Education Department awards $11.5M task order for technical assistance and training to Insight Policy Research, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,482,407 ($11.5M)

Contractor: Insight Policy Research, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2021-12-30

End Date: 2026-02-27

Contract Duration: 1,520 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING FOR PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $11.5 million to INSIGHT POLICY RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: TASK ORDER TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING FOR PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-competed framework. 2. The contract is for technical assistance and training related to the PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS initiative. 3. Awarded on December 30, 2021, with an estimated completion date of February 27, 2026, spanning over 1500 days. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price (FFP), which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The contractor, Insight Policy Research, Inc., is based in Virginia. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541611 for Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific task order is challenging without more granular data on the scope of services and deliverables. However, the total award amount of $11.5 million over approximately four years suggests a moderate investment in technical assistance. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government, but the ultimate value will depend on the effectiveness of the training and technical assistance provided to the PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS program.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under a full and open competition framework, likely through a pre-existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. This suggests that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid on the underlying BPA, and this specific call likely involved a competitive process among those BPA holders. The presence of two bids indicates some level of competition, which is generally positive for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even at the BPA call level, generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competition awards, as it encourages multiple vendors to offer competitive terms.

Public Impact

The PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS initiative aims to support communities with high poverty rates by providing resources and support to improve educational and social outcomes for children and families. This contract directly benefits the program administrators and potentially the participating communities by ensuring they receive expert technical assistance and training. The services delivered will focus on enhancing the operational effectiveness and strategic planning of the PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS program. The geographic impact is tied to the locations of the PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS sites, which are typically in areas facing significant socioeconomic challenges. Workforce implications include the potential for capacity building among program staff and stakeholders through the provided training.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'technical assistance and training' is not tightly managed.
The effectiveness of the training is subjective and difficult to measure without clear performance metrics.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical support functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract structure provides cost certainty.
Awarded under a competitive BPA call, suggesting a pre-vetted and potentially cost-effective procurement vehicle.
Longer duration allows for sustained support and relationship building with the program.

Sector Analysis

The Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541611) is a broad category encompassing a wide range of advisory services. Federal agencies frequently utilize these services for program management, policy analysis, and operational improvements. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on agency needs and the complexity of federal programs. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature of the technical assistance provided, but $11.5 million over four years for a specialized program like PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS appears to be within a reasonable range for comprehensive support.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and the data does not indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, unless Insight Policy Research, Inc. voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS initiative. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by linking payment to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance metrics and specific deliverables may not be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS Program
Department of Education Grants and Assistance Programs
Federal Technical Assistance and Training Contracts
Education Policy Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of performance degradation or obsolescence.
Effectiveness of technical assistance and training is inherently difficult to quantify.
Potential for scope creep if not managed tightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $11.5 million to INSIGHT POLICY RESEARCH, INC.. TASK ORDER TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING FOR PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INSIGHT POLICY RESEARCH, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-12-30. End: 2026-02-27.

What is the specific scope of technical assistance and training to be provided under this task order?

The task order is for technical assistance and training for the PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS program. While the specific deliverables are not detailed in the provided data, such services typically involve supporting program implementation, capacity building for grantees, strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and dissemination of best practices. The PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS initiative aims to transform distressed communities by improving educational outcomes and providing comprehensive support services. Therefore, the technical assistance likely focuses on helping these communities effectively manage and execute their PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS grants, ensuring alignment with program goals and maximizing impact.

How does the $11.5 million award compare to historical spending on similar technical assistance contracts for education initiatives?

Directly comparing this $11.5 million award to historical spending on similar technical assistance contracts is difficult without knowing the precise scope and duration of those other contracts. However, the PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS program itself has seen significant federal investment. Task orders of this magnitude for specialized technical assistance and training are not uncommon for large-scale federal initiatives that require expert support to ensure effective implementation and achieve desired outcomes. The value proposition hinges on the contractor's ability to deliver tangible improvements in program effectiveness and community impact.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of Insight Policy Research, Inc.'s performance?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this task order. However, for technical assistance and training contracts, KPIs typically focus on the quality and timeliness of deliverables, the effectiveness of training sessions (e.g., participant feedback, knowledge gained), the successful implementation of recommendations, and the overall contribution to the PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS program's objectives. The Department of Education's contracting officers would be responsible for establishing and monitoring these KPIs throughout the contract period to ensure the contractor meets performance expectations.

What is the track record of Insight Policy Research, Inc. in delivering technical assistance and training for federal education programs?

Insight Policy Research, Inc. has a history of working with federal agencies, including the Department of Education, on research, evaluation, and technical assistance projects. Their expertise often lies in areas related to education, social services, and program implementation. While specific details of past performance on similar PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS-like initiatives would require further investigation into their contract history, their continued awards from agencies like the Department of Education suggest a satisfactory track record in delivering relevant services. A deeper dive into past performance evaluations and client feedback would provide a more comprehensive understanding.

What is the potential risk associated with the long duration of this contract (over 1500 days)?

The long duration of this contract, spanning over 1500 days (approximately four years), presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's a risk of contractor performance degradation over time if motivation wanes or if the contractor's capabilities become outdated relative to evolving program needs. Secondly, the fixed-price nature, while offering cost certainty, could become disadvantageous if unforeseen challenges arise that significantly increase the contractor's costs, potentially leading to reduced effort or quality. Lastly, program requirements or strategic priorities within the Department of Education could shift, making the initially defined scope of work less relevant, necessitating contract modifications or potentially leading to inefficiencies.

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

Solicitation ID: 91990022Q0004

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Westat, Inc.

Address: 1901 N MOORE STE 1100, ARLINGTON, VA, 22209

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,721,051

Exercised Options: $11,482,407

Current Obligation: $11,482,407

Actual Outlays: $11,482,407

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 91990020A0016

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline