Department of Education awards $14.1M for 21st Century Community Learning Centers technical assistance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,072,073 ($14.1M)

Contractor: Southwest Educational Development Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2004-09-21

End Date: 2008-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,531 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT PROGRAM QUALITY IN 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS

Place of Performance

Location: AUSTIN, TRAVIS County, TEXAS, 78701

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $14.1 million to SOUTHWEST EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION for work described as: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT PROGRAM QUALITY IN 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Incentive, which can incentivize cost control but also carries inherent risks. 3. The duration of the contract is over 4 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The contractor, Southwest Educational Development Corporation, has secured this award, suggesting relevant expertise. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 points to a broad range of professional services. 6. The contract was awarded by the Department of Education, aligning with its mission to support educational programs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data. The Cost Plus Incentive fee structure means the final cost could fluctuate based on performance and cost savings, making a direct price comparison difficult. However, the total award amount of $14.1 million over approximately four years suggests a significant investment in technical assistance for these learning centers.

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 bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but the competitive nature of the award process generally supports price discovery and potentially better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and services.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include students and educators participating in 21st Century Community Learning Centers programs. Services delivered involve technical assistance to support program quality. The geographic impact is primarily within Texas, where the contractor is located, but the program's reach may be national. Workforce implications include potential support for educational professionals and program administrators.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Incentive contracts can lead to costs exceeding initial estimates if not managed carefully.
The broad nature of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' may require close monitoring to ensure focused delivery.
Long contract durations can sometimes lead to vendor complacency if performance is not continuously assessed.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contractor's focus on educational development implies specialized knowledge relevant to the program.
Technical assistance aims to improve program quality, directly benefiting educational outcomes.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to educational support. The market for educational consulting and technical assistance is diverse, with numerous firms offering specialized services. The Department of Education frequently procures such services to enhance the effectiveness of its funded programs, with spending varying based on program needs and federal appropriations.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. As this was a full and open competition, it is possible that small businesses could have participated directly or indirectly through subcontracting opportunities, but specific provisions are not evident.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Department of Education. Performance monitoring, regular reporting, and adherence to the Cost Plus Incentive fee structure would be key accountability measures. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports are often internal.

Related Government Programs

21st Century Community Learning Centers Program
Educational Technical Assistance Contracts
Professional and Technical Services

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Incentive Fee contract type requires careful monitoring to manage potential cost overruns.
Long contract duration necessitates ongoing performance evaluation to ensure continued value.
Broad service category (NAICS 541990) may require clear definition of deliverables and performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $14.1 million to SOUTHWEST EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT PROGRAM QUALITY IN 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOUTHWEST EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-09-21. End: 2008-11-30.

What is the track record of Southwest Educational Development Corporation with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Education?

Southwest Educational Development Corporation (SEDCor) has a history of receiving federal funding, often through grants and contracts, primarily focused on education and workforce development initiatives. While specific details on past performance for this exact contract type are not readily available in summary data, their designation as a recipient for this technical assistance contract suggests they possess the qualifications and experience deemed necessary by the Department of Education. Further analysis would require examining their contract history for performance ratings, past issues, and successful project completions, especially those involving similar educational program support.

How does the $14.1 million award compare to similar technical assistance contracts for educational programs?

Comparing this $14.1 million award requires context on the scope, duration, and specific services rendered. Technical assistance contracts for large federal education programs can range significantly. For instance, contracts supporting national initiatives or large-scale program evaluations might reach tens of millions of dollars over several years. Smaller, more targeted technical assistance efforts might be in the low millions. Without knowing the exact deliverables and the number of learning centers or states this assistance covers, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, $14.1 million over approximately four years indicates a substantial, long-term commitment to enhancing program quality.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Incentive (CPIF) contract type for this service?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Incentive (CPIF) contract is that the final cost can exceed initial projections if cost targets are not met or if the incentive structure is not well-defined. While CPIF aims to incentivize cost efficiency and performance, it can lead to cost overruns if the contractor's efforts to achieve targets result in unforeseen expenses or if the government's target cost is set too high or too low. There's also a risk that the focus on incentives might inadvertently shift attention away from critical qualitative aspects of the service if not balanced with clear performance standards.

How effective has technical assistance been historically for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program?

The effectiveness of technical assistance for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program is generally viewed as crucial for program success. These centers operate in diverse settings and often serve vulnerable populations, requiring tailored support to meet federal and state requirements, improve academic outcomes, and engage families. Historically, effective technical assistance has been linked to improved program implementation, better data collection, enhanced staff training, and stronger community partnerships. However, the impact can vary based on the quality of the assistance, the capacity of the local programs to implement recommendations, and the specific goals being pursued.

What is the historical spending trend for technical assistance related to the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program?

Historical spending on technical assistance for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program has been a consistent component of the program's overall federal funding. While specific year-over-year figures for technical assistance alone can fluctuate based on program priorities and available appropriations, the Department of Education has consistently allocated funds to ensure program quality and support grantees. This contract, awarded in 2004 for over $14 million, reflects a significant investment during its period. Analyzing broader trends would involve examining the Department's budget allocations and contract awards over multiple fiscal years to identify patterns in technical assistance spending.

What are the potential implications of awarding this contract to a single entity for over four years?

Awarding a contract of this magnitude ($14.1 million) to a single entity, Southwest Educational Development Corporation, for over four years suggests a need for sustained, specialized support for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. The implications include the potential for deep institutional knowledge to be developed by the contractor, leading to more effective and tailored assistance. However, it also raises questions about potential vendor lock-in, reduced flexibility for the government to adapt to changing needs by bringing in new perspectives, and the importance of robust performance monitoring to ensure continued value and accountability throughout the contract's duration.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE (V)

Contractor Details

Address: 211 E 7TH ST, AUSTIN, TX, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,115,943

Exercised Options: $15,991,077

Current Obligation: $14,072,073

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Timeline