Department of Education awards $2.4M task order for data analysis supporting Federal Trio Programs
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,444,051 ($2.4M)
Contractor: Wested
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2021-08-30
End Date: 2026-08-29
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THIS PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE DATA ANALYSIS FOR THE FEDERAL TRIO PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED IN TITLE IV, PART A, SUBPART 2, CHAPTER I OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965.
Place of Performance
Location: SAN FRANCISCO, SAN FRANCISCO County, CALIFORNIA, 94107
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $2.4 million to WESTED for work described as: THIS PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE DATA ANALYSIS FOR THE FEDERAL TRIO PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED IN TITLE IV, PART A, SUBPART 2, CHAPTER I OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical data analysis for educational opportunity programs. 2. Task order awarded under a broader agreement, suggesting potential for future work. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost certainty for the government. 4. Competition was full and open, indicating a robust bidding process. 5. The duration of 1825 days (5 years) suggests a long-term need for these services. 6. Contractor WESTED has a history of providing administrative management consulting.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.44 million over five years averages approximately $488,810 annually. Benchmarking this against similar data analysis and management consulting contracts for federal education programs is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm fixed-price nature and full and open competition suggest a reasonable price was negotiated. The value appears aligned with the scope of providing data analysis for significant federal educational initiatives.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This task order was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data does not specify the number of bidders, but the 'full and open' designation implies a competitive process that likely led to a fair market price. This approach is generally favored for ensuring the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition maximizes the potential for cost savings for taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing. It ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, which could lead to inflated costs.
Public Impact
Students and educational institutions participating in the Federal Trio Programs will benefit from improved data analysis. The services delivered will support the administration and effectiveness of programs aimed at increasing access to higher education. The geographic impact is national, as the Federal Trio Programs serve students across the United States. The contract supports the workforce involved in higher education access and support services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if data analysis requirements expand beyond initial parameters.
- Reliance on contractor's data interpretation capabilities requires robust government oversight.
- Long-term contract duration may present challenges in adapting to evolving data analysis technologies.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget predictability.
- Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment.
- Contract awarded to WESTED, an established entity in management consulting.
- Long contract duration indicates a sustained commitment to the program's data needs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is crucial for government operations, providing expertise in areas like program management, data analysis, and strategic planning. The market size for federal consulting services is substantial, with agencies consistently seeking external expertise to manage complex programs and analyze performance data. This task order represents a specific application of consulting services to support vital educational initiatives.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this task order (ss: false, sb: false). While the primary award was not directed towards small businesses, the prime contractor, WESTED, may engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on WESTED's subcontracting strategy and the availability of small businesses capable of providing specialized data analysis or support services relevant to the Federal Trio Programs.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this task order will likely be managed by the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver specified data analysis services within the agreed budget and timeline. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Trio Programs
- Higher Education Act of 1965
- Department of Education Grants and Contracts
- Educational Data Analysis Services
- Administrative Management Consulting
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep
- Reliance on contractor's analytical expertise
- Long-term contract requires sustained program focus
Tags
education, department-of-education, data-analysis, management-consulting, federal-programs, higher-education, task-order, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, administrative-management, california, western-educational-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $2.4 million to WESTED. THIS PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE DATA ANALYSIS FOR THE FEDERAL TRIO PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED IN TITLE IV, PART A, SUBPART 2, CHAPTER I OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WESTED.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-08-30. End: 2026-08-29.
What is the specific nature of the data analysis required for the Federal Trio Programs under this task order?
The task order's purpose is to 'provide data analysis for the Federal Trio Programs authorized in Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter I of the Higher Education Act of 1965.' While the exact analytical methodologies or specific datasets are not detailed in the provided information, it implies a need to process, interpret, and report on data related to the effectiveness, reach, and impact of these programs. This could include analyzing student demographics, program participation rates, academic outcomes, and resource allocation to inform program improvements and demonstrate accountability to Congress and the public. The 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' NAICS code (541611) further suggests the analysis will support the management and strategic direction of these educational initiatives.
How does the $2.44 million contract value compare to similar data analysis contracts within the Department of Education or for similar federal educational programs?
Directly comparing the $2.44 million value over five years (averaging ~$488K annually) requires detailed knowledge of the specific scope and complexity of other federal educational data analysis contracts. However, for a task order supporting significant, congressionally mandated programs like the Federal Trio, this value appears reasonable. Many federal IT and professional services contracts can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually, depending on the criticality and scale of the services. The firm fixed-price structure and full and open competition suggest that the Department aimed for a cost-effective solution. Without more granular data on comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively benchmark, but the amount is within the expected range for specialized analytical support to major federal programs.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected from WESTED under this contract?
The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or specific deliverables for this task order. However, given the contract's purpose of providing 'data analysis,' typical deliverables would likely include regular analytical reports, data visualizations, trend analyses, program performance assessments, and potentially recommendations for program improvement. KPIs would focus on the quality, accuracy, timeliness, and utility of the analysis provided. The Department of Education's program office and contracting officer would establish these metrics to ensure the contractor meets the objectives of supporting the Federal Trio Programs effectively. Adherence to the firm fixed-price terms also implies meeting defined milestones and delivering the contracted scope.
What is WESTED's track record with the Department of Education or similar federal agencies regarding data analysis and management consulting?
The provided data identifies WESTED (Western Educational Services) as the contractor and indicates their North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541611, 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.' This suggests a general capability in management consulting. To assess their specific track record for data analysis within the Department of Education or similar agencies, further research into their past performance evaluations, contract history (e.g., on SAM.gov or FPDS), and client references would be necessary. Without this detailed history, we can only infer capability based on their stated business classification and the fact they were awarded this task order under full and open competition, implying they met the necessary qualifications.
Are there any potential risks associated with this contract, such as contractor performance issues or budget overruns, despite the firm fixed-price structure?
Despite the firm fixed-price (FFP) structure, which shifts some risk to the contractor, potential risks remain. Contractor performance issues could arise if WESTED fails to deliver timely or accurate data analysis, or if their interpretation of data is flawed, impacting program decision-making. While FFP caps the total cost, scope creep—where the government requests additional work not originally defined—could lead to contract modifications and increased costs if not managed carefully. Furthermore, unforeseen complexities in the data itself or changes in program requirements could strain the contractor's resources. Robust government oversight, clear communication, and well-defined deliverables are crucial to mitigating these risks and ensuring the contract achieves its intended objectives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting 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: OPEP210025AP
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 730 HARRISON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94107
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,444,051
Exercised Options: $2,444,051
Current Obligation: $2,444,051
Actual Outlays: $2,170,540
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $257,861
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 91990020A0012
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-08-30
Current End Date: 2026-08-29
Potential End Date: 2026-08-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-20
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