Department of Education's $30.4M NAEP Alliance Contract with WESTAT, Inc. Awarded in 2007 for R&D Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $30,385,065 ($30.4M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2007-09-27
End Date: 2013-03-26
Contract Duration: 2,007 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NAEP ALLIANCE 2008-2012 STATE SERVICE CENTER
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $30.4 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: NAEP ALLIANCE 2008-2012 STATE SERVICE CENTER Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $30.4 million, was awarded to WESTAT, INC. for Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. 2. It was awarded under a full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can incentivize performance but may lead to higher costs. 4. The contract duration spans from 2007 to 2013, indicating a long-term engagement for R&D services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure can lead to costs exceeding initial estimates if performance incentives are aggressively pursued. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more granular cost data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee structure introduces variability in the final cost based on performance.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process likely aimed to secure fair pricing for the R&D services, but the cost-plus nature means taxpayer funds could fluctuate based on performance outcomes.
Public Impact
Educational research and development services funded by taxpayers. Long-term contract (2007-2013) impacting educational policy and assessment. Awarded to a single contractor, WESTAT, INC., for a significant sum. Potential for performance-based cost increases due to the contract type.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure can lead to cost overruns.
- Long contract duration may not reflect current needs or market conditions.
- Limited transparency on specific performance metrics driving award fees.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Contract supports critical R&D in social sciences and humanities.
- Clear end date for the contract.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. Spending in this sector can vary widely, but long-term contracts for foundational research are common. Benchmarking is challenging due to the specialized nature of the work.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to WESTAT, INC. and there is no indication of small business participation or subcontracting in the provided data. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's oversight would involve monitoring WESTAT's performance against award fee criteria and ensuring adherence to the research scope. The Department of Education is responsible for this oversight.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
- Lack of specific performance outcome data in the provided summary.
- Long contract duration (6 years) may not be optimal for rapidly evolving research fields.
- No clear indication of small business utilization.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-education, dc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $30.4 million to WESTAT, INC.. NAEP ALLIANCE 2008-2012 STATE 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 $30.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-09-27. End: 2013-03-26.
What specific research outcomes were achieved under the NAEP Alliance contract, and how did they impact educational policy or practice?
The provided data does not detail the specific research outcomes or their impact. To assess value, a review of final reports, publications, and any documented policy or practice changes stemming from the contract would be necessary. Understanding the tangible benefits derived from the $30.4 million investment is crucial for evaluating its true worth to education.
How did the Cost Plus Award Fee structure influence WESTAT's performance and the final contract cost compared to alternative contract types?
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure incentivizes the contractor to meet or exceed performance targets to earn an award fee, potentially driving higher quality work. However, it also allows costs to escalate beyond initial estimates. Without comparative data from similar contracts using different fee structures, it's difficult to definitively state if this structure optimized cost-effectiveness or led to undue expense.
What mechanisms were in place to ensure the R&D conducted was relevant and effective throughout the contract's six-year duration?
Effectiveness would depend on the Department of Education's oversight, including regular reviews of research progress, adherence to the statement of work, and the relevance of the research questions being addressed. Mechanisms like periodic reviews, milestone assessments, and stakeholder feedback loops would be key to ensuring the R&D remained effective and aligned with evolving educational needs over the contract's lifespan.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
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: $38,174,247
Exercised Options: $34,228,201
Current Obligation: $30,385,065
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-09-27
Current End Date: 2013-03-26
Potential End Date: 2013-03-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-09-23
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