Department of Education awards $55.8M contract for longitudinal student aid studies, with a significant 10-year duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $55,776,300 ($55.8M)

Contractor: Research Triangle Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2013-09-30

End Date: 2024-03-28

Contract Duration: 3,832 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF 2015-16 NATIONAL POSTSECONDARY STUDENT AID STUDY (NPSAS 2016)&POSTSECONDARY LONGITUDINAL STUDIES - DATA COLLECTION FOR THE THE NATIONAL POSTSECONDARY STUDENT AID STUDY (NPSAS)BACCALAUREATE AND BEYOND LONGITUDINAL STUDY (B&B) AND THE BEGINNING POSTSECONDARY STUDENTS LONGITUDINAL STUDY (BPS) STUDIES.

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 $55.8 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF 2015-16 NATIONAL POSTSECONDARY STUDENT AID STUDY (NPSAS 2016)&POSTSECONDARY LONGITUDINAL STUDIES - DATA COLLECTION FOR THE THE NATIONAL POSTSECONDARY STUDENT AID STUDY (NPSAS)BACCALAUREATE AND BEYOND LONGITUDINAL STUDY (B&B) AND THE BEGINNING POSTSECONDARY STUDENTS L… Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Research Triangle Institute for comprehensive data collection on postsecondary student aid. 2. The contract spans a decade, indicating a long-term need for sustained data analysis. 3. Funding mechanism is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee. 4. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 5. The scope includes multiple longitudinal studies, providing deep insights into student financial aid trends. 6. The contract's duration and scope suggest a critical role in informing federal education policy.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $55.8 million over 10 years averages approximately $5.58 million annually. This appears reasonable for large-scale, long-term data collection and analysis projects, especially those involving multiple complex longitudinal studies. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for large-scale data collection and research initiatives would provide further context, but the sustained funding over a decade suggests a recognized and ongoing need for this specific data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This process typically fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to offer their best pricing and technical solutions. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a strong likelihood of competitive pressure influencing the final award.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting a more efficient use of funds, as contractors are incentivized to offer competitive pricing to win the award. It also increases the likelihood of selecting the most capable contractor at a reasonable cost.

Public Impact

Students and prospective students benefit from improved understanding of financial aid availability and outcomes. Policymakers and researchers gain access to critical data for evaluating and shaping federal student aid programs. Educational institutions can utilize study findings to better support student success and financial planning. The workforce involved in data collection, analysis, and research benefits from sustained employment opportunities. The geographic impact is national, covering postsecondary institutions and students across the United States.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (10 years) could lead to potential cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and justified.
Reliance on a single contractor for such a critical and long-term data collection effort may pose risks if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive selection process.
The contract supports vital research into student aid, aligning with federal education goals.
The extensive duration indicates a stable and predictable funding stream for essential research.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. The market for large-scale educational data collection and analysis is specialized, often dominated by a few established research organizations with the capacity and expertise to handle such complex, long-term projects. The Department of Education is a primary funder of such research, aiming to understand the effectiveness and impact of its programs.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Given the specialized nature and scale of the research, it is possible that the prime contractor may engage small businesses for specific support services, but this is not explicitly detailed in the award information. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates careful monitoring of costs and performance to ensure value for money. The Department's Inspector General may also conduct audits or investigations into the contract's execution and financial management to ensure accountability and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS)
Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS)
Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study (B&B)
Federal Student Aid Programs
Education Statistics and Data Collection

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates careful cost monitoring.
Potential for evolving research needs over a decade.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $55.8 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. IGF::OT::IGF 2015-16 NATIONAL POSTSECONDARY STUDENT AID STUDY (NPSAS 2016)&POSTSECONDARY LONGITUDINAL STUDIES - DATA COLLECTION FOR THE THE NATIONAL POSTSECONDARY STUDENT AID STUDY (NPSAS)BACCALAUREATE AND BEYOND LONGITUDINAL STUDY (B&B) AND THE BEGINNING POSTSECONDARY STUDENTS LONGITUDINAL STUDY (BPS) STUDIES.

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 $55.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-09-30. End: 2024-03-28.

What is the historical spending trend for the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) and related longitudinal studies prior to this award?

Historical spending on the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) and its associated longitudinal components, such as the Beginning Postsecondary Students (BPS) and Baccalaureate and Beyond (B&B) studies, has been substantial and consistent over many years, reflecting their critical role in federal education policy. While specific figures for prior contract periods are not detailed in the provided data, these studies are typically funded through multi-year contracts awarded by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) within the Department of Education. Annual expenditures often run into the millions of dollars, supporting the complex data collection, processing, and analysis required for these large-scale, nationally representative surveys. The current $55.8 million award over 10 years represents a continuation and likely an expansion of these efforts, indicating sustained federal investment in understanding student aid and postsecondary outcomes.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure compare to other common contract types for large-scale research and data collection?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure is common for large-scale research and development projects where the scope of work may evolve or is difficult to precisely define upfront. In a CPFF contract, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This differs from Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contracts, which include incentives for meeting or exceeding performance targets, or Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, where the price is set regardless of the contractor's costs. For research and data collection, CPFF offers flexibility, allowing the government to adapt to changing research needs. However, it places a greater burden on government oversight to control costs, as the contractor has less direct financial incentive to minimize expenses compared to an FFP contract. The fixed fee provides some predictability for the contractor's profit.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) typically used to evaluate the success of longitudinal data collection contracts like NPSAS?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for longitudinal data collection contracts like the NPSAS study typically focus on data quality, timeliness, and completeness. These include metrics such as response rates for surveys (ensuring a representative sample), data accuracy and reliability (measured through validation checks and error rates), adherence to data collection schedules and milestones, and the timely delivery of analyzed data sets and reports to the government. For CPFF contracts, adherence to the defined scope of work and effective management of project costs within the anticipated budget are also crucial. The ultimate success is often measured by the utility and impact of the collected data in informing federal policy and research, which can be assessed through user feedback and the citation of study findings in policy documents and academic publications.

What is the track record of Research Triangle Institute (RTI) in managing large federal research and data collection contracts?

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has a long and well-established track record of managing large, complex federal research and data collection contracts, particularly within the education and social sciences domains. RTI is a prominent non-profit research institute known for its expertise in survey design, data collection, statistical analysis, and program evaluation. They have been a key contractor for the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for decades, responsible for conducting major national studies, including various iterations of the NPSAS, BPS, and B&B studies. Their extensive experience in these specific areas suggests a high level of capability and reliability in handling the scope and duration of this current award. Their history includes successful management of multi-year, multi-million dollar projects for various federal agencies.

What are the potential risks associated with the 10-year duration of this contract, and how might they be mitigated?

The 10-year duration of this contract presents several potential risks. Firstly, the long timeframe increases the possibility of scope creep or the need for significant methodological adjustments due to evolving educational landscapes or data collection technologies, which could impact costs. Secondly, maintaining consistent data quality and contractor performance over such an extended period can be challenging. Thirdly, there's a risk of vendor lock-in, making it difficult to switch contractors if performance issues arise or if a more innovative approach becomes available. Mitigation strategies include robust contract management with clearly defined milestones and review periods, incorporating flexibility clauses for necessary scope adjustments with proper change order procedures, establishing strong performance monitoring mechanisms with regular reporting, and potentially including options for periodic re-competition or performance-based reviews to ensure continued value and encourage innovation.

How does this contract contribute to the Department of Education's mission and strategic goals?

This contract directly supports the Department of Education's mission to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by providing essential data on student financial aid and postsecondary outcomes. The longitudinal studies funded by this contract offer critical insights into how students finance their education, the challenges they face, and their success in completing postsecondary programs. This information is vital for evaluating the effectiveness of federal student aid programs (like Pell Grants and federal loans), identifying areas for policy improvement, and ensuring equitable access to higher education. By understanding these trends, the Department can make more informed decisions about program design, funding allocation, and policy development aimed at improving affordability, access, and success in postsecondary education.

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: 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-13-R-0011

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

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: $189,216,312

Exercised Options: $55,790,338

Current Obligation: $55,776,300

Actual Outlays: $12,051,315

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 50

Total Subaward Amount: $6,657,671

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline