Education Department Spends $21.8M on Teacher Development Study, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,784,413 ($21.8M)
Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2005-08-11
End Date: 2011-05-28
Contract Duration: 2,116 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.3K/day
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)
Sector: Other
Official Description: THIS STUDY ANALYSES THE IMPACT OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON MATH TEACHER WITH REGARD TO STUDENT PERFORMANCE.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $21.8 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: THIS STUDY ANALYSES THE IMPACT OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON MATH TEACHER WITH REGARD TO STUDENT PERFORMANCE. Key points: 1. Significant federal investment of $21.8 million in a study on math teacher professional development. 2. Limited competition raises concerns about price discovery and potential value for taxpayer money. 3. The contract's duration and cost warrant scrutiny for effectiveness and efficiency. 4. The sector is 'Other Management Consulting Services,' which can be broad and sometimes opaque.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The total award of $21.8 million over six years for management consulting services is substantial. Without clear benchmarks or competitive pricing, it's difficult to assess if this represents good value. The lack of competition further clouds the pricing assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under limited competition, suggesting a lack of broad market engagement. This limited approach may have hindered price discovery and potentially led to a higher cost than a fully competitive process would have yielded.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition raises questions about whether taxpayers received the best possible value for the $21.8 million invested in this study.
Public Impact
Taxpayers funded a significant study on teacher development, aiming to improve student performance. The long duration of the contract (over six years) suggests a complex, long-term research effort. The study's findings could inform future educational policies and investments in teacher training.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- High total award amount
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Focus on improving teacher effectiveness
- Potential for policy impact
Sector Analysis
The 'Other Management Consulting Services' sector is broad and encompasses a wide range of advisory and analytical services. Spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific service details, but $21.8 million is a considerable sum for a single contract in this category.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. The focus appears to be on a large, established research organization.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Education. Oversight would typically involve program managers ensuring the research is conducted according to the statement of work and that funds are used appropriately. The limited competition aspect warrants further oversight review.
Related Government Programs
- Other Management Consulting Services
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition raises value concerns.
- High total award amount for consulting services.
- Long contract duration may indicate potential for cost overruns or scope creep.
- Lack of transparency regarding specific research methodologies.
- Potential for contractor lock-in due to limited competition.
Tags
other-management-consulting-services, department-of-education, dc, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $21.8 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. THIS STUDY ANALYSES THE IMPACT OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON MATH TEACHER WITH REGARD TO STUDENT PERFORMANCE.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $21.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-08-11. End: 2011-05-28.
What specific research methodologies were employed to ensure the validity and impact of the professional development program on student performance?
The provided data does not detail the specific research methodologies. A comprehensive review would require access to the contract's statement of work and interim/final reports. Key aspects to examine would include sample size, control groups, data collection instruments, and statistical analysis techniques used to establish a causal link between the professional development and student outcomes.
How was the $21.8 million cost justified, particularly given the limited competition for this extensive six-year study?
The justification for the $21.8 million cost, especially with limited competition, likely rests on the perceived expertise of the contractor (American Institutes for Research) and the scope/complexity of the research. However, without a competitive bidding process, it's challenging to independently verify if this price represents optimal value. A thorough review would compare the proposed costs against industry standards for similar large-scale educational research projects.
What mechanisms were in place to measure the effectiveness and ensure accountability for the outcomes of this long-term professional development initiative?
Accountability and effectiveness measurement would typically be managed through periodic reviews, milestone deliverables, and final reporting requirements outlined in the contract. The Department of Education's program officers would be responsible for monitoring progress against these metrics. The long duration suggests a phased approach to evaluation, but the ultimate success hinges on the quality of the research design and the demonstrable impact on teacher practice and student achievement.
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
Contractor Details
Address: 1000 THOMAS JEFFERSON STREET, NW, 4, WASHINGTON, DC, 20007
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $22,835,996
Exercised Options: $22,361,962
Current Obligation: $21,784,413
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: EDED04CO0025
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-08-11
Current End Date: 2011-05-28
Potential End Date: 2011-05-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-08-28
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