Department of Education awards $28.5M contract for Regional Educational Laboratory West, serving educators for five years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,543,469 ($28.5M)

Contractor: Wested

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2017-01-03

End Date: 2022-01-02

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 22

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: "OTHER FUNCTION" IGF::OT::IGF THE EDUCATION SCIENCES REFORM ACT (ESRA) MANDATES THAT THE DEPARTMENT AWARD AND ADMINISTER TEN REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORIES (RELS). ESRA DEFINES THE TERM OF EACH REL, FIVE YEARS, AND THE CURRENT COHORT OF REL CONTRACTS EXPIRES JANUARY 2, 2017. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR REL WEST. EACH REL IS CHARGED WITH PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING THREE PRIMARY TASKS APPLIED RESEARCH WHERE EACH REL WILL ADDRESSES COMPLEX QUESTIONS ABOUT TEACHING, LEARNING, ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOLS AND SYSTEMS, EDUCATION ACCESS, AND EDUCATION ATTAINMENT TRAINING, COACHING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WHERE EACH REL WILL DESIGN THESE SERVICES TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF INDIVIDUALS AND/OR ORGANIZATIONS, AND, WHEN APPROPRIATE, THE EDUCATION RESEARCH SECTOR. THE CONTENT OF ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED WITHIN THIS AREA OF WORK MUST BE CAREFULLY ASSESSED AGAINST THE RESEARCH BASE. DISSEMINATION WHERE REL DISSEMINATION FACILITATES THE WIDE SHARING OF RESEARCH EVIDENCE AND RESEARCH-RELATED INFORMATION TO SPARK NEW IDEAS, INTRODUCE INDIVIDUALS TO OTHERS WORKING ON SIMILAR ISSUES, AND REDUCE UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION. EACH TASK BUILDS ON THE OTHER, AND EACH INDIVIDUAL REL CONTRIBUTES TO AN OVERALL INCREASE IN EDUCATIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND ACHIEVEMENT ACROSS ALL STATES AND TERRITORIES.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $28.5 million to WESTED for work described as: "OTHER FUNCTION" IGF::OT::IGF THE EDUCATION SCIENCES REFORM ACT (ESRA) MANDATES THAT THE DEPARTMENT AWARD AND ADMINISTER TEN REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORIES (RELS). ESRA DEFINES THE TERM OF EACH REL, FIVE YEARS, AND THE CURRENT COHORT OF REL CONTRACTS EXPIRES JANUARY 2, 2017… Key points: 1. Contract supports applied research and technical assistance to improve teaching and learning. 2. Focus on enhancing educator capacity and the education research sector. 3. Performance period of five years indicates a long-term commitment to educational improvement. 4. The contract is a firm-fixed-price type, providing cost certainty. 5. Regional scope of 'REL West' suggests a targeted geographic impact within the education sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28.5 million over five years averages approximately $5.7 million annually. This appears reasonable for a large-scale regional educational research and support initiative. Benchmarking against other Regional Educational Laboratory contracts would provide further insight into value for money, but the scope of services (applied research, training, technical assistance) suggests a significant undertaking.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and encourage innovative approaches to educational research and support. The number of bidders (22) suggests a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and higher quality services.

Public Impact

Educators and school systems within the REL West region will benefit from applied research findings and technical assistance. The contract aims to improve teaching practices, learning outcomes, and school organization. Services are designed to build the capacity of individuals and organizations within the education sector. Geographic impact is focused on the region served by REL West. Potential workforce implications include professional development opportunities for educators and researchers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Ensuring the research conducted is directly applicable to current educational challenges.
Measuring the long-term impact and effectiveness of the technical assistance provided.
Maintaining consistent quality of services across the five-year contract duration.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price structure provides budget predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a strong market response and potential for innovation.
The five-year term allows for sustained impact and development of long-term relationships.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Educational Support Services' sector, specifically focusing on applied research and technical assistance for regional educational laboratories. The market for such services involves research institutions, non-profits, and specialized educational service providers. The Department of Education's commitment to these laboratories represents a significant investment in evidence-based practices and capacity building within the education system.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Department of Education's relevant program office, responsible for monitoring contract performance, deliverables, and adherence to the terms of the award. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs)
Education Research and Development
Technical Assistance in Education
Applied Research in Education

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if research or assistance needs evolve significantly.
Ensuring research findings are effectively disseminated and adopted by practitioners.
Measuring the tangible impact of technical assistance on educational outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $28.5 million to WESTED. "OTHER FUNCTION" IGF::OT::IGF THE EDUCATION SCIENCES REFORM ACT (ESRA) MANDATES THAT THE DEPARTMENT AWARD AND ADMINISTER TEN REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORIES (RELS). ESRA DEFINES THE TERM OF EACH REL, FIVE YEARS, AND THE CURRENT COHORT OF REL CONTRACTS EXPIRES JANUARY 2, 2017. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR REL WEST. EACH REL IS CHARGED WITH PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING THREE PRIMARY TASKS APPLIED RESEARCH WHERE EACH REL WILL ADDRESSES COMPLEX QUESTIONS ABOUT TEACHING, LEARNING, ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WESTED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-01-03. End: 2022-01-02.

What is the specific geographic region covered by REL West?

The data indicates the contract is for 'REL West' and the awardee is 'WESTED'. While the specific geographic boundaries are not detailed in the provided snippet, Regional Educational Laboratories typically serve distinct geographic regions of the United States. REL West, administered by WESTED (Western Educational Research and Development Center), historically serves states such as Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. The exact service area is crucial for understanding the scope of impact and the specific educational contexts the research and assistance will address.

How does the $28.5 million contract value compare to previous REL West contracts?

To assess the value, a comparison with previous contract awards for REL West or similar regional laboratories is necessary. The provided data shows this contract is for a five-year term, expiring January 2, 2017, with a value of $28,543,468.93. Without historical data on prior REL West contracts or contracts for other RELs, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents an increase, decrease, or stable funding level. However, the annual average of approximately $5.7 million suggests a substantial investment consistent with the broad mandate of applied research and technical assistance.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract?

The provided data outlines the primary tasks: applied research on teaching, learning, school organization, access, and attainment; and training, coaching, and technical assistance to build capacity. Key performance indicators would likely be tied to the successful execution of these tasks. This could include the number and quality of research reports produced, the reach and impact of training sessions, the adoption of evidence-based practices by educators, and the overall improvement in capacity within the education research sector in the REL West region. Specific KPIs would be detailed in the contract's statement of work.

What is the track record of the awardee, WESTED, in fulfilling similar contracts?

WESTED (Western Educational Research and Development Center) is the awardee for REL West. As a designated Regional Educational Laboratory, WESTED has a history of fulfilling the requirements mandated by the Education Sciences Reform Act (ESRA). Their track record would involve successfully conducting applied research relevant to the needs of educators in their region, providing effective training and technical assistance, and disseminating findings. Assessing their past performance reports, publications, and stakeholder feedback would provide a comprehensive view of their capabilities and success in previous contract periods.

What is the potential risk associated with the firm-fixed-price contract type?

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type generally shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. For the government, the primary risk with an FFP contract is that the contractor may cut corners on quality or scope to maintain profitability if costs increase unexpectedly. In this context, the risk would be that the quality of the applied research or the effectiveness of the technical assistance might be compromised if WESTED faces unforeseen challenges. However, the extensive scope and the nature of educational research and assistance often involve long-term projects where quality is paramount, and the competitive award process likely mitigated some of these risks.

How does this contract contribute to the broader goals of the Department of Education?

This contract directly supports the Department of Education's mission to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. The Regional Educational Laboratories, including REL West, are critical instruments for translating research into practice. By providing evidence-based insights and capacity-building support to educators, this contract helps to improve the quality of instruction, enhance learning environments, and ultimately contribute to better educational outcomes across the served region, aligning with the Department's strategic goals.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: ED-IES-15-R-0016

Offers Received: 22

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 730 HARRISON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94107

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,543,469

Exercised Options: $28,543,469

Current Obligation: $28,543,469

Actual Outlays: $14,219,857

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 7

Total Subaward Amount: $601,979

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline