Department of Education contract for IPEDS data collections awarded to Research Triangle Institute for over $34.8 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,898,074 ($34.9M)

Contractor: Research Triangle Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2009-04-14

End Date: 2014-12-01

Contract Duration: 2,057 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IPEDS DATA COLLECTIONS - THESE WEB-BASED DATA COLLECTIONS ARE CONGRESSIONALLY MANDATED TO GATHER DATA FROM POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS WHICH RECEIVE TITLE IV FUNDS.

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $34.9 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: IPEDS DATA COLLECTIONS - THESE WEB-BASED DATA COLLECTIONS ARE CONGRESSIONALLY MANDATED TO GATHER DATA FROM POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS WHICH RECEIVE TITLE IV FUNDS. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of congressionally mandated data collection. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract type (Cost Plus Award Fee) allows for performance incentives. 4. This contract supports a critical function of gathering data from postsecondary institutions. 5. The duration of the contract (over 5 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 6. The North Carolina location of the contractor may have minor geographic implications for federal spending distribution.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $34.9 million over nearly six years for congressionally mandated data collection appears to be within a reasonable range for such a large-scale, ongoing federal program. Benchmarking against similar large data collection and analysis contracts would provide further context, but the scope of IPEDS (covering all Title IV institutions) suggests significant operational requirements. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for flexibility and incentivizes performance, which can be a value-for-money driver if managed effectively.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely solicited and evaluated. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive offers. The presence of multiple bidders typically leads to better pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for their money by encouraging multiple firms to offer their services at optimal price points.

Public Impact

Postsecondary institutions receiving Title IV funds benefit by having a standardized system for data reporting. The public benefits from access to comprehensive data on higher education institutions, aiding research and policy decisions. The contract supports the administration of education programs by ensuring data integrity and availability. The workforce implications are primarily within the contractor's organization, involving data collection, analysis, and management personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns given the Cost Plus Award Fee structure if performance incentives are not carefully managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical, congressionally mandated data set could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

The use of full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
The Cost Plus Award Fee contract structure incentivizes high performance.
The long contract duration indicates a stable and ongoing need for the services provided.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Administration of Education Programs' sector, specifically focusing on data collection and analysis for postsecondary institutions. The market for large-scale educational data management and analysis is specialized, often involving research institutions and government contractors with expertise in data science and educational policy. The value of this contract is significant within its niche, supporting a core function of the Department of Education.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides or significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The nature of large-scale data collection and analysis for federal mandates often favors larger, established research organizations with the infrastructure and expertise required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Department of Education's program offices responsible for the IPEDS data collections. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance metrics and award fee structure within the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through public reporting of the collected IPEDS data, though the internal contract management details may be less accessible.

Related Government Programs

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) programs
Higher Education Act (HEA) data requirements
Federal Student Aid (FSA) data reporting

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep given the long-term nature of data collection.
Reliance on contractor's data management systems and security protocols.
Ensuring continued relevance and accuracy of data collection instruments over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $34.9 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. IPEDS DATA COLLECTIONS - THESE WEB-BASED DATA COLLECTIONS ARE CONGRESSIONALLY MANDATED TO GATHER DATA FROM POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS WHICH RECEIVE TITLE IV FUNDS.

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 $34.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-04-14. End: 2014-12-01.

What is the historical spending trend for the IPEDS data collection program?

Historical spending data for the IPEDS data collection program prior to this specific contract (2009-2014) would require a deeper dive into historical contract databases. However, given that IPEDS is a congressionally mandated program, its funding has likely been consistent over many years, reflecting the ongoing need for comprehensive postsecondary education data. Fluctuations might occur based on specific data collection initiatives, system upgrades, or changes in reporting requirements mandated by Congress or the Department of Education. The $34.8 million awarded over approximately 5.7 years suggests an average annual expenditure of around $6.1 million, which provides a baseline for understanding the program's scale.

How does the contractor's (Research Triangle Institute) track record compare for similar federal data collection contracts?

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has a well-established track record as a large research and technical assistance organization that frequently contracts with federal agencies, including the Department of Education. RTI has historically managed numerous large-scale data collection, analysis, and survey projects for various government entities. Their experience with congressionally mandated data sets and complex research initiatives suggests they possess the necessary expertise and capacity for the IPEDS program. A detailed review of their past performance on similar contracts, including client satisfaction and adherence to timelines and budgets, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate contractor performance under this Cost Plus Award Fee contract?

While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided summary, Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts typically tie award fees to the achievement of clearly defined performance objectives. For the IPEDS data collection, these KPIs likely include metrics related to data accuracy and completeness, timeliness of data collection and submission, successful outreach to and engagement with postsecondary institutions, effectiveness of data validation processes, and the quality of data analysis and reporting. The 'award fee' component incentivizes the contractor to exceed minimum performance standards, with the fee amount determined by the government's assessment of their performance against these pre-determined criteria.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader higher education data ecosystem?

This contract is central to the functioning of the higher education data ecosystem in the United States. By ensuring the systematic collection and dissemination of data through IPEDS, it provides essential information for policymakers, researchers, institutions, and the public. This data informs decisions related to federal funding, program evaluation, institutional improvement, and public accountability. The reliability and comprehensiveness of the data directly influence the quality of research and policy analysis concerning higher education, impacting everything from student aid policies to accreditation standards.

Are there any known risks associated with the data security and privacy of the information collected under this contract?

Given that the contract involves collecting data from postsecondary institutions, data security and privacy are paramount concerns. Federal contracts of this nature typically include stringent requirements for data protection, compliance with regulations like the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and secure data storage and transmission protocols. The contractor, Research Triangle Institute, would be expected to adhere to these federal standards. Potential risks could include data breaches, unauthorized access, or improper data handling, which would necessitate robust oversight and auditing by the Department of Education to mitigate.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Public Administration › Administration of Human Resource Programs › Administration of Education Programs

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: ED-IES-09-R-0006

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3040 CORNWALLIS RD, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 27709

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,332,769

Exercised Options: $34,939,807

Current Obligation: $34,898,074

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline