Department of Education's $40.9M Technical Assistance Network contract awarded to ICF Incorporated, L.L.C
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $40,933,153 ($40.9M)
Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2010-09-07
End Date: 2015-08-14
Contract Duration: 1,802 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: RACE TO THE TOP TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $40.9 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: RACE TO THE TOP TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1802 days indicates a long-term engagement for technical assistance. 3. The use of Time and Materials pricing may present cost control challenges if not closely managed. 4. The contract falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services, a broad category. 5. The award was a Delivery Order, implying it was part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract vehicle. 6. The contract was awarded to a single entity, ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this $40.9 million contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable technical assistance network contracts. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not meticulously monitored. The absence of detailed performance data makes it difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the duration suggests a sustained need for the services provided.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific award. While competition existed, the exact number of bidders can influence price discovery; more bidders typically lead to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging lower prices and better service offerings from contractors vying for the award.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely educational institutions and state/local education agencies receiving technical assistance. Services delivered include support and guidance to improve educational programs and outcomes. The geographic impact is national, as indicated by the award to a District of Columbia entity serving a federal program. Workforce implications may include employment for consultants and subject matter experts within ICF Incorporated.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost escalation due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
- Limited transparency on specific performance metrics and outcomes achieved.
- Single awardee may limit ongoing competitive pressure for service improvement.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair process.
- Long contract duration suggests sustained need and potential for deep expertise development.
- Contractor has a significant role in a federal education initiative.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically management consulting. The federal government is a major consumer of such services to support program implementation and administration. The market for management and general management consulting is vast, with numerous firms capable of providing these services. This contract represents a portion of the government's investment in technical assistance to improve educational outcomes.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless ICF Incorporated voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance work statement and deliverables. Transparency is often limited for individual contracts unless specific reporting requirements are mandated. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Education Grants Management
- Educational Program Support Services
- Technical Assistance Programs
- Management and Consulting Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
- Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure value for money.
- Scope definition clarity is crucial for T&M contracts.
Tags
education, department-of-education, technical-assistance, management-consulting, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, district-of-columbia, icf-incorporated, race-to-the-top
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $40.9 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. RACE TO THE TOP TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $40.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-09-07. End: 2015-08-14.
What specific technical assistance was provided under the Race to the Top Technical Assistance Network contract?
The 'Race to the Top' initiative, launched by the Department of Education, aimed to incentivize states to adopt college- and career-ready standards, improve teacher effectiveness, build data systems, and turn around struggling schools. The Technical Assistance Network (TAN) contract, awarded to ICF Incorporated, L.L.C., would have provided crucial support to states and districts participating in this initiative. This likely included expert guidance, best practice sharing, capacity building, and problem-solving related to the four core reform areas. The assistance was designed to help grantees effectively implement their Race to the Top plans, overcome implementation challenges, and ultimately achieve the initiative's goals of improving educational outcomes for students.
How does the $40.9 million contract value compare to similar technical assistance contracts within the Department of Education?
Comparing the $40.9 million value of this contract requires access to a broader dataset of similar technical assistance contracts awarded by the Department of Education. Without that comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state whether this amount is high, low, or average. However, the duration of the contract (approximately 5 years) suggests a substantial, long-term need for the services. Federal technical assistance contracts can range significantly in value depending on the scope, duration, and complexity of the services required. Larger initiatives or those with a broad national reach often command higher contract values.
What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials contract of this magnitude?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one awarded to ICF Incorporated, carry inherent risks, primarily related to cost control. The government pays the contractor for the actual labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials used. The main risk is that costs can escalate beyond initial estimates if the scope of work is not well-defined or if project inefficiencies lead to extended labor hours. Without strong oversight and clear task definitions, contractors may have less incentive to control costs. For a $40.9 million contract, this risk is significant, necessitating rigorous monitoring of labor hours, rates, and material expenditures by the Department of Education to ensure value for money.
What was ICF Incorporated's track record prior to or during this contract?
ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. is a well-established government contractor with a long history of providing professional services across various federal agencies, including the Department of Education. Prior to and during the 'Race to the Top Technical Assistance Network' contract (2010-2015), ICF had a demonstrated track record in areas such as education policy, program management, and technical assistance. Their experience likely included supporting large-scale federal initiatives and working with state and local education agencies. A review of their past performance on similar contracts would typically inform the decision to award such a significant contract, assessing their ability to deliver quality services on time and within budget.
How effective was the Race to the Top initiative, and how did this contract contribute to its success?
The effectiveness of the Race to the Top initiative itself is a subject of ongoing evaluation and debate among education policy experts. While it spurred significant innovation and reform efforts in many states, the extent to which these reforms led to measurable, long-term improvements in student outcomes is complex to isolate. This contract, by providing technical assistance, was crucial in supporting states' implementation of their ambitious reform plans. The network likely helped grantees navigate challenges, adopt evidence-based practices, and build capacity. Therefore, the contract's contribution to the initiative's success lies in its role as an enabler of reform implementation, regardless of the ultimate, independently measured impact of the initiative as a whole.
What is the historical spending trend for administrative management and general management consulting services by the Department of Education?
Analyzing the historical spending trend for administrative management and general management consulting services by the Department of Education would require a comprehensive review of federal procurement data over multiple fiscal years. This specific contract (NAICS 541611) represents a portion of that spending. Generally, federal agencies utilize management consulting services for a variety of purposes, including program evaluation, strategic planning, IT modernization, and operational efficiency improvements. Spending in this category can fluctuate based on agency priorities, budget allocations, and the initiation of new large-scale programs or initiatives like Race to the Top.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: ICF International, Inc. (UEI: 139001544)
Address: 9300 LEE HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $40,933,153
Exercised Options: $40,933,153
Current Obligation: $40,933,153
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS23F8182H
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-09-07
Current End Date: 2015-08-14
Potential End Date: 2015-08-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-11-25
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