Department of Education awards $14.2M contract for student privacy technical assistance to Applied Enterprise Management Corporation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,180,108 ($14.2M)
Contractor: Applied Enterprise Management Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2020-09-23
End Date: 2026-03-21
Contract Duration: 2,005 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE GENERAL AND TARGETED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STUDENT PRIVACY POLICY OFFICE THROUGH THE PRIVACY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER.
Place of Performance
Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $14.2 million to APPLIED ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE GENERAL AND TARGETED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STUDENT PRIVACY POLICY OFFICE THROUGH THE PRIVACY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER. Key points: 1. Contract provides crucial technical assistance for student privacy policies. 2. Applied Enterprise Management Corporation selected through full and open competition. 3. Contract duration extends over 6 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the government. 5. Services align with administrative management and general consulting, a common government need. 6. The contract supports the Privacy Technical Assistance Center, a key privacy resource.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $14.2 million over approximately 6 years suggests a moderate annual spend for specialized technical assistance. Benchmarking against similar contracts for management consulting services in the federal space indicates this is within a reasonable range, especially considering the specialized nature of student privacy policy support. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the Department of Education, mitigating the risk of cost overruns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 4 bids suggests a reasonably competitive environment for this type of specialized consulting service. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as contractors vie for the award.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for the government's investment in student privacy support.
Public Impact
Students and educational institutions benefit from enhanced privacy protections and guidance. The Privacy Technical Assistance Center receives critical support to fulfill its mission. Educational administrators and staff gain access to expert advice on privacy matters. The contract supports the development and implementation of robust student privacy policies nationwide. Workforce implications include the need for specialized expertise in privacy law and technology within the contractor's team.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if technical assistance needs expand beyond initial definition.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical privacy policy support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Positive Signals
- Long-term contract duration suggests a stable and ongoing need for these services.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
- Full and open competition indicates a healthy market for these services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management consulting. The federal market for such services is substantial, with agencies frequently seeking expertise in policy development, technical assistance, and administrative support. The Department of Education's focus on student privacy aligns with a growing emphasis across government on data protection and compliance with regulations like FERPA.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether the prime contractor engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities, which is not detailed here.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability through adherence to the defined scope of work. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award process itself, and further oversight could be provided by the Department's Inspector General if specific concerns or performance issues arise.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Student Aid Programs
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Compliance
- Educational Technology Initiatives
- Data Privacy and Security Services
Risk Flags
- Long-term reliance on a single vendor
- Potential for scope expansion beyond initial requirements
Tags
department-of-education, administrative-management, general-management-consulting, technical-assistance, student-privacy, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, virginia, professional-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $14.2 million to APPLIED ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE GENERAL AND TARGETED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STUDENT PRIVACY POLICY OFFICE THROUGH THE PRIVACY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is APPLIED ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $14.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-09-23. End: 2026-03-21.
What is the historical spending pattern for student privacy technical assistance by the Department of Education?
Analyzing historical spending for student privacy technical assistance by the Department of Education requires a review of past contracts and task orders related to the Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and similar initiatives. While this specific delivery order is for $14.2 million over approximately 6 years, understanding the broader trend involves looking at prior years' obligations for these services. Agencies often increase spending in areas of heightened regulatory focus or emerging challenges, such as data privacy. Without access to the Department's complete contract database and historical financial reports, a precise historical spending figure is unavailable. However, the consistent need for such specialized support suggests a sustained, and potentially growing, investment in student privacy.
How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar federal consulting engagements?
The annual cost for this contract averages approximately $2.36 million ($14.2 million / 6 years). When compared to similar federal consulting engagements, particularly those focused on administrative management, general management consulting, and specialized policy support, this figure appears to be within a reasonable range. Many federal agencies procure management and consulting services at costs that can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars annually, depending on the scope, duration, and expertise required. Contracts involving sensitive areas like student privacy, which necessitate deep knowledge of regulations (e.g., FERPA) and technical implementation, often command higher rates due to the specialized skill sets involved. Therefore, the annual spend for this contract is likely competitive for the services rendered.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the contractor's performance?
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract would likely be defined within the Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) and are crucial for evaluating Applied Enterprise Management Corporation's performance. While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, typical metrics for technical assistance and consulting contracts include timeliness of response to requests, quality and accuracy of guidance provided, effectiveness of training sessions or materials developed, adherence to project milestones, and client satisfaction surveys from the Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) staff and potentially external stakeholders. The Department of Education would monitor these KPIs to ensure the contractor is meeting the objectives of providing general and targeted technical assistance for student privacy policy.
What is the track record of Applied Enterprise Management Corporation with the Department of Education or similar agencies?
Applied Enterprise Management Corporation (AEMC) has a history of performing work for the Department of Education, as indicated by this contract being a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. To fully assess their track record, one would need to examine past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous engagements with the Department or other federal agencies. AEMC's ability to secure this contract, especially through full and open competition, suggests a generally positive or at least acceptable performance history. Further due diligence would involve reviewing past performance questionnaires (PPQs) or CPARS reports if available, which provide formal assessments of contractor performance on previous federal contracts.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on this contract for student privacy policy support?
Potential risks associated with this contract include over-reliance on a single vendor for critical expertise, which could lead to vulnerabilities if the contractor's performance declines or if they face financial instability. There's also a risk of scope creep, where the demands for technical assistance might expand beyond the initially defined parameters, potentially leading to cost increases or delays if not managed effectively. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the technical assistance is dependent on the quality of the personnel provided by Applied Enterprise Management Corporation and their understanding of evolving privacy laws and technologies. Ensuring continuous knowledge transfer and maintaining institutional memory within the Department of Education, independent of the contractor, is also a consideration.
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: 91990020Q0034
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 11951 FREEDOM DR STE 1100, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,180,108
Exercised Options: $14,180,108
Current Obligation: $14,180,108
Actual Outlays: $13,267,563
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 3
Total Subaward Amount: $2,069,071
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00F083GA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-09-23
Current End Date: 2026-03-21
Potential End Date: 2026-03-21 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-15
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