Institute of Museum and Library Services awards $2.3M contract for data support and survey planning

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,302,444 ($2.3M)

Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences

Awarding Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services

Start Date: 2021-09-29

End Date: 2025-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,248 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVIDE SURVEY AND STATISTICAL SUPPORT RELATED TO COVID-19; ONGOING DATA COLLECTIONS; PLANNING AND ASCERTAINING THE FEASIBILITY OF THE ACADEMIC LIBRARY SURVEY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; PLANNING NEW SURVEYS RELATED TO MUSEUMS; ETC.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Institute of Museum and Library Services obligated $2.3 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: PROVIDE SURVEY AND STATISTICAL SUPPORT RELATED TO COVID-19; ONGOING DATA COLLECTIONS; PLANNING AND ASCERTAINING THE FEASIBILITY OF THE ACADEMIC LIBRARY SURVEY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; PLANNING NEW SURVEYS RELATED TO MUSEUMS; ETC. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical data collection and survey feasibility for educational and cultural institutions. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of approximately 41 months indicates a need for sustained support. 4. Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services are the primary focus. 5. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, providing cost certainty. 6. The awardee, American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences, has a track record in research and data analysis.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.3 million over roughly 41 months appears reasonable for specialized data collection and survey planning services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale survey administration and research support suggests this is within a typical range. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, and the specific tasks outlined, such as assessing the feasibility of the Academic Library Survey, are complex and require expert analysis.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely solicited and evaluated. This process generally leads to a more competitive environment, potentially resulting in better pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the method of competition suggests a robust process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for services rendered, ensuring that public funds are used efficiently for important data collection and research initiatives.

Public Impact

Museums and libraries across the nation will benefit from improved data collection and survey methodologies. Services delivered include ongoing data collection, planning for new surveys, and assessing the feasibility of existing ones. The geographic impact is national, supporting cultural and educational institutions throughout the United States. Workforce implications include potential support for researchers, data analysts, and survey specialists.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if survey planning extends beyond initial feasibility assessments.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical data analysis could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring data privacy and security throughout the collection and analysis process is paramount.

Positive Signals

Award to a reputable research institution suggests a high likelihood of quality deliverables.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
Full and open competition indicates a thorough vetting of potential contractors.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on management consulting and data analysis. The market for such services is large and competitive, with many firms capable of undertaking complex data collection and survey design projects. The Institute of Museum and Library Services' spending in this area is crucial for understanding trends and informing policy within the cultural and educational sectors.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-asides. Given the specialized nature of the services and the award to a large research institution, it is unlikely that significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses will be a primary focus, unless specific expertise is required that the prime contractor cannot provide internally.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services program officials who will monitor progress against the contract's deliverables and milestones. Accountability is ensured through the firm-fixed-price contract terms and the reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed internal performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

National Center for Education Statistics Surveys
National Endowment for the Arts Data Collection
Smithsonian Institution Research Grants
Institute of Museum and Library Services General Operations

Risk Flags

Data Quality Assurance
Scope Creep Potential
Contractor Performance Monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded $2.3 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. PROVIDE SURVEY AND STATISTICAL SUPPORT RELATED TO COVID-19; ONGOING DATA COLLECTIONS; PLANNING AND ASCERTAINING THE FEASIBILITY OF THE ACADEMIC LIBRARY SURVEY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; PLANNING NEW SURVEYS RELATED TO MUSEUMS; ETC.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services (Institute of Museum and Library Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-29. End: 2025-02-28.

What is the track record of American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences with federal contracts, particularly in data collection and survey design?

American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences (AIR) has a substantial history of working with federal agencies on research, evaluation, and data collection projects. They have been involved in numerous large-scale surveys and data analysis initiatives for agencies such as the Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Their expertise spans educational research, behavioral sciences, and public health, making them a well-qualified entity for the tasks outlined in this contract. Reviewing their past performance on similar contracts would provide further insight into their capabilities and reliability in delivering high-quality data and analytical products.

How does the $2.3 million contract value compare to similar data support and survey planning contracts awarded by federal agencies?

The $2.3 million contract value for approximately 41 months of service is within a reasonable range for specialized data collection, analysis, and survey planning. Large federal agencies frequently award contracts in the millions for similar services, especially when dealing with complex national surveys or extensive data infrastructure projects. For instance, contracts for the Census Bureau's ongoing data collection efforts or large-scale educational assessments often run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars over longer periods. This specific contract's value appears proportionate to the scope of work, which includes assessing the feasibility of existing surveys and planning new ones, requiring significant analytical and methodological expertise.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Primary risks include potential delays in survey planning and feasibility assessments, challenges in data quality assurance, and the possibility of scope creep if the project's objectives expand beyond the initial agreement. Another risk could be the contractor's ability to adapt to evolving data collection technologies or methodologies. Mitigation strategies likely involve clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews between the Institute of Museum and Library Services and AIR, defined milestones, and a robust change control process to manage any scope adjustments. Ensuring strong project management and technical oversight from the agency side is crucial for addressing these risks.

How effective is the Institute of Museum and Library Services in leveraging data to inform policy and support cultural institutions?

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) plays a critical role in supporting museums and libraries through grants and data-driven insights. Their work in collecting and disseminating data helps to understand the landscape of these institutions, identify trends, and advocate for their needs. Contracts like this one are essential for enhancing their data capabilities, allowing them to provide more accurate and comprehensive information to policymakers, stakeholders, and the public. The effectiveness of IMLS in leveraging this data is demonstrated through their grant programs, strategic initiatives, and publications that often cite their own research and data collections.

What are the historical spending patterns of the Institute of Museum and Library Services on data collection and research support services?

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) consistently allocates funds towards data collection, research, and evaluation to support its mission. While specific annual figures fluctuate, their spending on professional services, including data analysis and survey development, typically represents a significant portion of their operational budget. Historically, IMLS has funded projects related to library statistics, museum accessibility, digital inclusion, and the impact of cultural institutions. This $2.3 million contract for data support and survey planning aligns with their ongoing commitment to evidence-based decision-making and understanding the needs and impact of the sectors they serve.

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: 53987121Q0008

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1400 CRYSTAL DR FL 10, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202

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: $2,302,444

Exercised Options: $2,302,444

Current Obligation: $2,302,444

Actual Outlays: $2,302,444

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F347CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline