Department of Education awards $7.8M contract for educational progress assessment to Westat, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,833,744 ($7.8M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2024-12-06
End Date: 2026-12-05
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THIS AWARD IS FOR THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS SUPPORT AND SERVICE CENTER.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $7.8 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: THIS AWARD IS FOR THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS SUPPORT AND SERVICE CENTER. Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The definitive contract type with a firm fixed price indicates a clear scope and cost structure. 3. The contract duration of 729 days provides a substantial period for service delivery. 4. The award is for research and development in social sciences and humanities, aligning with NAICS code 541720. 5. The contract value of $7.8 million is a significant investment in national educational assessment. 6. The awardee, Westat, Inc., is a known entity in the research and survey sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $7.8 million for a two-year period for national assessment support appears reasonable given the scope of services typically involved in such large-scale research and data collection efforts. Benchmarking against similar contracts for national educational surveys and assessments would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While two bidders are better than one, a higher number of bidders could potentially lead to more aggressive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are students, educators, and policymakers who will receive data and insights from the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Services delivered include support and operation of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Support and Service Center. The geographic impact is national, as NAEP assessments are conducted across the United States. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for researchers, data analysts, survey administrators, and support staff within Westat, Inc. and its subcontractors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'support and service center' is not tightly managed.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a critical national assessment could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
- Ensuring data integrity and security throughout the assessment process is paramount.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent procurement process.
- Firm fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
- The contractor, Westat, Inc., has experience in large-scale survey and research operations.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities sector, specifically related to educational measurement and assessment. The market for educational research and evaluation services is substantial, with government agencies being significant clients. This contract represents a key component of the federal government's efforts to monitor and improve educational outcomes nationwide.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Westat, Inc., may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of their overall project management and resource allocation strategy.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specific services within the agreed-upon budget and timeline. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award notices and public reporting, though specific performance metrics may not always be publicly disclosed.
Related Government Programs
- National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
- Institute of Education Sciences (IES) programs
- Federal education statistics and data collection initiatives
Risk Flags
- Contract performance risk
- Data integrity and security risk
- Potential for scope creep
Tags
education, department-of-education, research-and-development, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, national-assessment, westat-inc, district-of-columbia, social-sciences, humanities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $7.8 million to WESTAT, INC.. THIS AWARD IS FOR THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS SUPPORT AND SERVICE CENTER.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WESTAT, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $7.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-12-06. End: 2026-12-05.
What is Westat, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly in educational assessment?
Westat, Inc. has a significant history of performing federal contracts, many of which are related to large-scale surveys, data collection, and research, including educational assessments. They have been involved in various projects for agencies like the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), which administers NAEP. Their experience often includes managing complex data operations, ensuring data quality, and providing analytical support. A review of their contract history would likely reveal numerous awards for similar services, indicating a strong capability and familiarity with government procurement processes and requirements in the education sector. This prior performance is a key factor in their ability to secure awards like this one.
How does the $7.8 million value compare to similar national educational assessment support contracts?
The $7.8 million award for a two-year period for the NAEP Support and Service Center appears to be within a reasonable range for contracts of this nature. Large-scale national assessments require extensive logistical, technical, and analytical support. Contracts for similar functions, such as managing data collection, developing assessment instruments, or providing statistical analysis for major federal education programs, can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope and duration. Without specific details on the exact deliverables and the number of participants involved in this particular support center's function, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, given the national scope of NAEP, this value suggests a substantial but not necessarily outlier investment for comprehensive support services.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks include potential performance issues by the contractor, such as delays in service delivery or data quality problems, and the risk of cost overruns if the firm fixed-price contract is not managed effectively. Another risk is the potential for scope creep, where the requirements of the 'support and service center' expand beyond the initial agreement. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight by the Department of Education, including regular performance reviews, clear communication channels, and adherence to defined milestones. The firm fixed-price structure itself mitigates cost overrun risk for the government, placing that burden on the contractor. Defining clear deliverables and change control processes helps manage scope creep.
How effective is the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in informing educational policy and practice?
NAEP is widely considered a highly effective tool for informing educational policy and practice at national, state, and local levels. It provides a common yardstick for measuring student achievement in various subjects across different states and demographic groups, allowing for comparisons and trend analysis over time. NAEP data helps identify areas of strength and weakness in the education system, guiding curriculum development, instructional strategies, and resource allocation. Policymakers use NAEP results to evaluate the impact of educational reforms and to set national goals. Educators use the findings to understand student performance relative to national averages and to refine teaching methods. Its consistent methodology and large sample sizes lend significant credibility to its findings.
What are the historical spending patterns for NAEP support and similar services by the Department of Education?
Historical spending on NAEP and its associated support services by the Department of Education has been substantial and relatively consistent over the years, reflecting the program's ongoing importance. While specific figures for 'support and service centers' can vary based on contract structures and durations, the overall budget allocated to NAEP operations, including assessment development, data collection, analysis, and reporting, typically runs into the tens of millions of dollars annually. The Department of Education, through the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), has consistently funded these activities to maintain the integrity and continuity of the nation's report card. Fluctuations in spending are often tied to the assessment cycle, specific research initiatives, or changes in contract vehicles.
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: 91990024R0009
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1600 RESEARCH BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $19,409,564
Exercised Options: $7,833,744
Current Obligation: $7,833,744
Actual Outlays: $4,392,857
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $256,895
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-12-06
Current End Date: 2026-12-05
Potential End Date: 2029-12-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-23
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