Department of Education awards $28.6M contract for equitable services to private schools in Missouri and Virginia

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,582,842 ($28.6M)

Contractor: Nonpublic Educational Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2022-09-27

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,403 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO PROVIDE EQUITABLE SERVICES UNDER TITLE I TO ELIGIBLE CHILDREN ATTENDING PRIVATE SCHOOLS, THEIR TEACHERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE 53 BYPASSED LEAS IN MISSOURI AND THE 14 BYPASSED LEAS IN VIRGINIA.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $28.6 million to NONPUBLIC EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC. for work described as: TO PROVIDE EQUITABLE SERVICES UNDER TITLE I TO ELIGIBLE CHILDREN ATTENDING PRIVATE SCHOOLS, THEIR TEACHERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE 53 BYPASSED LEAS IN MISSOURI AND THE 14 BYPASSED LEAS IN VIRGINIA. Key points: 1. Contract aims to provide equitable services to eligible children, teachers, and families in bypassed LEAs. 2. Focus on ensuring fair access to educational resources for private school students. 3. Contract duration of 1403 days suggests a long-term commitment to service provision. 4. The use of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may incentivize cost control by the contractor. 5. This award represents a significant investment in supporting private school education within specific geographic areas.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28.6 million over approximately 3.8 years appears reasonable for providing comprehensive educational support services to bypassed LEAs. Benchmarking against similar contracts for equitable services or educational support programs would provide further context, but the scope suggests a substantial effort. The fixed fee component within the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure offers some predictability for the government regarding contractor profit.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is expected to yield a fair price and ensure the selection of a qualified contractor. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery and value for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment among potential contractors.

Public Impact

Eligible children attending private schools in 53 bypassed LEAs in Missouri will benefit from enhanced educational services. Teachers and families of these students will also receive support through the program. The program aims to bridge educational resource gaps for students in areas that may have been overlooked. This initiative supports the principle of equitable access to educational opportunities regardless of school type.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not managed tightly.
Ensuring equitable distribution of services across all eligible bypassed LEAs requires robust oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Clear objective to provide equitable services to specific student populations.
Long contract duration indicates a sustained commitment to the program's goals.

Sector Analysis

The educational support services sector is diverse, encompassing a range of activities from tutoring to specialized program administration. This contract falls within the broader category of government-funded educational initiatives aimed at ensuring equitable access. Comparable spending in this niche often involves federal grants and contracts directed towards specific student populations or educational needs, particularly those related to Title I provisions.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate whether this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation and its impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Department of Education's program officials responsible for Title I and equitable services. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics outlined in the contract, ensuring that services are delivered as specified. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements.

Related Government Programs

Title I
Equitable Services
Educational Support Services
Federal Grants to Private Schools

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent cost oversight.
Ensuring equitable service delivery across numerous bypassed LEAs presents logistical challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $28.6 million to NONPUBLIC EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.. TO PROVIDE EQUITABLE SERVICES UNDER TITLE I TO ELIGIBLE CHILDREN ATTENDING PRIVATE SCHOOLS, THEIR TEACHERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE 53 BYPASSED LEAS IN MISSOURI AND THE 14 BYPASSED LEAS IN VIRGINIA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NONPUBLIC EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-27. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for equitable services to private schools by the Department of Education?

The Department of Education has a long-standing mandate to ensure equitable services for eligible students in private schools under Title I. Historical spending patterns vary annually based on appropriations and the number of eligible districts and private schools requesting services. While specific aggregate data for 'equitable services to private schools' can be complex to isolate due to varying reporting methods, the department consistently allocates funds to fulfill this requirement. The current award of $28.6 million reflects a significant, albeit potentially one-time or multi-year, investment in this area for the specified bypassed LEAs. Analyzing past awards for similar services in different regions or over different fiscal years would provide a clearer picture of the department's consistent commitment and the scale of such initiatives.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type influence contractor performance and cost control?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is used when the contractor's costs are difficult to estimate accurately. In this structure, the government reimburses the contractor for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This can incentivize the contractor to complete the work efficiently to maximize their profit margin, as the fee remains constant regardless of the final cost. However, it also places a significant burden on the government to closely monitor and audit the contractor's costs to ensure they are reasonable and allocable to the contract. Without stringent oversight, there is a risk of cost overruns, as the contractor has less financial incentive to minimize direct costs compared to a fixed-price contract. For this $28.6 million contract, the Department of Education will need robust mechanisms to track expenditures and ensure value.

What are the specific performance metrics or deliverables expected under this contract?

The contract documents for this award would detail the specific performance metrics and deliverables. Typically, for equitable services contracts, these would include the number of eligible children served, the types of services provided (e.g., tutoring, counseling, professional development for teachers), student progress data, and timely reporting to the Department of Education. The contract likely outlines key performance indicators (KPIs) related to the equitable distribution of resources and the impact of services on participating students and teachers. Non-compliance with these metrics could lead to penalties or affect future contract awards. The Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers will be responsible for monitoring adherence to these performance standards throughout the contract's duration.

What is the significance of 'bypassed LEAs' in the context of this contract?

Bypassed Local Education Agencies (LEAs) typically refer to school districts that do not receive direct Title I funding because they do not meet certain eligibility thresholds or have specific administrative arrangements. However, under Title I regulations, eligible children attending private schools within the geographic boundaries of these bypassed LEAs are still entitled to equitable services. This contract specifically targets these 'bypassed' areas to ensure that private school students in Missouri and Virginia receive the educational benefits they are due, even if their local public school district isn't a direct recipient of Title I funds. This provision aims to prevent disparities in educational opportunities based on the public school district's funding status.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the selected private schools and their students?

This contract is designed to directly benefit eligible children attending private schools in the specified bypassed LEAs by providing them with supplementary educational services. These services could include academic support, such as tutoring or specialized instruction, designed to improve student outcomes. Teachers in these private schools may also benefit from professional development opportunities funded by the contract, enhancing their ability to serve students. Furthermore, families may receive support services that help them engage more effectively with their children's education. The overall impact is intended to be an increase in educational equity, ensuring that students in private schools within these specific districts have access to resources comparable to those available in public schools.

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: 91990022R0022

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1606 SANTA ROSA RD STE 119, RICHMOND, VA, 23229

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $39,388,939

Exercised Options: $28,582,842

Current Obligation: $28,582,842

Actual Outlays: $24,837,197

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline