Department of Education awards $449K contract for education impact study reviews to Development Services Group, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $449,170 ($449.2K)

Contractor: Development Services Group, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2021-09-21

End Date: 2025-02-10

Contract Duration: 1,238 days

Daily Burn Rate: $363/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION EVALUATION AND REGIONAL ASSISTANCE OF THE INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES REQUIRES A CONTRACTOR TO REVIEW IMPACT STUDIES IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION AND PROVIDE RELATED SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20814

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $449,169.99 to DEVELOPMENT SERVICES GROUP, INC for work described as: NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION EVALUATION AND REGIONAL ASSISTANCE OF THE INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES REQUIRES A CONTRACTOR TO REVIEW IMPACT STUDIES IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION AND PROVIDE RELATED SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on reviewing existing education impact studies, leveraging external research rather than generating new data. 2. The contract duration of approximately 1238 days suggests a sustained effort in research synthesis. 3. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a broad initial search for qualified contractors. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for flexibility in scope but requires careful cost monitoring. 5. The award value of $449,169.99 appears modest for a multi-year research support contract. 6. The contractor, Development Services Group, Inc., has experience in research and evaluation services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $449,169.99 over approximately 41 months (1238 days) suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar contracts for research synthesis and review services would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, the final cost could vary, but the initial award indicates a planned budget. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, it's challenging to definitively assess value, but the amount seems reasonable for a specialized research support function.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This suggests that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources may have been excluded prior to the final solicitation, potentially due to specific requirements or prior relationships. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' nature implies an effort to solicit from a wide range of qualified entities.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing for taxpayers. However, the 'exclusion of sources' caveat warrants further investigation into the rationale behind any exclusions to ensure fairness and optimal value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are researchers, policymakers, and educators who will gain access to synthesized findings from existing education impact studies. The services delivered involve critical review and analysis of research, contributing to evidence-based decision-making in education. The geographic impact is national, as the findings from education impact studies are relevant across the United States. Workforce implications are likely minimal, primarily involving specialized research analysts and project managers within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method requires clarification to ensure no potentially competitive firms were unfairly barred.
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type necessitates robust oversight to manage costs and prevent potential overruns.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's efficiency and effectiveness.
The contract's focus on reviewing existing studies might limit the generation of novel insights compared to primary research.

Positive Signals

The contract is awarded to a specific entity (Development Services Group, Inc.) suggesting they possess the requisite expertise for research review.
The duration of the contract (over 3 years) indicates a need for sustained support in this specialized area.
The use of a 'full and open competition' process, even with exclusions, suggests an attempt to find qualified contractors.
The contract supports the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, a key entity for evidence-based education policy.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities, with a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of 541720. This sector involves the systematic study of human society and social relationships. The contract's value is relatively small compared to the overall federal spending on R&D, but it addresses a critical need for synthesizing existing knowledge in education to inform policy and practice.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from set-aside provisions. The focus appears to be on acquiring specialized research expertise, regardless of the prime contractor's size.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Education, specifically the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight is crucial to monitor expenditures against the fixed fee and allowable costs. Transparency would be facilitated through regular reporting requirements mandated by the contract. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Education Research Grants
Program Evaluation Services
Social Science Research Support
Federal Research and Development Spending

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight.
Potential for scope creep in research projects.
Need for clear performance metrics to assess contractor effectiveness.
Rationale for 'exclusion of sources' in competition needs verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $449,169.99 to DEVELOPMENT SERVICES GROUP, INC. NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION EVALUATION AND REGIONAL ASSISTANCE OF THE INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES REQUIRES A CONTRACTOR TO REVIEW IMPACT STUDIES IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION AND PROVIDE RELATED SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DEVELOPMENT SERVICES GROUP, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $449,169.99.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-21. End: 2025-02-10.

What is the specific expertise of Development Services Group, Inc. in education research and impact study reviews?

Development Services Group, Inc. (DSG) is a research and consulting firm that has a documented history of providing services related to education policy and program evaluation. Their work often involves synthesizing research findings, conducting evaluations of educational interventions, and providing technical assistance to educational institutions and government agencies. While the specific details of their past projects related to reviewing impact studies are not provided in this data, their general profile suggests they possess the necessary qualifications. A deeper dive into DSG's portfolio and past performance reports would offer more granular insights into their specific capabilities relevant to this contract's objectives.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar federal contracts for education research synthesis?

The contract value of approximately $449,170 over roughly 41 months represents an average annual spend of about $109,553. This figure appears moderate for federal research support contracts. Contracts for synthesizing research can vary widely based on scope, complexity, and duration. Larger contracts might involve meta-analyses across numerous studies or systematic reviews requiring extensive data collection and analysis. Smaller contracts might focus on literature reviews or specific topic syntheses. Without a direct comparison dataset of similar 'impact study review' contracts from the Department of Education or other agencies, it's difficult to definitively benchmark this award. However, it suggests a focused effort rather than a large-scale research initiative.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for research services?

The primary risks associated with a CPFF contract for research services revolve around cost control and contractor efficiency. While the fixed fee provides the contractor with an incentive to control costs (as they receive the same fee regardless of actual costs), there's a risk that the contractor might incur higher costs than anticipated, potentially leading to budget overruns if not carefully managed. Another risk is scope creep, where the research objectives may expand beyond the initial agreement, requiring renegotiation of costs. For the government, ensuring the contractor maintains high-quality research standards while managing costs requires diligent oversight, regular progress reviews, and clear communication to prevent inefficiencies or unnecessary expenditures.

What is the expected impact of this contract on evidence-based policymaking in education?

This contract is expected to significantly contribute to evidence-based policymaking in education by consolidating and critically evaluating existing research on the impact of various educational interventions and programs. By synthesizing findings from numerous impact studies, the contractor will provide policymakers and program developers with a clearer understanding of what works, for whom, and under what conditions. This synthesized evidence can inform the design of new educational initiatives, guide resource allocation towards effective practices, and help avoid the costly implementation of programs lacking empirical support. Ultimately, it aims to enhance the quality and reliability of the evidence base used to make critical decisions in the education sector.

What has been the historical spending pattern of the Department of Education for similar research review services?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar research review services by the Department of Education requires access to comprehensive contract databases. However, it's reasonable to infer that the Department regularly procures services for literature reviews, meta-analyses, and synthesis of existing research to support its mission. The frequency and value of such contracts would likely fluctuate based on departmental priorities, funding availability, and specific research needs identified by its various centers, such as the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). This particular contract, valued at $449K, suggests a targeted need for reviewing impact studies within a specific timeframe, indicating a recurring but potentially project-specific type of procurement rather than a massive, ongoing research program.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7315 WISCONSIN AVE STE 800 E, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $673,375

Exercised Options: $449,170

Current Obligation: $449,170

Actual Outlays: $449,170

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 91990020D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline