Department of Education awards $47.9M contract for longitudinal study data collection, with 2 bidders

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $47,876,093 ($47.9M)

Contractor: Research Triangle Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2015-08-14

End Date: 2023-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,969 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: "OTHER FUNCTIONS" IGF::OT::IGF THIS CONTRACT DESIGNS AND CONDUCTS THE FIRST TWO ROUNDS, 6TH AND 7TH GRADE, OF THE THREE ROUNDS OF DATA COLLECTION ENVISIONED FOR THE NEW MIDDLE GRADE LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF 2017 (MGLS:2017) AS WELL AS AN ITEM VALIDATION FIELD TEST AND AN OPERATIONAL FIELD TEST.

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $47.9 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: "OTHER FUNCTIONS" IGF::OT::IGF THIS CONTRACT DESIGNS AND CONDUCTS THE FIRST TWO ROUNDS, 6TH AND 7TH GRADE, OF THE THREE ROUNDS OF DATA COLLECTION ENVISIONED FOR THE NEW MIDDLE GRADE LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF 2017 (MGLS:2017) AS WELL AS AN ITEM VALIDATION FIELD TEST AND AN OPERATIONAL… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical data collection for the Middle Grade Longitudinal Study of 2017. 2. Research Triangle Institute is the primary contractor. 3. The contract spans nearly 8 years, indicating a long-term research commitment. 4. Competition was robust with 2 bidders, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for flexibility but requires careful cost oversight. 6. This award represents a significant investment in understanding middle school student development.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $47.9 million over approximately 8 years for a complex, multi-round longitudinal study appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar large-scale educational research data collection efforts would provide further context. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with the fixed fee and project scope. Without specific comparable contract data, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the scope suggests a significant undertaking.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, with two bids received. The presence of two bidders indicates a degree of competition, which is generally positive for price discovery. However, a higher number of bidders could potentially lead to even more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative approaches.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition with multiple bidders suggests that taxpayer funds are being used efficiently by allowing market forces to influence pricing and service delivery.

Public Impact

Students in 6th and 7th grade will benefit from the data collected, contributing to a better understanding of their educational journey. The services delivered include the design and execution of data collection rounds, item validation, and operational field tests. The geographic impact is national, as the study aims to capture data relevant to middle school students across the country. The contract supports research and analytical roles within the education sector, potentially impacting educational policy and practice.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
The long duration of the contract (nearly 8 years) requires sustained oversight to ensure continued relevance and performance.
Limited competition (2 bidders) might mean less pressure on pricing compared to a more crowded field.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a fair and accessible process.
The contract supports a significant and important longitudinal study for educational research.
The contractor, Research Triangle Institute, is a reputable organization with experience in large-scale research projects.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Other Accounting Services' (NAICS 541219) and 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities' sectors. The market for large-scale educational data collection and analysis is specialized, often involving research institutions and firms with expertise in survey design, data management, and statistical analysis. The Department of Education is a primary customer for such services, aiming to inform policy and improve educational outcomes through evidence-based research.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Given the specialized nature and scale of the work, it is likely that larger research institutions or firms are best positioned to compete. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be an area for further inquiry to ensure small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract would primarily reside with the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring costs, ensuring adherence to the scope of work, and verifying the quality of data collection. The contract's long duration necessitates continuous performance monitoring and potential adjustments. Transparency is facilitated through contract awards databases, but detailed programmatic oversight reports may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS)
High School Longitudinal Study (HSLS)
Education Sciences Reform Act

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent cost oversight.
Long contract duration may present challenges in maintaining participant engagement and data consistency.
Limited competition (2 bidders) may reduce price competitiveness compared to a larger pool.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $47.9 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. "OTHER FUNCTIONS" IGF::OT::IGF THIS CONTRACT DESIGNS AND CONDUCTS THE FIRST TWO ROUNDS, 6TH AND 7TH GRADE, OF THE THREE ROUNDS OF DATA COLLECTION ENVISIONED FOR THE NEW MIDDLE GRADE LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF 2017 (MGLS:2017) AS WELL AS AN ITEM VALIDATION FIELD TEST AND AN OPERATIONAL FIELD TEST.

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 $47.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-08-14. End: 2023-09-30.

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

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has a well-established track record of managing complex, large-scale federal research and data collection projects, particularly for agencies like the Department of Education. They are known for their expertise in survey methodology, psychometrics, and data analysis. RTI has previously administered significant longitudinal studies and large-scale assessments, demonstrating their capability to handle multi-year projects with substantial budgets and diverse stakeholder requirements. Their experience includes managing data collection across various age groups and educational levels, making them a suitable candidate for the Middle Grade Longitudinal Study. While specific contract performance details are often proprietary, RTI's consistent engagement in high-profile federal research indicates a generally positive performance history.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar longitudinal studies conducted by the Department of Education?

Direct comparison of the $47.9 million cost for this contract to similar longitudinal studies is challenging without access to detailed scope and duration of those other contracts. However, large-scale, multi-year longitudinal studies are inherently expensive due to the complexity of tracking participants over time, repeated data collection, and rigorous analysis. For context, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) program, which involves large-scale assessments, has an annual budget that can run into hundreds of millions of dollars. The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS) and High School Longitudinal Study (HSLS) also represent multi-year, multi-million dollar investments. The cost of this contract appears to be within the expected range for a study of this magnitude and duration, focusing on critical developmental stages.

What are the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract?

The primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract revolve around cost control and scope creep. In a CPFF arrangement, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. The risk for the government is that the contractor may incur higher costs than anticipated, potentially driving up the total expenditure, even though the profit margin (the fixed fee) remains constant. Effective management requires rigorous oversight of all incurred costs to ensure they are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. Scope creep is another risk; if the project's requirements expand beyond the initial agreement without proper modification and funding adjustments, costs can escalate. The long duration of this contract (nearly 8 years) amplifies these risks, necessitating sustained vigilance from the contracting and program management teams.

How effective is the competition level (2 bidders) in ensuring value for taxpayer money?

A competition level of two bidders provides some degree of price discovery and encourages efficiency, but it is not as robust as a scenario with numerous bidders. While two bidders suggest that the opportunity was accessible and that there are at least two capable entities in the market, it limits the potential for aggressive price competition. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing as companies vie for the contract. In this case, the Department of Education received two proposals, indicating that the market for this specialized service includes at least this many players. The effectiveness in ensuring value for taxpayer money will depend on the government's negotiation strategy and the quality of the proposals received, alongside the inherent cost structures of the bidding organizations.

What are the potential performance challenges given the contract's duration and scope?

The contract's duration of nearly 8 years (2969 days) and its scope, which involves multiple rounds of data collection for a longitudinal study, present several potential performance challenges. Maintaining participant engagement and minimizing attrition over such an extended period is a significant hurdle in longitudinal research. Ensuring data quality and consistency across different collection waves and potentially different field teams requires robust protocols and continuous monitoring. Adapting to evolving research methodologies or unforeseen external factors (like a pandemic) that could impact data collection requires flexibility and proactive problem-solving. Furthermore, retaining key personnel with specialized skills throughout the project lifecycle can be challenging for the contractor. The Department of Education will need strong program management to oversee these aspects effectively.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services › Other Accounting 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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: ED-IES-15-Q-0013

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3040 E 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: $54,722,531

Exercised Options: $48,725,586

Current Obligation: $47,876,093

Actual Outlays: $16,922,171

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 42

Total Subaward Amount: $9,576,741

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU217

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline