Department of Education awarded $33.7M for educational support services to Southwest Educational Development Corporation over 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,661,110 ($33.7M)

Contractor: Southwest Educational Development Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2012-01-03

End Date: 2017-11-29

Contract Duration: 2,157 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 20

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY - SOUTHWEST REGION 2012 - 2017: THE CONTRACTOR PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, RESEARCH AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAM.

Place of Performance

Location: AUSTIN, TRAVIS County, TEXAS, 78723

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $33.7 million to SOUTHWEST EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION for work described as: REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY - SOUTHWEST REGION 2012 - 2017: THE CONTRACTOR PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, RESEARCH AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAM. Key points: 1. Contract provides technical assistance and research to support educational programs. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition. 3. Performance period spanned nearly five years, indicating a need for sustained support. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and predictable costs. 5. The contractor, Southwest Educational Development Corporation, has a track record in educational services. 6. The contract falls under the Educational Support Services NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of approximately $33.7 million over nearly five years averages to about $6.7 million annually. This figure appears reasonable for a large-scale regional educational support contract. Benchmarking against similar contracts for comprehensive technical assistance and research services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the overall value is contingent on the quality and impact of the services delivered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. With 20 proposals received, this suggests a healthy level of interest and a competitive environment. A robust competition typically leads to better pricing and service offerings as contractors vie for the award. The extensive number of bidders implies that the government had a good selection of qualified entities to choose from.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition with numerous bidders generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs and ensuring the government secures the best possible value for its investment in educational support services.

Public Impact

Educational institutions and students within the Southwest region are the primary beneficiaries of the technical assistance and research provided. The contract supports the delivery of critical educational activities and research aimed at improving educational outcomes. The geographic impact is focused on the Southwest region of the United States. The contract likely supports a workforce of researchers, technical assistance providers, and administrative staff within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if technical assistance needs evolve beyond the initial contract parameters.
Ensuring consistent quality of technical assistance across diverse educational settings within the region.
Measuring the long-term impact and effectiveness of the research and technical assistance provided.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Long-term contract duration suggests a stable and ongoing need for these services.
Contractor has a defined role in providing essential educational support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Educational Support Services sector, which encompasses a range of services designed to assist educational institutions and students. The market for such services is driven by federal, state, and local education initiatives. Spending in this sector can fluctuate based on legislative priorities and funding allocations for education. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for regional educational laboratories or similar technical assistance programs.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting goals for this contract. As it was awarded through full and open competition, it is possible that small businesses could have participated as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Education, which has established oversight mechanisms for its awards. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases. Specific oversight activities would likely involve performance reviews, progress reports, and potentially site visits by agency officials to ensure the contractor is meeting the terms of the agreement.

Related Government Programs

Regional Educational Laboratories Program
Educational Research and Development Centers
Federal Education Grants and Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract duration is long, requiring sustained oversight.
Scope of work is broad, potentially leading to performance measurement challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $33.7 million to SOUTHWEST EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY - SOUTHWEST REGION 2012 - 2017: THE CONTRACTOR PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, RESEARCH AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOUTHWEST EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $33.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-01-03. End: 2017-11-29.

What was the specific scope of work for the technical assistance and research provided under this contract?

The contract description indicates that the contractor provided 'technical assistance, research and other educational activities in support of the program.' While the exact nature of these activities is not detailed in the provided data, it typically involves supporting educators, administrators, and policymakers within the designated region. This could include facilitating the adoption of evidence-based practices, conducting program evaluations, disseminating research findings, and offering professional development opportunities. The specific program being supported would define the precise focus of the technical assistance and research efforts.

How does the annual spending of approximately $6.7 million compare to other regional educational support contracts?

The annual spending of roughly $6.7 million for this contract appears to be within a reasonable range for a comprehensive regional educational support initiative. Federal contracts for Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) often involve multi-year commitments and significant funding to cover extensive technical assistance, research, and dissemination activities across broad geographic areas. Without specific data on the size and scope of other REL contracts or similar programs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the scale of this award suggests a substantial program designed to impact a significant portion of the education sector within the Southwest region.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the contractor's success?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the contractor's success. Typically, for contracts involving technical assistance and research, KPIs would focus on the quality and reach of services delivered, the impact of research findings, stakeholder satisfaction, and the successful implementation of evidence-based practices. Performance would likely be assessed through regular reporting, client feedback, and potentially independent evaluations of program outcomes. The Department of Education would have established specific metrics within the contract's statement of work.

What is the track record of Southwest Educational Development Corporation in delivering similar educational support services?

Southwest Educational Development Corporation (SEDL) has a significant track record in providing educational research, development, and technical assistance. Prior to this contract, SEDL was a well-established organization known for its work with schools and districts, particularly in the Southwest. They have been involved in numerous federally funded projects, including previous iterations of the Regional Educational Laboratories program. Their experience typically encompasses areas like curriculum development, teacher training, school improvement, and research synthesis, making them a qualified entity for this type of federal contract.

Were there any significant challenges or issues encountered during the performance of this contract?

The provided data does not contain information about specific challenges or issues encountered during the performance of this contract. Federal contract performance data, including any disputes, modifications, or performance deficiencies, is often detailed in contract management systems and agency reports. Without access to such detailed records, it is not possible to ascertain if there were any significant hurdles. However, long-term contracts of this nature can sometimes face challenges related to evolving educational needs, funding adjustments, or contractor performance variations.

How has spending on educational support services like this evolved over time within the Department of Education?

Spending on educational support services, including those provided by Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) and similar entities, has been a consistent component of the Department of Education's budget, though specific allocations can vary based on federal education policy and priorities. Historically, the Department has funded research, technical assistance, and program evaluation to support evidence-based practices and improve educational outcomes. The trend has generally been towards emphasizing data-driven decision-making and the dissemination of effective strategies. The scale of contracts like this reflects a commitment to providing regionalized support tailored to the specific needs of different parts of the country.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Educational Support Services › Educational Support Services

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 20

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4700 MUELLER BLVD, AUSTIN, TX, 78723

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,661,110

Exercised Options: $33,661,110

Current Obligation: $33,661,110

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 15

Total Subaward Amount: $6,370,412

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline