Education Department Awards $25.6M NAEP Support Contract to Westat, Inc. via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,590,998 ($25.6M)
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: $12.7K/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 SUPPORT AND SERVICE CENTER 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 $25.6 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS SUPPORT AND SERVICE CENTER 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 critical federal education data initiative. 2. Westat, Inc. is the sole awardee, indicating a competitive award process. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which incentivizes performance but requires careful oversight. 4. The Research and Development sector (NAICS 541720) is a common area for federal support services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $25.6 million over its period of performance appears reasonable for a multi-year national assessment support service. Benchmarking against similar R&D support contracts would provide 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. The use of a Definitive Contract with a Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for flexibility while aiming for performance.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for a vital national education data collection and analysis effort.
Public Impact
Ensures continued collection and analysis of national education data for policy decisions. Supports understanding of student achievement across the U.S. Provides valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and the public on educational trends.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee contracts require diligent monitoring to ensure cost control and value.
- The duration of the contract (potentially extending beyond the stated end date due to definitization) warrants attention.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent process.
- Supports a critical national program (NAEP) with significant public interest.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. Federal spending in this area often supports data collection, analysis, and program evaluation to inform policy and improve services.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and the awardee, Westat, Inc., is a large business. There is no explicit indication of small business participation in subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates robust oversight from the Department of Education to ensure performance targets are met and costs are managed effectively. Regular reviews and audits are crucial.
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 if award fee criteria are not strictly managed.
- Contract duration and definitization timeline require monitoring.
- Lack of explicit small business subcontracting information.
- Reliance on a single large 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 $25.6 million to WESTAT, INC.. NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS SUPPORT AND SERVICE CENTER 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 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 $25.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-07-01. End: 2024-12-31.
What specific performance metrics are tied to the award fee structure, and how are they measured?
The award fee structure is designed to incentivize contractor performance against specific, measurable objectives. These metrics likely include timely delivery of data, quality of analysis, adherence to methodological standards, and successful administration of assessments. The Department of Education's contracting officers would be responsible for monitoring these metrics and determining the award fee based on the contractor's achievement.
How does the cost-plus nature of this contract compare to fixed-price contracts for similar R&D services?
Cost-plus contracts, like this Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) agreement, offer flexibility for complex projects where scope may evolve, covering allowable costs plus a fee. This contrasts with fixed-price contracts, which offer greater cost certainty but less flexibility. For R&D, CPAF can be advantageous if performance incentives are well-defined, but it requires more oversight to manage costs compared to fixed-price.
What is the long-term strategy for NAEP support, and does this contract align with it?
This contract provides essential support for the ongoing National Assessment of Educational Progress. Its alignment with a long-term strategy depends on the Department of Education's strategic vision for educational data collection and analysis. The contract's duration and scope suggest it's a key component, but future procurements or contract modifications would reflect evolving needs and priorities.
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: 91990018R0018
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: $44,930,709
Exercised Options: $36,624,946
Current Obligation: $25,590,998
Actual Outlays: $25,590,998
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: 2025-12-01
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