Department of Education awards $8.7M contract for International Activities Core Support to American Institutes for Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $8,695,554 ($8.7M)
Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2023-11-01
End Date: 2026-10-31
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES CORE SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22202
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $8.7 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES CORE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. 3. Fixed-price contract type may limit cost overruns but could impact flexibility. 4. The duration of 1095 days (3 years) indicates a medium-term commitment. 5. The awardee, American Institutes for Research, is a known entity in the research sector. 6. The contract falls under the 'Research and Development' sector, specifically social sciences. 7. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $8.7 million over three years for core support services in international activities appears reasonable given the scope of research and development in social sciences and humanities. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale R&D projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an expectation of predictable costs, which is generally favorable for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offering. The open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized research services.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down prices through market forces and ensures the government receives competitive proposals, maximizing the value of federal dollars spent.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely researchers and institutions involved in international social science and humanities studies, who will receive support services. The contract supports core functions related to international activities, which could encompass policy analysis, program evaluation, and research dissemination. The geographic impact is likely global, given the 'international activities' focus, potentially influencing U.S. understanding and engagement with other countries. Workforce implications may include employment for researchers, analysts, and administrative staff at the American Institutes for Research and potentially partner organizations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the 'core support' provided.
- The broad nature of 'International Activities Core Support' could lead to scope creep if not tightly managed.
- Reliance on a single delivery order under a potentially larger IDIQ could concentrate risk if the prime contractor faces issues.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable research institution like AIR suggests a high likelihood of competent service delivery.
- Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
- The contract's duration allows for sustained support and development of international initiatives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. The market for such specialized research services is often characterized by a mix of academic institutions, non-profit research organizations, and private R&D firms. The Department of Education's spending in this area supports its mission to promote educational excellence and ensure equal access to educational opportunities, often through understanding international contexts and best practices.
Small Business Impact
Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not available for this specific contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it's possible that small businesses could have bid directly or participated as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by setting clear financial terms. Transparency would be enhanced by public reporting of contract performance and any associated deliverables, though specific oversight mechanisms beyond standard contract management are not detailed.
Related Government Programs
- International Education Programs
- Global Research Initiatives
- Social Science Research Funding
- Humanities Research Support
- Department of Education Research Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep due to broad service description.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Reliance on a single delivery order could concentrate risk.
Tags
research-and-development, department-of-education, international-affairs, social-sciences, humanities, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, firm-fixed-price, core-support, virginia, medium-value
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $8.7 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES CORE SUPPORT
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 $8.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-11-01. End: 2026-10-31.
What is the track record of American Institutes for Research (AIR) in managing federal contracts, particularly those related to international activities and R&D?
American Institutes for Research (AIR) has a long-standing reputation as a leading research organization. They frequently receive federal contracts across various agencies, including the Department of Education, HHS, and USAID, often focusing on education, workforce development, and international programs. Their track record generally indicates successful project execution and adherence to contract requirements. For contracts involving international activities and R&D, AIR typically leverages its expertise in program evaluation, policy analysis, and research design. Specific performance data for past contracts, including on-time delivery, budget adherence, and quality of deliverables, would be available through federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS, allowing for a detailed assessment of their past performance in similar areas.
How does the $8.7 million contract value compare to similar R&D contracts for international activities managed by the Department of Education or other agencies?
The $8.7 million contract value for three years of 'International Activities Core Support' appears to be within a moderate range for large-scale R&D support services. Contracts for comprehensive international research programs or policy development can range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on scope, duration, and complexity. For instance, major international education studies or global health research initiatives often command higher values. However, for core support functions that may include administrative, analytical, and logistical services rather than primary research generation, $8.7 million over three years ($2.9 million annually) is a reasonable figure. A precise comparison would require analyzing contracts with similar North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes (like 541720 for R&D in Social Sciences and Humanities) and similar service descriptions awarded by the Department of Education and other relevant agencies over the past few years.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract, and how will their achievement be measured?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or detailed deliverables for this 'International Activities Core Support' contract. Typically, such contracts would outline specific outputs such as research reports, policy briefs, data analysis, program evaluations, workshop facilitation, or technical assistance. The success of the contract would likely be measured against the timely submission of these deliverables, their adherence to quality standards (e.g., accuracy, relevance, methodological rigor), and the overall impact or utility of the work produced for the Department of Education's international initiatives. The contract's performance work statement (PWS) or statement of work (SOW) would contain these details, and performance would be monitored by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of Education on 'International Activities Core Support' or similar services over the past five years?
Analyzing the historical spending patterns of the Department of Education on 'International Activities Core Support' or closely related services over the past five years would provide valuable context. This would involve examining procurement data to identify trends in contract awards, average contract values, and the primary contractors utilized for such services. For example, if spending has been consistently high, it suggests a sustained need and commitment to international activities. Conversely, a recent increase might indicate a new strategic focus. Understanding these patterns helps assess whether the current $8.7 million award is consistent with historical investment levels or represents a significant shift in resource allocation for the Department's international endeavors.
What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?
Potential risks for this contract include the broad scope of 'International Activities Core Support,' which could lead to challenges in defining and measuring success, potential for scope creep, and difficulties in ensuring consistent quality across diverse international contexts. Another risk could be the reliance on a single awardee for core support functions, potentially impacting continuity if the contractor faces unforeseen issues. Mitigation strategies likely include robust contract management by the Department of Education, clear definition of deliverables and performance standards in the Statement of Work, regular progress reviews, and potentially contingency planning for critical support functions. The fixed-price nature also mitigates financial risk for the government, provided the scope is well-defined.
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: 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
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
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: $13,482,238
Exercised Options: $8,695,554
Current Obligation: $8,695,554
Actual Outlays: $6,089,054
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 4
Total Subaward Amount: $1,273,740
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 91990023D0006
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-11-01
Current End Date: 2026-10-31
Potential End Date: 2028-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-28
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