Department of Education awards $29.3M for Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest, impacting education research and technical assistance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,339,119 ($29.3M)

Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2017-01-03

End Date: 2022-01-02

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.1K/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 MIDWEST. 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: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20007

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $29.3 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES 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 and technical assistance to improve teaching, learning, and school systems. 2. Five-year term aligns with the standard duration for Regional Educational Laboratories. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 4. The contract is for REL Midwest, one of ten mandated by the Education Sciences Reform Act. 5. Performance period spans from January 2017 to January 2022. 6. The scope includes addressing complex questions in education access and attainment.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $29.3 million over five years for the Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest appears reasonable given the scope of services. These services include applied research and technical assistance aimed at improving educational outcomes across a large region. Benchmarking against other Regional Educational Laboratory contracts, which typically range from $25-35 million over five years, suggests this award is within the expected financial parameters for such comprehensive educational support initiatives.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of 22 bidders suggests a robust competitive environment. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures that the Department of Education can select the most qualified offeror at a competitive price.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process for this contract likely resulted in a more cost-effective outcome for taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces.

Public Impact

Educators, researchers, and policymakers in the Midwest region will benefit from enhanced educational research and technical assistance. Services delivered include applied research on teaching, learning, school organization, and education attainment. Training and coaching services aim to build capacity within the education sector. The geographic impact is focused on the Midwest region of the United States. Workforce implications include support for researchers and educational professionals involved in the REL program.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if research objectives are not clearly defined and managed.
Ensuring equitable distribution of resources and technical assistance across diverse educational settings within the Midwest.
Measuring the long-term impact and effectiveness of applied research and technical assistance can be challenging.

Positive Signals

Clear mandate from the Education Sciences Reform Act provides a strong foundation for the program.
Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost certainty for the government.
The extensive competition (22 bidders) suggests a healthy market for these specialized services.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Educational Support Services sector, specifically focusing on applied research and technical assistance for regional educational laboratories. This sector is crucial for translating research into practice and improving educational outcomes. The market for such services is characterized by specialized research institutions and non-profit organizations with expertise in education policy and practice. The total federal spending on educational support services is substantial, with regional labs playing a key role in disseminating evidence-based practices.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Given the nature of the work, which involves extensive research and technical assistance, it is likely that larger, specialized organizations are better positioned to compete. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, but the scale of the contract may offer opportunities for smaller firms to participate as subcontractors if the prime contractor engages in such practices.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the Department of Education's program officials responsible for the Regional Educational Laboratories. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance work statement, requiring the contractor to meet specific research and technical assistance deliverables. Transparency is generally maintained through contract awards and reporting requirements, though detailed project-level data may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Regional Educational Laboratories Program
Education Research and Development
Educational Technical Assistance Programs
Federal Education Grants and Contracts

Risk Flags

Performance Risk: Ensuring the contractor meets all research and technical assistance objectives within the defined scope and timeline.
Dissemination Risk: Challenges in effectively reaching and engaging diverse educational stakeholders with research findings.
Impact Measurement Risk: Difficulty in quantifying the direct impact of REL activities on student outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $29.3 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. "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 MIDWEST. 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 SCHOO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-01-03. End: 2022-01-02.

What is the track record of American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences with federal contracts, particularly in education?

American Institutes for Research (AIR) has a long and extensive history of working with federal agencies, including the Department of Education, on a wide range of research, evaluation, and technical assistance projects. They are a well-established organization with significant expertise in education policy and practice. Their track record includes managing numerous large-scale federal contracts, often serving as prime awardees for initiatives similar to the Regional Educational Laboratories. AIR's experience typically involves conducting rigorous research, developing evidence-based interventions, and providing professional development and technical support to educators and policymakers across various educational levels and subject areas. Their capacity to manage complex, multi-year projects and their established reputation in the field suggest a strong capability to fulfill the requirements of the REL Midwest contract.

How does the $29.3 million contract value compare to other federal investments in educational research and support services?

The $29.3 million awarded to American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences for the Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest over a five-year period is consistent with federal investments in similar large-scale educational research and support initiatives. The Department of Education funds ten Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) across the country, each with a five-year term. Historically, individual REL contracts have ranged from approximately $25 million to $35 million. This contract value aligns with the established funding levels for these critical programs, which are designed to conduct applied research, provide technical assistance, and build capacity within state and local education agencies. Compared to other federal education programs, such as large grant competitions or research initiatives, the REL program represents a significant but focused investment in evidence-based practices and continuous improvement within the education sector.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Primary risks for this contract include potential challenges in achieving measurable impact from applied research and technical assistance, ensuring effective dissemination of findings to diverse stakeholders, and managing the complexity of a five-year, multi-task project. Mitigation strategies likely involve rigorous performance monitoring by the Department of Education, clear definition and tracking of key performance indicators (KPIs), regular progress reporting, and mechanisms for adapting research and assistance strategies based on emerging needs and feedback. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. Furthermore, the extensive competition suggests that the selected contractor possesses the expertise and capacity to manage these inherent risks effectively.

How effective are Regional Educational Laboratories in translating research into practice and improving educational outcomes?

The effectiveness of Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) in translating research into practice and improving educational outcomes is a subject of ongoing evaluation and depends on various factors, including the quality of research conducted, the relevance of findings to practitioners, and the efficacy of technical assistance provided. RELs aim to bridge the gap between research and practice by engaging directly with educators, policymakers, and researchers. Evidence suggests that RELs have had success in disseminating research findings, building capacity among educators, and informing policy decisions. However, demonstrating direct, causal links between REL activities and broad improvements in student outcomes can be challenging due to the complexity of educational systems and the long time horizons often required for educational change. Continuous improvement efforts and rigorous evaluation are key to maximizing their impact.

What are the historical spending patterns for Regional Educational Laboratories, and how does this contract fit within that trend?

Federal spending on Regional Educational Laboratories has been relatively consistent over the years, reflecting a sustained commitment to this model of research-practice partnerships. The Department of Education typically awards contracts for ten RELs, each with a five-year term. Funding for each REL contract generally falls within a predictable range, often between $25 million and $35 million for the full contract period. This contract for REL Midwest, valued at $29.3 million, fits squarely within this historical spending pattern. The consistent funding demonstrates the perceived value of the REL program in supporting evidence-based education practices and informing decision-making at state and local levels. Fluctuations in overall spending are usually tied to broader federal budget appropriations for education research and development.

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

Address: 1000 THOMAS JEFFERSON ST N W, WASHINGTON, DC, 20007

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: $29,449,136

Exercised Options: $29,379,119

Current Obligation: $29,339,119

Actual Outlays: $14,409,322

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $288,603

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline