Department of Education awards $15.6M for early childhood language development study to Mathematica Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,575,618 ($15.6M)
Contractor: Mathematica Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2009-09-25
End Date: 2017-09-29
Contract Duration: 2,926 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.3K/day
Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)
Sector: Other
Official Description: NATIONAL TITLE I STUDY OF IMPLEMENTATION AND OUTCOMES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
Place of Performance
Location: PRINCETON, MERCER County, NEW JERSEY, 08540
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $15.6 million to MATHEMATICA INC. for work described as: NATIONAL TITLE I STUDY OF IMPLEMENTATION AND OUTCOMES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for price discovery. 2. Duration of nearly 8 years indicates a long-term commitment to the study. 3. The contract's focus on implementation and outcomes highlights a results-oriented approach. 4. Awarded to a single contractor, Mathematica Inc., for specialized research services. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 611710 points to educational support services. 6. Geographic location of the awardee is New Jersey.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount of $15.6 million over approximately 8 years for a national study on early childhood language development suggests a moderate annual investment. Without specific benchmarks for similar large-scale educational research contracts, it's challenging to definitively assess value for money. However, the duration implies a significant scope of work, potentially justifying the overall cost if the study yields valuable insights into language development programs.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that it was competed among multiple potential offerors. The fact that it was competed suggests that the agency sought to leverage market competition to obtain the best value. The number of bidders is not specified, but a competitive award generally leads to better price discovery and a more robust selection process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process as it is intended to drive down costs and ensure that the most capable contractor is selected, leading to a more efficient use of public funds.
Public Impact
The study directly benefits early childhood education programs and policymakers by providing data on effective language development strategies. Services delivered include research, data collection, analysis, and reporting on implementation and outcomes. The geographic impact is national, aiming to inform practices across the United States. Workforce implications include employment for researchers, analysts, and support staff involved in the study.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or cost overruns if not managed effectively.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a national study may limit diverse perspectives in research findings.
- Potential for the study's findings to become outdated if research methodologies or the educational landscape shifts significantly over the 8-year period.
Positive Signals
- The competitive award process suggests an effort to secure qualified expertise and fair pricing.
- Focus on implementation and outcomes indicates a commitment to actionable research that can improve educational practices.
- The substantial funding allocated reflects the perceived importance of early childhood language development research.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader 'Educational Support Services' sector, specifically focusing on research and evaluation related to early childhood education. The market for large-scale educational research is often dominated by specialized firms and academic institutions. The value of this contract, approximately $15.6 million over nearly eight years, is significant for a single research project, reflecting the complexity and national scope of studying implementation and outcomes in early childhood language development.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses. Given the specialized nature and significant scale of a national study, it is likely that larger research firms or consortia were best positioned to bid. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist within specific research tasks, but the primary awardee is Mathematica Inc., a large research organization.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the awarding agency, the Department of Education, through designated contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's statement of work, requiring regular progress reports, deliverables, and adherence to research protocols. Transparency is generally maintained through public reporting of study findings, although the internal oversight processes are not detailed in the award data.
Related Government Programs
- Early Childhood Education Programs
- Federal Education Research Grants
- Language Development Initiatives
- Educational Outcomes Studies
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration
- Potential for research obsolescence
- Reliance on single contractor
Tags
education, department-of-education, research, early-childhood, language-development, competitive-delivery-order, large-contract, educational-support-services, new-jersey, mathematica-inc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $15.6 million to MATHEMATICA INC.. NATIONAL TITLE I STUDY OF IMPLEMENTATION AND OUTCOMES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
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 $15.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-09-25. End: 2017-09-29.
What is Mathematica Inc.'s track record with federal education research contracts?
Mathematica Inc. is a well-established research firm with extensive experience conducting large-scale studies for federal agencies, including the Department of Education. They have a history of managing complex research projects, program evaluations, and policy analyses. Their portfolio often includes work related to education, health, and social welfare. Specific details on their past performance related to early childhood language development would require a deeper dive into their contract history and client feedback, but their general reputation suggests they are a capable contractor for this type of work. Their ability to secure this significant award further indicates a strong track record with the Department of Education.
How does the $15.6 million award compare to similar national studies on early childhood language development?
Benchmarking the $15.6 million award for this national study requires comparing it to other large-scale, multi-year research initiatives focused on early childhood language development. Such studies often involve extensive data collection, longitudinal tracking, and complex analysis, justifying substantial budgets. While specific comparable contract values are not readily available without detailed market research, a $15.6 million investment over nearly eight years suggests a significant scope. This figure appears to be within the expected range for a comprehensive national study of this nature, reflecting the depth of research required to understand implementation and outcomes across diverse settings.
What are the primary risks associated with a nearly 8-year research contract?
The primary risks associated with a nearly 8-year research contract include potential scope creep, where the project's objectives expand beyond the original agreement, leading to increased costs and delays. Another significant risk is the obsolescence of research findings; educational policies and practices can evolve rapidly, potentially diminishing the relevance of data collected over such an extended period. Furthermore, maintaining consistent contractor performance and stakeholder engagement over many years can be challenging. There's also a risk of key personnel turnover within the contractor's team, impacting institutional knowledge and project continuity. Finally, unforeseen changes in federal funding priorities could impact the project's continuation or scope.
How effective are federal investments in early childhood language development research?
Federal investments in early childhood language development research are generally considered effective when they lead to evidence-based practices that improve educational outcomes for children. Studies funded by the government have historically informed policy decisions, curriculum development, and teacher training programs. The effectiveness is measured by the quality of the research, the dissemination of findings, and the subsequent adoption of recommended strategies by educators and policymakers. For instance, research has highlighted the critical importance of early exposure to language and the benefits of targeted interventions for children facing language delays. The long-term impact is seen in improved literacy rates and school readiness.
What is the historical spending pattern for educational support services by the Department of Education?
The Department of Education historically allocates significant funding towards educational support services, which encompass a wide range of activities including research, evaluation, technical assistance, and program administration. Spending in this category can fluctuate based on legislative priorities, the initiation of new research initiatives, and the lifecycle of ongoing large-scale studies. While specific historical spending figures for 'Educational Support Services' (NAICS 611710) would require detailed analysis of historical federal procurement data, it is a substantial category reflecting the Department's commitment to evidence-based education and program improvement. This particular $15.6 million award represents a notable investment within this broader category.
What are the implications of awarding a large research study to a single contractor?
Awarding a large, complex research study to a single contractor like Mathematica Inc. can streamline project management and ensure continuity of effort over its long duration. It allows for a unified approach to research design and execution, potentially leading to more cohesive findings. However, it also concentrates the expertise and perspectives within one organization, potentially limiting the diversity of thought and methodological approaches that might arise from a multi-contractor or collaborative effort. This approach relies heavily on the chosen contractor's capabilities and requires robust oversight from the awarding agency to ensure quality and mitigate risks associated with a sole-source dependency for the project's entirety.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Educational Support Services › Educational Support Services
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY) (2)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Mathematica Inc (UEI: 154125140)
Address: 600 ALEXANDER PARK, PRINCETON, NJ, 08540
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,575,618
Exercised Options: $15,575,618
Current Obligation: $15,575,618
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: EDED04CO0112
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-09-25
Current End Date: 2017-09-29
Potential End Date: 2017-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-04-06
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