Department of Education awards $42M contract to Learning Point Associates for R&D in social sciences and humanities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $42,028,552 ($42.0M)

Contractor: Learning Point Associates

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2006-03-09

End Date: 2011-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,123 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: MIDWESTERN REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY

Place of Performance

Location: NAPERVILLE, DUPAGE County, ILLINOIS, 60563

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $42.0 million to LEARNING POINT ASSOCIATES for work described as: MIDWESTERN REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these services. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can incentivize performance but requires careful oversight. 3. The duration of the contract (2123 days) indicates a long-term need for these research services. 4. The contractor, Learning Point Associates, has secured this significant award, highlighting their position in the sector. 5. The specific NAICS code (541720) points to specialized research and development in social sciences and humanities. 6. The contract was awarded by the Department of Education, aligning with its mission to promote educational research.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific performance metrics and comparable R&D contracts. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure means the final cost could vary based on performance, making a direct price comparison difficult. However, the total award amount of over $42 million over approximately six years suggests a substantial investment in research and development.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely invited to bid. This process generally leads to a more competitive environment, potentially resulting in better pricing and service offerings for the government. The presence of multiple bidders suggests a healthy market for research and development services in the social sciences and humanities.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it promotes a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely researchers, educational institutions, and policymakers who will utilize the findings from the social sciences and humanities research. The services delivered involve research and development, contributing to the body of knowledge in these fields. The contract is geographically focused on Illinois (IL), where the contractor is located, but the impact of the research may be national. The contract supports the workforce involved in social science and humanities research, including researchers, analysts, and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts require diligent monitoring to ensure costs remain reasonable and that award fees are justified by performance.
The long contract duration necessitates ongoing evaluation of the contractor's performance and alignment with evolving research needs.
The specialized nature of R&D in social sciences and humanities may present challenges in defining clear, measurable outcomes.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
The contractor has secured a significant award, suggesting a level of expertise and capability in the R&D sector.
The contract aligns with the Department of Education's mission, indicating a strategic fit for the services provided.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. This is a specialized area within the broader R&D market. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other government contracts for similar research services, often categorized under NAICS code 541720. The market size for such specialized R&D can be difficult to quantify precisely but is driven by government and private sector investment in knowledge creation and policy-relevant research.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication from the provided data that this contract included small business set-asides or specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The contractor, Learning Point Associates, is likely a larger entity capable of handling a contract of this magnitude. Further investigation would be needed to determine if any small business participation was mandated or voluntarily undertaken.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers. As a Cost Plus Award Fee contract, performance monitoring and justification for award fees are critical oversight functions. Transparency would be enhanced through public reporting of contract awards and, where appropriate, research findings. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Educational Research and Development
Social Science Research Grants
Humanities Research Funding
Department of Education Research Contracts
Federal R&D Spending

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contract type requires careful monitoring of costs and performance.
Long contract duration necessitates sustained oversight and adaptability to changing needs.
Specialized R&D focus may present challenges in defining and measuring success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $42.0 million to LEARNING POINT ASSOCIATES. MIDWESTERN REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LEARNING POINT ASSOCIATES.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $42.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-03-09. End: 2011-12-31.

What is the track record of Learning Point Associates with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Education?

Learning Point Associates has a history of receiving federal contracts, including those from the Department of Education. Their ability to secure a contract valued at over $42 million for research and development in social sciences and humanities suggests a demonstrated capacity and expertise in this domain. Analyzing past performance on similar contracts, including adherence to timelines, budget management, and the quality of research outputs, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record. Specific details on previous awards, performance evaluations, and any past issues or commendations would be crucial for a thorough assessment.

How does the awarded amount of $42 million compare to similar R&D contracts in social sciences and humanities?

Comparing the $42 million award to similar R&D contracts in social sciences and humanities requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. However, for a contract spanning approximately six years (2123 days), this amount suggests a significant investment. The average annual value is roughly $7 million. This figure can be benchmarked against other large-scale research initiatives funded by the Department of Education or other agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) or the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to gauge its relative size and scope within the federal R&D landscape for these disciplines.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract of this nature?

The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract involve ensuring that the "cost plus" component does not lead to uncontrolled spending and that the "award fee" is genuinely tied to exceptional performance. For the government, risks include potential cost overruns if cost controls are weak and the possibility of paying higher fees than warranted if performance metrics are not rigorously defined and monitored. For the contractor, the risk lies in not achieving the performance targets necessary to earn the full award fee. Effective oversight, clear performance standards, and regular evaluations are critical to mitigating these risks.

How effective has the Department of Education been in managing R&D contracts to achieve desired research outcomes?

The effectiveness of the Department of Education in managing R&D contracts can be assessed by examining the outcomes and impact of previously funded research. This involves evaluating whether the research generated actionable insights, contributed to policy development, or advanced academic knowledge as intended. Success metrics might include the dissemination of research findings, their adoption by educational institutions or policymakers, and their contribution to evidence-based practices. Analyzing program evaluations, Inspector General reports, and academic citations of funded research can provide insights into the department's effectiveness in achieving desired research outcomes through its contracting mechanisms.

What are the historical spending patterns for R&D in social sciences and humanities by the Department of Education?

Historical spending patterns for R&D in social sciences and humanities by the Department of Education would reveal trends in funding levels, areas of focus, and the types of research prioritized over time. Analyzing past budgets and contract awards would show whether spending in these areas has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing. It would also indicate if the department has favored specific research methodologies or topical areas within social sciences and humanities. Understanding these patterns provides context for the current $42 million award, indicating whether it represents a continuation of established priorities or a shift in focus.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader field of social science and humanities research?

This contract has the potential to significantly impact the field of social science and humanities research by funding critical studies that might otherwise not be undertaken. The research generated could lead to new theoretical frameworks, inform public policy, address societal challenges, and advance understanding in these disciplines. The dissemination of findings through publications, conferences, and reports can influence academic discourse and practice. Furthermore, by awarding this contract through full and open competition, the Department of Education signals the importance it places on these research areas, potentially encouraging further investment and innovation within the academic community.

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

Parent Company: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences (UEI: 041733197)

Address: 1120 E DIEHL RD STE-200, NAPERVILLE, IL, 11

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $42,028,552

Exercised Options: $42,028,552

Current Obligation: $42,028,552

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Timeline