Education Dept. Awards $30.5M for Early Childhood Study to Westat, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $30,450,094 ($30.5M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2008-04-18
End Date: 2011-12-12
Contract Duration: 1,333 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.8K/day
Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THIS REQUIREMENT IS FOR THE DESIGN AND CONDUCTING OF THE BASE-YEAR STUDY OF THE NEXT EARLY CHILDHOOD LONGITUDINAL STUDY, KINDERGARTEN CLASS OF 2010-2011 (ECLS-K:11).
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $30.5 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: THIS REQUIREMENT IS FOR THE DESIGN AND CONDUCTING OF THE BASE-YEAR STUDY OF THE NEXT EARLY CHILDHOOD LONGITUDINAL STUDY, KINDERGARTEN CLASS OF 2010-2011 (ECLS-K:11). Key points: 1. Contract awarded for a multi-year study on early childhood education. 2. Westat, Inc. is the sole contractor for this base-year study. 3. Potential risks include data collection challenges and long-term study validity. 4. Spending falls within the Educational Support Services sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $30.5M for a multi-year study appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale educational research projects would provide further context on pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This was awarded as a competitive delivery order, suggesting some level of competition existed, but the specific details of the competition are not provided. The pricing was determined through a Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting critical research into early childhood development, which can inform future educational policies and investments.
Public Impact
Provides valuable data on the educational trajectories of young children. Findings can influence federal and state education policy. Supports understanding of factors affecting kindergarten readiness and success. Longitudinal data allows for tracking trends over time.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition details
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure can incentivize cost overruns
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical research need in early childhood education
- Potential for significant policy impact
Sector Analysis
The Educational Support Services sector encompasses a wide range of activities, including research and data collection for educational programs. Spending benchmarks for similar large-scale longitudinal studies are not readily available but this appears to be a significant investment.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were explored.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Education is responsible for overseeing this study. Accountability will be measured by the quality and timeliness of the data collected and the subsequent analysis.
Related Government Programs
- Educational Support Services
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep in a long-term study.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a critical national study.
- Data privacy and security concerns for sensitive childhood data.
- Ensuring representativeness of the study sample over time.
Tags
educational-support-services, department-of-education, dc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $30.5 million to WESTAT, INC.. THIS REQUIREMENT IS FOR THE DESIGN AND CONDUCTING OF THE BASE-YEAR STUDY OF THE NEXT EARLY CHILDHOOD LONGITUDINAL STUDY, KINDERGARTEN CLASS OF 2010-2011 (ECLS-K:11).
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 $30.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-04-18. End: 2011-12-12.
What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the success of the ECLS-K:11 study and Westat's performance?
Success metrics likely include the timely and accurate collection of comprehensive data from the target population, adherence to research protocols, and the delivery of interim and final reports. Westat's performance will be evaluated based on meeting project milestones, managing costs effectively within the award fee structure, and the quality of the research design and execution as assessed by the contracting officer's representative.
How will the Cost Plus Award Fee structure mitigate potential cost overruns for this long-term study?
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for the reimbursement of allowable costs plus an additional fee that is based on performance. To mitigate overruns, the 'award' portion of the fee is contingent upon meeting specific performance targets, including cost control. However, the 'cost plus' element means that the government covers the actual costs incurred, so robust oversight is crucial to ensure costs remain reasonable and necessary for the study's objectives.
What is the anticipated long-term impact of the ECLS-K:11 study on educational policy and practice?
The ECLS-K:11 study is expected to provide crucial insights into the factors influencing children's early learning and development, kindergarten readiness, and academic trajectories through elementary school. Findings can inform the design and implementation of federal and state early childhood education programs, interventions, and policies aimed at improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged populations and enhancing overall school readiness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Educational Support Services › Educational Support Services
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1650 RESEARCH BOULEVARD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $30,450,160
Exercised Options: $30,450,160
Current Obligation: $30,450,094
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: EDED04CO0059
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-04-18
Current End Date: 2011-12-12
Potential End Date: 2012-04-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-03-28
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