Department of Education awards $43.8M contract for IPEDS data collection to Research Triangle Institute

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $43,830,856 ($43.8M)

Contractor: Research Triangle Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2022-04-15

End Date: 2027-04-14

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INTEGRATED POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION DATA SYSTEM (IPEDS) WEB-BASED DATA COLLECTION

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $43.8 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: INTEGRATED POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION DATA SYSTEM (IPEDS) WEB-BASED DATA COLLECTION Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of national education data collection. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of five years allows for sustained data collection efforts. 4. The contractor has a history of performing government data collection services. 5. This contract supports a critical function for national education policy and research. 6. The pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) requires careful monitoring of costs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $43.8 million over five years for the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data collection appears to be in a reasonable range for a national-scale data management and collection effort. Benchmarking against similar large-scale data collection contracts for federal agencies would provide a more precise assessment, but the scope of IPEDS, which covers all postsecondary institutions in the U.S., justifies a significant investment. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs remain controlled and the fixed fee is appropriate for the services rendered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple offerors had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service quality. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition that should have allowed for price discovery and selection of the most advantageous offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for funds expended on this essential data collection.

Public Impact

Students and prospective students benefit from accurate and comprehensive data on postsecondary institutions. Policymakers and researchers gain access to critical data for education analysis and reform. Postsecondary institutions are directly impacted as they are required to submit data. The workforce involved in data collection, processing, and analysis will be supported. The geographic impact is national, covering all U.S. states and territories.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns under the CPFF structure if not closely managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical national dataset could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring data integrity and security throughout the collection and processing phases is paramount.

Positive Signals

Award to an experienced contractor (Research Triangle Institute) with a track record in data collection.
The use of a full and open competition process suggests a commitment to achieving best value.
The five-year duration provides stability for a complex, long-term data collection program.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on data collection and management for the education industry. The market for such services involves firms with expertise in survey design, data processing, and statistical analysis. The total federal spending on 'Other Accounting Services' (NAICS 541219) is substantial, and this contract represents a significant portion dedicated to educational data infrastructure. Comparable contracts often involve large-scale data management for federal agencies across various domains.

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. While the prime contractor is Research Triangle Institute, there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans with small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain or if there are opportunities for them to participate in future phases or related contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Department of Education. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates robust financial oversight to monitor expenditures against the estimated costs and ensure the fixed fee remains justified. Transparency in reporting data collection methodologies and outcomes will be crucial for accountability. The Inspector General's office may also conduct audits or investigations as deemed necessary.

Related Government Programs

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) programs
Federal Student Aid data systems
Bureau of Labor Statistics data collection
Census Bureau data collection contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
Data Integrity and Security
Contractor Performance Dependency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $43.8 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. INTEGRATED POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION DATA SYSTEM (IPEDS) WEB-BASED DATA COLLECTION

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 $43.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-15. End: 2027-04-14.

What is Research Triangle Institute's track record with large-scale federal data collection contracts?

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has a well-established track record of successfully managing and executing large-scale data collection and research projects for numerous federal agencies, including the Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health. Their experience spans various domains, from education and health to social sciences and environmental studies. RTI is known for its expertise in survey design, data management, statistical analysis, and technological solutions for data collection. Their history suggests a capacity to handle complex projects like the IPEDS data collection, which requires robust infrastructure, skilled personnel, and adherence to strict quality control measures. Past performance reviews and contract awards would provide more specific details on their success rates and client satisfaction.

How does the $43.8 million contract value compare to previous IPEDS data collection efforts?

To accurately compare the $43.8 million contract value to previous IPEDS data collection efforts, historical contract data would be required. Federal contract databases and Department of Education budget documents would need to be consulted to identify the value and duration of prior contracts for IPEDS. Factors such as inflation, changes in the scope of data collected, technological advancements, and the number of institutions reporting can significantly influence contract costs over time. Without this historical context, it is difficult to definitively state whether this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable cost compared to past efforts. However, given the five-year duration and the comprehensive nature of IPEDS, the awarded amount appears substantial and potentially reflective of evolving data requirements and operational complexities.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the Department of Education?

The primary risks associated with this contract for the Department of Education revolve around data integrity, contractor performance, and cost management. Ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and security of the vast amount of data collected through IPEDS is paramount; any breaches or errors could have significant policy implications. Contractor performance risk involves the possibility of delays, inadequate data processing, or failure to meet reporting requirements, which could disrupt educational policy analysis. Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, there is also a risk of cost overruns if the contractor's expenses exceed initial estimates, necessitating vigilant oversight to control expenditures and ensure the fixed fee remains appropriate for the work performed. Furthermore, reliance on a single entity for such a critical national dataset introduces a dependency risk.

How effective is the IPEDS system in providing timely and relevant data for policy decisions?

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is generally considered effective in providing a comprehensive and timely dataset crucial for federal and state policymakers, researchers, and the public. Its annual collection cycle aims to capture key institutional characteristics, student financial aid, enrollment, graduation rates, and faculty/staff information. The data's relevance stems from its ability to inform decisions related to higher education funding, accountability, student access and success initiatives, and program evaluation. However, the 'timeliness' can be relative; data collected in one academic year is typically processed and released with a lag. Ensuring the system remains agile to capture emerging trends and data needs, and that the data is presented in accessible formats, are ongoing challenges that contribute to its overall effectiveness.

What are the historical spending patterns for IPEDS data collection and similar federal education data initiatives?

Historical spending patterns for IPEDS data collection and similar federal education data initiatives typically show consistent, significant investment due to the critical nature of these datasets for policy and research. The Department of Education, primarily through the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), allocates substantial resources annually to data collection, management, and dissemination. Spending levels often correlate with the scope of data collection, technological infrastructure upgrades, and the complexity of the institutions being surveyed. Over the years, there has been a trend towards more sophisticated data systems, increased focus on data quality and security, and efforts to integrate data across different federal systems. While specific annual figures for IPEDS would require detailed historical contract data, the overall federal investment in education statistics has remained a priority, reflecting its importance in understanding and improving the nation's education system.

What are the implications of the CPFF contract type for cost control and contractor incentive?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type has specific implications for cost control and contractor incentives. Under CPFF, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure is often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined or when there is a high degree of uncertainty, making it difficult to estimate costs accurately beforehand. For cost control, the government must exercise rigorous oversight to ensure that all claimed costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. The fixed fee, however, provides a strong incentive for the contractor to complete the work efficiently to maximize their profit margin, as the fee does not increase with costs. Conversely, it can reduce the contractor's incentive to control costs aggressively, as they are assured of reimbursement for allowable expenses. Therefore, effective government oversight is crucial to mitigate potential cost overruns and ensure value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services › Other Accounting Services

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 91990022R0018

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3040 CORNWALLIS RD, DURHAM, 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: $43,830,856

Exercised Options: $43,830,856

Current Obligation: $43,830,856

Actual Outlays: $40,545,605

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 10

Total Subaward Amount: $9,896,172

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU217

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline