Department of Education awards $32M contract for Regional Educational Lab services to WESTED
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $32,032,037 ($32.0M)
Contractor: Wested
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2005-08-08
End Date: 2000-12-10
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LAB
Place of Performance
Location: SAN FRANCISCO, SAN FRANCISCO County, CALIFORNIA, 94107
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $32.0 million to WESTED for work described as: REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LAB Key points: 1. Contract awarded to WESTED for comprehensive educational research and technical assistance. 2. Services encompass a broad range of professional, scientific, and technical support. 3. The contract duration is substantial, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 5. The contract type, Cost Plus Fixed Fee, allows for flexibility but requires careful cost management. 6. Geographic focus on California for service delivery. 7. This award represents a significant investment in educational research infrastructure.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $32 million over its period of performance appears reasonable for a large-scale, multi-year regional educational laboratory. Benchmarking against similar contracts for comprehensive research and technical assistance services is challenging without more specific service details. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure suggests that while direct costs are reimbursed, the contractor's profit is fixed, which can incentivize efficiency. Further analysis would require comparing the specific deliverables and outcomes against the cost to ensure optimal value for money.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. This competitive process is generally expected to yield fair market pricing and encourage the selection of the most capable offeror. The specific number of bidders and the evaluation criteria would provide further insight into the intensity of the competition and its impact on the final award price and terms.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it promotes a competitive environment, which typically leads to better pricing and a wider selection of qualified providers, ensuring that taxpayer funds are used efficiently.
Public Impact
Educational institutions and policymakers in California will benefit from research-backed insights and technical assistance. Services delivered are expected to improve educational practices, curriculum development, and student outcomes. The geographic impact is primarily focused on California, addressing regional educational needs. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for researchers, analysts, and support staff within WESTED and its partners.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not closely monitored.
- Ensuring the long-term sustainability and impact of research findings beyond the contract period.
- Measuring the direct impact of technical assistance on educational outcomes can be complex.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a strong proposal and competitive pricing.
- Long contract duration indicates a recognized and ongoing need for these critical services.
- Focus on a specific region allows for tailored and relevant educational support.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically focusing on educational research and development. This sector is characterized by a demand for specialized expertise and data-driven insights. The market size for educational research and technical assistance is substantial, driven by federal, state, and local government initiatives aimed at improving educational quality and equity. This contract aligns with the Department of Education's mission to support evidence-based practices in education.
Small Business Impact
Information regarding small business participation, including set-asides or subcontracting plans, was not explicitly provided in the data. Typically, large contracts like this may include provisions for small business subcontracting to ensure broader economic impact. Further review of the contract details would be necessary to assess the extent of small business involvement and its implications for the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would likely be managed by the Department of Education's program offices responsible for regional educational laboratories. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, requiring regular reporting and adherence to specific deliverables. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting requirements, though specific performance metrics may not always be publicly disclosed.
Related Government Programs
- Regional Educational Laboratories Program
- Education Research and Development Centers
- Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Grants
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
- Measuring the direct impact and long-term effectiveness of educational research and technical assistance can be challenging.
Tags
education, research-and-development, professional-scientific-technical-services, department-of-education, wested, california, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, regional-educational-lab, long-term-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $32.0 million to WESTED. REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LAB
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 $32.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-08-08. End: 2000-12-10.
What is the specific scope of work and key performance indicators (KPIs) for WESTED under this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' awarded to WESTED for a Regional Educational Lab. While the specific scope of work and KPIs are not detailed, Regional Educational Labs typically conduct research, provide technical assistance, disseminate findings, and build capacity for educators and policymakers within their designated regions. KPIs would likely focus on the quality and impact of research, the reach and effectiveness of technical assistance, stakeholder engagement, and the dissemination of educational resources. A thorough review of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) would be necessary to ascertain the precise deliverables and success metrics.
How does the $32 million contract value compare to previous awards for similar regional educational laboratory services?
Direct comparison of the $32 million contract value to previous awards for similar services requires access to historical contract data for Regional Educational Laboratories. However, the value suggests a significant, multi-year commitment. The Department of Education funds multiple Regional Educational Laboratories across different geographic areas, and contract values can vary based on the scope of services, duration, and regional needs. Without specific historical data points for comparable labs, it's difficult to definitively benchmark this award. However, it represents a substantial investment in educational research and support infrastructure for the designated region.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract of this magnitude?
The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract of this magnitude include potential cost overruns if the contractor's actual costs exceed estimates, despite the fixed fee. While the fixed fee incentivizes the contractor to control costs to maximize profit, there's a risk that the government may end up paying more than anticipated if cost controls are not robust. Another risk is ensuring that the contractor maintains a high level of quality and performance throughout the contract period, as the focus might shift towards managing costs. Effective government oversight, detailed cost tracking, and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.
What is WESTED's track record in delivering educational research and technical assistance services?
WESTED (WestEd) is a well-established non-profit research, development, and service agency with a long history of providing services to education and other sectors. They have been a recipient of federal grants and contracts for educational research and technical assistance for many years, often serving as a Regional Educational Laboratory. Their track record generally includes conducting rigorous research, developing evidence-based practices, and providing professional development and technical support to educators, schools, and districts. Specific performance details under this particular contract would be found in performance reports and evaluations conducted by the Department of Education.
What is the expected impact of this contract on educational practices and outcomes in California?
This contract is expected to have a significant positive impact on educational practices and outcomes in California by providing evidence-based research, data analysis, and targeted technical assistance to educators, administrators, and policymakers. WESTED's work aims to improve curriculum development, instructional strategies, school climate, and student support systems. The contract's focus on a specific region allows for tailored interventions that address local needs and challenges, ultimately contributing to enhanced learning environments and improved student achievement across various educational levels within the state.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 730 HARRISON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $32,032,037
Exercised Options: $32,032,037
Current Obligation: $32,032,037
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-08-08
Current End Date: 2000-12-10
Potential End Date: 2000-12-10 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2008-04-11
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