Commerce Dept. awards $5.17M for R&D in education and social services, with RELX INC. as contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,172,440 ($5.2M)

Contractor: Relx Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2024-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: EDUCATION, TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, & SOCIAL SVCS R&D SVCS EDUCATION SVCS R&D BASIC RESEARCH

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20230

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $5.2 million to RELX INC. for work described as: EDUCATION, TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, & SOCIAL SVCS R&D SVCS EDUCATION SVCS R&D BASIC RESEARCH Key points: 1. Contract focuses on research and development within education, training, employment, and social services. 2. The award represents a significant investment in understanding and improving social service delivery. 3. RELX INC. has been selected as the contractor for this multi-year effort. 4. The contract duration is 729 days, indicating a substantial project scope. 5. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and budget. 6. This award falls under the broad category of R&D basic research in social sciences.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.17 million for a two-year R&D project in social services appears within a reasonable range for specialized research. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in the social services sector would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Without specific deliverables or comparable projects, a precise value assessment is challenging, but the amount suggests a focused research effort rather than a large-scale program implementation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and innovative solutions. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a healthy market response for this type of R&D service.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting efficiency and potentially lower costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Researchers and policymakers in education, training, employment, and social services will benefit from the insights generated. The services delivered will focus on advancing knowledge through basic research. The geographic impact is likely national, influencing federal and state social service strategies. The contract may indirectly impact the workforce by informing policies related to training and employment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for research findings to be narrowly focused or not directly applicable to immediate policy needs.
Risk of R&D outcomes not translating into actionable improvements in social service delivery.
Dependency on the contractor's expertise and ability to deliver high-quality research within the timeframe.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Focus on R&D indicates a commitment to evidence-based policy and program development.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology and Professional Services sector, specifically focusing on research and development. The market for R&D services in social sciences is diverse, involving academic institutions, think tanks, and private research firms. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the specific research questions, but federal investment in social science R&D is a continuous area of focus to inform policy.

Small Business Impact

As the contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify small business set-asides, there is no direct indication of a small business set-aside. However, the prime contractor, RELX INC., may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific research needs or components of the project, contributing to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Office of the Secretary within the Department of Commerce, ensuring adherence to research protocols and deliverables. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to meet defined objectives. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific research methodologies and findings may be subject to publication schedules.

Related Government Programs

National Science Foundation Research Grants
Department of Education Research Initiatives
Social Security Administration Research
Department of Labor Employment Research

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep or research direction changes in basic research under a fixed-price contract.
Ensuring the contractor possesses the specialized expertise required for advanced social science R&D.
Measuring the tangible impact and applicability of basic research findings to policy and practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $5.2 million to RELX INC.. EDUCATION, TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, & SOCIAL SVCS R&D SVCS EDUCATION SVCS R&D BASIC RESEARCH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RELX INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (Office of the Secretary).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the specific research agenda or set of questions this contract aims to address within education, training, employment, and social services?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'EDUCATION, TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, & SOCIAL SVCS R&D SVCS EDUCATION SVCS R&D BASIC RESEARCH'. While the broad area is defined, the specific research agenda is not detailed in the summary. Typically, such contracts would outline specific research questions related to improving the effectiveness of social programs, understanding labor market dynamics, evaluating educational interventions, or exploring new training methodologies. The 'basic research' designation suggests a focus on fundamental knowledge generation rather than applied program development. Further details would likely be found in the contract's statement of work.

How does the $5.17 million value compare to typical federal R&D investments in similar social service domains?

The $5.17 million award for a two-year basic research project in social services is a moderate investment. Federal R&D spending in social sciences can vary widely, from smaller grants for specific studies to multi-million dollar initiatives for large-scale research programs. For basic research, this amount suggests a focused effort on a particular set of questions or a consortium of researchers. Without knowing the specific scope and objectives, it's challenging to provide a precise benchmark, but it aligns with the scale of many federally funded academic or think-tank research projects in these areas.

What is RELX INC.'s track record in performing federal R&D contracts, particularly in the social services sector?

RELX INC. is a global provider of information and analytics. While known for its diverse portfolio, including scientific, technical, and medical information (Elsevier), and risk management solutions (LexisNexis), its specific track record in direct federal R&D contracts for social services needs detailed examination. The company has extensive experience in data analysis, research support, and information services, which are transferable skills. However, the extent to which they have led or significantly contributed to federally funded basic research in education, training, employment, and social services specifically would require reviewing their contract history and performance reports.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for basic research?

A firm fixed-price (FFP) contract for basic research carries inherent risks, primarily related to scope definition and adaptability. Basic research, by its nature, can be unpredictable, with outcomes and necessary methodologies evolving as the research progresses. An FFP contract locks in a price based on an initial scope. If the research uncovers unforeseen complexities or requires a pivot in direction, the contractor may face challenges in meeting the original objectives within the fixed price, potentially leading to compromises in quality or scope. Conversely, the government benefits from cost certainty, but there's a risk that the research might not fully explore all avenues if the initial scope was too restrictive.

How will the outcomes of this R&D contract be disseminated and utilized by federal agencies?

The dissemination and utilization of R&D outcomes typically depend on the contract's statement of work and the agency's research utilization strategy. For basic research, findings are often published in academic journals, presented at conferences, and summarized in technical reports. Federal agencies like the Department of Commerce may use these findings to inform policy development, guide future research investments, or improve the design of existing programs. The contract likely includes requirements for reporting and potentially for making findings publicly accessible, though the timeline for this can vary.

What is the historical spending pattern for R&D services related to education, training, employment, and social services by the Department of Commerce?

Historical spending patterns for R&D in these domains by the Department of Commerce would require a detailed analysis of federal procurement data over several fiscal years. The Department of Commerce, through various bureaus (like NIST, Bureau of Economic Analysis, etc.), does invest in research relevant to economic and social well-being. However, the specific focus on 'education, training, employment, & social services R&D' might be more prominent in agencies like the Department of Labor or Education. This $5.17 million award represents a specific instance of spending; understanding the broader pattern would involve aggregating similar awards across the department and potentially other agencies over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services › Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Relx PLC

Address: 9443 SPRINGBORO PIKE, MIAMISBURG, OH, 45342

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,811,616

Exercised Options: $5,172,440

Current Obligation: $5,172,440

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 03310323D0035

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline