Department of Labor's $31.8M contract for social science R&D awarded to Ohio State University

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,838,435 ($31.8M)

Contractor: Ohio State University, the

Awarding Agency: Department of Labor

Start Date: 2019-09-27

End Date: 2024-03-15

Contract Duration: 1,631 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NLS RECOMPETE

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43210

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Labor obligated $31.8 million to OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE for work described as: NLS RECOMPETE Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is a firm fixed price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 3. Performance period spans over 5 years, indicating a long-term research initiative. 4. The awardee, Ohio State University, is a large research institution with established capabilities. 5. The NAICS code 541720 points to research and development in social sciences and humanities. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $31.8 million over approximately five years for social science R&D appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale research grants or contracts in the social sciences would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the government has negotiated a set price, limiting potential cost overruns if the contractor manages resources effectively. The award to a major research university like Ohio State University indicates a selection based on established research infrastructure and expertise.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The government's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence that sufficient qualified vendors exist in the market for this type of research.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for competitive pricing and ensures that the government receives the best value by considering a wide range of qualified offerors.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Labor, which will receive research outputs to inform policy and programs. The contract supports research and development in the social sciences and humanities, potentially leading to advancements in understanding societal issues. The geographic impact is primarily within Ohio, where Ohio State University is located, but the research findings could have national implications. The contract supports academic and research personnel at Ohio State University, contributing to the workforce in social science research.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for research findings to be highly theoretical with limited immediate practical application for DOL programs.
Risk of scope creep if research objectives are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on the specific research team's expertise and continuity over the contract period.

Positive Signals

Award to a well-established research institution with a proven track record in academic research.
Firm fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Long contract duration allows for in-depth research and development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities sector, a niche within the broader R&D market. This sector is characterized by academic institutions and specialized research firms. Spending in this area is often driven by government agencies seeking to understand complex social issues, inform policy, and evaluate program effectiveness. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve looking at other federal grants and contracts awarded for social science research by agencies like NSF, NIH, or other DOL divisions.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to a large university suggests that the primary focus was on the institution's research capabilities rather than opportunities for small business participation. This means that the direct economic impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract is likely minimal.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Labor's contracting officer and program officials. Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery of research milestones and final reports as stipulated in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though the specific research methodologies and findings are subject to the terms of the agreement and potential publication restrictions. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Labor Research and Evaluation
National Science Foundation Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate
National Institutes of Health Social and Behavioral Sciences Research
Department of Education Education Research and Development

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration may lead to scope misalignment with evolving needs.
Research outcomes can be inherently uncertain and may not yield immediate practical applications.
Potential for key personnel turnover impacting research continuity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Labor awarded $31.8 million to OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE. NLS RECOMPETE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE.

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 $31.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-27. End: 2024-03-15.

What is the specific research agenda or focus of this contract awarded to Ohio State University?

The contract, identified by NAICS code 541720, pertains to 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities.' While the specific research agenda is not detailed in the provided data, contracts under this code typically involve studies aimed at understanding human behavior, societal structures, economic trends, and policy impacts. For this particular award from the Department of Labor, the research likely focuses on areas relevant to labor economics, workforce development, social welfare policies, or the impact of economic conditions on various demographic groups. Further details would be available in the contract's statement of work or associated research proposals, which are often publicly accessible through contract award databases or agency research portals.

How does the $31.8 million contract value compare to typical federal spending on social science R&D?

The $31.8 million contract value for a five-year period represents a significant investment in social science R&D. Federal agencies, including the Department of Labor, NSF, and NIH, allocate substantial funds to social and behavioral research annually. While specific benchmarks vary widely based on the scope, duration, and complexity of the research, this award appears to be within the range of large-scale, multi-year research initiatives. For instance, major NSF directorates supporting social sciences often manage grants in the millions of dollars. The Department of Labor's investment suggests a strategic focus on evidence-based policymaking and program evaluation within its domain.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract?

Key performance indicators and deliverables for this contract would be detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW) and contract clauses. Typically, for R&D contracts in social sciences, deliverables include periodic progress reports, interim research findings, final research reports, data sets (often anonymized), presentations of findings, and potentially policy recommendations. Performance would be assessed based on the timely submission of these deliverables, the quality and rigor of the research methodology, the validity of the findings, and the adherence to the research objectives outlined in the SOW. The firm fixed-price nature implies that meeting these defined deliverables within the agreed budget is paramount.

What is Ohio State University's track record in securing and executing federal research contracts, particularly with the Department of Labor?

Ohio State University is a major public research university with a well-established history of securing and executing numerous federal research contracts and grants across various disciplines, including social sciences. While specific details on their past performance with the Department of Labor are not provided here, universities of this caliber routinely engage with federal agencies. Their track record generally includes successful completion of complex research projects, adherence to federal regulations, and effective management of large budgets. Prospective analysis would involve reviewing their past awards and performance evaluations from federal databases like SAM.gov or agency-specific award portals.

What are the potential risks associated with a long-term (over 5 years) social science research contract?

Long-term social science research contracts carry several potential risks. One primary risk is the potential for research objectives to become misaligned with evolving policy needs or societal contexts over the extended period. Another risk is the 'brain drain' or turnover of key research personnel, which can disrupt project continuity and institutional knowledge. Furthermore, the complexity of social phenomena means that research outcomes can be uncertain, and findings may not always yield clear-cut actionable insights. Ensuring robust project management, flexible adaptation strategies, and clear communication channels between the contractor and the agency are crucial to mitigate these risks.

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: 1625DC-19-R-00005

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1960 KENNY RD, COLUMBUS, OH, 43210

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,926,816

Exercised Options: $31,838,435

Current Obligation: $31,838,435

Actual Outlays: $21,836,872

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $18,760,927

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline