Department of Education awards $23.8M contract for research on school-wide positive behavior supports
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,796,966 ($23.8M)
Contractor: Mdrc
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2013-11-26
End Date: 2020-08-25
Contract Duration: 2,464 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: "OTHER FUNTION" IGF::OT::IGF EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF OFFERING SCHOOLS TRAINING IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHOOL-WIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORTS ON SCHOOL CLIMATE, STAFF PRACTICE, AND STUDENT OUTCOMES.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $23.8 million to MDRC for work described as: "OTHER FUNTION" IGF::OT::IGF EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF OFFERING SCHOOLS TRAINING IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHOOL-WIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORTS ON SCHOOL CLIMATE, STAFF PRACTICE, AND STUDENT OUTCOMES. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on evaluating the impact of training on school climate, staff practices, and student outcomes. 2. Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities sector, with a specific NAICS code of 541720. 3. Awarded via full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified contractors. 4. Contract type is a Definitive Contract with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee pricing structure. 5. Performance period spans over 2400 days, suggesting a long-term research initiative. 6. The contractor, MDRC, is a known entity in social policy research. 7. Geographic focus is the District of Columbia.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount of $23.8 million for a research project of this duration and scope appears within a reasonable range for social science research. However, without specific benchmarks for similar large-scale educational intervention studies, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure allows for cost reimbursement plus a predetermined profit, which can incentivize efficiency but also carries risks if initial cost estimates are inaccurate. Further analysis would require comparing this award to other federally funded research grants of similar complexity and duration.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting that multiple potential bidders were solicited and evaluated. The presence of 4 offers indicates a degree of market interest. This competitive process is generally expected to lead to a more favorable price and better selection of the most capable contractor. The specific details of the evaluation criteria and the number of proposals received would provide further insight into the robustness of the competition.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing the best value by allowing a wide range of qualified contractors to bid, fostering price competition and innovation.
Public Impact
Schools and educational institutions within the District of Columbia are the primary beneficiaries, receiving training and support. The research aims to improve school climate, enhance staff practices in behavior management, and positively impact student outcomes. The geographic impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia, where the study will be implemented. Educators, school administrators, and potentially students will be directly involved in or affected by the research activities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored, as the contractor is reimbursed for actual costs plus a fixed fee.
- The long performance period (over 2400 days) increases the risk of scope creep or changes in research priorities over time.
- The research is focused on specific interventions, and the effectiveness may vary across different school contexts, posing a risk to generalizability.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
- The contractor, MDRC, has a strong track record in social policy research, indicating expertise and reliability.
- The research topic addresses a critical area in education (positive behavior supports) with potential for significant positive impact on school environments and student success.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. The market for educational research and evaluation is substantial, with significant federal investment aimed at improving educational outcomes and practices. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale, multi-year research grants funded by the Department of Education or other federal agencies focused on educational interventions and policy analysis.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside criterion for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). As a large research and development contract, it is possible that small businesses could participate as subcontractors to the prime contractor, MDRC. However, without specific subcontracting plans or goals outlined in the award data, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear. Further investigation into subcontracting reports would be necessary to assess this.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Education's contracting officers and program officials. Given the nature of the research, there may also be programmatic oversight from relevant offices within the Department responsible for education research and innovation. Transparency would be facilitated through the publication of research findings and potentially through public reports on the project's progress. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Education Research Grants
- Educational Program Evaluation
- School Climate Initiatives
- Behavioral Interventions in Schools
- Social Science Research Funding
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
- Long performance period may introduce scope creep or changing priorities.
- Effectiveness of SWPBS can be context-dependent.
- Geographic limitation to DC may affect generalizability of findings.
Tags
research-and-development, department-of-education, district-of-columbia, definitive-contract, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, social-sciences, education-research, school-climate, behavioral-supports
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $23.8 million to MDRC. "OTHER FUNTION" IGF::OT::IGF EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF OFFERING SCHOOLS TRAINING IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHOOL-WIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORTS ON SCHOOL CLIMATE, STAFF PRACTICE, AND STUDENT OUTCOMES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MDRC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $23.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-11-26. End: 2020-08-25.
What is MDRC's track record with similar large-scale educational research contracts?
MDRC (Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation) has a well-established reputation for conducting rigorous evaluations of social and economic policies and programs, including significant work in education. They have managed numerous large-scale, federally funded research projects evaluating interventions related to education, workforce development, and poverty reduction. Their experience often involves complex data collection, longitudinal studies, and rigorous methodologies such as randomized controlled trials. While specific contract details are not provided here, MDRC's history suggests they are well-equipped to handle the scope and complexity of this Department of Education contract, having previously worked with various federal agencies on similar research endeavors.
How does the $23.8 million award compare to other federal investments in educational research?
The $23.8 million award for this specific research project is a substantial but not unprecedented figure within the context of federal educational research funding. The Department of Education, along with other agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), regularly awards grants and contracts in the multi-million dollar range for large-scale, multi-year research initiatives. For instance, major evaluations of educational programs, development of new assessment tools, or large-scale implementation studies can easily reach or exceed this amount. The value is relative to the scope, duration, and complexity of the research questions being addressed. This particular contract focuses on a critical area (positive behavior supports) and involves evaluating impacts on multiple levels (school climate, staff, students), justifying a significant investment.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for this type of research?
The primary risk with a CPFF contract for research is the potential for cost overruns. While the 'fixed fee' component provides a defined profit margin for the contractor, the 'cost plus' element means the government reimburses actual allowable costs incurred. If the research encounters unforeseen challenges, requires more extensive data collection than initially scoped, or if project management is inefficient, the total costs can escalate beyond initial projections. This necessitates robust oversight from the contracting agency to ensure costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. For research, this can be particularly challenging as the exact path and resource needs may not be fully predictable at the outset, unlike more standardized service or product contracts.
How effective are school-wide positive behavior support (SWPBS) programs in general, based on existing research?
School-Wide Positive Behavior Supports (SWPBS) is a framework designed to improve school climate and student behavior by teaching and reinforcing positive behaviors. Research generally indicates that SWPBS can be effective when implemented with fidelity. Studies have shown positive associations between SWPBS implementation and reductions in problem behaviors, improvements in student academic performance, and enhanced school safety. However, effectiveness can vary significantly based on factors such as the fidelity of implementation, the specific context of the school, the level of staff buy-in and training, and the duration of the program. This contract aims to further investigate these impacts within a specific context, contributing to the broader evidence base.
What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of Education on research and development in education?
The Department of Education consistently allocates significant funding towards research and development (R&D) to inform policy and practice. Historically, agencies within the Department, such as the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), have been the primary conduits for this funding. Spending patterns fluctuate annually based on congressional appropriations and administration priorities. Major R&D investments often target areas like improving educational outcomes, addressing achievement gaps, evaluating innovative programs, and developing new educational technologies. While specific figures vary year to year, R&D constitutes a notable portion of the Department's budget, supporting a wide array of studies from foundational research to program evaluations, similar in nature to the contract awarded to MDRC.
What does the NAICS code 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities) typically encompass in federal contracting?
The NAICS code 541720 covers establishments primarily engaged in conducting research and experimental development in the social sciences and humanities. This includes activities like economics, history, law, political science, psychology, sociology, and related fields. For federal contracting, this code signifies projects that involve systematic investigation to establish facts, principles, or knowledge in these areas. Contracts under this code often involve surveys, data analysis, policy research, program evaluation, and the development of theoretical frameworks. The Department of Education's use of this code for the MDRC contract accurately reflects the nature of the research on school behavior supports and their impact.
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-0035
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 16 E 34TH STREET FL 19, NEW YORK, NY, 10016
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: $23,796,966
Exercised Options: $23,796,966
Current Obligation: $23,796,966
Actual Outlays: $1,232,688
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-11-26
Current End Date: 2020-08-25
Potential End Date: 2020-08-25 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-06-19
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