Department of Education awards $42M contract for international student assessments, including PISA and PIRLS

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $41,995,167 ($42.0M)

Contractor: Westat, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2019-06-27

End Date: 2026-06-26

Contract Duration: 2,556 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FIRST INTERNATIONAL STUDIES CONSOLIDATED NATIONAL CONTRACT PROGRAM FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSESSMENT (PISA), PROGRESS IN INTERNATIONAL READING STUDY (PIRLS), AND PROGRAM FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF ADULT COMPETENCIES (PIAAC). PIRLS IS AN INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT THAT FOCUSES ON THE READING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF FOURTH-GRADERS. PISA IS AN INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF 15-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS READING, MATHEMATICS, AND SCIENCE LITERACY, AS WELL AS, OCCASIONALLY, OTHER SUBJECTS SUCH AS, FINANCIAL LITERACY, COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING. PIAAC IS AN INTERNATIONAL HOUSEHOLD STUDY, WHICH IN CYCLE 1-2011-2017 MEASURED ADULTS BASIC SKILLS IN LITERACY, NUMERACY, LITERACY COMPONENTS, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING IN TECHNOLOGY-RICH ENVIRONMENTS. THIS NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS (NCES) WITHIN THE INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES (IES) OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (ED) CONTRACT PROVIDES SERVICES THAT WILL BE PART OF THE LARGER INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM THAT NCES HAS PARTICIPATED IN THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH A VARIETY OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND PARTNERS, SUCH AS BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ORGANIZATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD), THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EVALUATION OF EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT (IEA), MINISTRIES OF EDUCATION AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS STATISTICAL AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $42.0 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: FIRST INTERNATIONAL STUDIES CONSOLIDATED NATIONAL CONTRACT PROGRAM FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSESSMENT (PISA), PROGRESS IN INTERNATIONAL READING STUDY (PIRLS), AND PROGRAM FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF ADULT COMPETENCIES (PIAAC). PIRLS IS AN INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT THAT… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical international education benchmarks like PISA, PIRLS, and PIAAC. 2. Westat, Inc. is the sole awardee for this consolidated national program. 3. The contract spans over six years, indicating a long-term commitment to data collection. 4. Performance is measured against established international assessment standards. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 6. This award represents a significant investment in understanding global educational standing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $41.99 million over approximately six years for comprehensive international educational assessments appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale, multi-year data collection and analysis contracts for national or international studies suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, while common for complex research, necessitates close monitoring to ensure value for money and prevent scope creep.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives the best value. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the full and open nature suggests a robust selection process.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and encouraging innovation among potential contractors.

Public Impact

Students in the US, particularly 4th graders (PIRLS) and 15-year-olds (PISA), will be assessed. Adults' basic skills in literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving will be evaluated (PIAAC). The data collected will inform educational policy and practice at national and international levels. Researchers and policymakers will benefit from comparative data on educational outcomes. The contract supports the National Center for Education Statistics' mission to collect and analyze education data.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize contractors to increase costs to achieve a higher fee, requiring diligent oversight.
The long duration of the contract (over 6 years) increases the risk of performance degradation or changing needs not being met.
Reliance on a single contractor for multiple critical international assessments could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Consolidating multiple international assessment programs under one contract may lead to efficiencies and cost savings.
The award to Westat, Inc., a known entity in large-scale survey research, suggests a level of confidence in their capabilities.
The use of established international assessment frameworks (PISA, PIRLS, PIAAC) ensures comparability and recognized methodologies.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Educational Services' and 'Research and Development' sectors, specifically focusing on large-scale international comparative studies. The market for such specialized educational research and data collection is relatively niche, dominated by a few experienced firms. The total federal spending on educational research and statistics is substantial, and this contract represents a significant portion dedicated to international benchmarking.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As a large, specialized research program, it is likely that the prime contractor, Westat, Inc., will manage the majority of the work internally. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is primarily the responsibility of the Department of Education, specifically the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight and performance monitoring will be crucial to ensure adherence to scope and budget. Transparency is expected through regular reporting requirements and the public release of assessment data.

Related Government Programs

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS)
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage potential cost overruns.
Long contract duration increases the risk of scope creep or performance issues over time.
Reliance on a single contractor for multiple critical international assessments could pose a risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $42.0 million to WESTAT, INC.. FIRST INTERNATIONAL STUDIES CONSOLIDATED NATIONAL CONTRACT PROGRAM FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSESSMENT (PISA), PROGRESS IN INTERNATIONAL READING STUDY (PIRLS), AND PROGRAM FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF ADULT COMPETENCIES (PIAAC). PIRLS IS AN INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT THAT FOCUSES ON THE READING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF FOURTH-GRADERS. PISA IS AN INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF 15-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS READING, MATHEMATICS, AND SCIENCE LITERACY, AS WELL AS, OCCASIONALLY, OTHER SUBJECTS SUCH AS, F

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 $42.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-06-27. End: 2026-06-26.

What is Westat, Inc.'s track record with large-scale international educational assessments?

Westat, Inc. has a well-established track record in conducting large-scale survey research and data collection, including significant experience with federal agencies and international comparative studies. They have been involved in various components of educational assessments, often serving as a prime contractor or major subcontractor for projects similar in scope to PISA, PIRLS, and PIAAC. Their history suggests a capacity to manage complex data collection, analysis, and reporting required for these international benchmarks. Specific past performance details, such as previous roles in these exact assessment programs or similar international evaluations, would provide further insight into their suitability and past success rates.

How does the cost of this contract compare to previous iterations or similar international assessment programs?

Direct cost comparisons are challenging without knowing the exact scope and duration of previous iterations or comparable programs. However, the $41.99 million award over approximately six years for PISA, PIRLS, and PIAAC suggests an average annual cost of roughly $7 million. This figure needs to be contextualized against the complexity, sample sizes, and specific methodologies employed in each assessment cycle. Historically, large-scale international assessments are resource-intensive. Benchmarking against other major international studies funded by the Department of Education or other federal agencies would be necessary to determine if this represents a cost-effective investment or if there are significant deviations from typical spending patterns for such initiatives.

What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for this program?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is the potential for cost overruns. While the 'fixed fee' provides the contractor with a predetermined profit, the 'cost plus' element means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs incurred. If the project scope expands, unforeseen challenges arise, or if the contractor's cost management is inefficient, the total cost to the government can exceed initial estimates. This necessitates robust government oversight to scrutinize costs, ensure efficiency, and prevent unnecessary expenditures. For a long-term, complex program like international assessments, diligent monitoring of expenditures and adherence to the original scope are critical to mitigate financial risks.

How will the data collected from PISA, PIRLS, and PIAAC be used to improve US educational outcomes?

The data collected from these international assessments serves as a crucial benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of the US education system relative to other countries. PISA provides insights into how 15-year-olds apply knowledge and skills in real-world contexts, informing curriculum and pedagogical approaches. PIRLS focuses on reading literacy in younger grades, highlighting areas for improvement in foundational reading instruction. PIAAC offers data on adult competencies, guiding workforce development and lifelong learning initiatives. By identifying strengths and weaknesses in comparison to international peers, policymakers and educators can make data-driven decisions to refine educational standards, teaching methods, and resource allocation, ultimately aiming to enhance student achievement and adult preparedness.

What is the historical spending trend for international educational assessments by the Department of Education?

Historical spending by the Department of Education on international educational assessments like PISA, PIRLS, and PIAAC has been substantial and generally consistent, reflecting the ongoing importance of international benchmarking. While specific annual figures fluctuate based on assessment cycles and program scope, the Department consistently allocates significant resources to these initiatives through various contracts. This $41.99 million award over six years represents a sustained commitment. Analyzing past contract awards for these specific programs, or similar large-scale international comparative studies, would reveal trends in funding levels, contractor selection, and the evolution of program costs over time, indicating whether current spending aligns with historical patterns or represents a notable increase or decrease.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services › Other Accounting Services

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 91990019Q0010

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

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: $67,616,195

Exercised Options: $42,112,015

Current Obligation: $41,995,167

Actual Outlays: $42,500,437

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU223

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline