Department of Education awards $4.5M contract for research study supporting scholarships, with a 2027 end date

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,567,938 ($4.6M)

Contractor: ABT Global LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2019-01-10

End Date: 2027-02-02

Contract Duration: 2,945 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: RESEARCH STUDY TO SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OPPORTUNITY AND RESULTS REAUTHORIZATION ACT

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 $4.6 million to ABT GLOBAL LLC for work described as: RESEARCH STUDY TO SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OPPORTUNITY AND RESULTS REAUTHORIZATION ACT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to ABT GLOBAL LLC for research and development in social sciences and humanities. 2. The contract duration is 2945 days, indicating a long-term research initiative. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control while allowing for flexibility. 5. The contract is a Definitive Contract, typically used for long-term, complex projects. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, suggesting it may be a larger-scale requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.5 million over approximately 8 years represents a moderate investment in research. Benchmarking this specific research study's value is challenging without more detailed scope information. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure implies that the government aims to control costs while ensuring the contractor is compensated for their efforts and a fixed profit. Further analysis would require comparing the deliverables and research outcomes to similar studies funded by the Department of Education or other agencies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 4 bids (no: 4) suggests a reasonable level of interest from the market. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are students who may receive scholarships supported by the research findings. The research study aims to inform policy and program development related to educational opportunities and results. The geographic impact is likely national, given the focus on federal scholarship programs. The contract supports the research and development sector, potentially creating or sustaining jobs for researchers and analysts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
The long duration of the contract (2945 days) requires sustained oversight to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent procurement process.
The Definitive Contract type suggests a well-defined, long-term need for the research services.
The fixed fee component provides a degree of cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. This sector is crucial for informing policy and improving educational outcomes. The total federal spending on R&D is substantial, and contracts like this represent targeted investments in specific areas of research. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific research questions and methodologies employed.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the scope of work was likely considered too large or specialized for small business participation as prime contractors, or that the competition naturally favored larger entities. The impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal in this instance, as it was not specifically designed to engage them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Student Aid Programs
Education Research and Statistics
Scholarship and Grant Programs
Social Science Research Funding

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may lead to relevance issues.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee requires careful oversight to manage costs.
Specific research outcomes and KPIs not detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $4.6 million to ABT GLOBAL LLC. RESEARCH STUDY TO SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OPPORTUNITY AND RESULTS REAUTHORIZATION ACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ABT GLOBAL LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-01-10. End: 2027-02-02.

What is the specific research methodology and expected outcomes of this study?

The provided data does not detail the specific research methodology or expected outcomes. However, the contract title, 'RESEARCH STUDY TO SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OPPORTUNITY AND RESULTS REAUTHORIZATION ACT,' strongly suggests the study aims to gather data and provide analysis relevant to the reauthorization of this act. This could involve evaluating the effectiveness of existing scholarship programs, identifying barriers to access, or proposing improvements. The outcomes are expected to inform legislative decisions and policy adjustments related to federal student financial aid and opportunity programs.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure compare to other contract types for similar research studies?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure is common for research and development contracts where the scope of work may evolve or is not precisely defined at the outset. Unlike Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF allows for flexibility in adapting to research findings. However, it differs from Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) or Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts by offering a predetermined fixed fee, which can reduce the contractor's incentive to aggressively control costs compared to CPIF or CPAF, where performance can directly impact the fee. For R&D, CPFF balances the need for flexibility with a degree of cost certainty for the government.

What is ABT GLOBAL LLC's track record with federal research contracts, particularly within the Department of Education?

Information on ABT GLOBAL LLC's specific track record with federal research contracts, especially within the Department of Education, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), other federal contract awards, and any publicly available information on their research capabilities and project history. Their ability to secure this contract suggests they met the Department's requirements for expertise and capacity in social science research.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will they be measured?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for a research study, KPIs would relate to the timely delivery of research milestones, the quality and rigor of the research methodology, the clarity and utility of the final reports, and adherence to budget. Measurement would likely involve regular progress reviews by the contracting officer's representative (COR), peer reviews of research outputs, and potentially stakeholder feedback on the applicability of the findings.

How does the $4.5 million award compare to historical spending on similar research initiatives by the Department of Education?

Without specific historical data on comparable research initiatives by the Department of Education, it is difficult to definitively benchmark the $4.5 million award. However, this amount suggests a significant investment in a particular research area. The Department funds a wide range of research, from smaller grant-based projects to larger, multi-year studies. The size of this award indicates it is likely a substantial undertaking, possibly related to a major policy evaluation or reauthorization effort, rather than a routine data collection effort.

What are the potential risks associated with the long contract duration (2945 days)?

The long duration of 2945 days (approximately 8 years) presents several potential risks. Firstly, the relevance of the research objectives may diminish over time due to evolving educational policies, societal changes, or technological advancements. Secondly, maintaining contractor engagement and performance quality over such an extended period can be challenging, requiring consistent oversight. Thirdly, there's a risk of scope creep or changes in research direction that may not be adequately captured by the initial contract terms, potentially leading to cost increases or delays if not managed proactively. Finally, institutional knowledge within the contracting agency could be lost over time, impacting effective oversight.

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: 91990018R0024

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10 FAWCETT ST, STE 5, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02138

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,567,938

Exercised Options: $4,567,938

Current Obligation: $4,567,938

Actual Outlays: $3,849,261

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $1,383,285

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline