Department of Education Spends $17.6M on Teacher Induction Programs, Mathematica Inc. Awarded Contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,599,457 ($17.6M)
Contractor: Mathematica Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2004-09-30
End Date: 2010-07-30
Contract Duration: 2,129 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/day
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IMPACT EVALUATION OF TEACHER INDUCTION PROGRAMS
Place of Performance
Location: PRINCETON, MERCER County, NEW JERSEY, 08540
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $17.6 million to MATHEMATICA INC. for work described as: IMPACT EVALUATION OF TEACHER INDUCTION PROGRAMS Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Mathematica Inc. for teacher induction programs totaled $17.6 million. 2. The Department of Education managed this contract, indicating a focus on educational support services. 3. The contract duration was 2129 days, suggesting a long-term investment in teacher development. 4. The contract type was Cost Plus Award Fee, which can incentivize contractor performance but may lead to higher costs if not managed carefully.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure suggests potential for cost overruns if performance incentives are not tightly controlled. Benchmarking against similar educational support service contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
The competition method is not specified, making it impossible to assess if full and open competition was utilized. This lack of transparency can hinder price discovery and potentially lead to suboptimal pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The $17.6 million expenditure represents taxpayer investment in teacher development. The ultimate taxpayer impact depends on the program's effectiveness in improving teacher retention and student outcomes.
Public Impact
Investment in teacher induction programs aims to improve teacher quality and retention, potentially leading to better student educational outcomes. The long duration of the contract suggests a sustained effort to evaluate and potentially improve teacher support systems. The specific impact on educational support services within the Department of Education needs further analysis to determine its broader effectiveness.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition details
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure risks
- Unclear effectiveness metrics
Positive Signals
- Focus on teacher development
- Long-term investment in education
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Educational Support Services, a sector focused on improving the quality and delivery of education. Benchmarking spending in this specific sub-sector requires detailed analysis of similar program evaluations and support initiatives.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication from the provided data whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Education's oversight of this contract is crucial, especially given the Cost Plus Award Fee structure, to ensure funds are used effectively and efficiently towards program goals.
Related Government Programs
- Educational Support Services
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of transparency in procurement method.
- Potential for cost overruns with Cost Plus Award Fee.
- Unclear program effectiveness and return on investment.
- Limited information on small business participation.
Tags
educational-support-services, department-of-education, nj, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $17.6 million to MATHEMATICA INC.. IMPACT EVALUATION OF TEACHER INDUCTION PROGRAMS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MATHEMATICA INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $17.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-09-30. End: 2010-07-30.
What was the specific methodology used to evaluate the impact of these teacher induction programs, and what were the key findings regarding their effectiveness?
The provided data does not detail the evaluation methodology or specific findings. A comprehensive review of Mathematica Inc.'s reports and the Department of Education's program assessments would be necessary to understand the program's success in improving teacher retention, efficacy, and ultimately, student outcomes.
How did the Cost Plus Award Fee structure influence the final cost, and were performance targets met to justify the award fees?
Without access to the detailed contract performance reports and cost breakdowns, it's impossible to definitively state how the Cost Plus Award Fee structure impacted the final $17.6 million cost. The 'Award Fee' component implies performance-based incentives, but the extent to which these were achieved and their financial implications remain unclear from this summary data.
What was the competitive landscape for this contract, and could alternative approaches have yielded better value for taxpayer funds?
The data does not specify the procurement method, leaving the competitive landscape unknown. If the contract was not awarded through full and open competition, it raises questions about whether alternative vendors could have offered comparable services at a lower cost or with greater innovation, potentially impacting the overall value for taxpayer investment.
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
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Mathematica Inc (UEI: 154125140)
Address: 600 ALEXANDER PARK, PRINCETON, NJ, 12
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,599,457
Exercised Options: $17,599,457
Current Obligation: $17,599,457
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: EDED04CO0112
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-09-30
Current End Date: 2010-07-30
Potential End Date: 2010-07-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-04-24
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