Department of Education awards $29.1M for technical assistance in education data systems to Applied Enterprise Management Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,129,724 ($29.1M)

Contractor: Applied Enterprise Management Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2017-02-23

End Date: 2022-06-22

Contract Duration: 1,945 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: "OTHER FUNCTIONS" IGF::OT::IGF THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO STATES AND DISTRICTS IN SUPPORT OF THE DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, AND USE OF EDUCATION DATA SYSTEMS, INCLUDING AN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) PLATFORM FOR THE PURPOSE OF DELIVERING TA SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $29.1 million to APPLIED ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION for work described as: "OTHER FUNCTIONS" IGF::OT::IGF THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO STATES AND DISTRICTS IN SUPPORT OF THE DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, AND USE OF EDUCATION DATA SYSTEMS, INCLUDING AN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) PLATFORM FOR THE PURPOSE OF DELIVERING TA SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on IT platform for delivering technical assistance to states and districts. 2. Services include support for design, implementation, and use of education data systems. 3. Contract awarded through full and open competition, indicating broad market engagement. 4. Firm-fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 5. Long duration of 1945 days (over 5 years) implies a sustained need for these services. 6. The contractor, Applied Enterprise Management Corporation, has a track record with this agency.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of approximately $29.1 million over five years for technical assistance in education data systems appears reasonable given the scope. While specific per-unit cost benchmarks are not readily available for this niche service, the firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost overruns. The duration suggests a consistent need and potentially a competitive bidding process that yielded a fair price for the services rendered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 3 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. This approach generally leads to better price discovery and a wider range of technical solutions being considered by the agency.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and innovative solutions, potentially leading to cost savings and higher quality service delivery.

Public Impact

States and school districts benefit from enhanced technical assistance for their education data systems. Improved data systems can lead to better educational program design and implementation. The IT platform facilitates the delivery of these crucial support services. Workforce implications include potential for specialized IT and data management roles within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Reliance on a single IT platform for technical assistance delivery may present single points of failure.
Effectiveness of technical assistance is dependent on the quality of the contractor's expertise and engagement with states.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a competitive process.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract duration aligns with the long-term nature of data system development and implementation.
Contractor has prior experience with the Department of Education, suggesting familiarity with agency needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on IT and data systems. The market for such services is substantial, driven by government and private sector needs for efficient data management and technological solutions. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in other federal contracts providing IT support and technical assistance to state and local governments.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities, which are not detailed here. Without specific subcontracting plans, it's difficult to assess the broader impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for deliverables. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential fraud, waste, or abuse identified.

Related Government Programs

Federal Education Data Systems Support
State and Local Government IT Assistance
Education Technology Grants and Contracts
Management and Consulting Services for Government Agencies

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to reliance on a specific IT platform.
Ensuring data security and privacy within the contractor-managed IT platform.
Measuring the tangible impact of technical assistance on state education data systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $29.1 million to APPLIED ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION. "OTHER FUNCTIONS" IGF::OT::IGF THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO STATES AND DISTRICTS IN SUPPORT OF THE DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, AND USE OF EDUCATION DATA SYSTEMS, INCLUDING AN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) PLATFORM FOR THE PURPOSE OF DELIVERING TA SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APPLIED ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-02-23. End: 2022-06-22.

What is the track record of Applied Enterprise Management Corporation with the Department of Education?

Applied Enterprise Management Corporation (AEMC) has a history of working with the Department of Education. This specific contract, valued at approximately $29.1 million, was awarded in February 2017 and concluded in June 2022, spanning over five years. The contract's purpose was to provide technical assistance (TA) to states and districts for education data systems, including an IT platform for delivering TA. The fact that the Department of Education awarded AEMC a definitive contract of this size and duration suggests a level of trust and satisfaction with their past performance and capabilities in supporting the agency's objectives related to education data infrastructure and management.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar federal contracts for IT technical assistance?

Comparing the $29.1 million value of this contract to similar federal contracts requires careful consideration of scope, duration, and specific services. Contracts for IT technical assistance to state and local governments can vary widely. For a five-year engagement involving the development and maintenance of an IT platform and providing ongoing technical support to numerous states and districts, this value appears within a reasonable range. However, without access to a comprehensive database of directly comparable contracts (e.g., similar agencies, similar IT platforms, similar service levels), a precise benchmark is difficult. Factors like the complexity of the education data systems, the number of states/districts supported, and the level of customization required for the IT platform would influence the overall cost.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the Department of Education?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues where the contractor may not deliver the expected quality or timeliness of technical assistance, impacting states' ability to manage their education data systems effectively. There's also a risk of cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price model doesn't adequately account for unforeseen technical challenges or scope creep, although this is mitigated by the contract type. Another risk is vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes overly reliant on the contractor's specific IT platform and expertise, making future transitions difficult or costly. Finally, ensuring the security and privacy of sensitive education data handled through the IT platform is a critical risk that requires robust oversight.

How effective is the IT platform in delivering technical assistance to states and districts?

The effectiveness of the IT platform in delivering technical assistance is a key performance indicator for this contract. The contract's objective was to provide TA services through this platform, implying its design and functionality were intended to facilitate this. Effectiveness would be measured by factors such as user satisfaction among states and districts, the platform's reliability and accessibility, its ability to support diverse data system needs, and the efficiency gains it provides in delivering support. Without specific performance metrics or user feedback data from the contract period, a definitive assessment of the platform's effectiveness is challenging. However, the contract's duration suggests it met the agency's needs to a satisfactory degree.

What are the historical spending patterns for education data system support at the Department of Education?

Historical spending patterns for education data system support at the Department of Education indicate a consistent and significant investment in this area. Agencies like the Department of Education rely heavily on robust data systems for program administration, accountability, and research. Spending in this category typically includes contracts for IT development, system maintenance, data analysis tools, and technical assistance to states and districts. Over the years, federal spending on education technology and data infrastructure has generally increased, reflecting the growing importance of data-driven decision-making in education policy and practice. This $29.1 million contract represents a substantial, but not necessarily anomalous, investment within this broader spending trend.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: ED-IES-16-R-0019

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13880 DULLES CORNER LN STE 300, HERNDON, VA, 20171

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,129,724

Exercised Options: $29,129,724

Current Obligation: $29,129,724

Actual Outlays: $15,820,953

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 13

Total Subaward Amount: $8,382,085

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline