Department of Education awards $14.1M contract to Brown University for Regional Education Lab System
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,127,985 ($14.1M)
Contractor: Brown University
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2005-02-08
End Date: 2006-05-05
Contract Duration: 451 days
Daily Burn Rate: $31.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THIS CONTRACT IS ONE OF 10 FOR THE REGIONAL EDUCATION LAB SYSTEM UNDER THE INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES. "LAB" AT BROWN COVERS THE NORTHEASTERN REGION, TECHINCAL ASSISTANCE, SOME COMPILATIONS OF STUDY RESULTS AND SOME RESEARCH, ETC.
Place of Performance
Location: PROVIDENCE, PROVIDENCE County, RHODE ISLAND, 02912
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $14.1 million to BROWN UNIVERSITY for work described as: THIS CONTRACT IS ONE OF 10 FOR THE REGIONAL EDUCATION LAB SYSTEM UNDER THE INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES. "LAB" AT BROWN COVERS THE NORTHEASTERN REGION, TECHINCAL ASSISTANCE, SOME COMPILATIONS OF STUDY RESULTS AND SOME RESEARCH, ETC. Key points: 1. Brown University's contract supports the Northeastern region's education research and technical assistance. 2. The contract is part of a larger $14.1M system for educational sciences. 3. Spending is categorized under Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities. 4. This award was made under full and open competition.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Cost Plus Award Fee structure can lead to costs exceeding initial estimates if not carefully managed. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for research and technical assistance aimed at improving educational outcomes.
Public Impact
Supports educational research and development for the Northeastern region. Aims to provide technical assistance and compile study results. Contributes to the broader Institute of Educational Sciences' mission.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Contract duration is relatively short for a research and development initiative.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Part of a larger, established system for educational research.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. Federal spending in this area supports scientific advancement and policy development.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were subcontracted.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Education's Institute of Educational Sciences oversees this contract, ensuring alignment with research goals and accountability for public funds.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure may lead to cost overruns.
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes value assessment difficult.
- Short contract duration for R&D may limit long-term impact.
- No explicit mention of small business subcontracting opportunities.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-education, ri, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $14.1 million to BROWN UNIVERSITY. THIS CONTRACT IS ONE OF 10 FOR THE REGIONAL EDUCATION LAB SYSTEM UNDER THE INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES. "LAB" AT BROWN COVERS THE NORTHEASTERN REGION, TECHINCAL ASSISTANCE, SOME COMPILATIONS OF STUDY RESULTS AND SOME RESEARCH, ETC.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BROWN UNIVERSITY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $14.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-02-08. End: 2006-05-05.
What specific metrics are used to determine the 'award fee' in this Cost Plus Award Fee contract, and how do they ensure value for taxpayer money?
The 'award fee' is typically determined by the government's assessment of the contractor's performance against pre-defined criteria and objectives. These metrics should align with the contract's goals, such as the quality of research, timeliness of deliverables, and effectiveness of technical assistance. Robust performance metrics are crucial for ensuring that the award fee incentivizes desired outcomes and represents good value for taxpayer investment, rather than simply rewarding effort.
Given the focus on research and development, what are the key risks associated with the Cost Plus Award Fee structure in this contract?
The primary risk with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure in R&D is that it can incentivize higher costs if the award fee criteria are not tightly defined or if performance monitoring is lax. Contractors may incur more expenses to maximize their potential award fee, potentially leading to costs exceeding initial projections. Effective oversight and clear, objective performance metrics are essential to mitigate this risk and ensure cost control.
How does the technical assistance and compilation of study results by the 'LAB' at Brown University contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Regional Education Lab System?
The technical assistance provided by the 'LAB' is crucial for helping educators and policymakers in the Northeastern region understand and apply research findings. Compiling study results makes this knowledge more accessible and actionable. This direct support and synthesis of information are key to translating research into practice, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the entire Regional Education Lab System in improving educational outcomes.
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
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Contractor Details
Address: BOX 1929, PROVIDENCE, RI, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $40,308,811
Exercised Options: $40,079,929
Current Obligation: $14,127,985
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-02-08
Current End Date: 2006-05-05
Potential End Date: 2010-11-19 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-11-19
More Contracts from Brown University
- Veterinary Services Task Order — $45.0K (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Other Department of Education Contracts
- Administrative Action — $2.2B (Conduent Education Solutions, LLC)
- - Tivod Supports the Origination, Disbursement, and Reporting of Title IV Federal Student AID Programs, Including - BUT NOT Limited to - Direct Loans, Pell Grants, and the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants. the Title IV Solution Shall Also Provide Ongoing Support for the Discontinued Title IV Federal Student AID Programs, Including - BUT NOT Limited to - Academic Competitiveness Grants and National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants — $1.5B (Accenture Federal Services LLC)
- Federal Student AID Common Origination and Disbursement Services — $1.1B (Accenture LLP)
- Provide Direct Loan Services Such AS Call Center and Financial Reporting - Nelnet From 12/15/2019 Through 12/14/2020 — $983.7M (Nelnet Servicing LLC)
- Debt Management and Collections System (dmcs) Igf::ct::igf — $906.9M (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)