Department of Education's $82M IPEDS Contract for Postsecondary Data Collection Undergoes Review
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $82,212,837 ($82.2M)
Contractor: Research Triangle Institute
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2013-09-30
End Date: 2023-09-29
Contract Duration: 3,651 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF THE IPEDS CONTRACT IS THE DEPARTMENTS CORE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION DATA COLLECTION PROGRAM. THE IPEDS IS COMPRISED OF INSTITUTION-LEVEL DATA USED TO DESCRIBE TRENDS IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AT THE INSTITUTION, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVELS, AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WITH CONSUMER INFORMATION ABOUT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $82.2 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF THE IPEDS CONTRACT IS THE DEPARTMENTS CORE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION DATA COLLECTION PROGRAM. THE IPEDS IS COMPRISED OF INSTITUTION-LEVEL DATA USED TO DESCRIBE TRENDS IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AT THE INSTITUTION, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVELS, AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE STUD… Key points: 1. The IPEDS contract supports a critical program for collecting and disseminating postsecondary education data. 2. The contract has been active for 10 years, nearing its end date. 3. The core function is data collection, analysis, and reporting for institutional, state, and national levels. 4. This data is vital for understanding educational trends and informing student/family decisions.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $82.2 million over 10 years suggests a significant investment. Without specific benchmarks for similar data collection programs, a precise pricing assessment is difficult, but the duration and scope indicate a substantial cost.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. However, the long duration (10 years) may have limited the impact of ongoing price discovery mechanisms.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting a crucial government function for educational data. The full and open competition aims to ensure value for money, but the long-term nature warrants scrutiny of cost-effectiveness over time.
Public Impact
Provides essential data for students and families to make informed college choices. Informs policymakers and researchers about trends in postsecondary education. Supports accountability and transparency in the higher education sector. The data collected can influence federal education policy and funding decisions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration may limit competitive pressure on pricing.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Potential for data obsolescence over a 10-year period.
Positive Signals
- Supports a critical government function for education.
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Provides valuable consumer information.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities sector, specifically focusing on educational data collection. Benchmarking against similar large-scale data collection and analysis contracts within government would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this contract (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the prime contractor is likely a large entity, and there's no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's long duration and significant value necessitate robust oversight to ensure continued relevance, data integrity, and cost-effectiveness. The Department of Education's internal oversight mechanisms are crucial for monitoring performance and addressing any emerging issues.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract duration exceeds typical data collection cycles.
- Potential for data relevance to decline over time.
- Lack of explicit performance metrics in the provided data.
- No indication of small business involvement.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-education, dc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $82.2 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. IGF::OT::IGF THE IPEDS CONTRACT IS THE DEPARTMENTS CORE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION DATA COLLECTION PROGRAM. THE IPEDS IS COMPRISED OF INSTITUTION-LEVEL DATA USED TO DESCRIBE TRENDS IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AT THE INSTITUTION, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVELS, AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WITH CONSUMER INFORMATION ABOUT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
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 $82.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-09-30. End: 2023-09-29.
What is the cost-effectiveness of collecting postsecondary education data over a decade-long contract period?
Assessing cost-effectiveness over a decade requires analyzing the program's sustained value against its cumulative cost. While the IPEDS program provides essential data, a 10-year span might see technological shifts or evolving data needs. Periodic reviews and potential re-competition could ensure the program remains efficient and relevant, justifying the long-term investment.
What are the risks associated with the long duration of this contract for data collection?
The primary risks of a 10-year contract include potential vendor complacency, leading to decreased innovation or efficiency. Data relevance could also diminish if not continuously updated to reflect evolving educational landscapes and technological capabilities. Furthermore, a long-term fixed price may not adequately account for inflation or changes in data collection methodologies, potentially impacting value for money.
How effectively does the IPEDS program, supported by this contract, serve its purpose of providing consumer information and informing policy?
The IPEDS program is foundational for providing consumer information and informing policy by collecting comprehensive institutional data. Its effectiveness hinges on data accuracy, accessibility, and timeliness. While the program's longevity suggests established utility, continuous evaluation of its user-friendliness and the relevance of collected data is crucial to ensure it consistently meets the needs of students, families, researchers, and policymakers.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: ED-IES-13-R-0012
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
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: $94,423,984
Exercised Options: $82,924,857
Current Obligation: $82,212,837
Actual Outlays: $36,263,110
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 42
Total Subaward Amount: $41,084,300
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-09-30
Current End Date: 2023-09-29
Potential End Date: 2023-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-03-30
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