Education Department's $20.5M WWC-SWAT contract awarded to American Institutes for Research for research review services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,496,035 ($20.5M)
Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2018-05-18
End Date: 2023-05-17
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE WHAT WORKS CLEARINGHOUSE: STATISTICS, WEBSITE, AND TRAINING (WWC - SWAT) CONTRACT IS FOR THE SERVICES FOR A NUMBER OF ESSENTIAL TASKS FOR THE WHAT WORKS CLEARINGHOUSE (WWC) AS A WHOLE, INCLUDING THOSE RELATED TO THE WEBSITE, DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES, AND REVIEWER TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION. THE WWC REVIEWS RESEARCH ON VARIOUS PROGRAMS, PRODUCTS, POLICIES, AND PRACTICES IN EDUCATION, WITH THE GOAL OF PROVIDING EDUCATORS WITH THE INFORMATION THEY NEED TO MAKE EVIDENCE-BASED DECISIONS.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $20.5 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: THE WHAT WORKS CLEARINGHOUSE: STATISTICS, WEBSITE, AND TRAINING (WWC - SWAT) CONTRACT IS FOR THE SERVICES FOR A NUMBER OF ESSENTIAL TASKS FOR THE WHAT WORKS CLEARINGHOUSE (WWC) AS A WHOLE, INCLUDING THOSE RELATED TO THE WEBSITE, DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES, AND REVIEW… Key points: 1. The contract supports essential tasks for the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC), focusing on website, standards development, and reviewer training. 2. American Institutes for Research, a long-standing research organization, secured this contract. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The primary sector is Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities, supporting evidence-based decision-making in education.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility in research scope while managing expenses. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more granular cost data, but the total value appears reasonable for the scope of work over five years.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Awarded through full and open competition, this method likely fostered competitive pricing. The fixed-fee component provides a degree of cost certainty for the government, while allowing the contractor to be reimbursed for allowable costs.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to support critical research and evidence-building in education, aiming to improve educational outcomes through informed decision-making.
Public Impact
Enhances the availability of evidence-based research for educators, potentially leading to improved educational practices and student outcomes. Supports the Department of Education's mission to promote educational excellence and ensure equal access to educational opportunities. The WWC's work helps identify effective programs and interventions, guiding resource allocation towards proven solutions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10
Positive Signals
- Supports evidence-based decision making in education.
- Awarded via full and open competition.
- Long-standing contractor with relevant expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. The value of $20.5 million over five years is substantial for a specialized research support service, reflecting the importance of evidence synthesis in education policy.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not primary awardees or subcontractors on this specific contract, as it was awarded to a large research institution. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in the supply chain or as potential competitors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's duration and scope suggest ongoing oversight by the Department of Education to ensure deliverables meet quality standards and objectives. The fixed-fee structure provides a baseline for performance monitoring.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in CPFF contracts.
- Reliance on a single large contractor for critical research synthesis.
- Ensuring the practical applicability of synthesized research to diverse educational settings.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-education, dc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $20.5 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. THE WHAT WORKS CLEARINGHOUSE: STATISTICS, WEBSITE, AND TRAINING (WWC - SWAT) CONTRACT IS FOR THE SERVICES FOR A NUMBER OF ESSENTIAL TASKS FOR THE WHAT WORKS CLEARINGHOUSE (WWC) AS A WHOLE, INCLUDING THOSE RELATED TO THE WEBSITE, DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES, AND REVIEWER TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION. THE WWC REVIEWS RESEARCH ON VARIOUS PROGRAMS, PRODUCTS, POLICIES, AND PRACTICES IN EDUCATION, WITH THE GOAL OF PROVIDING EDUCATORS WITH THE INFORMATION THEY NEED TO MAKE EVIDENCE-BASED DECI
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 $20.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-05-18. End: 2023-05-17.
How effectively does the WWC-SWAT contract translate research findings into actionable insights for educators?
The WWC-SWAT contract's effectiveness hinges on its ability to synthesize complex educational research into accessible formats for educators. Key performance indicators likely track the clarity, usability, and reach of WWC publications and training materials. Success is measured by the extent to which educators report using WWC resources to inform their decisions and improve student outcomes, indicating a direct impact on educational practice.
What are the primary risks associated with the cost-plus-fixed-fee contract structure for this R&D service?
The primary risk with a cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) structure in R&D is potential cost overruns if the scope of work expands beyond initial estimates, although the fixed fee provides some control. There's also a risk that the contractor might prioritize completing tasks to secure the fixed fee over achieving optimal research quality if not rigorously overseen. The government bears the risk of allowable cost increases.
To what extent does this contract contribute to the government's goal of promoting evidence-based practices in education?
This contract is central to the government's goal of promoting evidence-based practices by funding the infrastructure for the What Works Clearinghouse. By reviewing and disseminating rigorous research on educational programs, the WWC-SWAT contract directly equips educators and policymakers with the information needed to make informed, evidence-based decisions, thereby fostering a culture of data-driven improvement in the education sector.
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: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 91990018R0002
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
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: $25,857,089
Exercised Options: $20,496,035
Current Obligation: $20,496,035
Actual Outlays: $16,483,089
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 43
Total Subaward Amount: $1,129,903,152
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-05-18
Current End Date: 2023-05-17
Potential End Date: 2023-05-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-14
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