Interior Department's $2.1M Mathematica contract for child welfare data practices study shows moderate competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,108,186 ($2.1M)

Contractor: Mathematica Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2021-09-21

End Date: 2025-04-02

Contract Duration: 1,289 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: A STUDY IN EMERGING DATA PRACTICES AT CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20002

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.1 million to MATHEMATICA INC. for work described as: A STUDY IN EMERGING DATA PRACTICES AT CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. Focus on emerging data practices within child welfare agencies. 3. Time and Materials contract type may pose cost control challenges. 4. Moderate competition level suggests potential for price discovery. 5. Contract duration extends over 1200 days, indicating a long-term project. 6. Small business participation was not a stated requirement. 7. Geographic focus on Washington D.C. area.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $2.1 million for a study on data practices is within a reasonable range for consulting services of this nature. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure warrants scrutiny to ensure efficient use of funds. Benchmarking against similar studies on public sector data management would provide further insight into value for money. The contract's duration suggests a significant scope of work, which needs to be evaluated against the deliverables to confirm cost-effectiveness.

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. With four bidders identified, the competition level appears moderate. This suggests that while there was interest, the market may not have been saturated, potentially impacting the downward pressure on pricing. The agency's selection process likely involved evaluating technical merit and cost from these bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and service quality. Moderate competition, as seen here, still provides a degree of price discovery compared to sole-source awards.

Public Impact

Child welfare agencies will benefit from improved data management practices. The study aims to enhance the understanding and application of data in child protection services. Findings could lead to more effective resource allocation and service delivery for vulnerable children. The project's impact is primarily on federal and potentially state-level child welfare systems. Workforce implications may include training needs for agency staff on new data practices.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The long duration of the contract (over 3 years) increases the risk of scope creep or changing requirements.
Limited information on specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess contractor efficiency.
The focus on emerging practices might involve inherent uncertainties and research risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contractor, Mathematica Inc., is a reputable research and consulting firm with relevant expertise.
The contract addresses a critical area of public service improvement in child welfare.
The project duration allows for in-depth analysis and development of comprehensive recommendations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management consulting. The market for such services is large and competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in data analysis, public policy, and administrative management. Spending in this area often supports government efforts to improve efficiency and effectiveness in program delivery. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal contracts for similar research and consulting projects focused on social services or government operations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract, nor is there information suggesting subcontracting opportunities were mandated. This suggests the primary focus was on securing specialized expertise, potentially from larger firms. The absence of small business considerations might limit opportunities for smaller entities in this specific procurement, though they may participate in other related contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are usually tied to the contract's performance work statement and deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide basic award information. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on whether the contract falls under their audit purview, often related to potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Child Welfare Data Improvement Initiatives
Federal Consulting Services for Social Programs
Administrative Management Consulting
Data Analytics in Government

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Risk of scope creep given the long contract duration and focus on emerging practices.
Need for robust government oversight to ensure contractor efficiency.
Potential for findings to become outdated if research is not agile.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.1 million to MATHEMATICA INC.. A STUDY IN EMERGING DATA PRACTICES AT CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MATHEMATICA INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-21. End: 2025-04-02.

What is Mathematica Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly in data analysis and social services?

Mathematica Inc. has a significant history of performing federal contracts, often focusing on research, evaluation, and data analysis for social programs. They have worked with various agencies, including HHS, DOL, and ED, on projects related to health, education, and poverty. Their expertise in handling large datasets and complex social issues is well-established. While specific details on past performance for this exact type of child welfare data practice study are not provided in the summary data, their general profile suggests a strong capability. A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal specific project outcomes, client satisfaction, and adherence to timelines and budgets on similar engagements.

How does the $2.1 million contract value compare to similar federal studies on child welfare data practices?

The $2.1 million contract value for a study on emerging data practices at child welfare agencies appears to be within a reasonable range for a multi-year, in-depth research and consulting project. Federal contracts for similar scope, involving data analysis, policy recommendations, and stakeholder engagement across multiple agencies or jurisdictions, can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars. Factors influencing cost include the duration, the number of researchers and subject matter experts involved, the complexity of the data to be analyzed, and the extent of fieldwork or interviews required. Without specific benchmarks for 'emerging data practices' studies, it's difficult to definitively state if it's high or low, but it aligns with typical federal investments in significant program evaluations and improvements.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for this type of study?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, like this one, is the potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer project durations or less efficient work if oversight is weak. For a study on emerging data practices, where the scope might evolve, T&M offers flexibility but requires robust monitoring of labor hours, rates, and material costs by the government to ensure value for money and prevent scope creep from inflating the final price beyond the initial estimate or ceiling.

How might the moderate competition level (4 bidders) impact the effectiveness and cost of this contract?

A moderate competition level, with four bidders, generally strikes a balance between ensuring sufficient choice and avoiding the administrative burden of managing a very large number of proposals. For taxpayers, this level of competition suggests that the government likely received a range of technical approaches and price points, allowing for informed selection. It's more competitive than a sole-source or limited competition scenario, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions. However, it might not be as intensely competitive as a procurement attracting dozens of bidders, which could theoretically drive prices down further. The effectiveness is often more tied to the selection of the best-qualified bidder rather than solely the number of competitors.

What are the potential long-term implications for child welfare agencies adopting new data practices based on this study?

The long-term implications of this study could be substantial for child welfare agencies. If the study successfully identifies and promotes effective data practices, agencies could see significant improvements in their ability to track child outcomes, identify trends, allocate resources more efficiently, and make data-driven policy decisions. This could lead to better service delivery, improved safety and well-being for children in care, and enhanced accountability. Conversely, if the recommended practices are not practical, scalable, or adequately supported by training and technology, the adoption could be slow or ineffective, leading to wasted investment and missed opportunities for improvement. The study's success hinges on its ability to provide actionable, evidence-based recommendations tailored to the realities of child welfare systems.

How does the contract's duration (1289 days) influence the assessment of its value and risk?

The contract's duration of 1289 days (approximately 3.5 years) indicates a long-term commitment and suggests a project of significant depth and complexity. From a value perspective, a longer duration can be beneficial if it allows for thorough research, iterative development, and comprehensive implementation support, potentially leading to more impactful and sustainable outcomes. However, it also increases the risk of the project's objectives becoming outdated, the technology landscape shifting, or contractor performance waning over time. For taxpayers, a long duration necessitates sustained oversight to ensure continued alignment with agency goals and cost-effectiveness throughout the project lifecycle. It also means that the full value realization is deferred, requiring patience and consistent monitoring.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140D0421Q0452

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1100 1ST ST NE FL 12, WASHINGTON, DC, 20002

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,310,824

Exercised Options: $2,310,824

Current Obligation: $2,108,186

Actual Outlays: $2,108,186

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA18D00BQ

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline