Department of Education's $19.7M NAAL Follow-Up Study Awarded to WESTAT, INC. Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,726,212 ($19.7M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2001-08-15
End Date: 2006-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,872 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NAAL FOLLOW-UP STUDY: REAL WORLD TASKS
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $19.7 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: NAAL FOLLOW-UP STUDY: REAL WORLD TASKS Key points: 1. The contract value is $19.7 million for research and development. 2. WESTAT, INC. secured the award through full and open competition. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, indicating performance-based incentives. 4. The sector is Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Award Fee contract structure suggests potential for cost overruns if performance incentives are not carefully managed. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Full and open competition was utilized, which generally promotes competitive pricing. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee structure can sometimes lead to higher final costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not rigorously overseen.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is positive for taxpayer value. The final cost will depend on the effectiveness of performance incentives and oversight.
Public Impact
This study contributes to understanding real-world tasks, potentially informing educational policies and resource allocation. The award to WESTAT, INC. signifies a significant investment in social science research. Long-term impact depends on the study's findings and their subsequent application.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency.
- Contract duration of 1872 days is substantial, increasing risk exposure.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition promotes market fairness and potentially better pricing.
- The study addresses a relevant area of social science research.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (NAICS 541720). Spending in this sector can vary widely, but significant federal investment often targets areas with potential for broad societal impact.
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 subcontracting opportunities were made available.
Oversight & Accountability
The Cost Plus Award Fee contract type necessitates robust oversight from the Department of Education to ensure performance objectives are met efficiently and costs are controlled. Regular reviews of award fee criteria are crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure
- Long contract duration (1872 days)
- Lack of small business participation indicated
- Potential for cost overruns if not managed
- Difficulty in benchmarking R&D costs
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-education, md, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $19.7 million to WESTAT, INC.. NAAL FOLLOW-UP STUDY: REAL WORLD TASKS
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 $19.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2001-08-15. End: 2006-09-30.
What specific performance metrics are tied to the award fee structure, and how are they measured to ensure value for money?
The award fee structure is designed to incentivize WESTAT, INC. to meet or exceed specific performance objectives related to the NAAL Follow-Up Study. These metrics likely include timely completion of research phases, quality of data collection and analysis, adherence to research protocols, and the overall impact or utility of the study's findings. The Department of Education's oversight team would be responsible for objectively measuring progress against these predefined criteria to determine the awarded fee.
Given the 1872-day duration, what are the primary risks associated with long-term R&D contracts, and how are they mitigated?
Long-term R&D contracts face risks such as evolving research needs, potential for scope creep, technological obsolescence, and contractor performance degradation over time. Mitigation strategies include clearly defined milestones, flexible contract modifications processes, regular performance reviews, and strong government oversight to ensure the research remains relevant and on track. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure also aims to keep the contractor engaged and focused on quality throughout the extended period.
How does the 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities' sector typically compare in terms of cost-effectiveness for similar studies?
Cost-effectiveness in social science R&D varies greatly depending on the study's complexity, methodology, and intended outcomes. Unlike highly standardized engineering or IT projects, R&D in humanities and social sciences often involves qualitative data, nuanced analysis, and less predictable timelines. Benchmarking is challenging, but effective contracts focus on clear research questions, robust methodologies, and measurable deliverables, ensuring that federal investment yields valuable insights rather than just expenditures.
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
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Contractor Details
Address: 1650 RESEARCH BOULEVARD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 08
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $19,726,212
Exercised Options: $19,726,212
Current Obligation: $19,726,212
Timeline
Start Date: 2001-08-15
Current End Date: 2006-09-30
Potential End Date: 2006-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-08-05
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