DoD spent over $42.7M on Dover Special Arrangement for elementary and secondary schools in Delaware

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $42,716,166 ($42.7M)

Contractor: Caesar Rodney School District

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2013-04-24

End Date: 2018-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,893 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF DOVER SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: CAMDEN, KENT County, DELAWARE, 19934

State: Delaware Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $42.7 million to CAESAR RODNEY SCHOOL DISTRICT for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF DOVER SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Key points: 1. The contract was awarded on a non-competitive basis, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies. 2. A firm fixed-price contract type suggests that cost overruns are the contractor's responsibility. 3. The contract duration of nearly five years indicates a long-term commitment to the service provider. 4. The absence of small business participation raises concerns about equitable distribution of federal funds. 5. The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is the primary agency overseeing this arrangement.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Without competitive bidding, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The total award of over $42.7 million for a five-year period for educational services suggests a significant investment. However, the lack of comparison to similar contracts or market rates due to the sole-source nature makes a definitive value assessment challenging. The firm fixed-price structure, while beneficial for cost control, does not inherently guarantee optimal pricing without a competitive baseline.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This approach is typically used when only one responsible source can provide the required services. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for multiple bidders to offer their services, potentially leading to higher prices than if the contract had been competed. Price discovery is therefore limited.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive pressure. Without competing offers, the government had less leverage to negotiate the lowest possible price.

Public Impact

Students in Delaware attending schools managed under this arrangement are the primary beneficiaries. The contract provides educational services, likely encompassing curriculum, instruction, and school administration. The geographic impact is limited to Delaware, where the Caesar Rodney School District is located. The contract supports the workforce within the educational institutions providing these services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may have resulted in higher costs for taxpayers.
No small business participation noted, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller entities.
Sole-source award requires strong justification to ensure necessity and fair pricing.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.
Long contract duration suggests a stable and potentially effective service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Elementary and Secondary Schools' sector (NAICS code 611110). This sector involves institutions that provide instructional services to students in primary and secondary education. Federal spending in this area often supports specific educational needs, such as those for military dependents or in unique circumstances. Benchmarking is difficult without knowing the specific services provided and comparing them to similar educational contracts, especially given the sole-source nature.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have involved significant subcontracting opportunities for them. This suggests that the primary contractor, Caesar Rodney School District, is likely a larger entity or a governmental/educational institution itself. The lack of small business involvement means that the economic benefits typically associated with federal contracting for smaller enterprises were not realized in this instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). As a sole-source award, scrutiny would focus on the justification for non-competition and the contractor's performance against the agreed-upon terms. Transparency is limited by the lack of a competitive process. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential issues or audits related to the contract's execution and financial management.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) School Operations
K-12 Education Services
Government-Provided Educational Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks transparency and competitive pricing.
No small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $42.7 million to CAESAR RODNEY SCHOOL DISTRICT. IGF::CL::IGF DOVER SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CAESAR RODNEY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $42.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-04-24. End: 2018-06-30.

What specific educational services were provided under this "Dover Special Arrangement"?

The provided data indicates the contract was with the Caesar Rodney School District for elementary and secondary schools. While the specific services are not detailed, typical arrangements of this nature involve the provision of educational instruction, curriculum development, school administration, and potentially support services for students and staff. Given the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) as the awarding agency, it is plausible these services were intended for dependents of military personnel stationed in the Dover, Delaware area, ensuring continuity of education.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of being competed?

Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the government's needs. For educational services, this could arise from unique geographic requirements, existing infrastructure, specialized expertise, or a pre-existing relationship that makes transitioning to another provider impractical or detrimental to service continuity. Without further documentation from the Department of Defense, the precise rationale for the sole-source award to the Caesar Rodney School District remains unspecified, but it implies a determination that no other entity could fulfill the requirement as effectively or efficiently.

How does the $42.7 million total obligation compare to typical spending for similar educational contracts?

Comparing the $42.7 million total obligation for this five-year contract is challenging without knowing the exact scope of services and the number of students served. However, for a large school district providing comprehensive K-12 education, this figure might be within a reasonable range, especially if it includes administrative overhead, facility maintenance, and specialized programs. The lack of competitive bidding, however, prevents a definitive assessment of whether this represents optimal value for money compared to what could have been achieved through a competitive process.

What is the significance of the contract being 'Firm Fixed Price'?

A 'Firm Fixed Price' (FFP) contract type means that the price is set and not subject to adjustment based on the contractor's cost experience. This is generally advantageous for the government as it shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. For the Caesar Rodney School District, this implies they agreed to provide the specified educational services for the agreed-upon price, regardless of their actual expenses. This structure provides budget certainty for the Department of Defense Education Activity.

What are the potential implications of the contract's long duration (nearly 5 years)?

The contract's duration of 1893 days (approximately 5 years) suggests a long-term need for the services provided by the Caesar Rodney School District. Such long-term commitments can offer stability and predictability for both the government and the contractor, potentially fostering a stronger working relationship and allowing for more effective long-range planning. However, it also means that the government is locked into this arrangement for an extended period, potentially missing out on innovations or cost savings that could arise from future competitive procurements.

Are there any indications of performance issues or successes associated with this contract?

The provided data does not contain specific performance metrics, ratings, or details regarding successes or failures of this contract. As a sole-source award with a long duration, performance would typically be monitored by the contracting officer at the Department of Defense Education Activity. Without access to performance reports, contract modifications, or any associated task orders, it is impossible to assess the contractor's track record or the effectiveness of the services delivered under this specific arrangement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Elementary and Secondary Schools › Elementary and Secondary Schools

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: HEVAS613R0001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 219 OLD NORTH RD, CAMDEN WYOMING, DE, 19934

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. Local Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $42,716,166

Exercised Options: $42,716,166

Current Obligation: $42,716,166

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline