Department of Education spent $17.8M on management consulting for NCLB evaluations, supporting promising practices

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,817,795 ($17.8M)

Contractor: Wested

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2006-09-30

End Date: 2011-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,918 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE POLICY AND PROGRAM STUDIES SERVICE (PPSS) IN THE OFFICE OF PLANNING, EVALUATION AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (ED) OFFICIALS WITH EVALUATIONS OF FEDERAL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN SUPPORT OF NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND (NCLB). MOST RECENTLY, PPSS HAS BEEN TASKED BY THE SECRETARY TO COORDINATE AN NCLB PROMISING PRACTICES INITIATIVE (PPI) THAT WILL FEATURE PRACTICES THAT APPEAR TO BE PROMISING BASED ON THE BEST EVIDENCE AVAILABLE. IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE PPI, THIS TASK ORDER CONTRACT PROVIDES FOR EVALUATIONS OF THE EVIDENCE SUPPORTING VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES IN PRIORITY AREAS DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY. IN ORDER TO DESIGNATE A PRACTICE AS PROMISING, THE BODY OF STUDIES ON THE PRACTICE MUST MEET QUALITY STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY ED AND THE FINDINGS ACROSS STUDIES MUST INDICATE THAT THE PRACTICE RESULTS IN A DESIRED OUTCOME. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO 1) CONDUCT EVALUATIONS OF THE EVIDENCE SUPPORTING 256 EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES AND 2) TO CREATE PRACTICE DESCRIPTIONS, IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS AND CASE STUDIES FOR THOSE PRACTICES FOUND TO BE PROMISING. IF THIS CONTRACT IS EXTENDED FOR THE 2 OPTION YEARS, THE CONTRACTOR WILL PERFORM THE TASKS OF THIS CONTRACT FOR 192 ADDITIONAL PRACTICES. PRACTICES THAT ARE FOUND TO BE PROMISING WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET TO 1) INFORM THE WORK OF FEDERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM GRANTEES AND 2) GUIDE DECISION-MAKING IN THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

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 $17.8 million to WESTED for work described as: THE POLICY AND PROGRAM STUDIES SERVICE (PPSS) IN THE OFFICE OF PLANNING, EVALUATION AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (ED) OFFICIALS WITH EVALUATIONS OF FEDERAL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN SUPPORT OF NO CHILD … Key points: 1. Contract focused on evaluating federal elementary and secondary education programs under No Child Left Behind. 2. Tasked with identifying and featuring educational practices with strong evidence of effectiveness. 3. Supported the NCLB Promising Practices Initiative by assessing the evidentiary basis of various educational approaches. 4. Contract type was a competitive delivery order, indicating multiple bids were considered. 5. The contract duration was over 5 years, suggesting a sustained need for these evaluation services. 6. The primary contractor, WESTED, provided management consulting services related to policy and program studies. 7. The work was performed in Washington D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $17.8 million over approximately five years for management consulting services related to educational program evaluation appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale evaluation contracts is difficult without more specific service details. However, the fixed-fee component suggests some level of cost control was intended. The value is tied to the quality and impact of the evaluations produced, which are not directly quantifiable in dollar terms.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, implying that multiple vendors were solicited and competed for the work. The presence of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring the government receives a fair market price. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'competitive' designation suggests more than one offer was received and evaluated.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a market-driven price for the consulting services.

Public Impact

Federal elementary and secondary education programs benefit from rigorous evaluations to identify effective practices. Educational institutions and policymakers receive data-driven insights to improve program design and implementation. Students and educators in federally funded programs may benefit from the adoption of evidence-based practices. The initiative aimed to disseminate 'promising practices' nationwide, potentially impacting a broad range of schools. The workforce involved includes researchers, policy analysts, and consultants contributing to educational improvement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The effectiveness of the 'promising practices' identified and disseminated is not directly measured by this contract's data.
The long duration of the contract could lead to potential cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Reliance on external consultants for core policy evaluation functions may raise questions about internal capacity building.

Positive Signals

The contract was competitively awarded, suggesting a robust selection process.
The focus on evidence-based practices aligns with principles of effective governance and program management.
The initiative aimed to support a key legislative mandate (No Child Left Behind), indicating alignment with national education policy goals.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the management and professional services sector, specifically focusing on policy and program evaluation. The market for such services includes a range of consulting firms specializing in government contracting, education policy, and research. The total federal spending on management and consulting services is substantial, and this contract represents a portion dedicated to educational research and evaluation. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve looking at other large federal contracts for program evaluation and policy analysis.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were specifically targeted or subcontracted under this award. As a competitive delivery order, there may have been opportunities for small business participation, but without specific set-aside information or subcontracting plans, their impact is unknown. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside within the Department of Education's Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development (OPEPD). As a task order under a larger contract, oversight mechanisms would likely involve regular progress reviews, deliverable acceptance, and financial monitoring. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

No Child Left Behind Act Programs
Federal Education Program Evaluations
Educational Policy Research
Management and Consulting Services
Government Task Order Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of cost overruns or scope creep.
Effectiveness of 'promising practices' is an outcome not directly measured by contract value.
Reliance on external consultants for core evaluation functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $17.8 million to WESTED. THE POLICY AND PROGRAM STUDIES SERVICE (PPSS) IN THE OFFICE OF PLANNING, EVALUATION AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (ED) OFFICIALS WITH EVALUATIONS OF FEDERAL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN SUPPORT OF NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND (NCLB). MOST RECENTLY, PPSS HAS BEEN TASKED BY THE SECRETARY TO COORDINATE AN NCLB PROMISING PRACTICES INITIATIVE (PPI) THAT WILL FEATURE PRACTICES THAT APPEAR TO BE PROMISING BASED ON THE BEST EVIDENCE AVAIL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WESTED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-09-30. End: 2011-12-31.

What was the specific methodology used by WESTED to evaluate educational practices and determine if they were 'promising'?

The contract data indicates the task order provided for 'evaluations of the evidence supporting various educational practices in priority areas'. To designate a practice as promising, the 'body of studies on the practice must meet qualitative standards' related to evidence. While the specific qualitative standards are not detailed in the provided summary, such evaluations typically involve systematic reviews of existing research, meta-analyses, and assessment of study designs (e.g., randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs). The goal was to identify practices with the 'best evidence available' as determined by the Secretary of Education, suggesting a rigorous, evidence-based approach was mandated.

How does the $17.8 million spending compare to other federal contracts for educational program evaluation?

Comparing this $17.8 million contract requires context regarding its duration and scope. Awarded in 2006 and ending in 2011 (a period of approximately five years), the average annual spending was around $3.56 million. This figure is substantial for a single contract focused on evaluation services. Federal spending on educational research and evaluation is multifaceted, encompassing numerous grants, contracts, and internal studies across agencies like the Department of Education, NSF, and NIH. While $3.56 million annually is significant, it needs to be viewed against the backdrop of the entire federal education budget and the scale of research initiatives like NCLB. Without specific benchmarks for comparable large-scale, multi-year evaluation task orders, a precise comparison is challenging, but it indicates a considerable investment in evidence generation for federal education programs.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this specific contract. However, based on the contract's objective, success would likely be measured by the quality, rigor, and timeliness of the evaluations produced. Key metrics could have included the number of educational practices evaluated, the adherence to evidence standards defined by the Secretary, the clarity and utility of the evaluation reports for policymakers, and the successful coordination of the NCLB Promising Practices Initiative. The ultimate success would also be judged by the extent to which the evaluations contributed to informed decision-making regarding federal education programs.

What is the track record of WESTED in providing similar management consulting and evaluation services to the federal government?

WESTED (the Western Educational Development Center) has a history of providing research, evaluation, and technical assistance services, often related to education. While this specific contract highlights a significant engagement with the Department of Education for NCLB-related evaluations, WESTED has participated in numerous other federal and state-level projects. Their track record generally involves work in program evaluation, research synthesis, and capacity building within the education sector. A comprehensive assessment of their track record would involve reviewing their portfolio of past contracts, client feedback, and the outcomes of projects they have supported, looking for consistency in quality and impact across different engagements.

Were there any identified risks or challenges during the performance of this contract, and how were they addressed?

The provided data does not detail specific risks or challenges encountered during the contract's performance. However, common risks in large-scale evaluation contracts include difficulties in accessing data, changes in program priorities or leadership, challenges in defining and measuring 'promising practices,' and contractor performance issues. Addressing these risks typically involves proactive project management, clear communication protocols between the contractor and the agency, flexibility in adapting methodologies as needed, and robust oversight mechanisms. The long duration (over 5 years) suggests that managing scope, budget, and evolving policy landscapes would have been ongoing considerations.

How did this contract contribute to the broader goals of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act?

This contract directly supported the NCLB Act's emphasis on accountability and evidence-based practices. NCLB mandated that educational interventions and programs demonstrate effectiveness. The Policy and Program Studies Service (PPSS) within the Department of Education, using this contract, was tasked with evaluating federal programs and identifying 'promising practices' based on strong evidence. This initiative, the NCLB Promising Practices Initiative (PPI), aimed to highlight successful strategies that could be replicated or adapted by states and districts, thereby helping them meet NCLB's goals of improving student achievement and closing achievement gaps. The contract provided the analytical capacity to vet these practices rigorously.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 730 HARRISON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94107

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,817,795

Exercised Options: $17,817,795

Current Obligation: $17,817,795

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: EDED04CO0060

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline