Commerce's Census Bureau Spends $9.9M on Survey Methodology Education with University of Maryland
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,906,197 ($9.9M)
Contractor: University of Maryland, College Park
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2007-09-28
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,829 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IN SURVEY METHODOLOGY
Place of Performance
Location: DISTRICT HEIGHTS, PRINCE GEORGE'S County, MARYLAND, 20747
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $9.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK for work described as: EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IN SURVEY METHODOLOGY Key points: 1. High contract value for specialized educational services. 2. Sole-source award limits competitive pricing. 3. Long duration suggests ongoing need but potential for price creep. 4. Focus on survey methodology aligns with Census Bureau's core mission.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $9.9M over five years for educational services is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this represents fair market value compared to similar specialized training programs.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded sole-source, meaning no competition was sought. This significantly limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if multiple vendors had competed.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a nearly $10 million contract raises concerns about potential overspending and inefficient use of taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers fund specialized educational services for government agencies. Potential for improved survey methodologies could enhance government data quality. Lack of transparency in sole-source awards can erode public trust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- High contract value
- Long contract duration
- Lack of competition
Positive Signals
- Supports critical government function (data collection)
- Partnership with established educational institution
Sector Analysis
The educational support services sector encompasses a wide range of training and development. For government agencies like the Census Bureau, specialized training in areas like survey methodology is crucial for maintaining data integrity and efficiency.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not awarded to small businesses, as indicated by the 'sb' field being false. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny. Further review of the justification for not competing the contract is needed to ensure accountability and prevent potential waste.
Related Government Programs
- Educational Support Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- U.S. Census Bureau Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited transparency
- Long contract duration without clear performance benchmarks
Tags
educational-support-services, department-of-commerce, md, dca, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $9.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IN SURVEY METHODOLOGY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Census Bureau).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $9.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-09-28. End: 2012-09-30.
What was the specific justification for awarding this contract sole-source?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves demonstrating that only one responsible source is capable of providing the required services. For specialized training like survey methodology, this might be argued if the University of Maryland possesses unique expertise or resources unavailable elsewhere. However, a thorough review would be needed to validate this claim and ensure no viable alternatives were overlooked.
How does the cost of this contract compare to similar educational programs in the private sector?
Benchmarking this contract's cost against private sector educational programs is challenging due to the sole-source nature and the specific focus on survey methodology. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to establish a precise market rate. A comparative analysis would require identifying comparable training programs and adjusting for differences in scope, duration, and provider expertise, which is inherently less reliable than direct price comparison.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the effectiveness and quality of the educational services provided?
Given the long-term nature and significant value of this contract, oversight mechanisms should include clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and feedback from participants. The Census Bureau should have defined deliverables and quality standards for the training content and delivery. Periodic evaluations of the educational outcomes and their impact on the Bureau's operations would be essential to ensure effectiveness.
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: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: University System of Maryland (UEI: 003256088)
Address: 3112 LEE BUILDING, COLLEGE PARK, MD, 04
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Government, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $9,976,095
Exercised Options: $9,906,198
Current Obligation: $9,906,197
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-09-28
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-03-28
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