Department of Education awards $10.5M contract for teacher incentive fund study and impact evaluation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,461,661 ($10.5M)

Contractor: Mathematica Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2018-09-24

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 2,898 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: THIS CONTRACT IS TO CONDUCT A TWO COMPONENT STUDY WHICH INCLUDES COLLECTING IMPLEMENTATION INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEACHER AND SCHOOL LEADER INCENTIVE FUND PROGRAM FY2017 GRANTS. THE SECOND COMPONENT INCLUDES AN IMPACT EVALUATION OF A CORE STRATEGY THAT IS COMMON AMONG THE FUNDED TSL FY2017 GRANTS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTRACTOR SHALL COLLECT DATA TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PROGRAM PERFORMANCE INDICATORS.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20002

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $10.5 million to MATHEMATICA INC. for work described as: THIS CONTRACT IS TO CONDUCT A TWO COMPONENT STUDY WHICH INCLUDES COLLECTING IMPLEMENTATION INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEACHER AND SCHOOL LEADER INCENTIVE FUND PROGRAM FY2017 GRANTS. THE SECOND COMPONENT INCLUDES AN IMPACT EVALUATION OF A CORE STRATEGY THAT IS COMMON AMONG THE FUNDED … Key points: 1. Contract focuses on understanding implementation and impact of teacher and school leader incentive programs. 2. Performance indicators data collection is a key component of the study. 3. The contract spans nearly three years, suggesting a comprehensive research effort. 4. Mathematica Inc. is the sole contractor, indicating a specialized research firm was selected. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for flexibility in research scope. 6. This award represents a significant investment in evaluating educational incentive programs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $10.5 million for a nearly three-year study appears reasonable given the scope of work, which includes data collection, implementation analysis, and impact evaluation of federal grant programs. Benchmarking against similar large-scale educational research contracts would provide further context, but the investment aligns with the complexity of assessing program effectiveness and informing future policy.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified research firms had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is expected to yield a fair price and ensure the selection of a contractor with the best capabilities for this complex research task. The presence of two bids indicates a degree of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives efficiency and potentially lower costs through market forces, ensuring federal funds are used effectively for high-quality research.

Public Impact

Teachers and school leaders participating in the FY2017 Teacher and School Leader Incentive Fund grants will benefit from the evaluation of program effectiveness. The study will deliver insights into the implementation of incentive strategies and their impact on educational outcomes. The geographic impact is national, as the findings will inform federal policy and grant programs across the country. Workforce implications include potential improvements to teacher and school leader incentive structures based on research findings.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract if not managed tightly.
Ensuring the impact evaluation methodology is robust and addresses potential confounding factors.
Timely data collection and analysis are critical for meeting program milestones.

Positive Signals

Award to a single, specialized contractor suggests expertise in educational research.
Clear definition of two study components provides focus for the research.
Long contract duration allows for thorough data collection and analysis.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. The market for large-scale educational program evaluation is competitive, with several established research firms capable of undertaking such studies. The Department of Education is a significant funder of such research, aiming to improve educational outcomes through evidence-based practices.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As a research and development service, it is possible that the primary contractor, Mathematica Inc., may engage small businesses for specialized data collection or support services, but this is not explicitly stated.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Department of Education's program officials responsible for the Teacher and School Leader Incentive Fund. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance work statement, including deliverables, milestones, and reporting requirements. Transparency can be enhanced through public reporting of study findings.

Related Government Programs

Teacher and School Leader Incentive Fund Program
Federal Education Research Grants
Educational Program Evaluation Studies
Department of Education Research Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract duration may be subject to change based on research progress.
The effectiveness of incentive programs can be influenced by numerous external factors.
Ensuring data privacy and security throughout the research process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $10.5 million to MATHEMATICA INC.. THIS CONTRACT IS TO CONDUCT A TWO COMPONENT STUDY WHICH INCLUDES COLLECTING IMPLEMENTATION INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEACHER AND SCHOOL LEADER INCENTIVE FUND PROGRAM FY2017 GRANTS. THE SECOND COMPONENT INCLUDES AN IMPACT EVALUATION OF A CORE STRATEGY THAT IS COMMON AMONG THE FUNDED TSL FY2017 GRANTS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTRACTOR SHALL COLLECT DATA TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PROGRAM PERFORMANCE INDICATORS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MATHEMATICA INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-09-24. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the track record of Mathematica Inc. in conducting similar large-scale educational impact evaluations for federal agencies?

Mathematica Inc. has a well-established track record of conducting large-scale research and evaluation studies for federal agencies, including the Department of Education. They have significant experience in areas such as education policy, program evaluation, and data analysis. Their past work includes evaluations of various education initiatives, from early childhood to higher education, and they are known for their rigorous methodologies. This includes experience with impact evaluations, implementation studies, and the collection of performance data, making them a suitable candidate for this specific contract. Their extensive portfolio suggests a strong capacity to manage complex projects and deliver high-quality, evidence-based findings relevant to federal education programs.

How does the $10.5 million cost compare to similar educational research contracts awarded by the Department of Education?

The $10.5 million cost for this two-component study, spanning nearly three years, appears to be within the typical range for large-scale, multi-faceted educational research contracts awarded by the Department of Education. Similar contracts involving comprehensive program evaluations, impact assessments, and extensive data collection efforts for national initiatives often fall within this multi-million dollar bracket. Factors influencing cost include the duration of the study, the complexity of the research design, the number of sites or participants involved, and the required analytical rigor. Without direct comparison data for identical studies, it's challenging to provide a precise benchmark, but the investment reflects the scope and depth of the research required to evaluate federal incentive programs effectively.

What are the primary risks associated with the 'impact evaluation' component of this contract?

The primary risks associated with the impact evaluation component include challenges in establishing clear causality between the incentive programs and observed outcomes, potential selection bias if participants are not randomly assigned, and difficulties in controlling for external factors that might influence results. Ensuring the integrity of the data collection process and the robustness of the statistical analysis is crucial. Furthermore, the long-term nature of impact evaluations means that changes in policy or program implementation during the study period could affect findings. Mitigating these risks requires a well-designed methodology, rigorous data management, and careful interpretation of results by the contractor.

How will the data collected inform future federal investments in teacher and school leader incentives?

The data collected from this study will provide critical evidence on the effectiveness and implementation of the Teacher and School Leader Incentive Fund Program. The impact evaluation component will specifically assess whether the incentives lead to desired outcomes, such as improved teacher performance, retention, or student achievement. The implementation study will shed light on how these incentive programs are being rolled out in schools and districts, identifying best practices and potential challenges. This information will enable the Department of Education to make more informed decisions about the design, funding, and scaling of future incentive programs, ensuring that federal investments are targeted towards strategies that demonstrate a clear return in terms of educational quality and student success.

What is the historical spending pattern for evaluating educational incentive programs by the Department of Education?

The Department of Education has a consistent history of investing in the evaluation of its grant programs, including those aimed at incentivizing teachers and school leaders. While specific historical spending figures for 'teacher incentive program evaluations' are not detailed here, the Department regularly commissions large-scale studies to assess the effectiveness and implementation of its initiatives. These evaluations are crucial for accountability and for informing policy adjustments. The allocation of approximately $10.5 million for this particular study reflects a significant commitment to understanding the impact of these specific incentive structures, aligning with the Department's broader practice of using research to guide educational policy and resource allocation.

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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 91990018R0019

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 600 ALEXANDER PARK, PRINCETON, NJ, 08540

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,461,661

Exercised Options: $10,461,661

Current Obligation: $10,461,661

Actual Outlays: $9,342,975

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 8

Total Subaward Amount: $1,630,213

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline