Department of Education awards $42.6M contract for postsecondary student aid studies to Research Triangle Institute

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $42,603,358 ($42.6M)

Contractor: Research Triangle Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2018-07-25

End Date: 2025-02-10

Contract Duration: 2,392 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: 2019-20 NATIONAL POSTSECONDARY STUDENT AID STUDY (NPSAS 2020). THE NPSAS 2020 CONTRACT IS DESIGNED TO FULFILL A REQUIREMENT TO CONDUCT A SERIES OF STUDIES, BASED LARGELY ON ADMINISTRATIVE DATA COLLECTIONS AND SOME STUDENT INTERVIEWS, TO COMPLY WITH THE HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 2008. THESE STUDIES ARE DESIGNED TO DESCRIBE (1) HOW STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES FINANCE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND (2) STUDENTS' PERSISTENCE, ATTAINMENT, AND WORKFORCE OUTCOMES.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $42.6 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: 2019-20 NATIONAL POSTSECONDARY STUDENT AID STUDY (NPSAS 2020). THE NPSAS 2020 CONTRACT IS DESIGNED TO FULFILL A REQUIREMENT TO CONDUCT A SERIES OF STUDIES, BASED LARGELY ON ADMINISTRATIVE DATA COLLECTIONS AND SOME STUDENT INTERVIEWS, TO COMPLY WITH THE HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNIT… Key points: 1. Contract aims to fulfill Higher Education Opportunity Act requirements for postsecondary education financing and student outcomes research. 2. Research Triangle Institute, a long-standing research organization, is the sole awardee. 3. The contract's duration of nearly 2400 days suggests a complex, multi-year research effort. 4. Funding is allocated for a series of studies based on administrative data and student interviews. 5. The contract's value is substantial for a single research and development award in the social sciences. 6. Performance is expected to provide critical insights into student financial aid and educational attainment.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $42.6 million over approximately 6.5 years appears reasonable for a large-scale, congressionally mandated research study. Benchmarking against similar large federal research grants for educational studies suggests this is within a typical range for comprehensive data collection and analysis. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type allows for flexibility while providing cost control incentives for the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple interested parties had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the full and open nature suggests a competitive process was initiated. This approach is generally favored to ensure the government receives the best value and innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of proposals and potentially drives down costs through competitive pricing, ensuring that federal funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

Students and families will benefit from research that informs policies on financing postsecondary education. Institutions of higher education will gain insights into student persistence and attainment trends. Policymakers in the education sector will receive data to support legislative and regulatory decisions. The workforce will be impacted by research on student outcomes and career trajectories. The District of Columbia, where the Department of Education is headquartered, is the primary geographic location for contract administration.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The long duration of the contract could lead to scope creep or evolving research needs not fully anticipated at the outset.
Reliance on administrative data may present challenges in data quality, completeness, or accessibility.
The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, while common, requires diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and fixed fee is earned appropriately.

Positive Signals

The contract is tied to a specific legislative mandate (Higher Education Opportunity Act), ensuring its relevance and importance.
Research Triangle Institute has a strong track record in conducting large-scale federal research studies.
The use of both administrative data and student interviews suggests a robust methodological approach to data collection.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities sector (NAICS 541720). This sector encompasses a wide range of research activities, including those focused on education, sociology, and economics. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous academic institutions and private research firms capable of undertaking large-scale studies. The Department of Education is a significant funder of research in this area, often seeking to understand the impact of federal policies on students and educational institutions.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. While Research Triangle Institute is a large research organization, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors on specific research tasks or data collection efforts, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by program officials within the Department of Education's relevant research and statistical offices. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract through performance work statements, regular reporting requirements, and milestone deliverables. Transparency is generally maintained through public release of study findings, although the raw data collection methodologies and specific interview protocols would be subject to privacy and confidentiality rules.

Related Government Programs

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) surveys
Department of Labor workforce studies

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of scope changes or outdated methodologies.
Reliance on administrative data requires robust data quality checks and potential integration challenges.
Participant recruitment and retention for interviews can be resource-intensive and prone to attrition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $42.6 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. 2019-20 NATIONAL POSTSECONDARY STUDENT AID STUDY (NPSAS 2020). THE NPSAS 2020 CONTRACT IS DESIGNED TO FULFILL A REQUIREMENT TO CONDUCT A SERIES OF STUDIES, BASED LARGELY ON ADMINISTRATIVE DATA COLLECTIONS AND SOME STUDENT INTERVIEWS, TO COMPLY WITH THE HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 2008. THESE STUDIES ARE DESIGNED TO DESCRIBE (1) HOW STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES FINANCE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND (2) STUDENTS' PERSISTENCE, ATTAINMENT, AND WORKFORCE OUTCOMES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $42.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-07-25. End: 2025-02-10.

What is Research Triangle Institute's track record with large federal education research contracts?

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has a substantial and well-established track record of successfully managing and executing large-scale federal research contracts, particularly within the education domain. RTI is a non-profit research institute with decades of experience conducting studies for agencies like the Department of Education, National Science Foundation, and others. They are known for their expertise in survey design, data collection (including administrative data linkage and student interviews), statistical analysis, and reporting on complex social science topics. Their past work includes numerous large-scale surveys and program evaluations related to education policy, student aid, and educational outcomes, demonstrating their capacity to handle contracts of this magnitude and complexity.

How does the $42.6 million contract value compare to similar federal research initiatives in education?

The $42.6 million contract value for the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) over approximately 6.5 years is significant but falls within the expected range for major federal education research initiatives. Large-scale, longitudinal studies that involve extensive data collection from administrative sources and direct engagement with student populations, as mandated by the Higher Education Opportunity Act, require substantial resources. For comparison, other large-scale data collection efforts by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), such as the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) or major program evaluations, have often been funded in the tens of millions of dollars over their lifecycles. This contract's value reflects the complexity, scope, and duration required to meet the legislative mandate.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Primary risks include challenges in accessing and integrating diverse administrative data sources, potential difficulties in recruiting and retaining student participants for interviews, and the possibility of evolving research questions or policy landscapes over the contract's long duration. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust data governance and quality assurance protocols, experienced outreach and participant engagement teams, and built-in flexibility within the research design to adapt to emerging needs. The CPFF contract type also necessitates close monitoring of costs and performance by the contracting officer to ensure value for money and adherence to the research objectives.

How effective is the NPSAS study in informing federal postsecondary education policy?

The NPSAS study is designed to be highly effective in informing federal postsecondary education policy by providing comprehensive, data-driven insights into how students finance their education and their subsequent academic and career outcomes. Mandated by the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the study's findings are crucial for the Department of Education and Congress to understand the impact of federal student aid programs, assess the affordability of higher education, and identify barriers to student success. The data collected helps in evaluating the effectiveness of existing financial aid policies, designing new initiatives, and making evidence-based decisions regarding federal investments in postsecondary education. Its long-standing nature provides valuable trend data over time.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar large-scale education research contracts by the Department of Education?

Historical spending patterns for large-scale education research contracts by the Department of Education, particularly those managed by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), show a consistent allocation of significant funds for major data collection efforts. Contracts for comprehensive national surveys, longitudinal studies, and large-scale program evaluations often range from several million to tens of millions of dollars, spread over multiple years. The NPSAS series itself has historically represented a substantial investment. These patterns reflect the high cost associated with rigorous research methodologies, extensive data management, and the need for continuity to track trends in postsecondary education financing and student outcomes.

What is the significance of the 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities' classification for this contract?

The classification 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities' (NAICS 541720) signifies that this contract is focused on generating new knowledge and understanding related to human society, behavior, and culture, specifically within the context of postsecondary education. This contrasts with R&D in physical sciences or engineering. It implies the use of methodologies common in social sciences, such as surveys, interviews, statistical analysis of demographic and behavioral data, and qualitative research. The 'humanities' aspect suggests a potential for deeper contextual or theoretical analysis. This classification helps in understanding the nature of the work, the types of expertise required (e.g., economists, sociologists, education policy experts), and the expected outputs (e.g., reports, data sets, policy recommendations).

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: 91990018R0008

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3040 E CORNWALLIS RD, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 27709

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: $42,603,358

Exercised Options: $42,603,358

Current Obligation: $42,603,358

Actual Outlays: $38,613,730

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 30

Total Subaward Amount: $6,522,758

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline