State Dept. Awards $462K for Online English Courses to Support Teachers

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $46,200 ($46.2K)

Contractor: Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2025-09-10

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 232 days

Daily Burn Rate: $199/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ON-LINE COURSES FOR PD (RELO)

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $46,200 to TEACHERS OF ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES for work described as: ON-LINE COURSES FOR PD (RELO) Key points: 1. Spending focuses on professional development for English language teachers. 2. The contract is a sole-source award, raising questions about competition. 3. Risk is moderate due to the firm fixed-price structure and defined period. 4. The sector is primarily education and professional services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $462,000 for 232 days of service appears reasonable for specialized online professional development. Benchmarking is difficult without more detail on course content and instructor qualifications.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially excludes other qualified vendors from offering services, which could lead to suboptimal pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for this award. The lack of competition may mean a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid.

Public Impact

Enhances English language teaching capabilities globally. Supports educators in diverse linguistic environments. Invests in professional development for a critical educational role.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Sole-source justification unclear

Positive Signals

Supports critical educational mission
Firm fixed-price contract

Sector Analysis

This spending falls within the professional services and education sector, specifically focusing on language training and teacher development. Benchmarks for similar online professional development contracts vary widely based on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

No information is available regarding small business participation in this sole-source award. The nature of the contract may not lend itself to subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be managed by the Department of State. The sole-source nature warrants close monitoring to ensure the services meet the stated objectives and represent good value.

Related Government Programs

Language Schools
Department of State Contracting
Department of State Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency on vendor selection
Effectiveness metrics not detailed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $46,200 to TEACHERS OF ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES. ON-LINE COURSES FOR PD (RELO)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TEACHERS OF ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $46,200.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-10. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and were any market research efforts conducted to identify potential competitors?

The justification for this sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source contracts are used when only one vendor possesses the unique capability or when it's impractical to obtain competition. Further investigation into the agency's market research and justification documentation is needed to assess the validity of this approach and ensure fair pricing.

How will the effectiveness of the online courses be measured to ensure the $462,000 investment yields tangible improvements in teaching skills?

The effectiveness of the online courses will likely be measured through participant feedback, pre- and post-course assessments of teaching knowledge, and potentially observed changes in classroom practices. The Department of State should establish clear performance metrics and evaluation criteria within the contract to ensure the investment translates into improved English language instruction.

What is the potential impact on future procurement if this sole-source award sets a precedent for similar training needs within the Department?

If this sole-source award is not well-justified, it could set a precedent that discourages competition for future training needs. This might lead to higher costs and reduced innovation over time. The agency should ensure robust justification and explore competitive options for subsequent requirements to maintain market fairness and cost-effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Other Schools and Instruction › Language Schools

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1925 BALLENGER AVE STE 550, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,200

Exercised Options: $46,200

Current Obligation: $46,200

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline