Department of Education awards $38.5M contract for regional educational services to American Institutes for Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $38,528,506 ($38.5M)
Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2012-01-03
End Date: 2017-01-02
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $21.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 20
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY - MIDWEST REGION: THE CONTRACTOR PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, RESEARCH AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAM.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20007
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $38.5 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY - MIDWEST REGION: THE CONTRACTOR PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, RESEARCH AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAM. Key points: 1. Contract provides technical assistance and research for educational activities. 2. Long-term contract duration of 5 years suggests a need for sustained support. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability. 4. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors. 5. The specific NAICS code (611710) points to a specialized service within educational support. 6. The contractor, American Institutes for Research, is a known entity in behavioral sciences research.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's firm fixed price structure is a positive indicator for cost control. Benchmarking against similar contracts for regional educational laboratories would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Given the duration and scope, the total award amount appears reasonable, but a detailed cost breakdown and comparison to market rates for technical assistance and research services would be beneficial for a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. With 20 offers received, this indicates a healthy level of interest and competition for this service. A robust competitive process generally leads to better pricing and service quality as vendors strive to offer the most attractive proposals.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as the government sought the best value from a wide pool of potential providers.
Public Impact
Educational institutions and stakeholders within the Midwest region will benefit from technical assistance and research. The contract supports the Department of Education's mission to promote educational excellence. Services delivered include research, technical assistance, and other educational activities. The geographic impact is focused on the Midwest region of the United States. The contract likely supports a workforce of researchers, analysts, and support staff within the contractor's organization.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to long-term contract and specialized services.
- Risk of scope creep if technical assistance requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
- Dependence on contractor's ability to deliver high-quality, relevant research and assistance.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract helps manage cost uncertainty.
- Full and open competition suggests a competitive environment leading to better value.
- Contractor's established presence in behavioral sciences research indicates potential for expertise.
- Long contract duration allows for sustained impact and relationship building.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Educational Support Services sector, specifically focusing on technical assistance and research. The market for educational research and consulting services is diverse, with government contracts often awarded to specialized firms. Benchmarking this contract against other federal awards for similar educational support services would provide context on its scale and pricing within the broader sector.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While the primary award went to a large organization, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business subcontracting and its impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is likely managed by the Department of Education's program officials responsible for the regional educational laboratories. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible.
Related Government Programs
- Regional Educational Laboratories Program
- Educational Research and Development Centers
- Federal Education Grants and Contracts
Risk Flags
- Long-term contract duration may limit flexibility.
- Performance metrics and quality assurance need continuous monitoring.
- Potential for contractor to become entrenched, reducing future competition.
Tags
education, department-of-education, midwest, technical-assistance, research, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, educational-support-services, regional-program
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $38.5 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY - MIDWEST REGION: THE CONTRACTOR PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, RESEARCH AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAM.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $38.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-01-03. End: 2017-01-02.
What is the track record of American Institutes for Research in delivering similar educational support services under federal contracts?
American Institutes for Research (AIR) has a significant track record in conducting research and providing technical assistance in education, often funded by federal agencies like the Department of Education. They are known for their work on various educational initiatives, including curriculum development, teacher training, and policy analysis. Their experience spans multiple regions and subject areas within education. While this specific contract is for the Midwest region, AIR has likely managed similar contracts for other regions or programs, demonstrating their capacity to handle large-scale, long-term federal engagements. A review of their past performance on similar contracts would reveal their success in meeting objectives, managing budgets, and delivering quality outcomes, which are crucial factors in assessing their suitability for this ongoing award.
How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar federal contracts for educational research and technical assistance?
Benchmarking the pricing of this $38.5 million contract against similar federal contracts requires access to detailed cost data and contract specifics for comparable awards. However, the contract's Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure is a positive indicator for cost control, as it shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. The duration of 5 years (1826 days) suggests a substantial scope of work. To assess value for money, one would ideally compare the per-unit costs (e.g., cost per technical assistance hour, cost per research report) or the overall contract value relative to the expected outputs and outcomes against other regional educational laboratory contracts or large-scale educational research grants awarded by the Department of Education or other federal agencies. Without direct comparative data, it's challenging to definitively state if the pricing is optimal, but the competitive award process provides some assurance of reasonable market-based pricing.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract and how are they being managed?
Key risks for this contract include potential scope creep, where the requirements for technical assistance and research may expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns or delays. Another risk is the contractor's ability to consistently deliver high-quality, relevant research and effective technical assistance over the five-year period. Dependence on a single contractor for critical regional support also poses a risk if performance falters. Management of these risks would typically involve robust contract oversight by the Department of Education, clear definition and management of deliverables, regular performance reviews, and established communication channels to address issues proactively. The FFP structure helps mitigate financial risks for the government, but performance risks remain and require diligent monitoring.
How effective has the Regional Educational Laboratories program been in achieving its stated goals, and how does this contract contribute?
The Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) program, administered by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) within the Department of Education, aims to provide research and technical assistance to educators and policymakers to improve student outcomes. The program's effectiveness is generally assessed through its impact on evidence-based practices, policy development, and the capacity of regional education stakeholders to use data and research. This specific contract with American Institutes for Research for the Midwest region directly contributes to these goals by delivering tailored support. The effectiveness of this particular contract would be measured by the quality and utility of the research produced, the reach and impact of the technical assistance provided to schools and districts in the Midwest, and ultimately, the extent to which these efforts lead to measurable improvements in educational practice and student achievement in the region.
What are the historical spending patterns for educational support services by the Department of Education, and how does this contract fit?
The Department of Education historically allocates significant funding towards research, technical assistance, and program support to fulfill its mission. Spending patterns in this area often reflect priorities in educational policy, such as improving teacher quality, closing achievement gaps, and promoting innovation. Contracts for Regional Educational Laboratories represent a consistent and substantial investment in providing localized, evidence-based support across different geographic areas. This $38.5 million contract for the Midwest region aligns with these historical patterns, representing a significant but not necessarily outlier-level investment for a five-year regional support initiative. Understanding broader spending trends helps contextualize the scale of this award and its place within the Department's overall strategy for disseminating research and best practices.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Educational Support Services › Educational Support Services
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 20
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1000 THOMAS JEFFERSON ST N W, WASHINGTON, DC, 20007
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: $38,528,506
Exercised Options: $38,528,506
Current Obligation: $38,528,506
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-01-03
Current End Date: 2017-01-02
Potential End Date: 2017-01-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-02-26
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