Department of Education awards $18.3M contract for critical education data support services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,282,584 ($18.3M)

Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2012-02-23

End Date: 2022-04-30

Contract Duration: 3,719 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 41

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF "CRITICAL FUNCTIONS" THE PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE ECHS WITH SUPPORT ACROSS THE FULL RANGE OF DESIGN AND REPORTING ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH MAJOR HOUSEHOLD EDUCATION DATA COLLECTION PROJECTS AND STATISTICAL STUDIES. WORK INCLUDES PROVIDING ECHS STAFF WITH ADVICE ON STUDY DESIGN MATERIALS, STUDY OPERATION REPORTS AND STUDY OPERATION MONITORING, REPORTING STUDY RESULTS, AND MORE GENERALLY HELPING DATA CONSUMERS BETTER USE THE DATA. THE SCOPE OF WORK, DELIVERABLES, AND SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES ARE ORGANIZED AROUND THESE STUDY NEEDS. WORK WILL FOCUS PRIMARILY ON THE NHES:2012 AND CENSUS RELATED ACTIVITIES.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20007

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $18.3 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF "CRITICAL FUNCTIONS" THE PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE ECHS WITH SUPPORT ACROSS THE FULL RANGE OF DESIGN AND REPORTING ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH MAJOR HOUSEHOLD EDUCATION DATA COLLECTION PROJECTS AND STATISTICAL STUDIES. WORK INCLUDES PROVIDING ECHS STAFF WI… Key points: 1. Contract provides essential support for major household education data collection and statistical studies. 2. Services include advice on study design, operations, reporting, and data utilization. 3. Workload primarily focuses on the National Household Education Survey (NHES:2012) and related Census activities. 4. Contract duration spans over 9 years, indicating long-term data support needs. 5. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, providing cost certainty for the government. 6. The contractor has extensive experience in behavioral sciences research, aligning with the contract's objectives.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $18.3 million over approximately 9 years suggests a reasonable annual expenditure for specialized research and statistical support. Benchmarking against similar large-scale data collection and analysis contracts is challenging without more specific service details, but the duration and scope indicate a significant investment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage costs, though the total value reflects the complexity and long-term nature of the support required for major federal education data projects.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is expected to yield fair market pricing and a selection of the most qualified offeror. The number of bidders is not specified, but the full and open nature suggests a robust competition that benefits the government by ensuring a wide range of potential solutions and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better value for taxpayers by driving down prices and encouraging innovation among contractors vying for the award.

Public Impact

Benefits federal education policymakers and researchers by providing reliable data for decision-making. Supports the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in its mission to collect and disseminate education data. Services delivered will enhance the quality and usability of national education statistics. Geographic impact is national, covering data collection and analysis relevant to the entire United States. Workforce implications include specialized roles for researchers, statisticians, and data analysts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration could lead to potential cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical data functions may pose a risk if performance falters.
Scope creep could increase costs beyond the initial $18.3 million if not carefully controlled.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive award process.
Contractor's specialization in behavioral sciences aligns well with the contract's research focus.
Long-term nature of the contract allows for sustained support of critical data initiatives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. The market for federal statistical support services is competitive, with numerous firms specializing in data collection, analysis, and reporting. The Department of Education is a significant spender in this area, contracting for services that underpin national education policy and understanding. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large-scale federal surveys and statistical studies requiring similar expertise in survey design, data management, and analysis.

Small Business Impact

The data provided does not indicate any specific small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As a full and open competition award, it is possible that small businesses could have participated as prime contractors or subcontractors. However, without further information, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear. Analysis would require details on subcontracting plans or if the prime contractor has a history of engaging small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by setting a ceiling on costs. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Household Education Survey (NHES)
Census Bureau Data Collection Support
Federal Statistical Research Contracts
Education Data Analysis Services

Risk Flags

Long contract duration
Reliance on single contractor for critical functions
Potential for scope creep

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $18.3 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. IGF::CT::IGF "CRITICAL FUNCTIONS" THE PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE ECHS WITH SUPPORT ACROSS THE FULL RANGE OF DESIGN AND REPORTING ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH MAJOR HOUSEHOLD EDUCATION DATA COLLECTION PROJECTS AND STATISTICAL STUDIES. WORK INCLUDES PROVIDING ECHS STAFF WITH ADVICE ON STUDY DESIGN MATERIALS, STUDY OPERATION REPORTS AND STUDY OPERATION MONITORING, REPORTING STUDY RESULTS, AND MORE GENERALLY HELPING DATA CONSUMERS BETTER USE THE DATA. THE SCOPE OF WORK, DELIVERABLES, AND SC

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 $18.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-02-23. End: 2022-04-30.

What is the contractor's track record with the Department of Education and similar federal agencies?

American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a well-established research organization with a significant history of working with federal agencies, including the Department of Education. They have a strong reputation for conducting large-scale educational research, program evaluation, and data analysis. Their experience often includes managing complex surveys and providing statistical support. While specific details on past performance for this exact contract's predecessor are not provided, AIR's general profile suggests a capable contractor for this type of work. Further review of their past performance ratings and any past issues with the Department of Education would provide a more complete picture.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar data support services for federal agencies?

The $18.3 million contract value over approximately 9 years translates to an average annual cost of roughly $2 million. This figure appears reasonable for a contract supporting major national data collection projects like the NHES and Census-related activities, which require specialized expertise in study design, data collection, and statistical analysis. Large-scale federal surveys and research initiatives often involve multi-year contracts in the millions of dollars. Without specific details on the scope and deliverables of comparable contracts, a precise benchmark is difficult, but the cost seems aligned with the complexity and duration of the services required.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include potential performance issues from the contractor, scope creep leading to cost overruns, and the long-term reliance on a single entity for critical data functions. Mitigation strategies involve robust contract management by the Department of Education, including clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and strict adherence to the defined scope of work. The firm-fixed-price structure inherently limits cost overruns related to the defined scope. The long duration, while beneficial for continuity, necessitates careful monitoring to ensure continued relevance and contractor performance.

How effective is the contractor likely to be in delivering the required statistical and research support?

Given that American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a specialized research organization with extensive experience in educational research and statistical analysis, their effectiveness is likely to be high. Their focus on behavioral sciences and experience with large-scale data projects suggest they possess the necessary expertise. The contract's success will also depend on the clarity of requirements from the Department of Education and the effectiveness of ongoing contract oversight. Assuming these factors are managed well, AIR is well-positioned to deliver high-quality support.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar data support services at the Department of Education?

Historical spending patterns for similar data support services at the Department of Education often involve multi-year, multi-million dollar contracts for large-scale surveys, data analysis, and research. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), which oversees many of these projects, regularly procures services for data collection, methodological research, and reporting. Spending can fluctuate based on the initiation of new large surveys or the completion of existing ones. Contracts like this one, supporting ongoing major data initiatives, represent a consistent and significant portion of the Department's research and statistical budget.

What is the significance of the NHES:2012 and Census-related activities mentioned in the contract scope?

The National Household Education Survey (NHES) is a key source of data on education in the United States, providing information on a wide range of topics from early childhood education to adult learning. The Census Bureau is responsible for the decennial census and numerous other surveys that collect demographic and economic data. Integrating support for both NHES and Census-related activities indicates the contract's importance in maintaining and enhancing critical national datasets that inform policy, research, and public understanding of education and its context within the broader population.

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: 41

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $23,560,878

Exercised Options: $18,282,584

Current Obligation: $18,282,584

Actual Outlays: $5,305,205

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: EDIES12D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline