Department of Education awards $25.2M contract for longitudinal study of high school students

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,245,099 ($25.2M)

Contractor: Research Triangle Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2010-06-24

End Date: 2015-06-29

Contract Duration: 1,831 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HIGH SCHOOL LONGITUDINAL STUDY 2009: FIRST FOLLOW-UP. FOLLOW UP OF THE 2009 DATA COLLECTION ON MATH&SCIENCE FROM HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $25.2 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: HIGH SCHOOL LONGITUDINAL STUDY 2009: FIRST FOLLOW-UP. FOLLOW UP OF THE 2009 DATA COLLECTION ON MATH&SCIENCE FROM HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for a multi-year follow-up of a study on math and science education. 2. The contract duration is over 5 years, indicating a significant commitment to the research. 3. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which incentivizes contractor performance. 5. The primary agency is the Department of Education, focusing on educational research. 6. The contract supports the collection of data on educational outcomes for high school students.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $25.2 million over five years for a longitudinal study appears reasonable given the scope of tracking high school students' educational progress. Benchmarking against similar large-scale educational research grants or contracts would provide further context, but the duration and complexity suggest a significant investment. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for performance-based incentives, which can drive value if managed effectively.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensures the government receives proposals from a wide range of qualified contractors. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competition type suggests a healthy market for these types of research services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and higher quality services.

Public Impact

Students participating in the High School Longitudinal Study benefit from the continued research into their educational paths. The research provides valuable data for educators, policymakers, and researchers to understand trends in math and science education. The study's findings can inform curriculum development and educational interventions. The geographic impact is national, as the study follows students across the United States. The workforce implications include employment for researchers, data analysts, and administrative staff supporting the study.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Award Fee contracts if not closely monitored.
Ensuring data integrity and participant privacy over the multi-year study period requires robust management.
The long duration of the contract may present challenges in adapting to evolving research methodologies or technological changes.

Positive Signals

The Cost Plus Award Fee structure incentivizes high performance and successful achievement of study objectives.
The full and open competition suggests a strong pool of qualified contractors, potentially leading to high-quality research.
The multi-year nature of the contract allows for in-depth, longitudinal data collection crucial for educational research.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Education sector, specifically focusing on educational research and data collection. The market for large-scale, longitudinal educational studies is specialized, often involving academic institutions and research firms with expertise in survey design, data analysis, and participant management. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in other federal grants or contracts supporting major social science or educational research initiatives.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary focus was on securing the best value through open competition. While small businesses may have participated as subcontractors, their direct role or subcontracting requirements are not detailed in this summary.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Education's program managers and contracting officers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, approving costs, and ensuring compliance with contract terms. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates close oversight to ensure that award fees are justified by performance metrics. Transparency is facilitated through contract awards databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
Education Sciences Reform Act
Institute of Education Sciences (IES) research grants

Risk Flags

Potential for cost creep in CPAF contracts.
Ensuring long-term data quality and participant engagement.
Adaptability to evolving research methodologies over the contract period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $25.2 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. HIGH SCHOOL LONGITUDINAL STUDY 2009: FIRST FOLLOW-UP. FOLLOW UP OF THE 2009 DATA COLLECTION ON MATH&SCIENCE FROM HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

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 $25.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-06-24. End: 2015-06-29.

What is the track record of Research Triangle Institute (RTI) in managing large-scale federal educational research contracts?

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) is a well-established non-profit research institute with extensive experience in conducting large-scale federal research projects, including those for the Department of Education. They have a history of managing longitudinal studies, surveys, and program evaluations across various domains, including education. RTI's track record typically involves rigorous methodological design, data collection, and analysis, often collaborating with government agencies to meet specific research objectives. Their involvement in projects like the High School Longitudinal Study suggests a demonstrated capability to handle complex, multi-year research endeavors requiring significant coordination and stakeholder engagement.

How does the $25.2 million cost compare to similar longitudinal educational studies funded by the federal government?

The $25.2 million cost for a five-year longitudinal study of high school students is within the expected range for large-scale federal educational research initiatives. Projects of similar scope, such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) or other major data collection efforts by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), often involve multi-million dollar budgets over extended periods. Factors influencing cost include the sample size, frequency of data collection, complexity of instruments used (e.g., surveys, assessments), data analysis requirements, and administrative overhead. Without direct comparison to identically structured studies, this figure represents a significant but not necessarily outlier investment for comprehensive educational research.

What are the primary risks associated with the 'Cost Plus Award Fee' contract type for this study?

The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract for this longitudinal study revolve around cost control and performance management. While CPAF incentivizes performance through award fees, there's a risk that the government may pay higher overall costs compared to fixed-price contracts if performance is exceptionally high or if the base cost is not well-defined. Ensuring that the award fee criteria are objective, measurable, and directly tied to the study's success is crucial. Potential risks include contractor focus on achieving award fee targets at the expense of other critical research aspects, or conversely, the government not adequately defining performance metrics, leading to disputes over fees. Robust oversight is essential to mitigate these risks and ensure value for money.

How effective is the Department of Education likely to be in overseeing this contract given its duration and complexity?

The Department of Education's effectiveness in overseeing this contract will depend on several factors, including the adequacy of its contracting staff resources, the clarity of performance metrics defined in the contract, and the established communication channels with the contractor. The multi-year duration and complexity of a longitudinal study necessitate consistent and knowledgeable oversight to ensure data quality, adherence to research protocols, and fiscal responsibility. The Department's Institute of Education Sciences (IES) typically manages such research, bringing subject matter expertise. However, challenges can arise from staff turnover, competing priorities, and the inherent difficulty in monitoring complex research activities over extended periods. Proactive engagement and clear performance expectations are key to effective oversight.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar educational research and data collection contracts by the Department of Education?

The Department of Education, particularly through its Institute of Education Sciences (IES), consistently allocates significant funding towards educational research, evaluation, and data collection. Historical spending patterns reveal a commitment to large-scale longitudinal studies, national assessments, and program evaluations aimed at improving educational outcomes. Contracts in this category often range from several million to tens of millions of dollars, reflecting the scope and duration required for robust research. Spending is typically driven by legislative mandates, national research priorities, and the need for evidence-based policymaking. Analyzing past awards for similar studies provides a benchmark for current contract values and helps identify trends in research focus areas.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: ED-IES-10-R-0006

Offers Received: 1

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: $26,906,643

Exercised Options: $26,906,643

Current Obligation: $25,245,099

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline