Pennsylvania State University Awarded $36.3M for Regional Education Laboratory Program
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $36,336,458 ($36.3M)
Contractor: THE Pennsylvania State University
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2006-03-23
End Date: 2011-03-22
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: REGIONAL EDUCATION LABORTORY PROGRAM - MID-ATLANTIC REGION
Place of Performance
Location: UNIVERSITY PARK, CENTRE County, PENNSYLVANIA, 16802, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $36.3 million to THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY for work described as: REGIONAL EDUCATION LABORTORY PROGRAM - MID-ATLANTIC REGION Key points: 1. The contract focuses on R&D in social sciences and humanities, a niche area. 2. Pennsylvania State University is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract duration of 5 years and Cost Plus Award Fee structure warrant scrutiny. 4. Small business participation is not indicated, potentially missing opportunities for smaller entities.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure can incentivize performance but may lead to higher costs if not managed tightly. Benchmarking CPAF contracts in R&D is complex due to varying performance metrics and award fee structures.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Despite being listed as 'full and open competition,' only one awardee was identified. This suggests either a highly specialized requirement or potential issues in the solicitation or evaluation process that limited broader participation.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition status suggests an attempt at market fairness, but the single awardee raises concerns about whether the best value was truly achieved for taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Educational research impacting regional policy and practice. Potential for improved educational outcomes through evidence-based initiatives. Dissemination of research findings to educators and policymakers.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure
- Single awardee despite full and open competition
- No indication of small business participation
Positive Signals
- Focus on critical social science and humanities R&D
- Long-term contract supporting regional educational development
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. Spending in this sector is often project-specific and driven by government priorities for policy and program improvement, making direct benchmarks challenging.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this contract (ss: false, sb: false). This represents a missed opportunity to leverage the capabilities of small businesses in the R&D sector and potentially foster innovation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Education is the contracting agency. Oversight would focus on ensuring the research objectives are met, the award fee structure is appropriately managed, and the overall value for money is achieved.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential lack of robust competition despite 'full and open' designation.
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure may lead to higher costs if not managed strictly.
- Absence of small business participation.
- Contract duration of 5 years requires ongoing monitoring for relevance and effectiveness.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-education, pa, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $36.3 million to THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY. REGIONAL EDUCATION LABORTORY PROGRAM - MID-ATLANTIC REGION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $36.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-03-23. End: 2011-03-22.
How effectively was the 'full and open competition' process managed to ensure genuine competition, given the single awardee?
The designation of 'full and open competition' alongside a single awardee warrants further investigation. It could indicate a highly specialized niche where only one entity possessed the requisite expertise, or it might suggest that the solicitation process, evaluation criteria, or outreach efforts were not sufficiently robust to attract multiple qualified bidders, potentially limiting price discovery and innovation.
What are the specific performance metrics and award fee criteria used in this Cost Plus Award Fee contract to ensure accountability and value?
The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure necessitates clearly defined performance metrics and objective award fee criteria. Without these details, it's difficult to assess how effectively the Department of Education is incentivizing Pennsylvania State University to achieve program goals efficiently and cost-effectively. Robust oversight is crucial to prevent cost overruns and ensure the award fees are tied to demonstrable success.
What is the anticipated impact of the research conducted under this contract on regional educational policies and practices?
The primary goal of the Regional Educational Laboratory Program is to provide rigorous research and technical assistance to improve education. The impact hinges on the relevance and quality of the research conducted by the Pennsylvania State University, its effective dissemination to stakeholders, and the subsequent adoption of evidence-based practices by educators and policymakers in the Mid-Atlantic 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: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 408 OLD MAIN, UNIVERSITY PARK, PA, 16802
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $37,411,779
Exercised Options: $37,411,779
Current Obligation: $36,336,458
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-03-23
Current End Date: 2011-03-22
Potential End Date: 2011-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-09-25
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