DOJ awards $9.7M contract for correctional education programs, with a focus on administrative management

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,758,376 ($9.8M)

Contractor: Research Triangle Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2028-06-15

Contract Duration: 1,354 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NIJ EVALUATION OF FBOP LITERACY AND ENGLISH AS-A-SECOND-LANGUAGE PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $9.8 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: NIJ EVALUATION OF FBOP LITERACY AND ENGLISH AS-A-SECOND-LANGUAGE PROGRAM Key points: 1. Contract focuses on administrative management and consulting, supporting correctional education. 2. The contract duration is over 4 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 3. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contractor, Research Triangle Institute, has experience in research and evaluation. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 6. The North Carolina location may indicate a specific facility or regional focus.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $9.7 million over approximately 4 years for administrative management and consulting services in correctional education appears reasonable on the surface. However, without specific benchmarks for similar correctional education support contracts or detailed breakdowns of the services provided, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while flexible, necessitates close monitoring to ensure costs remain within expected parameters and do not escalate beyond the anticipated value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The fact that there were two bids received suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While competition is generally positive, a higher number of bidders could potentially lead to more aggressive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to vie for the contract, which can drive down prices and improve the quality of services offered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) and its inmate population, who will receive support for literacy and English as a Second Language programs. The services delivered will focus on the administrative and management aspects of these educational programs, ensuring their efficient operation. The contract's geographic impact is likely concentrated within federal correctional facilities, potentially in North Carolina given the awardee's location. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized administrative and program management personnel within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Limited competition (2 bidders) may not have yielded the most cost-effective solution.
The specific nature of 'administrative management' for educational programs could be broad, requiring clear performance metrics.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, promoting fairness and broad access.
Contractor (Research Triangle Institute) has a background in research and evaluation, potentially bringing analytical rigor.
Long contract duration suggests a sustained need and potential for program stability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting services. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services to support a wide array of program management and operational needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for program management support within federal agencies, particularly those related to correctional services or educational program administration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities, which are not detailed here. Without specific subcontracting plans or goals, it's difficult to assess the broader impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the awarding agency, the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being publicly available, but detailed performance reports and financial expenditures would require further inquiry or specific reporting mechanisms within the contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) Programs
Correctional Education Services
Adult Literacy Programs
English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs
Administrative Support Services
Management Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Limited competition may impact price discovery.
Need for clear performance metrics to ensure effective administrative support.
Ensuring program effectiveness and measurable outcomes within correctional settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $9.8 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. NIJ EVALUATION OF FBOP LITERACY AND ENGLISH AS-A-SECOND-LANGUAGE PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Office of Justice Programs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2028-06-15.

What is the track record of Research Triangle Institute (RTI) in managing federal contracts, particularly those related to correctional education or similar social programs?

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International is a well-established non-profit research institute with extensive experience in conducting research, evaluations, and providing technical assistance across various domains, including education, health, and public safety. They have a significant history of managing federal contracts for agencies like the Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Science Foundation. While specific details on their performance for FBOP literacy programs are not provided in this summary, RTI's general track record suggests a capacity for managing complex projects. Their expertise often lies in program evaluation, data analysis, and evidence-based program development, which are relevant to supporting correctional education initiatives. A deeper dive into their past performance ratings and specific deliverables on similar government contracts would provide a more precise assessment of their suitability for this role.

How does the $9.7 million contract value compare to similar federal contracts for correctional education program administration?

Assessing the $9.7 million contract value requires comparison with similar federal procurements for correctional education program administration. Contracts of this nature can vary significantly based on the scope of services (e.g., curriculum development, direct instruction, administrative support, evaluation), the number of facilities served, the inmate population size, and the contract duration. Given this is a Time and Materials contract with a duration extending to June 2028 (over 4 years), the annual average is approximately $2.4 million. This figure needs to be benchmarked against other DOJ or state-level correctional education contracts. Without access to a database of comparable contract values and detailed scopes of work, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent, fair, or concerning value. However, the focus on administrative management suggests it might be less intensive than contracts involving direct educational delivery or comprehensive program overhaul.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for administrative management services in a correctional setting?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, especially for administrative management services within a correctional setting, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts 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 not rigorously monitored. In a correctional environment, unforeseen challenges or bureaucratic hurdles could extend timelines, increasing labor costs. Effective risk mitigation requires robust oversight from the government, including detailed tracking of labor hours, verification of materials used, and clear performance metrics to ensure the contractor remains focused on efficient delivery of administrative support rather than simply accumulating billable hours. Strong contract administration and regular performance reviews are crucial.

What is the expected effectiveness of the NIJ Evaluation of FBOP Literacy and English as a Second Language Program, and how will it be measured?

The effectiveness of the 'NIJ Evaluation of FBOP Literacy and English as a Second Language Program' is not directly detailed by the contract award information provided, as this contract appears to be for the *administration* and *management* of these programs, rather than their evaluation. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) typically funds evaluations to determine program effectiveness. If this contract includes an evaluation component, its effectiveness would be measured by its ability to provide objective data on program outcomes, such as improvements in participants' literacy rates, English proficiency, and potentially recidivism reduction. Key performance indicators (KPIs) would likely be established in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), focusing on metrics related to program delivery, participant engagement, and measurable educational gains. The contractor's ability to collect, analyze, and report on this data accurately and impartially would be central to the evaluation's success.

How has federal spending on correctional education programs evolved over the past five years, and does this contract align with historical trends?

Historical federal spending on correctional education programs has fluctuated, often influenced by legislative priorities, budget appropriations, and the perceived effectiveness of such programs in reducing recidivism and improving reentry outcomes. While specific aggregate data for 'NIJ Evaluation of FBOP Literacy and English as a Second Language Program' administration isn't readily available, overall federal investment in correctional education has seen periods of both increase and decrease. Recent trends have emphasized evidence-based practices and measurable outcomes. This $9.7 million contract, awarded over approximately four years, represents a consistent, albeit specific, investment in the administrative and management support for these vital programs. It aligns with the ongoing federal commitment to providing educational opportunities within correctional facilities, recognizing their role in rehabilitation. However, to fully assess alignment with historical trends, one would need to compare this contract's value and scope against the broader historical spending patterns for similar administrative and support services within the FBOP.

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: 15PNJD24Q00000002

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3040 CORNWALLIS RD, DURHAM, NC, 27709

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: $9,758,376

Exercised Options: $9,758,376

Current Obligation: $9,758,376

Actual Outlays: $774,385

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $3,220,262

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F354CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline