Department of Education awards $25M contract for Regional Educational Laboratories to Mathematica Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,959,693 ($25.0M)
Contractor: Mathematica Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2017-01-03
End Date: 2022-01-02
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 22
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: "OTHER FUNCTION" IGF::OT::IGF THE EDUCATION SCIENCES REFORM ACT (ESRA) MANDATES THAT THE DEPARTMENT AWARD AND ADMINISTER TEN REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORIES (RELS). ESRA DEFINES THE TERM OF EACH REL, FIVE YEARS, AND THE CURRENT COHORT OF REL CONTRACTS EXPIRES JANUARY 2, 2017. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR REL MIDATLANTIC. EACH REL IS CHARGED WITH PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING THREE PRIMARY TASKS APPLIED RESEARCH WHERE EACH REL WILL ADDRESSES COMPLEX QUESTIONS ABOUT TEACHING, LEARNING, ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOLS AND SYSTEMS, EDUCATION ACCESS, AND EDUCATION ATTAINMENT. TRAINING, COACHING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WHERE EACH REL WILL DESIGN THESE SERVICES TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF INDIVIDUALS AND/OR ORGANIZATIONS, AND, WHEN APPROPRIATE, THE EDUCATION RESEARCH SECTOR. THE CONTENT OF ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED WITHIN THIS AREA OF WORK MUST BE CAREFULLY ASSESSED AGAINST THE RESEARCH BASE. DISSEMINATION WHERE REL DISSEMINATION FACILITATES THE WIDE SHARING OF RESEARCH EVIDENCE AND RESEARCH-RELATED INFORMATION TO SPARK NEW IDEAS, INTRODUCE INDIVIDUALS TO OTHERS WORKING ON SIMILAR ISSUES, AND REDUCE UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION. EACH TASK BUILDS ON THE OTHER, AND EACH INDIVIDUAL REL CONTRIBUTES TO AN OVERALL INCREASE IN EDUCATIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND ACHIEVEMENT ACROSS ALL STATES AND TERRITORIES.
Place of Performance
Location: PRINCETON, MERCER County, NEW JERSEY, 08543
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $25.0 million to MATHEMATICA INC. for work described as: "OTHER FUNCTION" IGF::OT::IGF THE EDUCATION SCIENCES REFORM ACT (ESRA) MANDATES THAT THE DEPARTMENT AWARD AND ADMINISTER TEN REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORIES (RELS). ESRA DEFINES THE TERM OF EACH REL, FIVE YEARS, AND THE CURRENT COHORT OF REL CONTRACTS EXPIRES JANUARY 2, 2017. … Key points: 1. Contract supports applied research, training, and technical assistance for education. 2. Mathematica Inc. is the incumbent contractor for REL Mid-Atlantic. 3. The contract value is $24.96 million over five years. 4. This award falls under Educational Support Services (NAICS 611710).
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $24.96 million over five years appears reasonable for the scope of work involving regional educational laboratories. Benchmarking against similar large-scale research and technical assistance contracts would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method allows multiple qualified vendors to bid, potentially leading to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to support critical educational research and capacity-building initiatives across the Mid-Atlantic region.
Public Impact
Improves educational practices through applied research and data analysis. Enhances the capacity of educators and organizations through training and technical assistance. Supports evidence-based decision-making in education policy and practice. Addresses complex educational challenges in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Supports a critical government function (education reform).
- Awarded via full and open competition.
- Incumbent contractor with demonstrated experience.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Educational Support Services sector. Spending in this area is crucial for advancing research and development in education, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific services and geographic scope.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific set-asides or participation goals for small businesses in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of Education, which is responsible for ensuring the effective execution of the Regional Educational Laboratories program as mandated by ESRA.
Related Government Programs
- Educational Support Services
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep if research or assistance demands exceed initial projections.
- Reliance on incumbent contractor may limit fresh perspectives or innovation.
- Measuring the direct impact of research on educational outcomes can be challenging.
- Ensuring equitable distribution of services across the diverse Mid-Atlantic region.
Tags
educational-support-services, department-of-education, nj, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $25.0 million to MATHEMATICA INC.. "OTHER FUNCTION" IGF::OT::IGF THE EDUCATION SCIENCES REFORM ACT (ESRA) MANDATES THAT THE DEPARTMENT AWARD AND ADMINISTER TEN REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORIES (RELS). ESRA DEFINES THE TERM OF EACH REL, FIVE YEARS, AND THE CURRENT COHORT OF REL CONTRACTS EXPIRES JANUARY 2, 2017. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR REL MIDATLANTIC. EACH REL IS CHARGED WITH PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING THREE PRIMARY TASKS APPLIED RESEARCH WHERE EACH REL WILL ADDRESSES COMPLEX QUESTIONS ABOUT TEACHING, LEARNING, ORGANIZATION OF SC
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MATHEMATICA INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $25.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-01-03. End: 2022-01-02.
What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the success of the applied research and technical assistance provided by REL Mid-Atlantic?
The success of the applied research and technical assistance will likely be evaluated through a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures. These could include the number and impact of research publications, the reach and effectiveness of training programs, the adoption of evidence-based practices by schools and districts, and stakeholder satisfaction surveys. The contract itself should outline specific performance work statement requirements and associated metrics for performance evaluation.
How does the cost of this contract compare to previous awards for similar Regional Educational Laboratories?
A direct comparison of the $24.96 million award to previous contracts for other RELs would require access to historical contract data. Factors such as inflation, changes in scope, and regional economic conditions can influence contract values over time. A detailed analysis would involve comparing the total value, duration, and specific deliverables of comparable contracts.
What is the anticipated impact of the REL Mid-Atlantic's work on educational outcomes in the region?
The anticipated impact is to improve educational practices and outcomes by providing evidence-based research, training, and technical assistance. This includes addressing complex issues in teaching, learning, school organization, access, and attainment. The effectiveness will be measured by the extent to which educators and institutions adopt and implement improved strategies, leading to measurable gains in student learning and achievement within the Mid-Atlantic region.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Educational Support Services › Educational Support Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: ED-IES-15-R-0016
Offers Received: 22
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Mathematica Inc (UEI: 154125140)
Address: 600 ALEXANDER PARK, PRINCETON, NJ, 08540
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $24,959,693
Exercised Options: $24,959,693
Current Obligation: $24,959,693
Actual Outlays: $13,242,890
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 12
Total Subaward Amount: $5,187,178
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-01-03
Current End Date: 2022-01-02
Potential End Date: 2022-01-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-09-14
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