Department of Education awards $14.4M contract for NAEP State Service Center to WESTAT, INC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,406,463 ($14.4M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2004-08-31
End Date: 2008-09-25
Contract Duration: 1,486 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: NAEP STATE SERVICE CENTER
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $14.4 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: NAEP STATE SERVICE CENTER Key points: 1. The contract value is $14.4 million. 2. WESTAT, INC. is the sole contractor. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee. 4. The contract was awarded under full and open competition.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure can lead to higher costs if not managed effectively. Benchmarking against similar service center contracts is difficult without more detailed scope information.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee structure may not always yield the lowest price.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for educational data services. The effectiveness of the spending will depend on the outcomes achieved by the NAEP State Service Center.
Public Impact
Supports the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), providing crucial data on student achievement. Aims to improve educational policy and practice through data analysis and reporting. Contract duration spans over four years, indicating a long-term need for these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure may incentivize cost overruns.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to assess value.
- Limited information on the competitive landscape for this specific service.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports a critical national education assessment program.
- Long contract duration suggests sustained need and potential for efficiency gains.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically supporting educational research and data management. Benchmarks for similar large-scale data service contracts are highly variable depending on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the Department of Education's program officials responsible for NAEP. Accountability for performance would be tied to the award fee structure and contract deliverables.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
- Lack of transparency on specific performance metrics and award fee criteria.
- Limited information on the competitive landscape and alternative solutions.
- Contract duration is substantial, requiring ongoing monitoring for continued relevance and efficiency.
Tags
department-of-education, dc, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $14.4 million to WESTAT, INC.. NAEP 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 $14.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-08-31. End: 2008-09-25.
How does the Cost Plus Award Fee structure compare to fixed-price contracts for similar educational data services in terms of overall cost efficiency and risk to the government?
Cost Plus Award Fee contracts offer flexibility but can be more expensive if performance incentives are not tightly aligned with cost control. Fixed-price contracts provide cost certainty but may lack flexibility for evolving requirements. For educational data services, the optimal structure depends on the predictability of the scope and the ability to define clear, measurable performance outcomes that justify award fees.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to determine the award fee for WESTAT, INC., and how do these relate to the overall effectiveness of the NAEP State Service Center?
The specific KPIs for determining the award fee are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, for a service center supporting NAEP, KPIs might include data accuracy, timeliness of reporting, responsiveness to state inquiries, and successful implementation of new data collection or analysis methodologies. Effective KPIs directly link contractor performance to the successful operation and utility of the NAEP program.
Given the $14.4 million award and a duration of over four years, what is the projected taxpayer impact in terms of value for money and contribution to educational policy?
The projected taxpayer impact hinges on the demonstrable value derived from the NAEP data. If the service center effectively supports accurate and timely data collection and analysis, it contributes to evidence-based policymaking and educational improvement, justifying the investment. Without clear metrics on outcomes, assessing the 'value for money' remains challenging, but the foundational role in national education assessment suggests significant potential impact.
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Contractor Details
Address: 1650 RESEARCH BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 08
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,810,521
Exercised Options: $14,810,521
Current Obligation: $14,406,463
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: ED01CO0082
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-08-31
Current End Date: 2008-09-25
Potential End Date: 2008-09-25 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-08-20
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