Education Department Awards $4.37M for Literacy Development Technical Assistance to Synergy Enterprises
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,368,329 ($4.4M)
Contractor: Synergy Enterprises, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2019-09-12
End Date: 2024-03-11
Contract Duration: 1,642 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: COMPREHENSIVE LITERACY STATE DEVELOPMENT REQUIRES CONTRACTOR ASSISTANCE TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO PROVIDE TRAINING, WORKSHOPS, AND WEBINARS.
Place of Performance
Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $4.4 million to SYNERGY ENTERPRISES, INC for work described as: COMPREHENSIVE LITERACY STATE DEVELOPMENT REQUIRES CONTRACTOR ASSISTANCE TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO PROVIDE TRAINING, WORKSHOPS, AND WEBINARS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on technical assistance, training, workshops, and webinars for comprehensive literacy. 2. Synergy Enterprises, Inc. secured the contract through a BPA Call under full and open competition. 3. The contract value is $4.37 million over a period of approximately 4.5 years. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541611 for Management Consulting Services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $4.37 million over 4.5 years appears reasonable for comprehensive technical assistance and training services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for educational consulting and program support would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, which is a mechanism for streamlined procurement. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process, likely leading to fair market pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to enhance literacy programs, which has a long-term societal benefit. The competitive award process aims to ensure efficient use of these funds.
Public Impact
Improved literacy rates can lead to better educational outcomes and workforce readiness. Technical assistance and training can strengthen the capacity of educational institutions. The contract supports a critical area of public education, impacting students and educators. Dissemination of best practices in literacy can have a ripple effect across states.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if training needs are not clearly defined.
- Dependence on contractor expertise for effective program implementation.
Positive Signals
- Focus on a critical educational need (literacy).
- Competitive award process.
- Long-term contract duration allows for sustained support.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. Spending in this sector often supports government agencies in program implementation, policy development, and operational efficiency. Benchmarks for similar consulting contracts vary widely based on scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or subcontracted.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Education is the awarding and administrative agency, suggesting direct oversight. The use of a BPA Call implies established procurement procedures are in place, but ongoing monitoring of performance and deliverables is crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- No indication of small business participation.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
- Reliance on contractor for specialized expertise.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-education, md, bpa-call, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $4.4 million to SYNERGY ENTERPRISES, INC. COMPREHENSIVE LITERACY STATE DEVELOPMENT REQUIRES CONTRACTOR ASSISTANCE TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO PROVIDE TRAINING, WORKSHOPS, AND WEBINARS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SYNERGY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $4.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-09-12. End: 2024-03-11.
What specific metrics will be used to measure the success of the technical assistance and training provided?
Success metrics should focus on tangible improvements in literacy outcomes, such as increased reading proficiency scores, enhanced teacher training effectiveness, and successful implementation of new literacy strategies in participating states. The contract should clearly define key performance indicators (KPIs) related to workshop attendance, webinar engagement, and the adoption of recommended practices.
How will the Department of Education ensure the contractor's technical assistance is tailored to the diverse needs of different states?
The Department should require the contractor to conduct thorough needs assessments for each participating state to understand their unique challenges and existing literacy programs. Regular check-ins and feedback mechanisms should be established to allow for adjustments to the technical assistance approach, ensuring it remains relevant and effective across varied educational landscapes.
What is the potential long-term impact of this contract on federal literacy initiatives?
This contract has the potential to significantly bolster federal literacy initiatives by providing crucial support to states, fostering best practices, and potentially leading to scalable solutions. If successful, the methodologies and training developed could serve as a model for future federal investments in education, driving widespread improvements in literacy nationwide.
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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 8757 GEORGIA AVE STE 1440, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,368,329
Exercised Options: $4,368,329
Current Obligation: $4,368,329
Actual Outlays: $4,368,329
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: EDESE15A0015
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-09-12
Current End Date: 2024-03-11
Potential End Date: 2024-03-11 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-27
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