Education Department Awards $250M Contract to Westat for National Assessment Data Collection
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $249,980,341 ($250.0M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2019-07-01
End Date: 2024-12-31
Contract Duration: 2,010 days
Daily Burn Rate: $124.4K/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 SAMPLING AND DATA COLLECTIONCONTRACT 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 $250.0 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS SAMPLING AND DATA COLLECTIONCONTRACT FOR THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS, INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES, WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Westat, Inc. for vital educational data. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risks include data accuracy and timely delivery of assessment results. 4. The sector is Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $250M over approximately 5.5 years appears reasonable for a large-scale national assessment program. Benchmarking against similar large-scale data collection and analysis contracts would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders likely participated. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure cost-effective services for a critical national education assessment.
Public Impact
Ensures continued collection of crucial data on student achievement across the nation. Supports evidence-based policymaking and educational program improvements. Provides a benchmark for educational progress and identifies areas needing attention.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep impacting final cost.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical national data.
- Timeliness of data delivery for policy decisions.
Positive Signals
- Utilizes a competitive bidding process.
- Supports a vital national education initiative.
- Contract duration allows for consistent data collection.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. Spending in this area supports data collection and analysis for understanding societal trends and program effectiveness.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract. Further review would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences is responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight is crucial to ensure data integrity, adherence to timelines, and effective use of funds.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract type can lead to higher costs if not managed tightly.
- Long contract duration increases risk of changing requirements or unforeseen issues.
- Potential for data breaches or privacy violations.
- Dependence on a single contractor for a critical national dataset.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-education, dc, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $250.0 million to WESTAT, INC.. NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS SAMPLING AND DATA COLLECTIONCONTRACT 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 WESTAT, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $250.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-07-01. End: 2024-12-31.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will Westat's performance against these KPIs be measured to ensure value for money?
Key performance indicators likely include data accuracy rates, timeliness of data collection and reporting, adherence to sampling methodologies, and overall project management efficiency. Performance will be measured through regular progress reports, data audits, and potentially independent reviews. The 'Cost Plus Award Fee' structure suggests that contractor performance against defined criteria will directly influence the award fee, incentivizing high-quality delivery and value.
What are the primary risks associated with the long-term data collection and analysis for the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
Primary risks include potential biases in sampling or data collection, changes in educational standards affecting comparability over time, contractor performance issues, and cybersecurity threats to sensitive student data. Mitigation strategies likely involve rigorous quality control protocols, independent verification of sampling, clear data security measures, contingency planning for contractor performance, and regular reviews by the contracting agency.
How will the data collected under this contract be made accessible and utilized to effectively inform educational policy and practice at federal, state, and local levels?
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is responsible for disseminating NAEP data through public reports, data tools, and online resources. The contract likely mandates specific reporting schedules and formats. Effective utilization depends on clear communication of findings, targeted outreach to policymakers and educators, and integration of results into relevant research and program evaluations.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 91990019R0018
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
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: $376,127,639
Exercised Options: $304,660,064
Current Obligation: $249,980,341
Actual Outlays: $249,980,341
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: 2024-12-31
Potential End Date: 2024-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-02-06
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