR THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS, INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES, WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $23.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-07-01. End: 2025-02-19.
What is the historical performance of Educational Testing Service on similar federal contracts, particularly regarding cost control and timely delivery?
Evaluating ETS's past performance on comparable federal contracts is crucial. This includes reviewing their track record on cost management, adherence to schedules, and the quality of deliverables. Past performance data can provide insights into their ability to execute complex research and assessment projects effectively and efficiently, informing future contract awards and oversight strategies.
How does the cost-plus award fee structure impact the overall cost-effectiveness and potential for contractor overspending on this NAEP contract?
The cost-plus award fee (CPAF) structure allows the contractor to be reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee that is adjusted based on performance. While CPAF can incentivize high performance, it also carries a risk of cost overruns if performance metrics are not clearly defined or if oversight is insufficient. Careful monitoring of costs and rigorous evaluation of performance against award fee criteria are essential to ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent unnecessary spending.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the long-term validity and comparability of NAEP data given the contract's duration and potential for evolving assessment methodologies?
Ensuring the long-term validity and comparability of NAEP data requires robust quality assurance and methodological stability. Mechanisms should include clear protocols for managing changes in assessment instruments, sampling procedures, and data analysis techniques. Regular reviews by independent experts and transparent documentation of any methodological shifts are vital to maintain the integrity and utility of the data for tracking educational trends over time.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 91990018R0018
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 660 ROSEDALE RD, PRINCETON, NJ, 08540
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $39,745,978
Exercised Options: $25,942,890
Current Obligation: $23,461,234
Actual Outlays: $23,349,444
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-07-01
Current End Date: 2025-02-19
Potential End Date: 2025-02-19 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-03-25
More Contracts from Educational Testing Service
- National Assessment of Educational Progress Platform Development Contract for the National Center for Educational Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, Within the Department of Education — $125.5M (Department of Education)
- "critical Functions" Igf::ct::igf Design National Assessment of Educational Progress (naep) Assessment Instruments and Sample Design Specifications That Meet the Highest Industry and Nces Standards for Providing Valid and Useful National, Regional, State, and School District Results AS Well AS for Significant Subgroups; Analyze Data to Produce Statistics in ALL Assessed Areas and Targeted Special Reports Using Statistically and Psychometrically Rigorous Methodologies That Help in Detecting Quality Control Problems, Assist in the Understanding of Results and Make IT Possible to Focus on Relevant and Timely Educational Issues; Report Timely Assessments Results (I.E., Within SIX Months of the END of Data Collection for Reading and Mathematics AT Fourth and Eighth Grades and Within Twelve Months for ALL Other Assessments) in a WAY That Communicates Effectively With the General Public and Other Stakeholders, Including Those More Technically Sophisticated; Provide Results in Printed and Web-Based Formats — $108.8M (Department of Education)
- "critical Functions" Igf::ct::igf the Contractor Develops Cognitive Items and Scoring Rubrics and Student, Teacher, and School Survey Questions for the Operational Assessments, Pilot Tests, and Special Studies Required by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (naep) for the 2013-2017 Procurement Cycle. the Contractor Should Pursue a Creative, Efficient, and Innovative Approach to Developing High Quality Items That ARE Aligned to the Naep Frameworks, Efficiently Measure Student Performance, and Meet the Upcoming Challenge of Technology-Based And/Or Adaptive Testing — $102.8M (Department of Education)
- National Assessment of Educational Progress Design, Analysis, and Reporting Contract for the National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, Within the Department of Education — $96.9M (Department of Education)
- National Assessment of Educational Progress Item Development Contract for the National Center of Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, Within the Department of Education — $79.8M (Department of Education)
Other Department of Education Contracts
- Administrative Action — $2.2B (Conduent Education Solutions, LLC)
- - Tivod Supports the Origination, Disbursement, and Reporting of Title IV Federal Student AID Programs, Including - BUT NOT Limited to - Direct Loans, Pell Grants, and the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants. the Title IV Solution Shall Also Provide Ongoing Support for the Discontinued Title IV Federal Student AID Programs, Including - BUT NOT Limited to - Academic Competitiveness Grants and National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants — $1.5B (Accenture Federal Services LLC)
- Federal Student AID Common Origination and Disbursement Services — $1.1B (Accenture LLP)
- Provide Direct Loan Services Such AS Call Center and Financial Reporting - Nelnet From 12/15/2019 Through 12/14/2020 — $983.7M (Nelnet Servicing LLC)
- Debt Management and Collections System (dmcs) Igf::ct::igf — $906.9M (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)