Department of Education awards $24.5M contract for Regional Educational Laboratory Pacific, serving education research and capacity building

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,550,871 ($24.6M)

Contractor: Mcrel International

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2017-01-03

End Date: 2022-01-02

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.5K/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 PACIFIC. 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: DENVER, DENVER County, COLORADO, 80237

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $24.6 million to MCREL INTERNATIONAL 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 focuses on applied research and technical assistance to improve education. 2. Performance period spans five years, aligning with the typical term for Regional Educational Laboratories. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract, providing cost certainty. 4. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 5. The contractor, McREL International, has experience in educational research and development. 6. This award is part of a larger initiative to fund ten Regional Educational Laboratories nationwide.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $24.5 million over five years averages to approximately $4.9 million annually. This figure appears reasonable for a large-scale regional educational research and technical assistance program. Benchmarking against other Regional Educational Laboratory contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the scope of services (applied research, training, technical assistance) suggests a significant undertaking.

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 bids. The presence of 22 bids suggests a healthy level of competition for this significant contract. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition with 22 bidders is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs through market forces and increases the likelihood of selecting the most capable and cost-effective provider.

Public Impact

Educational institutions, researchers, and policymakers in the Pacific region will benefit from applied research and technical assistance. Services delivered include applied research on teaching, learning, school organization, and education access/attainment. Training, coaching, and technical assistance will be provided to build capacity within the education sector. The geographic impact is focused on the Pacific region, serving a diverse set of educational needs. Workforce implications include support for educators and researchers, potentially leading to improved educational practices.

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 services and benefits across the diverse Pacific region.
Measuring the long-term impact and effectiveness of applied research and technical assistance.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive selection process.
Contract aligns with congressionally mandated goals for Regional Educational Laboratories.
Contractor has a stated mission aligned with educational research and improvement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Educational Support Services sector, specifically focusing on applied research and technical assistance for education. The market for educational research and development services is driven by federal and state funding, as well as private foundations. This contract represents a significant portion of federal investment in regional educational support, aiming to translate research into practice and build capacity within the education system.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it's possible that small businesses could have bid directly or participated as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely conducted by the Department of Education's program officials responsible for the Regional Educational Laboratories. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance work statement, deliverables, and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and evaluations may not always be publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

Regional Educational Laboratories Program
Education Research and Development
Educational Technical Assistance
Department of Education Grants and Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for research findings to be difficult to implement in diverse educational settings.
Risk of underutilization of technical assistance services by target audiences.
Challenges in measuring the direct impact of REL activities on student achievement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $24.6 million to MCREL INTERNATIONAL. "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 PACIFIC. 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 SCHOOL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MCREL INTERNATIONAL.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the track record of McREL International in managing large federal education contracts?

McREL International has a long history of conducting education research and providing technical assistance. While specific details on all past federal contracts are not provided here, their established presence in the field suggests experience in managing complex projects. Their mission is centered on improving education through applied research and professional development, aligning with the objectives of the Regional Educational Laboratory program. A deeper dive into their contract history with the Department of Education and other federal agencies would reveal their performance on similar initiatives, including their ability to meet deadlines, manage budgets, and achieve stated outcomes.

How does the $24.5 million award compare to previous funding for REL Pacific?

The provided data indicates the current cohort of REL contracts expires January 2, 2017, and this contract is for REL Pacific. Without historical data on the previous REL Pacific contract award amount, a direct comparison is not possible. However, the Education Sciences Reform Act (ESRA) defines a five-year term for each REL. The $24.5 million award over five years suggests an average annual funding of approximately $4.9 million. This figure should be benchmarked against the average annual funding for other Regional Educational Laboratories to assess if it is in line with similar programs, considering regional variations in cost of living and operational complexity.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of applied research and technical assistance contract?

Key risks for this contract include the challenge of measuring the tangible impact of applied research and technical assistance on educational outcomes. Ensuring that the research is relevant and actionable for educators and policymakers in the diverse Pacific region is another significant risk. There's also a risk of contractor performance not meeting expectations, leading to delays or suboptimal delivery of services. Furthermore, changes in educational policy or funding priorities at the federal or state level could impact the relevance and demand for the services provided. Finally, managing the logistical complexities of serving a geographically dispersed region like the Pacific presents inherent operational risks.

How effective are Regional Educational Laboratories in translating research into practice?

The effectiveness of Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) in translating research into practice is a subject of ongoing evaluation. RELs are designed to bridge the gap between research and practice by providing accessible research findings, professional development, and technical assistance to educators and policymakers. Their success often depends on the quality and relevance of the research conducted, the capacity of the REL to effectively disseminate findings, and the receptiveness of the target audience to adopt new practices. While many RELs have reported successful initiatives and positive feedback from stakeholders, comprehensive, independent studies on their long-term, large-scale impact on student outcomes are complex to conduct and often show varied results.

What is the historical spending trend for Regional Educational Laboratories?

The Education Sciences Reform Act (ESRA) mandates the establishment and administration of ten Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs), each with a five-year term. This structure suggests a consistent, albeit cyclical, federal investment in this program. While specific year-over-year spending trends for the entire REL program are not detailed here, the renewal of these contracts every five years indicates a sustained commitment. The total funding for the REL program would fluctuate based on appropriations and the number of active contracts at any given time. The $24.5 million for REL Pacific is one component of this broader federal investment in educational research infrastructure.

What are the performance metrics used to evaluate the success of REL Pacific?

Performance metrics for REL Pacific would be detailed in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS). Typically, these metrics focus on the successful completion of applied research projects, the development and delivery of high-quality training and technical assistance, and the engagement of stakeholders in the Pacific region. Success might be measured by the number of research reports published, the reach of technical assistance activities (e.g., number of educators trained, schools served), the perceived usefulness and impact of services by stakeholders, and adherence to project timelines and budgets. The Department of Education would monitor these metrics through regular reporting and potentially site visits or reviews.

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: 4601 DTC BLVD STE 500, DENVER, CO, 80237

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: $47,300,871

Exercised Options: $47,300,871

Current Obligation: $24,550,871

Actual Outlays: $14,374,129

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 7

Total Subaward Amount: $606,090

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline