Education Development Center, Inc. awarded $44M contract for R&D in social sciences and humanities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,050,549 ($44.1M)

Contractor: Education Development Center, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2006-03-15

End Date: 2011-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,117 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NORTHEASTERN REGIONAL EDUCATION LABORATORY

Place of Performance

Location: NEWTON, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02458

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $44.1 million to EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER, INC. for work described as: NORTHEASTERN REGIONAL EDUCATION LABORATORY Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which incentivizes performance but can lead to higher costs. 3. The duration of the contract is over 2100 days, indicating a long-term research initiative. 4. The award was made by the Department of Education, aligning with the contract's research focus. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541720 points to a significant R&D component. 6. The contract was awarded in March 2006 and ended in December 2011, providing historical context for spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables and performance metrics. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure means the final cost is tied to performance, making direct price comparisons difficult. However, the total award amount of over $44 million for a nearly six-year research and development project in social sciences and humanities suggests a substantial investment. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of work and the achieved outcomes against the award fee criteria.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. This method generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and value for the government. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific contract.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a market where contractors strive to offer competitive pricing and innovative solutions to win awards.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely researchers, academic 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 geographic impact is likely national, given the nature of federal research grants, with potential applications in educational policy and practice across the United States. Workforce implications include support for researchers, analysts, and administrative staff involved in the project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
The long duration of the contract might present challenges in adapting to evolving research needs or technological advancements.
Limited information on specific performance metrics makes it difficult to fully assess the value for money.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contract supports research and development in critical social science and humanities fields.
The contractor, Education Development Center, Inc., is likely experienced in managing large-scale research projects.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. This area is crucial for understanding societal trends, educational practices, and policy development. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal grants and contracts awarded for similar R&D initiatives by agencies like the National Science Foundation or other education-focused bodies. The market size for such research services is significant, driven by government and institutional needs for evidence-based insights.

Small Business Impact

There is no explicit indication of small business set-asides for this contract. However, the prime contractor, Education Development Center, Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific research needs or components of the project. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on the extent of subcontracting opportunities offered.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the Cost Plus Award Fee structure, where performance against defined objectives influences the final payment. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases and reporting requirements, though specific project details and outcomes may vary in public accessibility.

Related Government Programs

Federal Research Grants
Education Research Programs
Social Science Research Funding
Humanities Research Initiatives

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires careful monitoring to ensure cost control.
Long contract duration may pose risks related to adaptability and relevance over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $44.1 million to EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER, INC.. NORTHEASTERN REGIONAL EDUCATION LABORATORY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $44.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-03-15. End: 2011-12-31.

What specific research questions or objectives were addressed by this contract?

While the provided data indicates the contract was for 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities,' specific research questions or objectives are not detailed. Typically, such contracts would outline key areas of inquiry, such as educational policy effectiveness, learning methodologies, or societal impacts of specific programs. The Education Development Center, Inc. would have been expected to deliver reports, studies, and potentially data sets addressing these objectives. Without access to the contract statement of work or final reports, the precise research agenda remains unspecified. This level of detail is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the contract's impact and value.

How did the final cost compare to the initial estimated cost, considering the Cost Plus Award Fee structure?

The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure means the final cost is composed of allowable costs plus a fee that is determined by the contractor's performance against pre-defined criteria. The total award amount was $44,050,549.08. To assess how the final cost compared to initial estimates, one would need to examine the contract's baseline cost projections and the awarded fee. The 'award' portion of the fee is contingent on meeting or exceeding performance targets. If performance was exceptional, the total cost could be at the higher end of projections; if performance was subpar, the fee might be reduced. Without the specific performance evaluations and fee determination documentation, a direct comparison of final cost versus initial estimates is not possible from the given data.

What was the track record of Education Development Center, Inc. with similar federal contracts prior to this award?

Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) has a long history of working with federal agencies, particularly the Department of Education, on research and development projects. Prior to this $44 million contract awarded in 2006, EDC had secured numerous grants and contracts for educational research, program development, and technical assistance. Their experience typically spans areas like curriculum development, teacher training, early childhood education, and educational technology. A review of federal procurement databases would reveal the scale and scope of their previous awards, demonstrating their capacity to manage large, complex R&D initiatives. Their established presence in the education sector suggests a strong track record relevant to this contract.

Were there any significant challenges or controversies associated with the performance of this contract?

Information regarding significant challenges or controversies associated with the performance of this specific contract is not readily available in the provided summary data. Federal contracts, especially large R&D initiatives, can encounter issues related to scope changes, budget management, or meeting performance milestones. However, without access to contract performance reports, Inspector General audits, or news archives specifically detailing issues with this award to Education Development Center, Inc., it is not possible to identify any major controversies. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure itself implies a performance-based assessment, but the outcomes of that assessment are not detailed here.

How does the spending on this contract compare to other federal investments in social sciences and humanities R&D during the same period?

Comparing this $44 million contract to other federal investments in social sciences and humanities R&D during the 2006-2011 period requires broader data analysis. Federal funding for R&D is distributed across numerous agencies (e.g., NSF, NIH, NEH, DoE) and encompasses various disciplines. This contract represents a significant, but not necessarily dominant, portion of the Department of Education's R&D budget. To contextualize it, one would need to aggregate federal spending data for NAICS code 541720 and related research categories across all agencies for those years. Such a comparison would reveal if this contract was typical, large, or small relative to the overall federal R&D landscape in these fields.

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: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 55 CHAPEL ST, NEWTON, MA, 04

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,050,549

Exercised Options: $44,050,549

Current Obligation: $44,050,549

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Timeline