Department of Education awards $23.5M contract for Western Region Educational Laboratory Program through full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,473,936 ($23.5M)
Contractor: Wested
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2021-12-21
End Date: 2027-01-02
Contract Duration: 1,838 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACTION IS TO AWARD THE REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY PROGRAM (REL), 2022 - 2027 FOR THE WESTERN REGION.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20002
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $23.5 million to WESTED for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACTION IS TO AWARD THE REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY PROGRAM (REL), 2022 - 2027 FOR THE WESTERN REGION. Key points: 1. The contract aims to support educational research and development in the Western Region. 2. Value for money is assessed through benchmarking against similar educational support service contracts. 3. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 4. Risk indicators are monitored through contract performance metrics and adherence to program goals. 5. Performance context is framed by the need for sustained educational improvement in the region. 6. Sector positioning places this contract within the broader educational support services industry.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $23.5 million over five years for the Regional Educational Laboratory Program (REL) in the Western Region appears reasonable when benchmarked against similar multi-year federal grants for educational research and technical assistance. While specific per-unit cost data is not readily available for this type of service, the overall funding level is consistent with the scope of work, which typically involves extensive research, dissemination, and capacity-building activities across multiple states. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility while providing a defined profit margin for the contractor.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded through a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit proposals. The number of bidders is not specified, but the full and open nature of the competition suggests a robust process designed to solicit a wide range of qualified applicants. This approach is intended to foster price discovery and ensure that the government receives the best value by considering all available expertise and pricing structures.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective proposals and a higher quality of services delivered for the allocated funds.
Public Impact
Educators, policymakers, and students in the Western Region (likely including states like California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Hawaii, and the Pacific territories) will benefit from research-backed insights and technical assistance. The contract will deliver services related to educational research, program evaluation, professional development, and dissemination of best practices. Geographic impact is focused on the Western Region of the United States, addressing specific educational needs and challenges within these areas. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for researchers, educators, and support staff within the contractor organization and potentially within educational institutions receiving support.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if program objectives are not clearly defined and managed.
- Reliance on contractor's ability to effectively engage diverse stakeholders across a large geographic area.
- Ensuring the research findings are practical and actionable for educators in real-world settings.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
- Contractor has a defined period of performance (2022-2027) allowing for sustained impact.
- The Regional Educational Laboratory program is a well-established federal initiative with a clear mission.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Educational Support Services sector, a segment of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector is characterized by organizations providing research, consulting, and technical assistance to educational institutions and government agencies. The market size for federal educational research and support contracts can be substantial, with agencies like the Department of Education consistently investing in programs aimed at improving educational outcomes. Benchmarking this contract against other REL program awards or similar large-scale educational grants provides context for its scale and scope.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by the 'sb' field being false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this specific award is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for specialized services.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Education's program officials and contracting officers. Accountability measures will be tied to the achievement of performance objectives outlined in the contract statement of work, with regular reporting requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and public availability of contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Regional Educational Laboratories Program
- Education Research Grants
- Educational Technical Assistance Programs
- Department of Education Discretionary Grants
Risk Flags
- Potential for underperformance if contractor fails to meet research and dissemination goals.
- Risk of limited impact if research findings are not effectively translated into practice.
- Geographic challenges in serving a vast and diverse region.
Tags
education, research, technical-assistance, department-of-education, western-region, definitive-contract, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, educational-support-services, federal-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $23.5 million to WESTED. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACTION IS TO AWARD THE REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY PROGRAM (REL), 2022 - 2027 FOR THE WESTERN REGION.
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 $23.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-12-21. End: 2027-01-02.
What is the historical spending pattern for the Regional Educational Laboratory Program (REL) in the Western Region?
Historical spending for the REL program in the Western Region, prior to this 2022-2027 award, would typically involve previous contract cycles for the same or similar services. For instance, the preceding REL contract for the Western Region (likely awarded around 2016-2017 for a 5-year term) would provide a direct comparison. Analyzing the total award amounts, duration, and scope of work for previous REL contracts in this region allows for an assessment of spending trends and potential increases or decreases in investment over time. This historical data is crucial for understanding if the current $23.5 million award represents a significant shift in federal investment or a continuation of established funding levels for this critical educational support function.
How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type impact value for money compared to other contract types?
The Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract type, used here, reimburses the contractor for allowable costs incurred plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure is often used for research and development or services where the scope is not precisely defined at the outset, offering flexibility. For value for money, CPFF can be advantageous when innovation or exploration is key, as it incentivizes the contractor to perform the work without the risk of cost overruns impacting their fixed profit. However, it can also lead to less price competition compared to fixed-price contracts, as the government bears more cost risk. Benchmarking against similar CPFF contracts for educational services helps determine if the fixed fee is reasonable and if the overall cost aligns with expected outcomes.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this REL contract?
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) contract are not explicitly detailed in the provided data but are typically established within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). Common KPIs for such programs include the number and quality of research studies produced, the reach and impact of dissemination activities (e.g., number of educators trained, website traffic, publications), the successful implementation of technical assistance projects with partner states or districts, and stakeholder satisfaction surveys. The Department of Education would monitor these KPIs to ensure the contractor is meeting its objectives, delivering valuable insights, and effectively supporting educational improvement in the Western Region. Performance reviews would assess progress against these metrics.
What is the geographic scope and the specific states or territories covered by the Western Region REL?
The 'Western Region' for the Department of Education's Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) program typically encompasses a defined set of states and territories. While the exact list can vary slightly between contract cycles, it commonly includes states such as Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, California, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This broad geographic scope necessitates a contractor with robust logistical capabilities and a deep understanding of the diverse educational landscapes and challenges present across these varied jurisdictions.
What is the track record of the contractor (WESTED) in managing similar federal educational research contracts?
WESTED (Western Educational Services Team) is the incumbent contractor for the REL West program, indicating a prior history and established relationship with the Department of Education for this specific function. Assessing their track record would involve reviewing their performance on the previous REL West contract (likely from 2016-2021), examining any past performance evaluations, awards, or disputes. Their ability to secure this renewed contract through full and open competition suggests a satisfactory performance history. Further due diligence would involve looking at their portfolio of other federally funded educational research and technical assistance projects to gauge their capacity, expertise, and success in similar large-scale initiatives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Educational Support Services › Educational Support Services
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: 91990020R0032
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
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: $26,825,206
Exercised Options: $26,825,206
Current Obligation: $23,473,936
Actual Outlays: $19,383,352
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 12
Total Subaward Amount: $3,013,963
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-12-21
Current End Date: 2027-01-02
Potential End Date: 2027-01-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-14
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