Department of Education awards $29.9M contract to RMC Research Corp for reading technical assistance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,880,459 ($29.9M)

Contractor: RMC Research Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2004-08-26

End Date: 2009-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,800 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT, RESEARCH AND CAPACITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES RELATED TO NATIONAL CENTERS FOR READING FIRST TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

Place of Performance

Location: PORTSMOUTH, ROCKINGHAM County, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 03801

State: New Hampshire Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $29.9 million to RMC RESEARCH CORP for work described as: TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT, RESEARCH AND CAPACITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES RELATED TO NATIONAL CENTERS FOR READING FIRST TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on technical support, research, and capacity-building for reading initiatives. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of 5 years (August 2004 - July 2009) indicates a long-term need. 4. Cost-plus incentive contract type allows for performance-based adjustments. 5. The National Center for Reading First is a key program benefiting from this support. 6. The contract value of $29.9M is spread over the 5-year period.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $29.9M over five years averages approximately $6M annually. Without specific benchmarks for similar technical assistance contracts in educational research and capacity-building, it's challenging to definitively assess value for money. The cost-plus incentive fee structure suggests an attempt to align contractor performance with program goals, but the ultimate cost-effectiveness depends on the achieved outcomes. Further analysis would require comparison with contracts for similar services and an evaluation of the contractor's performance against established metrics.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings. The open competition suggests the agency sought the best value available in the market for these specialized services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the most effective and cost-efficient services for the Reading First initiative.

Public Impact

Educational institutions and educators nationwide benefit from enhanced technical assistance and research in reading instruction. The contract supports the National Center for Reading First, a federal initiative aimed at improving early literacy. Geographic impact is national, reaching schools and districts across the United States. Workforce implications include support for researchers, technical assistance providers, and potentially educators receiving training.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The cost-plus incentive fee structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
Long contract duration may not adapt well to rapidly changing educational research.
Effectiveness of technical assistance is difficult to quantify without clear performance metrics.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Focus on technical support and capacity-building addresses critical needs in reading education.
Incentive fee structure aims to reward contractor performance and efficiency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Management Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on educational program support. The broader market for educational consulting and technical assistance is significant, with government agencies being major clients. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar research, technical assistance, and capacity-building services within the education domain, particularly those supporting large-scale federal initiatives.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, RMC Research Corp, will likely perform the majority of the work. The impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal in terms of direct set-aside opportunities for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are likely embedded within the cost-plus incentive fee structure, linking payment to performance. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Education Grants
Educational Research and Development
Early Literacy Programs
Federal Technical Assistance Contracts

Risk Flags

Performance Risk
Cost Overrun Risk
Effectiveness Measurement Risk
Long-Term Program Sustainability Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $29.9 million to RMC RESEARCH CORP. TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT, RESEARCH AND CAPACITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES RELATED TO NATIONAL CENTERS FOR READING FIRST TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RMC RESEARCH CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-08-26. End: 2009-07-31.

What is the track record of RMC Research Corp in delivering similar technical assistance for federal education programs?

RMC Research Corp has a history of providing research, evaluation, and technical assistance services to federal agencies, including the Department of Education. Their work often involves supporting educational initiatives, curriculum development, and program implementation. Specific to reading and literacy, they have been involved in projects aimed at improving student outcomes. A detailed review of their past performance on similar contracts, including client feedback and project outcomes, would be necessary to fully assess their capabilities and reliability for this specific award. Their experience suggests they possess the domain expertise required for this contract, but the success of this particular award hinges on their execution and the effectiveness of the technical assistance provided.

How does the $29.9M contract value compare to similar federal contracts for reading technical assistance?

Comparing the $29.9M contract value requires identifying comparable federal contracts for reading technical assistance, research, and capacity-building. The average annual value of this contract is approximately $6M. The scope of work, including research, technical assistance, and capacity-building for a national center, suggests a significant undertaking. Benchmarking against similar contracts would involve looking at awards made by the Department of Education or other agencies to organizations providing comparable services. Factors such as contract duration, specific deliverables, and the complexity of the supported program (like Reading First) would influence the value. Without access to a comprehensive database of such comparable contracts and their specific terms, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult, but the duration and scope suggest a substantial investment.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Primary risks include the potential for cost overruns due to the cost-plus incentive fee structure, which requires careful financial oversight and performance monitoring. Another risk is the effectiveness of the technical assistance; if the support provided does not lead to measurable improvements in reading instruction or outcomes, the contract's value is diminished. The long duration (5 years) also poses a risk of the program's needs evolving beyond the initial scope. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance metrics defined in the contract, regular progress reviews by the Department of Education, and the incentive fee mechanism designed to reward efficiency and effectiveness. Clear communication channels and adaptive management practices would also be crucial.

How effective has the National Center for Reading First been, and how does this contract contribute to its effectiveness?

The effectiveness of the National Center for Reading First (RF) itself has been a subject of debate and evaluation. RF was a major federal initiative aimed at improving early reading achievement, particularly for struggling readers, through evidence-based instruction. This contract directly supports the RF initiative by providing essential technical assistance, research, and capacity-building activities. The contract's contribution to effectiveness lies in ensuring that schools and educators receive the necessary guidance and resources to implement RF strategies correctly. The success of this contract is therefore intertwined with the overall success and impact of the Reading First program. Evaluating the contract's contribution requires assessing whether the technical assistance led to better implementation and, consequently, improved reading outcomes.

What are the historical spending patterns for technical assistance related to federal reading initiatives?

Historical spending on technical assistance for federal reading initiatives, such as Reading First, has been substantial. These programs often require significant investment to provide training, resources, and support to states, districts, and schools nationwide. Spending patterns vary based on the scale and duration of the initiative, the number of participating entities, and the specific services required (e.g., research, professional development, data analysis). The $29.9M awarded to RMC Research Corp for a 5-year period reflects a significant, but not necessarily atypical, level of investment for a national-level support contract within a major federal education program. Tracking historical spending would involve analyzing budgets allocated to similar initiatives and support contracts over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Management Consulting Services

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 INCENTIVE (V)

Contractor Details

Address: BUILDING #2, PORTSMOUTH, NH, 01

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,771,494

Exercised Options: $36,771,494

Current Obligation: $29,880,459

Timeline