NSF awards $14.8M for Doctorate Recipients Survey Support, National Opinion Research Center to provide services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,833,482 ($14.8M)

Contractor: National Opinion Research Center

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2022-05-01

End Date: 2026-07-14

Contract Duration: 1,535 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SURVEY OF DOCTORATE RECIPIENTS

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60637

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $14.8 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER for work described as: SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SURVEY OF DOCTORATE RECIPIENTS Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the duration and scope of support services required. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with contract type (Time and Materials) posing some cost escalation potential. 4. Performance context involves long-term data collection and analysis, critical for understanding the scientific workforce. 5. Sector positioning is within administrative and management consulting services, supporting vital research infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of approximately $14.8 million over roughly 4.2 years for survey support services seems reasonable. Benchmarking against similar large-scale survey and data collection contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the duration suggests a sustained effort. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while common for evolving service needs, warrants close monitoring to ensure costs remain aligned with the value delivered and do not exceed initial expectations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of three bidders suggests a degree of competition, which is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers. The specific details of the bidding process, such as the number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria, would provide further insight into the strength of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing services at a competitive price, potentially leading to cost savings compared to less competitive award methods.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the broader scientific research community, who will receive crucial data on the doctorate recipient population. Services delivered include essential support for the Survey of Doctorate Recipients, encompassing data collection, management, and analysis. The geographic impact is national, as the survey aims to capture data from doctorate recipients across the United States. Workforce implications include the potential for employment in data collection, analysis, and administrative roles managed by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Long contract duration may introduce risks related to changing requirements or technological obsolescence.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical survey data collection raises concerns about continuity and potential single points of failure.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Contractor has a history of providing research and survey services, indicating relevant expertise.
The contract supports a vital national survey, contributing to important policy and research decisions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector (NAICS 541611). This sector encompasses a wide range of services aimed at improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness. The market for such services supporting large-scale federal data collection and analysis is substantial, with numerous firms capable of undertaking complex survey operations. The NSF's spending in this area is consistent with its mission to support scientific research and education, often requiring sophisticated data management and analysis capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The primary contractor, National Opinion Research Center, is a large research organization, and any subcontracting would likely be driven by specific needs rather than a mandated small business participation goal.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is primarily the responsibility of the National Science Foundation (NSF). As a Time and Materials contract, rigorous monitoring of labor hours, rates, and direct costs will be crucial to ensure accountability and prevent cost escalation. Transparency is facilitated through the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), which reports contract awards. Specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would typically fall under the NSF's OIG, responsible for auditing and investigating waste, fraud, and abuse within the agency's programs and contracts.

Related Government Programs

Survey of Doctorate Recipients
National Science Foundation Research Grants
Federal Data Collection Services
Scientific Workforce Analysis

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Risk of scope creep or unforeseen complexities in long-term survey operations.
Dependence on contractor for critical national data requires strong performance monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $14.8 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER. SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SURVEY OF DOCTORATE RECIPIENTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-05-01. End: 2026-07-14.

What is the track record of the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) in managing large-scale federal surveys?

The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago has a long and established track record of conducting large-scale, complex surveys for various federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF). They are well-known for their expertise in survey design, sampling, data collection (including mail, web, and telephone methods), data processing, and statistical analysis. NORC has been instrumental in managing significant national surveys related to education, health, and social sciences. Their experience with the Survey of Doctorate Recipients itself, or similar longitudinal studies tracking specific populations, suggests a high level of competence and familiarity with the requirements of this particular contract. This extensive history provides a strong basis for confidence in their ability to execute the current award effectively.

How does the awarded amount of $14.8 million compare to previous funding for similar survey support services?

Comparing the $14.8 million award for the Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR) support services to previous funding requires examining historical contract data for this specific survey or closely analogous large-scale federal surveys. Without direct historical data for the SDR support services, we can infer general trends. Federal survey support contracts, especially those involving longitudinal data collection and extensive analysis for national-level data, often span multiple years and can represent significant investments. The duration of this contract (approximately 4.2 years) suggests a substantial, ongoing need. If previous iterations of SDR support were shorter or less comprehensive, the current award might reflect increased scope, inflation, or enhanced analytical requirements. Conversely, if previous awards were of similar magnitude, it indicates consistent investment in this data collection effort.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for survey support?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for survey support is the potential for cost overruns. 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 and subcontracts. If the scope of work is not well-defined, or if unforeseen complexities arise during the survey process, the contractor may incur more labor hours or material costs than initially anticipated. This can lead to the total contract value exceeding initial estimates. Effective oversight, including detailed tracking of labor, regular progress reviews, and clear definition of material usage, is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value. The NSF will need robust project management to control costs under this T&M structure.

How effective is the Survey of Doctorate Recipients in informing policy and research decisions?

The Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR) is highly effective and considered a cornerstone for informing policy and research decisions related to the U.S. science and engineering workforce. It provides critical data on the characteristics, employment, and career paths of individuals who have earned doctoral degrees in the U.S. This information is vital for understanding trends in graduate education, the supply and demand for highly skilled professionals, the impact of research funding, and the overall health of the nation's innovation ecosystem. Policymakers use SDR data to develop strategies for STEM education, workforce development, and immigration. Researchers rely on it for academic studies on career trajectories and economic impacts. The continuity and quality of the survey, supported by contracts like this one, are essential for its ongoing utility.

What is the historical spending pattern for the Survey of Doctorate Recipients by the National Science Foundation?

Historical spending patterns for the Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR) by the National Science Foundation (NSF) indicate a consistent and significant investment in this critical data collection effort over many years. While specific annual figures fluctuate based on contract vehicles and the scope of work in any given period, the NSF has continuously funded the SDR to maintain its longitudinal nature. The total award of $14.8 million over approximately 4.2 years suggests an average annual expenditure of roughly $3.5 million. This aligns with the understanding that large-scale, complex national surveys require substantial and sustained funding. Examining past contract awards for the SDR would reveal the evolution of these costs, potentially influenced by inflation, methodological changes, or expanded data collection requirements over time, demonstrating a long-term commitment to tracking the doctorate population.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

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: $25,157,881

Exercised Options: $15,292,238

Current Obligation: $14,833,482

Actual Outlays: $14,101,044

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA20D001M

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline