Department of Education awards $6.1M contract to Educational Testing Service for NAEP strategic planning and data support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,101,945 ($6.1M)

Contractor: Educational Testing Service

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2024-11-01

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL- POC CONTRACT SUPPORTS OVERALL STRATEGIC PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR NAEP COORDINATES AMONG COALITION CONTRACTORS MAINTAIN DATA FOR TRACKING PROGRAM PROGRESS AND PROVIDE LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR COMPLAINTS AND COMMENTS.

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 $6.1 million to EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE for work described as: NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL- POC CONTRACT SUPPORTS OVERALL STRATEGIC PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR NAEP COORDINATES AMONG COALITION CONTRACTORS MAINTAIN DATA FOR TRACKING PROGRAM PROGRESS AND PROVIDE LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR COMPLAINTS AND COMMENTS. Key points: 1. Contract provides crucial support for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), impacting national education strategy. 2. Focus on strategic planning, design coordination, and data management ensures the integrity and utility of NAEP findings. 3. The definitive contract structure suggests a need for ongoing, specialized services over its two-year duration. 4. Fixed-price nature of the contract offers cost certainty for the Department of Education. 5. The award to a single contractor, Educational Testing Service, highlights their established role in this domain. 6. Support for tracking program progress and logistical handling of feedback indicates a commitment to operational efficiency.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.1 million over two years for comprehensive strategic planning and data support for NAEP appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar large-scale educational research and assessment contracts suggests this is within expected parameters for a program of NAEP's national significance. The firm fixed-price structure provides predictability, though detailed cost breakdowns are not available for granular comparison. The value is derived from the critical nature of NAEP data for informing educational policy and practice nationwide.

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. While the data specifies 'full and open competition,' it does not detail the number of bids received or the specific solicitation process. This competitive approach is generally expected to foster price discovery and encourage a range of technical solutions, potentially leading to better value.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best possible services at competitive prices by allowing a wide range of qualified contractors to participate.

Public Impact

Educators and policymakers nationwide benefit from the strategic planning and data insights provided by NAEP. The contract supports the delivery of essential data for tracking educational progress across the United States. Geographic impact is national, as NAEP assessments cover all states and jurisdictions. The contract indirectly impacts the education workforce by providing data that informs curriculum development and teaching strategies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if Educational Testing Service's role becomes indispensable.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical strategic functions requires robust performance monitoring.

Positive Signals

Educational Testing Service has a long-standing and recognized expertise in educational assessment.
The firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities sector (NAICS 541720). This sector encompasses a wide range of analytical and research services. The market for educational assessment and strategic planning services is specialized, with a few key players possessing the scale and expertise required for national-level initiatives like NAEP. Spending in this sector is driven by government needs for data-driven policy and program evaluation.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While Educational Testing Service is a large organization, the nature of this contract, focusing on highly specialized strategic planning and data coordination for a national assessment, may limit direct subcontracting opportunities for small businesses unless they possess niche expertise required by the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside within the Department of Education's program offices responsible for NAEP. Accountability measures are typically embedded in contract terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract awards databases and potentially through public reporting of NAEP results. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
Department of Education Research and Development Programs
Educational Measurement and Testing Services
Federal Education Data Management

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues impacting data integrity.
Risk of vendor lock-in due to specialized knowledge.
Data security and privacy concerns.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $6.1 million to EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE. NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL- POC CONTRACT SUPPORTS OVERALL STRATEGIC PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR NAEP COORDINATES AMONG COALITION CONTRACTORS MAINTAIN DATA FOR TRACKING PROGRAM PROGRESS AND PROVIDE LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR COMPLAINTS AND COMMENTS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-01. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the track record of Educational Testing Service (ETS) in supporting large-scale national assessments like NAEP?

Educational Testing Service (ETS) has a long and extensive history of supporting major national and international assessments, including a significant role with NAEP. ETS is a well-established non-profit organization renowned for its expertise in educational measurement, research, and assessment development. They have been involved in various capacities with NAEP for decades, often managing complex logistical, psychometric, and data analysis components. Their deep institutional knowledge and established infrastructure make them a frequent choice for such critical, long-term government contracts. This extensive experience suggests a high likelihood of successful performance, though continuous monitoring of deliverables and adherence to evolving program requirements remains essential.

How does the $6.1 million contract value compare to previous NAEP support contracts?

Direct year-over-year comparisons of this specific $6.1 million contract value to previous NAEP support contracts are difficult without access to historical contract databases detailing the scope and duration of prior awards. However, the value appears consistent with the scale and complexity of managing strategic planning, design coordination, and data support for a national assessment program like NAEP. Such contracts often span multiple years and involve significant personnel, technology, and analytical resources. Given the inflationary environment and the enduring importance of NAEP, this figure is likely within a reasonable range for the services rendered over the two-year period. A more precise benchmark would require analyzing the specific deliverables and contract types of prior NAEP-related awards.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the Department of Education?

The primary risks associated with this contract involve potential performance issues and dependency. If Educational Testing Service fails to adequately coordinate coalition contractors or maintain data integrity, the reliability and utility of NAEP findings could be compromised, impacting educational policy decisions. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, where ETS's deep involvement makes it difficult and costly to transition services to another provider in the future. Ensuring robust data security and privacy is another critical risk, given the sensitive nature of educational performance data. Finally, any delays in strategic planning or logistical support could impact the timely release and dissemination of crucial NAEP results.

How effective is the current contract structure in ensuring the quality and timeliness of NAEP data?

The current contract structure, a definitive contract with a firm fixed-price payment type, is designed to ensure cost control and provide a clear framework for service delivery over its two-year duration. The focus on strategic planning, design coordination, and data management directly addresses key aspects of ensuring data quality and timeliness. The involvement of Educational Testing Service, a recognized expert, further supports quality. However, the ultimate effectiveness hinges on the specific performance metrics, oversight mechanisms employed by the Department of Education, and the contractor's execution. Regular performance reviews and clear communication channels are crucial for maintaining quality and ensuring timely delivery of NAEP data.

What is the historical spending trend for NAEP-related support services by the Department of Education?

Historical spending on NAEP-related support services by the Department of Education has likely been substantial and consistent over the years, reflecting the program's continuous operation and national importance. While specific aggregate figures require detailed database analysis, major contracts for assessment development, data collection, analysis, and reporting are typical. Spending fluctuates based on assessment cycles, specific research initiatives, and contract durations. The $6.1 million awarded here represents a portion of the overall investment in NAEP, which is a significant undertaking. Trends would likely show sustained investment, with potential increases driven by evolving technological needs, expanded assessment scope, or new research requirements.

Are there alternative contractors capable of performing the strategic planning and data support for NAEP?

Yes, there are likely several other large, reputable organizations in the educational research and assessment field capable of performing strategic planning and data support for NAEP. Companies specializing in large-scale testing, psychometrics, data analytics, and educational program management, such as Abt Associates, AIR (American Institutes for Research), and Westat, often compete for similar federal contracts. The fact that this contract was awarded under 'full and open competition' suggests that the Department of Education considered multiple bidders. However, the specific requirements of NAEP, including its long history and established methodologies, may favor contractors with deep, long-standing experience, potentially narrowing the field of highly qualified and competitive bidders.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 91990025R0001

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 660 ROSEDALE RD, PRINCETON, NJ, 08540

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,485,308

Exercised Options: $6,303,250

Current Obligation: $6,101,945

Actual Outlays: $3,972,528

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline