Department of Education Spends $32.1M on International Education Studies via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $32,154,859 ($32.2M)
Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2011-12-15
End Date: 2022-04-30
Contract Duration: 3,789 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES PROGRAM (IAP) WITHIN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD, INTERNATIONAL, AND CROSSCUTTING STUDIES DIVISION (ECICSD) CONDUCTS A NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS, INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL SURVEYS AND ASSESSMENTS. THESE INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE STUDY (TIMSS), THE PROGRAM FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSESSMENT (PISA), AND THE PROGRESS IN INTERNATIONAL READING LITERACY STUDY (PIRLS), AND VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS THROUGH THE ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC), THE ORGANIZATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD), THE UNITED NATIONS EDUCATION AND SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION (UNESCO), AND THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EVALUATION OF EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT (IEA). ALL OF THE PROJECTS CONTRIBUTE TO THE NCES GOALS OF COLLECTING AND REPORTING DATA ON EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER NATIONS, AND PROVIDING VALUABLE COMPARATIVE INFORMATION ABOUT U.S. EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN AN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20007
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $32.2 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: THE INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES PROGRAM (IAP) WITHIN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD, INTERNATIONAL, AND CROSSCUTTING STUDIES DIVISION (ECICSD) CONDUCTS A NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS, INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL SURVEYS AND ASSESSMENTS. THESE INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE TRENDS IN INTE… Key points: 1. The contract supports vital international education assessments like TIMSS, PISA, and PIRLS. 2. American Institutes for Research is the primary contractor, indicating potential concentration. 3. The fixed-price contract type may limit flexibility but offers cost certainty. 4. Spending is concentrated in Washington D.C., with potential for broader impact.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award of $32.1M over approximately 10 years suggests a consistent, long-term investment in international educational research. Benchmarking is difficult without specific task order details, but the scale indicates significant program value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which is ideal for ensuring fair pricing and access for qualified contractors. This method likely led to competitive bids and a reasonable price discovery process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to gather crucial data on global educational performance, which can inform domestic policy and improve educational outcomes.
Public Impact
Enhances understanding of global educational trends and best practices. Provides data for U.S. policymakers to benchmark and improve national education strategies. Supports international collaboration in educational research and development. Contributes to the U.S.'s role in global educational initiatives.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 85 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration (approx. 10 years) could lead to scope creep or evolving needs.
- Reliance on a single primary contractor (AIR) warrants monitoring for performance and potential future competition.
Positive Signals
- Supports high-impact international educational assessments.
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (NAICS 541720). Spending in this sector often involves long-term projects requiring specialized expertise, similar to the international studies conducted here.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the primary contractor is a large research institution. There is no indication of small business participation in this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Education is the contracting and administrative agency, suggesting internal oversight. The long duration and nature of the work imply ongoing monitoring of deliverables and performance to ensure program objectives are met.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration.
- Potential contractor dependency.
- Fixed-price contract may not cover all unforeseen research complexities.
- Lack of explicit small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-education, dc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $32.2 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. THE INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES PROGRAM (IAP) WITHIN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD, INTERNATIONAL, AND CROSSCUTTING STUDIES DIVISION (ECICSD) CONDUCTS A NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS, INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL SURVEYS AND ASSESSMENTS. THESE INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE STUDY (TIMSS), THE PROGRAM FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSESSMENT (PISA), AND THE PROGRESS IN INTERNATIONAL READING LITERACY STUDY (PIRLS), AND VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS THROUGH THE A
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES.
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: 2011-12-15. End: 2022-04-30.
How does the data collected from these international assessments directly influence U.S. educational policy and funding decisions?
The data from assessments like PISA and TIMSS provides critical benchmarks for U.S. student performance relative to international peers. This information informs curriculum development, pedagogical approaches, and the allocation of resources towards areas identified as needing improvement. Policymakers use these insights to evaluate the effectiveness of existing educational programs and to justify investments in new initiatives aimed at enhancing educational outcomes.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single primary contractor for such a broad range of international studies over an extended period?
Relying on a single contractor like AIR for an extended period carries risks such as potential complacency, reduced innovation, and a lack of fresh perspectives. If AIR's capacity or focus shifts, it could impact the quality or timeliness of deliverables. Furthermore, the absence of regular re-competition limits opportunities for other qualified organizations to contribute and potentially offer more cost-effective solutions or specialized expertise.
To what extent does the fixed-price contract structure adequately account for the complexities and potential unforeseen challenges in international research projects?
A fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government, which is beneficial. However, international research can be complex and subject to unforeseen geopolitical, logistical, or methodological challenges. If the contract's scope is not meticulously defined and includes robust contingency planning, the contractor might face financial strain, potentially impacting quality, or the government might need to issue modifications, increasing the overall cost beyond the initial estimate.
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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT (B)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1000 THOMAS JEFFERSON ST N W, WASHINGTON, DC, 20007
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $35,052,973
Exercised Options: $32,154,859
Current Obligation: $32,154,859
Actual Outlays: $11,799,417
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: EDIES12D0002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-12-15
Current End Date: 2022-04-30
Potential End Date: 2022-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-10-29
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