Department of Education awards $7.1M contract for statistical data support to Sanametrix Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,138,767 ($7.1M)

Contractor: Sanametrix Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2021-12-01

End Date: 2025-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: EO14042 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND EXPERT ADVICE TO SUPPORT THE PROJECTS OF THE STATISTICAL STANDARDS AND DATA CONFIDENTIALITY STAFF (SSDCS) RELATED TO STATISTICAL STANDARDS, CONFIDENTIALITY, AND DATA SECURITY.

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $7.1 million to SANAMETRIX INC for work described as: EO14042 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND EXPERT ADVICE TO SUPPORT THE PROJECTS OF THE STATISTICAL STANDARDS AND DATA CONFIDENTIALITY STAFF (SSDCS) RELATED TO STATISTICAL STANDARDS, CONFIDENTIALITY, AND DATA SECURITY. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on technical assistance for statistical standards and data confidentiality. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs. 4. Performance period spans nearly four years, indicating a long-term need. 5. The contract value is relatively modest within the IT services sector. 6. Virginia-based contractor suggests potential for regional economic impact.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7.1 million over approximately four years appears reasonable for specialized IT support services related to statistical standards and data confidentiality. Benchmarking against similar contracts for custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511) would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control. The relatively small number of bidders (2) in a full and open competition warrants further investigation into market dynamics.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. Two bids were received, which suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While two bidders is better than a sole-source award, a higher number of bids typically leads to more robust price discovery and potentially lower prices for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, despite receiving only two bids, provides some assurance that the government sought the best value. Taxpayers benefit from the opportunity for multiple companies to compete, which can drive down costs compared to non-competitive awards.

Public Impact

The Statistical Standards and Data Confidentiality Staff (SSDCS) within the Department of Education will benefit from enhanced technical expertise. Services delivered include expert advice and technical assistance crucial for maintaining data integrity and security. The primary geographic impact is likely within the Department of Education's operations, with potential broader implications for federal statistical practices. The contract supports specialized IT and data management roles, potentially impacting a small, highly skilled workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition (2 bidders) may indicate potential barriers to entry or a niche market.
The specific nature of statistical standards and data confidentiality might limit the pool of qualified contractors.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a fair process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage budget predictability.
Long performance period (nearly 4 years) suggests a stable, ongoing need for these critical services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511). The market for such services is vast and competitive, encompassing a wide range of specialized expertise. Federal spending in this category is substantial, driven by the government's continuous need for IT modernization, data management, and specialized analytical support. This particular contract addresses a niche within the broader IT services market, focusing on the critical areas of statistical standards and data confidentiality.

Small Business Impact

The data provided does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. Given the specialized nature of the services, it is possible that larger, more experienced firms were better positioned to compete. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the scope of this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program officials within the Department of Education's SSDCS. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability regarding cost. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Services Contracts
Custom Computer Programming Services
Data Security and Confidentiality Services
Statistical Analysis Support
Department of Education IT Spending

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Specialized Service Niche

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $7.1 million to SANAMETRIX INC. EO14042 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND EXPERT ADVICE TO SUPPORT THE PROJECTS OF THE STATISTICAL STANDARDS AND DATA CONFIDENTIALITY STAFF (SSDCS) RELATED TO STATISTICAL STANDARDS, CONFIDENTIALITY, AND DATA SECURITY.

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 $7.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-12-01. End: 2025-11-30.

What is the track record of Sanametrix Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in IT and data services?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Sanametrix Inc. has been awarded multiple federal contracts, primarily within the IT and professional services categories. While specific details on past performance quality are not readily available in this summary, the company's history suggests experience in serving government clients. Further investigation into contract performance reports (e.g., CPARS) and past awards would be necessary to fully assess their track record and suitability for complex tasks involving statistical standards and data confidentiality. The current award from the Department of Education signifies a level of trust and capability recognized by the agency.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar contracts for statistical data support services?

The awarded amount of $7.1 million over approximately four years for technical assistance in statistical standards and data confidentiality is a moderate figure within the federal IT services landscape. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare this to contracts with similar scope, duration, and complexity, particularly those awarded under NAICS code 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) or related codes focused on data analysis and management. Factors such as the level of expertise required, the specific deliverables, and the prevailing market rates for such specialized skills would influence comparisons. Without direct comparable contract data, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents exceptional value, but the firm fixed-price structure and competitive award process suggest a reasonable effort to achieve cost-effectiveness.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential underperformance by the contractor in delivering specialized technical expertise, challenges in ensuring data confidentiality and security, and the possibility of cost overruns if the scope expands beyond initial expectations (though mitigated by FFP). Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance monitoring by the Department of Education, clearly defined deliverables and service level agreements, and adherence to strict data handling protocols. The firm fixed-price contract structure itself acts as a risk mitigation tool against uncontrolled cost escalation. The limited competition (two bidders) could also be a risk if it leads to less favorable pricing or limits the government's options in the future.

How effective is the Department of Education's current approach to managing contracts for statistical data integrity and confidentiality?

Assessing the overall effectiveness of the Department of Education's contract management for statistical data integrity and confidentiality requires a broader review of their procurement history and program outcomes. This specific contract award to Sanametrix Inc. is one component of their strategy. The use of full and open competition and a firm fixed-price contract are generally sound practices. However, the effectiveness hinges on the quality of the statement of work, the diligence of contract oversight, and the contractor's actual performance. Without more data on past contract successes or failures in this specific domain within the Department, a definitive judgment on effectiveness cannot be made solely based on this single award.

What are the historical spending patterns of the Department of Education on statistical standards and data confidentiality support?

Historical spending data for the Department of Education on statistical standards and data confidentiality support would reveal trends in investment in these areas. Analyzing past contracts, their values, durations, and the types of services procured would indicate whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing. This $7.1 million award suggests a significant, multi-year investment. Understanding historical patterns can help contextualize the current award, identify potential surges or dips in demand for such services, and inform future budget planning and procurement strategies within the Department.

Industry Classification

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

Solicitation ID: 91990021Q0055

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $9,815,937

Exercised Options: $7,138,767

Current Obligation: $7,138,767

Actual Outlays: $6,349,643

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0329Y

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline