Department of Education awards $22.7M contract to Westat, Inc. for TIMSS 2015 math and science study
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,709,457 ($22.7M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2013-02-06
End Date: 2023-02-05
Contract Duration: 3,651 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF - "OTHER FUNCTIONS" - U.S. PARTICIPATION IN THE TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE STUDY (TIMSS) 2015 - TO ADMINISTER ASSESSMENTS IN MATH AND SCIENCE; DATA COLLECTION.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $22.7 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF - "OTHER FUNCTIONS" - U.S. PARTICIPATION IN THE TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE STUDY (TIMSS) 2015 - TO ADMINISTER ASSESSMENTS IN MATH AND SCIENCE; DATA COLLECTION. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Westat, Inc. for $22.7 million. 2. Focuses on administering assessments and data collection for TIMSS 2015. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 4. Sector is Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $22.7 million for a 10-year duration appears reasonable for a large-scale international study. Benchmarking against similar large-scale educational assessment contracts would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and allows for the selection of the most capable offeror. This method likely resulted in a fair market price.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a significant international educational research study, aiming to improve U.S. performance in math and science.
Public Impact
Enhances understanding of U.S. student performance in math and science globally. Provides data for educational policy and curriculum development. Supports international collaboration in educational research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration (10 years) may require ongoing monitoring for scope creep or efficiency.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition promotes fairness and potentially better value.
- Focus on critical STEM education metrics.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. Spending in this area supports evidence-based policymaking and understanding of societal trends.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract award.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Education is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard contract management practices should ensure adherence to scope, budget, and timelines.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration
- Potential for scope expansion
- Reliance on international partners for data collection consistency
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-education, dc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $22.7 million to WESTAT, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF - "OTHER FUNCTIONS" - U.S. PARTICIPATION IN THE TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE STUDY (TIMSS) 2015 - TO ADMINISTER ASSESSMENTS IN MATH AND SCIENCE; DATA COLLECTION.
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 $22.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-02-06. End: 2023-02-05.
What is the specific methodology for administering the TIMSS assessments and collecting data, and how does it ensure data integrity?
The methodology involves standardized assessment administration protocols and rigorous data collection procedures designed to ensure comparability and reliability across participating countries. This includes training for administrators, secure data handling, and quality control checks to minimize bias and errors, ultimately supporting the validity of the international comparisons.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of Westat, Inc. in fulfilling this contract?
Key performance indicators likely include timely completion of assessment cycles, accuracy and completeness of data submissions, adherence to budget, and successful management of international partnerships. Performance metrics would also assess the quality of analysis and reporting provided to the Department of Education and international bodies.
How will the data collected from TIMSS 2015 be utilized to inform U.S. educational policy and practice?
The data will be analyzed to identify strengths and weaknesses in U.S. math and science education relative to other nations. Findings will inform curriculum development, teacher training programs, and policy decisions aimed at improving student outcomes and competitiveness in STEM fields.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: ED-IES-12-R-0080
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1600 RESEARCH BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $22,709,457
Exercised Options: $22,709,457
Current Obligation: $22,709,457
Actual Outlays: $3,314,710
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $101,400
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-02-06
Current End Date: 2023-02-05
Potential End Date: 2023-02-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-16
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