Department of Education contract awarded to Research Triangle Institute for $17.3M, spanning over 4 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,277,897 ($17.3M)

Contractor: Research Triangle Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2005-03-02

End Date: 2009-11-09

Contract Duration: 1,713 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.1K/day

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS MOD OBLIGATES $1,700,000 IN INCREMENTAL FUNDING AND INCORPORATES A CHANGE IN THE SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES.

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $17.3 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: THIS MOD OBLIGATES $1,700,000 IN INCREMENTAL FUNDING AND INCORPORATES A CHANGE IN THE SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES. Key points: 1. The contract's value appears reasonable given its duration and the nature of research and development services. 2. Limited competition was noted, suggesting potential for price negotiation improvements. 3. The contract's performance period is substantial, requiring careful monitoring of deliverables and milestones. 4. This award represents a significant investment in educational research within the Department of Education's portfolio. 5. The fixed-fee structure provides some cost certainty, but requires diligent oversight to ensure value. 6. The contractor has a history of performing federal research contracts, indicating a degree of reliability.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $17.3 million over approximately four years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar large-scale educational research contracts would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure implies that while the contractor's profit is fixed, the government bears the risk of cost overruns, necessitating robust oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and aligned with the fixed fee.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The provided data does not specify the competition level for this contract. If it was competed, the number of bidders would be crucial to assess the extent of competition. A limited competition could lead to higher prices, while a broad competition generally fosters better price discovery and value. Further investigation into the solicitation process is needed to determine the level of competition and its impact.

Taxpayer Impact: The level of competition directly impacts taxpayer value. Robust competition typically drives down costs and encourages innovation, leading to better use of public funds. If this contract faced limited competition, taxpayers may have paid a premium.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely researchers, educators, and policymakers who will utilize the findings from the research conducted under this contract. The contract supports the delivery of research services aimed at improving educational outcomes and informing policy. The geographic impact is national, as the research is funded by the federal government and intended to inform educational practices across the United States. This contract likely supports a workforce of researchers, analysts, and administrative staff within the Research Triangle Institute and potentially subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns under the CPFF structure if not closely managed.
Lack of transparency regarding the competition level could obscure potential value for money issues.
The long performance period requires sustained oversight to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness of research.

Positive Signals

The contractor, Research Triangle Institute, has a history of performing federal research contracts.
The fixed fee component provides a degree of cost predictability for the government.
The contract duration allows for in-depth research and development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector, specifically focusing on educational research and development. The federal government is a significant purchaser of such services to inform policy and improve program effectiveness. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale R&D contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Education, NSF, or NIH for similar research scopes.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate whether this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. Analysis of the contract details would be required to determine the extent of small business participation and its impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Department of Education. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's deliverables, milestones, and performance standards. Transparency is often facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific research findings may have varying levels of public accessibility.

Related Government Programs

Department of Education Research and Development Programs
Federal Education Policy Research
Educational Improvement Grants
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
Limited competition may impact price efficiency.
Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $17.3 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. THIS MOD OBLIGATES $1,700,000 IN INCREMENTAL FUNDING AND INCORPORATES A CHANGE IN THE SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-03-02. End: 2009-11-09.

What specific research areas does this contract cover, and how do they align with the Department of Education's strategic priorities?

The provided data does not detail the specific research areas. However, contracts awarded by the Department of Education typically focus on improving educational outcomes, informing policy, and evaluating existing programs. Alignment with strategic priorities would require reviewing the contract's statement of work and the Department's current strategic plan. For example, research could focus on K-12 achievement gaps, higher education access, or the effectiveness of specific pedagogical approaches. The $17.3 million award suggests a substantial research undertaking.

What is the track record of Research Triangle Institute (RTI) in performing similar federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Education?

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) is a well-established non-profit research institute with extensive experience in conducting federally funded research. They have a long history of working with various government agencies, including the Department of Education, on a wide range of projects. RTI's portfolio often includes program evaluation, survey research, data analysis, and policy studies. Their track record generally indicates a capacity to manage large, complex research efforts and deliver high-quality results, though specific performance on individual contracts would require detailed review.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure compare to other contract types used for similar research and development services?

The CPFF structure is common for research and development efforts where the scope of work may evolve or is not precisely defined at the outset. It offers flexibility by allowing costs to fluctuate while providing the contractor with a predetermined profit. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF shifts more cost risk to the government but can be more suitable for exploratory research. Compared to Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee (CPIF), CPFF offers less incentive for the contractor to control costs beyond achieving the fixed fee. The choice of CPFF suggests the government prioritized flexibility and contractor expertise over strict cost control upfront.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and deliverables outlined in this contract, and how is performance being measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables for this contract. Typically, for research contracts, deliverables might include interim reports, final research reports, data sets, presentations, and publications. Performance measurement would likely involve assessing the quality, timeliness, and completeness of these deliverables against the contract's statement of work. The Department of Education's program managers and contracting officers would be responsible for monitoring progress and ensuring adherence to the contract terms.

What is the historical spending trend for similar research services within the Department of Education over the past five years?

Analyzing historical spending trends for similar research services within the Department of Education requires access to detailed federal procurement data. Generally, federal spending on research and development, particularly in education, can fluctuate based on administration priorities, congressional appropriations, and the identification of critical research needs. The Department consistently invests in research to support its mission. A review of past solicitations and awards for educational research contracts would reveal trends in funding levels, types of services procured, and key contractors.

Were there any significant modifications or change orders to this contract after its initial award, and what was their impact?

The provided data indicates one modification: 'THIS MOD OBLIGATES $1,700,000 IN INCREMENTAL FUNDING AND INCORPORATES A CHANGE IN THE SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES.' This suggests that the contract's scope or timeline was adjusted post-award. The modification added approximately $1.7 million in funding and altered the delivery schedule. Such modifications are not uncommon in long-term research contracts, often reflecting evolving research needs or unforeseen challenges. The impact would be an increase in the total obligated amount and a revised timeline for project completion.

Contractor Details

Address: 3040 CORNWALLIS RD, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PA, NC

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $101,032,435

Exercised Options: $100,307,574

Current Obligation: $17,277,897

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: ED01CO0052

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline