DoD spent over $14.5M on K-12 education services for military families at West Point

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,546,628 ($14.5M)

Contractor: Highland Falls Fort Montgomery Central School District

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-07-01

End Date: 2012-08-29

Contract Duration: 1,886 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WEST POINT EDUCATION SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: HIGHLAND FALLS, ORANGE County, NEW YORK, 10928

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.5 million to HIGHLAND FALLS FORT MONTGOMERY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT for work described as: WEST POINT EDUCATION SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract provided essential educational services for children of military personnel, ensuring continuity of education. 2. A single award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. The contract duration of over 5 years indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure likely provided cost certainty for the government. 5. The services align with the government's commitment to supporting military families.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total contract value of $14.5 million over approximately five years averages to about $2.9 million annually. This figure appears reasonable for providing K-12 education services to a specific military installation's dependent population. Benchmarking against similar contracts for school districts serving military bases would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the scale and duration suggest a significant but not exorbitant investment.

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 fact that it resulted in a single award suggests that either only one offeror met the requirements, or one offeror was significantly more advantageous than others. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to more competitive pricing, potentially saving taxpayer dollars compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Public Impact

Military families stationed at West Point, NY, benefited from consistent and quality K-12 education for their children. The contract ensured the provision of elementary and secondary school services, covering curriculum, instruction, and support. The geographic impact is localized to West Point, NY, directly serving the educational needs of dependents in that area. The contract supported the education workforce, including teachers, administrators, and support staff within the school district.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the quality of education delivered.
The long contract duration could potentially lead to complacency if not actively managed and overseen.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract type provides budget predictability.
Awarding under full and open competition suggests a thorough evaluation process and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract's focus on education for military dependents demonstrates support for service members and their families.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Education Services sector, specifically focusing on elementary and secondary education. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 611110, 'Elementary and Secondary Schools,' covers establishments primarily engaged in furnishing academic courses and training in the arts and sciences. Spending in this area by the Department of Defense is often tied to supporting military installations where local public school systems may be insufficient or unavailable for dependent children.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large contract awarded under full and open competition, it is unlikely to have significant direct subcontracting opportunities for small businesses unless the prime contractor voluntarily includes them in their supply chain. The primary focus appears to be on the direct provision of educational services by the awarded entity.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) or a designated contracting officer's representative. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Programs
Military Child Education Coalition
On-Post Schooling Programs
Federal Education Funding

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in summary data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.5 million to HIGHLAND FALLS FORT MONTGOMERY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT. WEST POINT EDUCATION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HIGHLAND FALLS FORT MONTGOMERY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-07-01. End: 2012-08-29.

What was the specific educational curriculum and quality standards expected under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact curriculum or quality standards. However, contracts for educational services for military dependents typically require adherence to state or national educational standards, often aligned with the curriculum of the state where the installation is located. The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) generally sets overarching guidelines and performance expectations. Detailed quality standards would be outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), including requirements for teacher qualifications, student-teacher ratios, assessment methods, and extracurricular activities. Without the SOW, a precise evaluation of curriculum and quality is not possible from this data alone.

How did the annual cost per student compare to public schools in New York or similar military base schools?

Calculating an exact per-student cost requires knowing the number of students served by the contract. If we assume an average of 500 students over the 5 years, the annual cost of $2.9 million would equate to approximately $5,800 per student. This figure is generally lower than the average per-pupil spending in New York State public schools, which has historically been higher (often exceeding $15,000-$20,000 annually in recent years). However, direct comparison is complex due to potential differences in services provided, student needs, and the unique operational costs associated with serving a military community. Benchmarking against other DoDEA-funded schools or schools on military bases would offer a more relevant comparison.

What was the contractor's track record prior to and during this contract?

The provided data identifies the contractor as HIGHLAND FALLS FORT MONTGOMERY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT. As a school district, its track record would be primarily defined by its operational history and performance in serving the local student population. For this specific federal contract, assessing its track record would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, any documented issues or commendations related to contract execution, and its ability to meet the specific requirements outlined in the contract's Statement of Work. Without access to performance reports or historical data specific to this contract, a detailed assessment of the contractor's track record under this award is not possible.

Were there any performance issues or contract modifications during the contract's lifespan?

The provided data does not include information on contract modifications or performance issues. Typically, contract modifications (e.g., change orders, extensions, funding adjustments) are documented in contract databases. Performance issues would be reflected in performance evaluations, contractor CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) reports, or potentially through formal disputes or corrective actions. The absence of this information in the summary data suggests either a smooth execution of the contract with no significant deviations or that such details are not captured in this particular data extract.

What was the total historical spending on this specific service category (elementary/secondary schools for military dependents) by the DoD?

The provided data focuses on a single contract valued at $14.5 million. To determine total historical spending by the DoD on this service category, a broader analysis of federal procurement data would be necessary. This would involve querying databases like FPDS or USASpending for all contracts awarded under NAICS code 611110 (and potentially related codes) by the Department of Defense and its sub-agencies (like DoDEA) over a specified period. This would encompass all schools serving military dependents, whether on-base or through agreements with local districts, providing a comprehensive view of the DoD's investment in this area.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Elementary and Secondary Schools › Elementary and Secondary Schools

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HEVAS607R0004

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 21 MORGAN ROAD, FORT MONTGOMERY, NY, 18

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,061,580

Exercised Options: $17,051,220

Current Obligation: $14,546,628

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline