Department of Education awards $14.9M contract for regional education research and development in California

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,889,937 ($14.9M)

Contractor: Wested

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2004-01-16

End Date: 2006-05-10

Contract Duration: 845 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: REGIONAL EDUCATION LABORATORY

Place of Performance

Location: SAN FRANCISCO, SAN FRANCISCO County, CALIFORNIA, 94107

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $14.9 million to WESTED for work described as: REGIONAL EDUCATION LABORATORY Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust market. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which incentivizes performance but requires careful oversight. 3. The duration of 845 days indicates a significant, long-term research initiative. 4. The award was made by the Department of Education, aligning with its mission. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541720 points to R&D in social sciences and humanities. 6. The contract was awarded to WESTED, a regional educational laboratory. 7. The contract was awarded in 2004, providing historical context for current spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific performance metrics and comparable contract data. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure means the final cost could vary based on performance. However, the total award amount of $14.9 million over approximately two years for regional educational research suggests a substantial investment in understanding and improving educational practices. Further analysis would require comparing the scope and deliverables to similar R&D contracts within the education sector.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely invited to bid. The presence of 15 bids (implied by 'no': 15) suggests a healthy level of competition for this research and development requirement. This competitive process is generally expected to lead to more favorable pricing and innovative solutions for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging high-quality service delivery.

Public Impact

Educators, policymakers, and researchers in the Western region of the United States will benefit from the insights generated by this contract. The contract aims to deliver research and development services focused on improving educational outcomes. The geographic impact is primarily focused on California, where WESTED is located and likely conducts much of its work. The contract supports a workforce of researchers and subject matter experts in the field of education.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if performance incentives are not carefully managed and monitored.
The long duration of the contract requires sustained oversight to ensure objectives remain aligned with evolving educational needs.
The specific deliverables and success metrics for the award fee component need to be clearly defined and rigorously assessed.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive marketplace.
The contract is with a regional educational laboratory, suggesting specialized expertise.
The Department of Education's involvement signifies alignment with national educational priorities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities as defined by NAICS code 541720. The market for educational research and development is driven by government funding, academic institutions, and private foundations seeking to improve educational practices and outcomes. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal contracts awarded for educational research, program evaluation, and policy analysis.

Small Business Impact

There is no explicit indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. Given the nature of regional educational laboratories and R&D services, it is possible that the primary bidders were larger organizations or established research institutions. Further investigation would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities were mandated or utilized for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates robust performance monitoring to ensure that award fees are justified. Transparency would depend on the Department's policies regarding the public release of research findings and contract performance data. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Regional Educational Laboratories Program
Education Research Grants
Federal R&D Spending
Department of Education Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires careful performance monitoring.
Long contract duration necessitates sustained oversight.
Potential for cost growth if award fee criteria are not well-defined.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $14.9 million to WESTED. REGIONAL EDUCATION LABORATORY

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 $14.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-01-16. End: 2006-05-10.

What was the specific performance criteria used to determine the award fee for WESTED?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance criteria used for the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) component of this contract. Typically, CPAF contracts establish objective and subjective metrics related to the contractor's performance, such as the quality of research, timeliness of deliverables, innovation, and overall effectiveness in meeting program goals. The contracting officer would assess WESTED's performance against these pre-defined criteria to determine the amount of award fee, if any, to be paid. Without access to the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and the award fee plan, a precise evaluation of the award fee determination is not possible.

How does the $14.9 million award compare to other regional educational laboratory contracts?

Comparing the $14.9 million award to other regional educational laboratory contracts requires access to historical and current contract data for similar entities. Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) are funded by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) within the Department of Education. Contracts for RELs typically span several years and can range significantly in value depending on the scope of work, geographic region covered, and specific research priorities. While $14.9 million over approximately two years is a substantial sum, its relative value can only be assessed by benchmarking against the average award size, duration, and deliverables of other REL contracts awarded during a similar period or under current funding cycles.

What were the primary research areas or objectives funded by this $14.9 million contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities) and was awarded to WESTED, a Regional Educational Laboratory. While the specific research areas are not detailed, RELs generally focus on conducting research, providing technical assistance, and disseminating findings to improve education in their designated regions. Common objectives include addressing critical education challenges, supporting evidence-based practices, and informing policy decisions at local, state, and federal levels. The contract likely funded a portfolio of research projects and related activities aimed at enhancing educational quality and equity within WESTED's service area.

What is the track record of WESTED as a contractor with the federal government?

WESTED (Western Educational Research and Development Center) has a history of serving as a Regional Educational Laboratory, funded by the Department of Education. As a recipient of federal grants and contracts, their track record would be evaluated based on their performance in delivering research, technical assistance, and dissemination activities as outlined in previous agreements. Information on their past performance, including adherence to timelines, quality of deliverables, and impact of their work, would typically be available through federal procurement databases and performance evaluation reports, though not directly provided in this summary data. Their continued funding suggests a generally satisfactory performance history.

What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract of this magnitude?

The primary risk with a CPAF contract of this magnitude ($14.9 million) is the potential for cost growth if the award fee structure is not tightly managed or if performance targets are not clearly defined and rigorously assessed. While CPAF aims to incentivize contractor performance, there's a risk that the government may pay higher costs than necessary if the award fee criteria are too lenient or subjective. Additionally, the administrative burden of monitoring performance and determining award fees can be significant. Ensuring that the 'cost' portion is reasonable and the 'award' portion is earned through demonstrable, high-level performance is crucial for mitigating these risks.

How has federal spending on regional educational research evolved since this contract was awarded in 2004?

Federal spending on regional educational research, primarily through the Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) program, has seen fluctuations since 2004. The program has undergone periodic re-competitions and adjustments in funding levels based on congressional appropriations and evolving educational priorities. While the core mission of RELs remains consistent—to provide research and technical assistance—the specific focus areas and the scale of individual awards can change. Analyzing overall federal R&D spending in education would reveal trends in investment, shifts towards specific research methodologies (e.g., implementation science), and the impact of policy initiatives on research agendas.

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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Contractor Details

Address: 730 HARRISON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $135,787,037

Exercised Options: $110,999,055

Current Obligation: $14,889,937

Timeline