Department of Education awards $16.17M for reading comprehension interventions to Mathematica Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,173,853 ($16.2M)
Contractor: Mathematica Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2004-09-30
End Date: 2010-08-30
Contract Duration: 2,160 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TASK ORDER - TO DEVELOP AND EVALUATE READING COMPREHENSION INTERVENTIONS
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $16.2 million to MATHEMATICA INC. for work described as: TASK ORDER - TO DEVELOP AND EVALUATE READING COMPREHENSION INTERVENTIONS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Mathematica Inc. for developing and evaluating reading comprehension interventions. 2. The contract spans nearly six years, indicating a long-term investment in educational research. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a robust price discovery process. 4. The sector involves educational research and development, with potential for broad impact on student learning.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), which can incentivize contractor performance but may also 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, which generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a wide range of potential contractors to bid. This method is expected to yield a fair price for the services rendered.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for research aimed at improving educational outcomes, which has the potential for long-term societal benefits if the interventions are effective.
Public Impact
Potential for improved reading skills among students nationwide. Development of evidence-based educational strategies for teachers and schools. Contribution to the body of knowledge in educational psychology and learning sciences.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract type requires careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency.
- Long contract duration may present challenges in adapting to evolving educational needs.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process.
- Focus on evidence-based interventions aligns with best practices in education.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on educational interventions. Spending in this area is crucial for advancing pedagogical methods and improving learning outcomes, though direct cost benchmarks are challenging to establish due to the specialized nature of the work.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Education is responsible for overseeing this contract. The effectiveness of the interventions and the efficiency of the spending will depend on robust program management and evaluation by the agency.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPAF contract type.
- Risk of interventions not being effective or scalable.
- Long duration may lead to outdated methodologies if not managed proactively.
- Limited visibility into specific performance metrics and evaluation criteria.
Tags
department-of-education, dc, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $16.2 million to MATHEMATICA INC.. TASK ORDER - TO DEVELOP AND EVALUATE READING COMPREHENSION INTERVENTIONS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MATHEMATICA INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $16.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-09-30. End: 2010-08-30.
What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the reading comprehension interventions developed under this contract?
The effectiveness of the interventions will likely be evaluated through a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures. This could include standardized reading assessments, classroom-based performance tracking, teacher feedback, and student engagement surveys. The contract's statement of work should detail the specific evaluation framework and key performance indicators to be used.
How will the Cost Plus Award Fee structure ensure that Mathematica Inc. delivers high-value results within budget?
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows the contractor to recover allowable costs plus an additional fee that is composed of a fixed base amount and a variable award amount. The award amount is determined by the government based on the contractor's performance against pre-defined criteria. This incentivizes the contractor to exceed performance expectations while managing costs effectively.
What is the anticipated long-term impact of these interventions on national reading proficiency rates?
The anticipated long-term impact is a measurable improvement in reading proficiency rates, particularly among targeted student populations. If the developed interventions are proven effective and widely adopted, they could contribute to closing achievement gaps and enhancing overall educational attainment. However, the actual impact depends on the efficacy of the interventions and their successful implementation in diverse educational settings.
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Mathematica Inc (UEI: 154125140)
Address: 600 ALEXANDER PARK, PRINCETON, NJ, 12
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,173,853
Exercised Options: $16,173,853
Current Obligation: $16,173,853
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: ED01CO0039
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-09-30
Current End Date: 2010-08-30
Potential End Date: 2010-08-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-03-29
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