Department of Education's NAEP Support Contract Awarded to WESTAT, INC. for $32.16M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $32,157,999 ($32.2M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2013-03-07
End Date: 2019-07-31
Contract Duration: 2,337 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: "CRITICAL FUNCTION" IGF::CT::IGF THE PURPOSE OF THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS (NAEP) SUPPORT AND SERVICE CENTER IS TO FULLY SUPPORT THE ADMINISTRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NAEP PROGRAM THROUGHOUT STATES AND DISTRICTS. THE SERVICE CENTER WILL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SUPPORT TO JURISDICTIONS PRIMARILY THROUGH THE TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO NAEP STATE AND DISTRICT COORDINATORS. THE SERVICE CENTER WILL PROVIDE PRODUCTS, PROCESSES, AND MATERIALS FOR ALL PHASES OF THE VARIOUS NAEP ASSESSMENTS AS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT COORDINATORS CAN COMPLETE THE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF NAEP IN THEIR RESPECTIVE STATES. STATE COORDINATORS ARE A LIAISON BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND THE STATE EDUCATION AGENCIES. THE COORDINATOR POSITION WITHIN THE STATE EDUCATION AGENCIES CREATES A CLOSER LINK BETWEEN A UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROGRAM AND THE SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS THAT ARE SAMPLED TO PARTICIPATE IN NAEP ASSESSMENTS. THEY ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING AN INCREASED LEVEL OF AWARENESS OF NAEP WITHIN THEIR AGENCY, IN DISTRICTS, AND WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $32.2 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: "CRITICAL FUNCTION" IGF::CT::IGF THE PURPOSE OF THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS (NAEP) SUPPORT AND SERVICE CENTER IS TO FULLY SUPPORT THE ADMINISTRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NAEP PROGRAM THROUGHOUT STATES AND DISTRICTS. THE SERVICE CENTER WILL PROVIDE THE NE… Key points: 1. The contract supports the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) program, crucial for educational evaluation. 2. WESTAT, INC. has held this contract since 2013, indicating established performance. 3. The contract's cost-plus award fee structure incentivizes performance but can lead to cost overruns. 4. The R&D sector, particularly educational assessment, is a specialized area. 5. Potential risks include vendor lock-in and the effectiveness of the award fee mechanism.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's total value of $32.16M over six years suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking against similar large-scale educational support contracts would be necessary for a precise value assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. However, the cost-plus award fee structure allows for costs to exceed initial estimates, with the final price influenced by performance.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for a critical national education assessment program. The cost-plus award fee structure requires careful monitoring to ensure value for money.
Public Impact
Ensures consistent and high-quality administration of national educational assessments. Supports states and districts in implementing NAEP, providing valuable data for educational policy. Facilitates the collection of data on student achievement across the nation. Contributes to understanding educational trends and disparities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus award fee structure can lead to unpredictable final costs.
- Long contract duration may limit opportunities for competitive re-evaluation.
Positive Signals
- Supports a critical national function (NAEP).
- Awarded via full and open competition.
- Long-term vendor relationship suggests stability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities sector, specifically focusing on educational assessment. Spending in this area is vital for evidence-based policymaking and program improvement.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to a single entity, WESTAT, INC. There is no explicit information on small business subcontracting, which warrants further investigation to ensure opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's duration and the nature of the support suggest ongoing oversight is necessary to ensure performance standards are met and costs remain justified. The award fee mechanism implies performance monitoring.
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
- Lack of explicit small business subcontracting data
- Potential for vendor lock-in
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-education, md, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $32.2 million to WESTAT, INC.. "CRITICAL FUNCTION" IGF::CT::IGF THE PURPOSE OF THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS (NAEP) SUPPORT AND SERVICE CENTER IS TO FULLY SUPPORT THE ADMINISTRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NAEP PROGRAM THROUGHOUT STATES AND DISTRICTS. THE SERVICE CENTER WILL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SUPPORT TO JURISDICTIONS PRIMARILY THROUGH THE TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO NAEP STATE AND DISTRICT COORDINATORS. THE SERVICE CENTER WILL PROVIDE PRODUCTS, PROCESSES, AND MATERIALS FOR ALL PHASES OF THE VARI
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 $32.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-03-07. End: 2019-07-31.
How effectively does the award fee structure incentivize WESTAT, INC. to control costs while maintaining high-quality support for the NAEP program?
The effectiveness of the award fee structure hinges on clearly defined performance metrics and objective evaluation criteria. If these are robust, it can incentivize both quality and cost-efficiency. However, if metrics are vague or easily met, it may not adequately control costs or drive optimal performance, potentially leading to higher-than-necessary expenditures for taxpayers.
What are the potential risks associated with the long-term nature of this contract (2013-2019) for the Department of Education and the NAEP program?
A long-term contract can lead to vendor lock-in, reducing the agency's flexibility and potentially stifling innovation. It may also decrease competitive pressure over time, potentially leading to less favorable pricing or service levels. Furthermore, if the vendor's capabilities or the program's needs evolve significantly, the existing contract might not adequately adapt, requiring costly modifications or a new procurement.
To what extent does the current support structure ensure equitable access and participation for all states and districts in the NAEP program?
The service center's purpose is to provide necessary support, training, and materials to all states and districts for NAEP implementation. Ensuring equitable access requires consistent outreach, tailored assistance based on varying needs, and effective communication channels. The success of this depends on the quality and reach of the training and resources provided by WESTAT, INC.
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
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1600 RESEARCH BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $46,529,255
Exercised Options: $46,234,391
Current Obligation: $32,157,999
Actual Outlays: $574,039
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $1,461,864
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-03-07
Current End Date: 2019-07-31
Potential End Date: 2019-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-09-23
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