Department of Education awards $4.1M contract for 21st Century Community Learning Centers support to Tactile Design Group LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,139,269 ($4.1M)

Contractor: Tactile Design Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AWARD OF 21APR ANALYTIC AND DATA SUPPORT TO STATES FOR 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS (21ST CCLC) SUPPORT CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: PHILADELPHIA, PHILADELPHIA County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19102

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $4.1 million to TACTILE DESIGN GROUP LLC for work described as: AWARD OF 21APR ANALYTIC AND DATA SUPPORT TO STATES FOR 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS (21ST CCLC) SUPPORT CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract aims to enhance support for educational programs serving students and communities. 2. The award is a firm-fixed-price call against a BPA, suggesting a defined scope and cost structure. 3. Competition was full and open, indicating a broad market search for qualified vendors. 4. The contract duration of approximately two years provides a stable period for service delivery. 5. This award falls under 'Other Computer Related Services,' suggesting a focus on data and analytical support. 6. The contract value is modest relative to broader federal education spending, but significant for the specific program.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $4.1 million over two years appears reasonable for specialized analytical and data support services for a national program. Benchmarking against similar contracts for program evaluation and data management within the Department of Education or other agencies would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government, assuming the scope of work is well-defined and achievable within the budget.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process typically leads to a more competitive pricing environment and allows the government to select the offer that best meets its needs in terms of both cost and technical capability. The presence of two bids indicates some level of competition, though a higher number of bidders would generally be preferred for maximum price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of potential contractors to submit proposals, driving down costs and improving the quality of services received.

Public Impact

Students participating in 21st Century Community Learning Centers programs will benefit from improved data analysis and support services. Educational institutions and state agencies administering these centers will receive enhanced analytical tools and guidance. The services delivered are expected to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the 21st CCLC program. The geographic impact is national, as the 21st CCLC program operates across the United States. Workforce implications may include specialized roles in data analysis, program evaluation, and educational technology support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'analytical and data support' is not tightly managed.
Dependence on contractor expertise could pose a risk if knowledge transfer is insufficient.
Ensuring data privacy and security protocols are robust for sensitive educational data.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive selection process.
Award to a single contractor allows for focused expertise and streamlined communication.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Computer Related Services' category, which encompasses a broad range of IT services not elsewhere classified. The market for such services is highly competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in data analytics, program support, and IT consulting. The Department of Education's spending in this area is driven by the need for sophisticated data management and analysis to evaluate and improve its various educational programs. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in contracts supporting program evaluation and data infrastructure across federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor, Tactile Design Group LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data, the contract's nature does not preclude subcontracting opportunities. Analysis of the contractor's past performance and subcontracting plans would be necessary to determine the specific impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Education's program officials responsible for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance metrics outlined in the contract statement of work and the firm-fixed-price terms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance details may be internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

21st Century Community Learning Centers Program
Federal Education Data and Analytics Support
Department of Education Program Evaluation Contracts
Educational Technology Services

Risk Flags

Potential for data security and privacy breaches.
Risk of contractor underperformance impacting program evaluation.
Dependency on contractor expertise without adequate knowledge transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $4.1 million to TACTILE DESIGN GROUP LLC. AWARD OF 21APR ANALYTIC AND DATA SUPPORT TO STATES FOR 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS (21ST CCLC) SUPPORT CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TACTILE DESIGN GROUP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the track record of Tactile Design Group LLC with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Education?

Information regarding Tactile Design Group LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, especially within the Department of Education, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS to examine past awards, performance reviews, and any history of contract modifications or disputes. Understanding their experience with similar analytical and data support services for educational programs would be crucial for assessing their capability and reliability in fulfilling this new contract. Without this specific data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their past performance.

How does the awarded amount of $4.1 million compare to similar contracts for educational program support and data analytics?

The awarded amount of approximately $4.1 million over two years for analytical and data support to the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program is a moderate figure within the federal contracting landscape for specialized services. To benchmark this value effectively, one would need to compare it against contracts for similar services (e.g., program evaluation, data management, IT support for educational initiatives) awarded by the Department of Education or other federal agencies like the National Science Foundation or the Department of Health and Human Services. Factors such as contract duration, scope complexity, required expertise, and the number of bidders influence pricing. A preliminary assessment suggests this value is within a reasonable range for a national-level program support contract, but a detailed comparative analysis of contract line item pricing and service levels would be necessary for a definitive conclusion.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Primary risks for this contract include potential scope creep if the definition of 'analytical and data support' is not precisely defined and managed, leading to cost overruns or delays. Another risk is the contractor's ability to deliver high-quality, actionable insights from complex educational data, which could impact program effectiveness. Dependence on the contractor's specialized knowledge also poses a risk if knowledge transfer to government personnel is inadequate. Mitigation strategies likely involve a clearly defined Statement of Work (SOW), robust performance monitoring by the Department of Education, regular progress reviews, and potentially incorporating data security and privacy clauses to safeguard sensitive student information. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract also incentivizes the contractor to manage scope effectively.

How effective is the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, and how will this contract contribute to its effectiveness?

The effectiveness of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program is evaluated through various metrics, including student academic achievement, engagement in positive activities, and overall program quality. This contract aims to enhance program effectiveness by providing crucial analytical and data support. By improving data collection, analysis, and reporting, the contractor can help the Department of Education and program administrators better understand what works, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate the program's impact to stakeholders. This data-driven approach is essential for evidence-based policymaking and resource allocation, ultimately contributing to better outcomes for students and communities served by the 21st CCLC initiative.

What are the historical spending patterns for analytical and data support services within the Department of Education?

Historical spending patterns for analytical and data support services within the Department of Education are varied, reflecting the diverse needs across its numerous programs. The Department frequently procures services for program evaluation, data collection and analysis, research, and IT support related to data management. Spending can fluctuate based on legislative priorities, program funding levels, and specific research or evaluation initiatives. While this $4.1 million award is for a specific function, the Department likely awards numerous contracts in the broader IT and professional services categories annually, totaling significantly more. Analyzing historical data for similar contract types (e.g., NAICS code 541519) and specific program areas would reveal trends in investment in data-driven decision-making and program improvement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related 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: 91990024Q0066

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 50 S 16TH ST STE 1700, PHILADELPHIA, PA, 19102

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,878,593

Exercised Options: $4,139,269

Current Obligation: $4,139,269

Actual Outlays: $2,706,920

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 91990022A0011

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline