Department of Education awards $26.6M for Regional Educational Laboratory Program to Education Northwest
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $26,563,915 ($26.6M)
Contractor: Education Northwest
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2006-02-01
End Date: 2011-12-31
Contract Duration: 2,159 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY PROGRAM - NORTHWEST REGION
Place of Performance
Location: PORTLAND, MULTNOMAH County, OREGON, 97204
State: Oregon Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $26.6 million to EDUCATION NORTHWEST for work described as: REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY PROGRAM - NORTHWEST REGION Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Education Northwest for R&D in social sciences and humanities. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is over 5 years, indicating a long-term commitment. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which incentivizes performance. 5. No small business participation was reported.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Cost Plus Award Fee type, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for research and development in education, aiming to improve educational practices and outcomes.
Public Impact
Supports educational research and development across the Northwest region. Aims to provide evidence-based practices to educators and policymakers. Long-term contract suggests a sustained focus on educational improvement initiatives.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns.
- Lack of small business participation may limit opportunities for smaller entities.
- The specific impact of the R&D on educational outcomes needs to be monitored.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition promotes a fair and competitive bidding environment.
- The contract duration allows for in-depth research and sustained impact.
- Focus on R&D in education addresses critical needs in the sector.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities, specifically focused on education. Spending in this sector is crucial for evidence-based policy and practice improvements.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates no small business participation. This suggests that the prime contractor, Education Northwest, is likely a larger entity, and opportunities for subcontracting with small businesses were not captured or utilized.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Education is the awarding agency, implying internal oversight. However, the effectiveness of this oversight in managing the Cost Plus Award Fee structure and ensuring value for money would require further investigation.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Effectiveness of R&D outcomes needs clear measurement and reporting.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-education, or, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $26.6 million to EDUCATION NORTHWEST. REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY PROGRAM - NORTHWEST REGION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is EDUCATION NORTHWEST.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $26.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-02-01. End: 2011-12-31.
What specific metrics are used to determine the 'award fee' in this Cost Plus Award Fee contract, and how do they align with the program's R&D objectives?
The 'award fee' is typically determined by evaluating the contractor's performance against pre-defined criteria and objectives outlined in the contract. For this Regional Educational Laboratory Program, these criteria likely focus on the quality, relevance, and impact of the research conducted, dissemination of findings, and collaboration with stakeholders. The alignment with R&D objectives would be assessed through milestones, deliverables, and demonstrated progress towards advancing educational knowledge and practice in the Northwest region.
Given the full and open competition, what was the range of bids received, and how did Education Northwest's proposal stand out to justify the award?
Information on the range of bids received is not publicly available in the provided data. However, in a full and open competition, the award is typically made to the offeror whose proposal is deemed most advantageous to the government, considering both technical merit and price. Education Northwest likely demonstrated superior technical capabilities, a strong understanding of the regional educational landscape, a well-defined research plan, and a competitive cost proposal to secure this contract.
How will the effectiveness and impact of the research funded by this $26.6 million contract be measured and disseminated to ensure taxpayer value?
The effectiveness and impact are likely measured through a combination of research quality assessments, stakeholder feedback, and the adoption of evidence-based practices resulting from the research. Dissemination would involve publications, presentations, workshops, and online resources targeted at educators, policymakers, and the public. Ensuring taxpayer value hinges on the research's ability to generate actionable insights that lead to tangible improvements in educational outcomes across the Northwest region.
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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 101 SW MAIN ST STE 500, PORTLAND, OR, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $26,563,915
Exercised Options: $26,563,915
Current Obligation: $26,563,915
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-02-01
Current End Date: 2011-12-31
Potential End Date: 2011-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-09-27
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