Department of Education's Datalab contract awarded to Sanametrix Inc. for $12.6M over 8 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,569,674 ($12.6M)

Contractor: Sanametrix Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2019-02-15

End Date: 2027-02-14

Contract Duration: 2,921 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: THE DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN LEVERAGING ANALYSIS BASED WEBSITES (DATALAB) REQUIREMENT PROVIDES WEB-BASED DATA ANALYSIS TOOLS FOR SURVEY STUDIES FIELDED BY THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS (NCES).

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $12.6 million to SANAMETRIX INC for work described as: THE DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN LEVERAGING ANALYSIS BASED WEBSITES (DATALAB) REQUIREMENT PROVIDES WEB-BASED DATA ANALYSIS TOOLS FOR SURVEY STUDIES FIELDED BY THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS (NCES). Key points: 1. Contract provides critical web-based data analysis tools for NCES survey studies. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust market for these services. 3. Potential for cost efficiencies due to competitive bidding process. 4. Long-term nature of the contract (8 years) indicates sustained need for these analytical capabilities. 5. Focus on custom computer programming services aligns with evolving data analysis needs. 6. Virginia-based awardee may have implications for regional economic impact. 7. Delivery order structure allows for flexibility in service provision.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $12.6 million over approximately 8 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services for federal agencies requires detailed analysis of scope and complexity. However, the use of full and open competition generally supports favorable pricing. The labor hours contract type allows for adjustments based on actual work performed, which can be cost-effective if managed efficiently.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of four bidders (no=4) suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. A competitive process typically leads to better price discovery and ensures the government receives services at market-competitive rates.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process as it drives down costs and ensures the government is not overpaying for essential data analysis services.

Public Impact

Researchers and analysts within the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) benefit directly from enhanced data analysis capabilities. The contract supports the delivery of critical insights into educational trends and survey results. Geographic impact is primarily within the federal government's data analysis infrastructure, with potential for broader educational policy influence. Workforce implications include support for data scientists, programmers, and analysts involved in educational research.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep given the long duration and labor-hours contract type.
Ensuring continued relevance of web-based tools to evolving data analysis technologies.
Monitoring contractor performance to ensure consistent delivery of high-quality analysis tools.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating market validation.
Long-term contract provides stability for critical data analysis functions.
Focus on custom programming suggests tailored solutions for specific NCES needs.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming, is a significant area of federal spending. This contract falls within the broader category of IT support for research and statistical agencies. The market for such services is competitive, with many firms capable of providing sophisticated data analysis tools. The annual spend, averaging around $1.57 million, is moderate for a federal IT contract of this nature.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. Given the nature of custom computer programming and data analysis, it is possible that larger, more specialized firms were the primary bidders. Further investigation into subcontracting opportunities would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the National Center for Education Statistics. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics outlined in the contract. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's award under full and open competition, with details available through federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

Federal Data Analytics Services
Custom Software Development Contracts
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) IT Support
Web-Based Data Analysis Platforms

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration may increase risk of technological obsolescence.
Labor hours contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical data analysis tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $12.6 million to SANAMETRIX INC. THE DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN LEVERAGING ANALYSIS BASED WEBSITES (DATALAB) REQUIREMENT PROVIDES WEB-BASED DATA ANALYSIS TOOLS FOR SURVEY STUDIES FIELDED BY THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS (NCES).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SANAMETRIX INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-02-15. End: 2027-02-14.

What is the track record of Sanametrix Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

A review of Sanametrix Inc.'s federal contract history would be necessary to assess their performance on similar engagements. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any reported issues or successes. Understanding their experience with custom computer programming, web-based data analysis tools, and specifically within the education sector would provide crucial context for evaluating their capability to fulfill the Datalab requirement effectively. Without specific past performance data, it is difficult to definitively assess their track record.

How does the pricing structure (labor hours) compare to fixed-price contracts for similar services?

Labor hours contracts, like the one awarded to Sanametrix Inc., offer flexibility by billing based on actual work performed. This can be advantageous when project scope is uncertain or likely to evolve. However, it carries a risk of cost overruns if not managed diligently. Fixed-price contracts, conversely, offer greater cost certainty for the government but require a well-defined scope upfront. For custom computer programming and data analysis, labor hours can be more appropriate given the iterative nature of development. Benchmarking would involve comparing the effective hourly rates and total project costs of similar labor-hour contracts against fixed-price contracts for comparable services, considering the level of risk transferred to the contractor.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of the Datalab requirement?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Datalab requirement are not detailed in the provided data. However, typical KPIs for such contracts would likely include metrics related to system uptime and availability, data processing speed and accuracy, user satisfaction with the analysis tools, the successful delivery of requested analytical features, and adherence to project timelines. The contract's performance would be evaluated against these defined metrics, ensuring that Sanametrix Inc. is meeting the National Center for Education Statistics' needs for reliable and effective data analysis capabilities.

What is the historical spending trend for data analysis tools at NCES?

The provided data focuses on a single contract award. To understand historical spending trends for data analysis tools at NCES, a broader analysis of past contracts awarded by the agency for similar services would be required. This would involve examining procurement data over several fiscal years to identify patterns in spending, the types of services procured, the contractors involved, and the average contract values. Such an analysis would help contextualize the $12.6 million Datalab contract within NCES's overall investment in data analysis infrastructure and identify any significant shifts or consistencies in their procurement strategies.

Are there any identified risks associated with the contractor's ability to deliver advanced web-based data analysis tools?

The provided data does not explicitly identify risks associated with Sanametrix Inc.'s ability to deliver advanced web-based data analysis tools. However, general risks for such contracts can include technological obsolescence, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, challenges in integrating with existing government systems, and the contractor's capacity to adapt to evolving analytical methodologies. A thorough risk assessment would typically involve reviewing the contractor's technical expertise, their proposed solutions, and their past performance in managing complex IT projects. The long-term nature of the contract also necessitates ongoing monitoring for potential risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 91990018Q0006

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1530 WILSON BLVD, ARLINGTON, VA, 22209

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,569,674

Exercised Options: $12,569,674

Current Obligation: $12,569,674

Actual Outlays: $10,313,338

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0329Y

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline