Labor Department's $21.6M National Longitudinal Surveys Contract Awarded to NORC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,589,953 ($21.6M)

Contractor: National Opinion Research Center

Awarding Agency: Department of Labor

Start Date: 2021-05-11

End Date: 2026-03-13

Contract Duration: 1,767 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NATIONAL LONGITUDINAL SURVEYS RECOMPETE

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60603

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Labor obligated $21.6 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER for work described as: NATIONAL LONGITUDINAL SURVEYS RECOMPETE Key points: 1. The contract supports critical social science research for long-term labor market analysis. 2. NORC, a well-established research organization, is the awardee. 3. The contract duration is substantial, spanning nearly five years. 4. This award falls under R&D in Social Sciences and Humanities, a niche sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $21.6 million over approximately 5 years suggests a reasonable annual spend for a large-scale, longitudinal research project. Benchmarking against similar government-funded social science research contracts would provide further context on pricing efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing as multiple qualified vendors can bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential research services.

Public Impact

Ensures continuity of vital labor market data collection for policymakers. Supports ongoing research into economic trends and workforce development. Provides valuable insights into societal changes affecting employment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Full and open competition
Established awardee with relevant expertise

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities sector. Spending in this area supports data collection and analysis crucial for understanding societal and economic trends, often involving long-term studies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not directly involved in this specific contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were made available.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Labor's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management is responsible for overseeing this contract, ensuring adherence to terms and objectives.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Department of Labor Contracting
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may introduce risks of scope creep or changing requirements.
Reliance on a single awardee for a critical, long-term data series.
Potential for underutilization if data access is not prioritized.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Labor awarded $21.6 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER. NATIONAL LONGITUDINAL SURVEYS RECOMPETE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Labor (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-11. End: 2026-03-13.

What is the historical performance of NORC on similar government contracts?

Assessing NORC's past performance on comparable federal contracts is crucial for evaluating the likelihood of successful project execution and adherence to timelines and budgets. Reviewing past contract data, including any performance reviews or awards, can provide insights into their reliability and expertise in managing large-scale research initiatives.

Are there any potential risks associated with the long duration of this contract?

The nearly five-year duration presents risks related to evolving research needs, potential changes in government priorities, and the need for sustained data quality management. Ensuring flexibility in the contract to adapt to new research questions and maintaining consistent oversight are key to mitigating these risks and ensuring the long-term value of the surveys.

How will the data collected be made accessible to the public and researchers?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the accessibility and usability of the collected data. Clear protocols for data anonymization, storage, and dissemination to researchers and the public are essential. This ensures the maximum return on investment for taxpayer funds by enabling broad use for policy analysis and academic study.

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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 1605C5-21-R-00001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 55 E MONROE ST 30TH FL, 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: $22,573,705

Exercised Options: $21,589,953

Current Obligation: $21,589,953

Actual Outlays: $21,364,083

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline