Department of Education's $3.98M NAEP Technical Support Contract Awarded to American Institutes for Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,983,323 ($4.0M)
Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2025-08-22
End Date: 2030-08-21
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS TECHNICAL SUPPORT CONTRACT FOR THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS, INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES, WITHIN THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22202
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $4.0 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS TECHNICAL SUPPORT CONTRACT FOR THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS, INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES, WITHIN THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. Key points: 1. The contract supports the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for the National Center for Education Statistics. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract has a long duration of 5 years, potentially impacting long-term cost-effectiveness. 4. The sector is Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities, a specialized area.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type, which helps control costs. However, the benchmark for similar R&D technical support contracts is not readily available for direct comparison.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. The use of a Delivery Order under an existing contract framework may influence the final pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers, as it aims to secure the best value. The FFP contract type further protects against cost overruns.
Public Impact
Ensures continued technical support for critical national education assessments. Supports data collection and analysis for informed educational policy. The long contract duration may offer stability but also risks price escalation if not managed effectively.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration (5 years) could lead to price increases.
- Lack of specific per-unit cost benchmarks makes value assessment difficult.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities sector. Benchmarks for technical support in this specific niche are not widely published, making direct cost comparisons challenging.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this specific award, as the contractor is American Institutes for Research. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of Education. Oversight would focus on ensuring the technical support meets the needs of the National Center for Education Statistics and that the fixed price remains competitive throughout the contract term.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may lead to price escalation.
- Limited public data on per-unit costs for benchmarking.
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized nature of support.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical assessment infrastructure.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-education, va, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $4.0 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS TECHNICAL SUPPORT CONTRACT FOR THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS, INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES, WITHIN THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
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 $4.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-08-22. End: 2030-08-21.
What is the historical cost performance of American Institutes for Research on similar government contracts?
Analyzing the historical cost performance of American Institutes for Research on comparable government contracts would provide valuable insight into their efficiency and pricing strategies. This could reveal patterns of cost overruns or savings, helping to assess the fairness of the current contract's price and identify potential risks or efficiencies for future contract negotiations.
How does the scope of work for this contract compare to other technical support contracts in the R&D sector?
Comparing the scope of work for this NAEP technical support contract with similar R&D technical support contracts is crucial for a comprehensive value assessment. Understanding the specific deliverables, complexity, and required expertise will help determine if the $3.98 million price is competitive and reflects the market rate for such specialized services.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the technical support provided over the 5-year period?
Effective oversight mechanisms are essential to guarantee the quality and effectiveness of technical support throughout the contract's 5-year duration. This includes performance metrics, regular reviews, and clear communication channels between the Department of Education and American Institutes for Research to address any issues promptly and ensure the continued success of the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
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: 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: $19,906,931
Exercised Options: $3,983,323
Current Obligation: $3,983,323
Actual Outlays: $1,467,963
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $84,202
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: 2025-08-22
Current End Date: 2030-08-21
Potential End Date: 2030-08-21 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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