Department of Education Awards $82.8M for National Assessment of Educational Progress Data Collection to Westat, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $82,767,159 ($82.8M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2024-12-06
End Date: 2026-12-05
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $113.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THIS AWARD IS FOR NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS DATA COLLECTION.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $82.8 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: THIS AWARD IS FOR NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS DATA COLLECTION. Key points: 1. Awarded to Westat, Inc. for a significant data collection effort. 2. The contract is for Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration is approximately two years, ending in December 2026.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $82.8 million for a two-year data collection project appears reasonable given the scope of national educational assessments. Benchmarking against similar large-scale data collection and research contracts would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is expected to result in a fair price for the services rendered, maximizing taxpayer value.
Public Impact
Ensures continued data collection for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Supports research and development in educational assessment methodologies. Provides insights into student performance across the nation. Impacts educational policy and curriculum development.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in long-term data collection projects.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical national data.
Positive Signals
- Utilizes full and open competition.
- Clear contract duration and end date.
- Firm fixed price contract type.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities sector. Spending in this area often supports government agencies' data collection and analysis needs to inform policy and program effectiveness.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that neither small business nor small disadvantaged business participation was a factor in this award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Education is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard contract management practices should ensure adherence to scope, quality, and timely delivery of data.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract duration is substantial (2 years).
- Sole contractor for critical national data.
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Need for ongoing performance monitoring.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-education, dc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $82.8 million to WESTAT, INC.. THIS AWARD IS FOR NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS DATA COLLECTION.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WESTAT, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $82.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-12-06. End: 2026-12-05.
What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the success of the data collection and analysis performed by Westat, Inc.?
Success will likely be evaluated based on the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the collected data, adherence to established research methodologies, and the successful delivery of comprehensive reports. Performance metrics may also include the ability to meet specific sampling requirements and the quality of data analysis, ensuring it provides actionable insights for educational policy and improvement.
What are the potential risks associated with the long-term nature of this data collection contract?
Long-term data collection contracts carry risks such as potential vendor complacency, evolving technological needs that may not be adequately addressed by the initial contract, and the possibility of data relevance diminishing over time if not continuously adapted. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, making it difficult to switch providers if performance issues arise or better solutions become available.
How will the data collected contribute to improving educational outcomes or informing policy decisions?
The data collected through the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is crucial for understanding student achievement trends, identifying achievement gaps, and evaluating the effectiveness of educational programs and policies at national, state, and local levels. This information directly informs evidence-based decision-making for curriculum development, resource allocation, and targeted interventions aimed at improving educational outcomes for all students.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 91990024R0009
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1600 RESEARCH BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $180,169,071
Exercised Options: $82,767,159
Current Obligation: $82,767,159
Actual Outlays: $64,245,751
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-12-06
Current End Date: 2026-12-05
Potential End Date: 2029-12-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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