Education Department Awards $7.3M Task Order for Special Education Spending Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,305,598 ($7.3M)
Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2023-09-01
End Date: 2026-08-31
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TASK ORDER 3: EVALUATING PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE THE OUTCOMES OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: NATIONAL STUDY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SPENDING FOUNDATIONAL PHASE
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $7.3 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: TASK ORDER 3: EVALUATING PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE THE OUTCOMES OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: NATIONAL STUDY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SPENDING FOUNDATIONAL PHASE Key points: 1. Focuses on improving outcomes for students with disabilities through research. 2. Contract awarded to American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences. 3. Task order is part of a larger foundational phase for national study. 4. Spending benchmark for R&D in Social Sciences and Humanities is relevant.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring of costs to ensure value. The total award amount of $7.3M over three years suggests a significant investment in this research area.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process that should lead to fair pricing. This method allows the agency to select the most qualified offeror based on technical merit and cost.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to research and potentially improve educational strategies for students with disabilities, aiming for better long-term outcomes and societal benefits.
Public Impact
Potential for improved educational strategies for students with disabilities. Research findings could inform national policy and resource allocation. Investment in understanding and addressing disparities in special education.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight.
- Long duration of the task order necessitates ongoing monitoring.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Focus on a critical area of educational need.
- Experienced contractor selected.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (NAICS 541720). Spending in this sector often involves grants and contracts for studies aimed at understanding societal issues and developing solutions.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, and there is no indication that small businesses were specifically involved or subcontracted in this particular task order. Further analysis would be needed to determine any small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Education is responsible for overseeing this task order. Given the nature of the research, ongoing programmatic and financial oversight will be crucial to ensure the project stays on track and delivers valuable insights.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract requires close monitoring.
- Potential for scope creep in a long-term research project.
- Ensuring practical applicability of research findings.
- Measuring the direct impact on student outcomes can be challenging.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-education, dc, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $7.3 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. TASK ORDER 3: EVALUATING PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE THE OUTCOMES OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: NATIONAL STUDY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SPENDING FOUNDATIONAL PHASE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $7.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-09-01. End: 2026-08-31.
What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the success of the research in improving outcomes for students with disabilities?
The success metrics for this research will likely be defined in the task order's statement of work. They could include the development of evidence-based strategies, the identification of effective spending patterns, and the creation of frameworks for evaluating program effectiveness. The final reports and deliverables will be assessed against these predefined criteria to determine the research's impact and utility.
What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type in this context?
The primary risks with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract involve potential cost overruns if the contractor's actual costs exceed projections, even though a fixed fee is agreed upon. The agency must diligently monitor expenditures to ensure they remain reasonable and allocable to the contract. There's also a risk that the contractor might not be sufficiently incentivized to control costs beyond achieving the fixed fee.
How will the findings of this study be disseminated to ensure broad impact on special education practices nationwide?
Dissemination strategies will likely involve multiple channels, including peer-reviewed publications, presentations at educational conferences, and direct reports to the Department of Education and relevant stakeholders. The research team may also develop practical guides or toolkits for educators and policymakers. The goal is to translate complex research findings into actionable insights for improving special education services.
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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1400 CRYSTAL DR FL 10, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202
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: $7,305,598
Exercised Options: $7,305,598
Current Obligation: $7,305,598
Actual Outlays: $4,541,860
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $1,086,625
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 91990022D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-09-01
Current End Date: 2026-08-31
Potential End Date: 2026-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-16
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