National Opinion Research Center awarded $10.17M contract for analytic capacity support of NSECE data

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,173,522 ($10.2M)

Contractor: National Opinion Research Center

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-09-12

End Date: 2030-09-14

Contract Duration: 1,828 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: ACF OPRE SUPPORT FOR ANALYTIC CAPACITY OF NATIONAL SURVEY OF EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION (NSECE) DATA 2025

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20201

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $10.2 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER for work described as: ACF OPRE SUPPORT FOR ANALYTIC CAPACITY OF NATIONAL SURVEY OF EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION (NSECE) DATA 2025 Key points: 1. Contract provides essential support for a critical national survey on early care and education. 2. The contract duration of over five years suggests a long-term need for these services. 3. Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services are key to data analysis and interpretation. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a broad market solicitation. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can present cost control challenges if not managed closely. 6. The geographic location of performance is Washington D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $10.17 million over approximately five years for analytic support of a national survey appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale data analysis and survey support would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates careful monitoring to ensure costs remain within expected parameters and do not escalate beyond the initial estimate.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer. The open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery and efficient use of taxpayer funds.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to more competitive pricing, which benefits taxpayers by ensuring the government secures services at a fair market rate.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and policymakers who rely on NSECE data for informed decision-making. The services delivered will enhance the analytic capacity for a crucial national survey on early care and education. The geographic impact is national, as the NSECE data collection and analysis have broad implications for understanding early childhood development across the United States. The contract supports a specialized workforce of researchers and analysts, contributing to the field of early childhood education research.

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 may require periodic re-evaluation of market rates and service needs.
Reliance on a single contractor for analytic capacity over an extended period could limit exposure to new methodologies.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Supports a critical national survey, aligning with important government objectives in early childhood education.
The contractor, National Opinion Research Center, has a strong reputation in survey research and data analysis.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is vital for government operations, providing expertise in data analysis, research, and program support. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of undertaking large-scale data analysis projects. The value of this contract is modest within the broader context of federal IT and professional services spending.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Given the nature of the services (advanced data analysis and survey support), it is possible that the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized tasks, but this is not explicitly stated. Further review of subcontracting plans would be necessary to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). Performance monitoring will be crucial, especially given the Time and Materials pricing structure, to ensure adherence to scope and budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific details of ongoing performance monitoring are not publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE)
Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Research and Evaluation Contracts
Federal Data Analysis and Management Support Services
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Ensuring continued relevance of analytical methodologies over the contract duration.
Dependency on contractor expertise for critical data analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $10.2 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER. ACF OPRE SUPPORT FOR ANALYTIC CAPACITY OF NATIONAL SURVEY OF EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION (NSECE) DATA 2025

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-12. End: 2030-09-14.

What is the track record of the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) in supporting federal data analysis contracts, particularly those involving large-scale surveys?

The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago has a long and distinguished history of conducting complex research and data analysis for federal agencies. They are well-known for their work on major national surveys, including the General Social Survey (GSS), and have extensive experience managing large datasets, ensuring data quality, and providing sophisticated analytical insights. NORC has a proven track record with agencies like the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Their expertise in survey design, implementation, and analysis makes them a suitable contractor for supporting the analytic capacity of the National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE).

How does the awarded amount of $10.17 million compare to similar federal contracts for large-scale survey data analysis and support?

The awarded amount of $10.17 million over approximately five years for analytic support of the NSECE is within a reasonable range for large-scale federal data analysis contracts. Contracts of this nature often involve significant data management, statistical analysis, reporting, and technical expertise, requiring substantial resources. For context, other federal contracts for major survey support, such as those for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) or large economic surveys, can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope, duration, and complexity. The value here appears commensurate with the objective of enhancing analytic capacity for a national survey.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for this type of service, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns, as the contractor is reimbursed for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer project durations or less efficient work if not managed diligently. Mitigation strategies employed by the government typically include establishing a ceiling price that cannot be exceeded, requiring detailed reporting of labor hours and materials used, and implementing robust oversight by contracting officers and program managers. Regular performance reviews and clear task definitions are crucial to ensure the work stays within scope and budget.

What is the expected effectiveness of the services provided under this contract in improving the analytic capacity of the NSECE?

The services are expected to significantly enhance the analytic capacity of the NSECE by providing specialized expertise in data management, statistical modeling, and interpretation. This support will enable the ACF to derive deeper insights from the NSECE data, leading to more robust research findings and evidence-based policymaking. By leveraging the contractor's analytical skills, the ACF can potentially conduct more complex analyses, identify emerging trends in early care and education, and improve the overall utility and impact of the survey's outputs. The long-term nature of the contract suggests a commitment to sustained analytical support.

How has federal spending in administrative management and general management consulting services evolved over the past five years, and where does this contract fit?

Federal spending in the 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' category (NAICS code 541611) has generally seen a steady increase over the past five years, reflecting the government's reliance on external expertise for various operational and strategic needs. This $10.17 million contract, spread over five years, represents a relatively small portion of the total federal expenditure in this broad category. It is specifically targeted towards supporting a critical national survey, indicating a focused application of consulting services rather than broad agency-wide management support. Its value is consistent with specialized analytical support contracts within this sector.

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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140D0425Q0506

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 55 E MONROE ST, CHICAGO, IL, 60603

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: $12,955,487

Exercised Options: $10,173,522

Current Obligation: $10,173,522

Actual Outlays: $7,075

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA20D001M

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline