Department of Education Spends $242M on R&D Contract with Westat, Inc. for NAEP Data Collection
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $242,492,848 ($242.5M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2007-09-20
End Date: 2013-03-26
Contract Duration: 2,014 days
Daily Burn Rate: $120.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NAEP 2008 -2012 SAMPLING AND DATA COLLECGTION
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $242.5 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: NAEP 2008 -2012 SAMPLING AND DATA COLLECGTION Key points: 1. Significant investment in educational research data collection. 2. Contract awarded through full and open competition. 3. Potential for long-term data insights into educational trends. 4. Cost-plus award fee structure requires careful monitoring.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $242M over approximately 5.5 years suggests a substantial investment. Benchmarking against similar large-scale data collection and research contracts would be necessary for a precise value assessment, but the scope appears commensurate with the task.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Awarded via full and open competition, this method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a wide range of qualified contractors to bid. The use of a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure incentivizes performance but requires robust oversight to manage costs effectively.
Taxpayer Impact: The investment supports critical educational research, potentially leading to improved policies and outcomes, which represents a long-term benefit to taxpayers.
Public Impact
Ensures continuity and quality of national educational assessment data. Supports evidence-based policymaking in education. Provides valuable insights into student performance and educational trends over time.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires diligent oversight to control costs.
- Long contract duration may introduce risks related to evolving research needs or contractor performance.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting fair market pricing.
- Contract supports a critical national function for educational assessment.
- Potential for significant long-term data value.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. Spending in this sector is often project-specific and driven by government needs for data and analysis. Benchmarks are difficult without specific project details, but the scale suggests a significant national research initiative.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded to a single entity, Westat, Inc. There is no explicit indication of small business participation within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure necessitates strong oversight from the Department of Education to ensure performance objectives are met and costs are reasonable. Regular reviews and audits would be crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires diligent oversight.
- Long contract duration may lead to performance or relevance issues.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
- Potential for contractor lock-in due to specialized knowledge.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-education, md, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $242.5 million to WESTAT, INC.. NAEP 2008 -2012 SAMPLING AND DATA COLLECGTION
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 $242.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-09-20. End: 2013-03-26.
What specific performance metrics are tied to the award fee in this Cost Plus Award Fee contract, and how are they objectively measured to ensure fair compensation and contractor motivation?
The effectiveness of the award fee hinges on clearly defined, measurable, and objective performance metrics. These metrics should align directly with the contract's goals, such as data accuracy, timeliness of deliverables, and adherence to sampling methodologies. The Department of Education must have a robust system for tracking progress against these metrics and justifying any award fees paid to ensure taxpayer value and contractor accountability.
Given the significant duration of the contract (2007-2013), what mechanisms were in place to manage scope creep and ensure the research remained relevant to evolving educational needs?
Long-term contracts require proactive management. Mechanisms likely included regular review meetings, formal change control processes, and potentially contract modifications to adapt to new requirements or technological advancements. The Department of Education's contracting officers would be responsible for monitoring the project's alignment with strategic goals and managing any necessary adjustments to scope or objectives.
How does the data collected under this contract contribute to tangible improvements in educational policy or practice, and what is the quantifiable return on investment for the $242 million expenditur
The primary contribution of this contract is the generation of reliable national data on student achievement through NAEP. This data informs federal and state educational policies, curriculum development, and resource allocation. Quantifying the ROI is complex, as it involves the long-term impact of evidence-based policy decisions, which are difficult to isolate. However, the value lies in enabling informed decision-making for the nation's education system.
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
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1650 RESEARCH BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $242,780,739
Exercised Options: $242,780,739
Current Obligation: $242,492,848
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-09-20
Current End Date: 2013-03-26
Potential End Date: 2013-03-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-02-24
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