Department of Education awards $2.4M for Arts in Education Technical Assistance to LPE Associates, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,396,439 ($2.4M)
Contractor: LPE Associates, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2022-09-09
End Date: 2026-09-08
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: ARTS IN EDUCATION (AIE) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA).
Place of Performance
Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21218
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $2.4 million to LPE ASSOCIATES, LLC for work described as: ARTS IN EDUCATION (AIE) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA). Key points: 1. Contract awarded to LPE Associates, LLC for administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. The contract has a total value of $2,396,438.84 and a duration of 1460 days. 3. This is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price. 4. The contract is not available for competition, raising potential concerns about price discovery.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
Pricing is set at a firm fixed price, but without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this represents excellent value. Benchmarking against similar consulting contracts would be necessary for a more definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract is listed as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' indicating a limited competition approach. This lack of open competition may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of full and open competition could result in the government paying more than necessary for these services, impacting taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Arts education programs may receive enhanced support through technical assistance. Consulting services could lead to improved administrative and management practices within educational initiatives. The long-term nature of the contract suggests a sustained focus on these educational support services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment due to limited competition
Positive Signals
- Clear objective for technical assistance in arts education
- Defined contract duration and fixed price
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under administrative management and general management consulting services. Benchmarks for similar consulting contracts within the federal government can vary widely based on scope and duration, but a $2.4M award over four years for specialized technical assistance is substantial.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to LPE ASSOCIATES, LLC, and there is no indication of small business participation or subcontracting requirements. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were considered or could have competed for this work.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure LPE Associates, LLC delivers effective technical assistance and that the Department of Education is receiving value for the funds expended, especially given the limited competition.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated costs
- Unclear performance metrics
- Limited transparency on justification for sole-source award
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-education, md, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $2.4 million to LPE ASSOCIATES, LLC. ARTS IN EDUCATION (AIE) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LPE ASSOCIATES, LLC.
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: 2022-09-09. End: 2026-09-08.
What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the technical assistance provided by LPE Associates, LLC?
The contract details do not specify performance metrics. Effective oversight by the Department of Education should involve establishing clear, measurable outcomes for the technical assistance. This could include improvements in program delivery, increased participation in arts education, or enhanced administrative efficiency within recipient organizations. Without defined metrics, assessing the true value and impact of the $2.4M award is challenging.
Given the 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status, what justification was provided for limiting the bidding process?
The justification for limiting competition is not provided in the data. Typically, such decisions are based on factors like unique capabilities of a specific vendor, urgent needs, or specific program requirements that only one entity can fulfill. A thorough review of the justification is essential to understand if the limited competition was appropriate and to ensure fair use of taxpayer funds.
How does the $2.4M award for Arts in Education Technical Assistance compare to similar federal investments in educational support services?
Without specific data on comparable federal investments, it's difficult to provide a precise benchmark. However, $2.4M over four years for specialized technical assistance suggests a significant commitment. The value proposition depends heavily on the demonstrable impact on arts education initiatives nationwide. Comparing this to other federal grants or contracts for educational consulting would offer better context.
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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 91990022Q0072
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1212 E 25TH ST, BALTIMORE, MD, 21218
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,313,663
Exercised Options: $2,396,439
Current Obligation: $2,396,439
Actual Outlays: $1,983,371
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-09
Current End Date: 2026-09-08
Potential End Date: 2027-09-08 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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