Department of Education awards $27.8M contract for regional educational services to American Institutes for Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,820,000 ($27.8M)
Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2017-11-30
End Date: 2022-11-29
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY - SOUTHWEST. THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE RESEARCH, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION TO STAKEHOLDERS IN THE NORTHEAST AND ISLANDS REGION.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $27.8 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY - SOUTHWEST. THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE RESEARCH, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION TO STAKEHOLDERS IN THE NORTHEAST AND ISLANDS REGION. Key points: 1. Contract aims to provide research, technical assistance, and information dissemination. 2. Services are targeted towards stakeholders in the Northeast and Islands Region. 3. The contract was awarded using full and open competition. 4. The contract type is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract. 5. The contract duration is 5 years, spanning from November 2017 to November 2022. 6. The contractor, American Institutes for Research, has a significant history in behavioral sciences research.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $27.8 million over five years averages to approximately $5.56 million annually. This appears to be a reasonable investment for comprehensive educational support services across a large region. Benchmarking against similar large-scale educational research and technical assistance contracts would provide further context on value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the scope and associated costs, which can help control overall expenditure.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this service. While not an extremely high number of bidders, full and open competition generally fosters price discovery and encourages contractors to offer competitive terms.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at a fair market price and encourages efficiency from the awarded contractor.
Public Impact
Educational stakeholders in the Northeast and Islands Region, including educators, administrators, and policymakers, are the primary beneficiaries. The contract delivers essential research findings, technical assistance, and information dissemination to improve educational practices and outcomes. The geographic impact is focused on the Northeast and Islands Region, potentially encompassing multiple states and territories. The contract supports a workforce of researchers, technical experts, and support staff within the American Institutes for Research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if technical assistance needs are not clearly defined.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical regional educational support.
- Ensuring equitable distribution of services across diverse geographic areas within the region.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Contractor has a strong background in behavioral sciences research, relevant to educational support.
- Long-term, 5-year duration allows for sustained impact and relationship building.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Educational Support Services sector, specifically focusing on research, technical assistance, and information dissemination. This sector is crucial for evidence-based policymaking and practice improvement in education. The total federal spending on educational support services can be substantial, with contracts like this representing significant investments in improving educational outcomes across various regions. Comparable contracts often involve large research institutions or consortia tasked with supporting specific geographic areas or educational initiatives.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary focus was on selecting the best value through full and open competition. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether American Institutes for Research voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Education's program officials and contracting officers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract through deliverables and performance standards. Transparency is generally maintained through contract awards databases. The Inspector General's office for the Department of Education would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.
Related Government Programs
- Regional Educational Laboratories Program
- Education Research and Development Centers
- Federal Education Grants
- Technical Assistance Centers
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited impact if services do not adequately address diverse regional needs.
- Risk of contractor performance not meeting expectations without robust oversight.
- Ensuring equitable access to services across all geographic areas within the region.
Tags
education, research-and-development, technical-assistance, department-of-education, northeast-region, islands-region, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, educational-support-services, american-institutes-for-research
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $27.8 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY - SOUTHWEST. THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE RESEARCH, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION TO STAKEHOLDERS IN THE NORTHEAST AND ISLANDS REGION.
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: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $27.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-11-30. End: 2022-11-29.
What is the track record of American Institutes for Research in delivering similar educational support services?
American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a well-established non-profit organization with a long history of conducting research and providing technical assistance in education and other social science fields. They have been involved in numerous federal contracts and grants, often serving as lead organizations for large-scale initiatives like Regional Educational Laboratories. Their expertise typically spans early childhood, K-12, and postsecondary education, as well as workforce development. AIR's track record includes developing evidence-based practices, evaluating educational programs, and disseminating findings to practitioners and policymakers. Their extensive experience suggests a strong capability to fulfill the requirements of this contract, which involves research, technical assistance, and information dissemination across a broad region.
How does the awarded amount compare to similar regional educational support contracts?
The awarded amount of $27.8 million over five years, averaging approximately $5.56 million annually, appears to be within a reasonable range for comprehensive regional educational support services. Large-scale contracts for Regional Educational Laboratories, which provide similar functions, often fall within this multi-million dollar annual range. The specific value can fluctuate based on the size and complexity of the designated region, the scope of services required (e.g., depth of research, intensity of technical assistance), and the number of competing bidders. Without direct comparison data for contracts serving identical regions or with precisely matched scopes, it's challenging to provide a definitive benchmark. However, the amount is consistent with the scale of federal investment in such critical educational infrastructure.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
Key risks include potential challenges in effectively reaching and serving diverse stakeholders across the specified Northeast and Islands Region, ensuring the relevance and impact of research and technical assistance, and managing the contract's scope to prevent cost overruns or delays. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management by AIR, clear performance metrics defined in the contract, regular reporting and communication with the Department of Education, and a focus on stakeholder engagement to ensure services are tailored to regional needs. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract also incentivizes AIR to manage costs effectively. The 5-year duration allows for building relationships and understanding the evolving needs of the region, which can help mitigate risks related to relevance and impact.
How effective is the Regional Educational Laboratories program in improving educational outcomes?
The Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) program, of which this contract is a part, aims to provide research and technical assistance to help educators and policymakers use evidence to improve student outcomes. Studies and evaluations of the REL program have generally indicated positive impacts, particularly in increasing the use of research in practice and informing policy decisions. RELs contribute by conducting relevant research, facilitating professional development, and building capacity among educators. While direct, quantifiable links to broad improvements in student achievement across entire regions can be complex to isolate due to numerous confounding factors, the program is considered a valuable mechanism for bridging research and practice and supporting evidence-based decision-making in education.
What are the historical spending patterns for educational support services by the Department of Education?
The Department of Education consistently allocates significant funding towards research, technical assistance, and program support to improve educational quality and equity across the nation. Historical spending patterns show a sustained commitment to initiatives like the Regional Educational Laboratories program, which has been a cornerstone for disseminating research and supporting practitioners for decades. Funding levels for these types of contracts can vary year to year based on appropriations, program priorities, and the competitive landscape for contract awards. Overall, the Department's spending in this area reflects a strategic investment in evidence-based practices and capacity building within the education sector, aiming for broad-reaching improvements.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Educational Support Services › Educational Support Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: ED-IES-17-R-0021
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1000 THOMAS JEFFERSON ST N W, WASHINGTON, DC, 20007
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: $27,820,000
Exercised Options: $27,820,000
Current Obligation: $27,820,000
Actual Outlays: $20,133,992
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 6
Total Subaward Amount: $4,444,078
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-11-30
Current End Date: 2022-11-29
Potential End Date: 2022-11-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-08-18
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