Department of Education awards $2.65M contract for learning center monitoring to Tactile Design Group LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,652,335 ($2.7M)
Contractor: Tactile Design Group LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2025-02-19
End Date: 2027-02-18
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: NITA M. LOWEY 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS STATE MONITORING ACTIVITIES AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $2.7 million to TACTILE DESIGN GROUP LLC for work described as: NITA M. LOWEY 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS STATE MONITORING ACTIVITIES AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.65M for monitoring and technical assistance. 2. Awarded to Tactile Design Group LLC, a single vendor. 3. Potential risk associated with limited competition. 4. Services fall under 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code. 5. Contract duration is 729 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.65M for a 729-day period appears reasonable for specialized monitoring and technical assistance services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for educational program oversight is needed for a definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the award itself is a delivery order, and the specific competition for this order needs further review to ensure price discovery was maximized.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential oversight of educational programs, aiming to ensure effective use of federal grants. The competitive award process should help ensure value for money.
Public Impact
Ensures accountability for federal education grants. Supports the effectiveness of community learning centers. Provides technical assistance to improve program delivery. Impacts students and communities served by these centers.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited visibility into the specific competition for this delivery order.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if performance is not closely monitored.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical monitoring functions.
Positive Signals
- Clear objective for program oversight.
- Defined contract period and deliverables.
- Awarded under a competitive process.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to educational program management and IT support. Spending benchmarks for similar government contracts in this area vary widely based on scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be required to determine if small business set-asides were considered or if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Education is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms should be in place, including performance reviews and payment verification, to ensure contract compliance and effectiveness.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition on future renewals.
- Vendor performance needs rigorous monitoring.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Dependence on a single provider for critical functions.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-education, dc, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $2.7 million to TACTILE DESIGN GROUP LLC. NITA M. LOWEY 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS STATE MONITORING ACTIVITIES AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES
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 $2.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-02-19. End: 2027-02-18.
What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the technical assistance provided by Tactile Design Group LLC?
The effectiveness of technical assistance will likely be evaluated through a combination of qualitative and quantitative measures. This could include participant feedback surveys, observed improvements in program implementation, adherence to grant requirements, and achievement of specific program goals outlined in the contract. Regular progress reports from the vendor and site visits by the agency will also inform this assessment.
How does the pricing structure compare to industry standards for similar monitoring and technical assistance services?
A direct comparison of the per-unit cost is difficult without more granular data on the specific services rendered. However, the overall contract value of $2.65M over two years suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking against other federal or state contracts for educational program monitoring and technical support, considering factors like geographic scope and complexity of the programs monitored, would be necessary for a robust pricing assessment.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will they be tracked to ensure value for taxpayer money?
Key performance indicators likely include the successful completion of monitoring activities, the quality and impact of technical assistance provided, adherence to reporting schedules, and overall client satisfaction from the learning centers. The Department of Education will track these KPIs through regular vendor reporting, site visits, and potentially feedback mechanisms from the community learning centers themselves to ensure accountability and efficient use of funds.
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: 91990025Q0002
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: $8,625,555
Exercised Options: $2,652,335
Current Obligation: $2,652,335
Actual Outlays: $1,029,142
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS35F072BA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-02-19
Current End Date: 2027-02-18
Potential End Date: 2030-02-18 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-12
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