NSF's $15M survey contract awarded to NORC for doctorate recipient data over 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,059,717 ($15.1M)

Contractor: National Opinion Research Center

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2008-04-01

End Date: 2013-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,916 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.9K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SURVEY OF DOCTORATE RECIPIENTS

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60637

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $15.1 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER for work described as: SURVEY OF DOCTORATE RECIPIENTS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, established research center, raising questions about competition. 2. The contract's duration and scope suggest a significant, ongoing need for data collection. 3. Performance context is crucial given the long-term nature of tracking doctorate recipients. 4. Sector positioning is within administrative and management consulting, specifically data collection and analysis. 5. Risk indicators include potential for cost overruns on long-term data collection efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $15 million over five years averages $3 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale survey contracts is difficult without more specific service details. However, the cost appears reasonable for a sustained, complex data collection effort involving a large sample size. The 'time and materials' pricing model introduces some risk of cost escalation if not carefully managed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract type is listed as 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER,' but the specific details of the competition, such as the number of bidders or the solicitation method, are not provided. A competitive process is generally preferred to ensure fair pricing and access to the best value. If the competition was limited, it could potentially lead to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering price discovery and encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best terms.

Public Impact

Benefits researchers, policymakers, and educational institutions by providing critical data on the science and engineering workforce. Delivers comprehensive data on doctorate recipients, including their educational background, employment, and career paths. Geographic impact is national, covering doctorate recipients across the United States. Workforce implications include support for the scientific and engineering workforce planning and development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in long-term data collection projects.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical data may pose a risk if performance falters.
'Time and materials' contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.

Positive Signals

Awarded to a reputable research organization (NORC) with a history of conducting large-scale surveys.
The contract aims to fulfill a clear government need for data on doctorate recipients.
The duration suggests a commitment to sustained data collection, vital for trend analysis.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on data collection and analysis. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of conducting large-scale surveys. The National Science Foundation (NSF) is a significant player in funding research and data collection related to science and engineering.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any small business set-aside provisions. Given the specialized nature and scale of the 'Survey of Doctorate Recipients,' it is likely that larger, established research institutions are best positioned to compete. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans, which could offer opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the National Science Foundation's program officers responsible for the data collection and analysis. Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery of accurate and timely data as per the contract's statement of work. Transparency is generally maintained through NSF's public reporting of survey results.

Related Government Programs

National Survey of College Graduates
Survey of Earned Doctorates
American Community Survey
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Lack of detailed information on the competitive bidding process.
Long contract duration may increase risk of performance degradation or scope creep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $15.1 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER. SURVEY OF DOCTORATE RECIPIENTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-04-01. End: 2013-06-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for the Survey of Doctorate Recipients?

The provided data indicates a single contract award of $15,059,717 with a start date of April 1, 2008, and an end date of June 30, 2013, spanning approximately 5 years. This suggests a significant, consistent investment in this data collection effort over that period. Without access to prior contract data for this specific survey, it's difficult to establish a long-term historical trend. However, the substantial value of this single award implies that previous or subsequent efforts likely involved similar levels of funding to maintain the continuity of this important dataset for the National Science Foundation.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar large-scale survey efforts?

Direct comparison of the $15 million cost for the Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR) to other large-scale surveys is challenging without detailed service breakdowns and contract terms. However, the SDR's scope – tracking doctorate recipients over five years – is extensive. For context, the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), a massive ongoing demographic survey, costs hundreds of millions annually. The SDR's cost appears reasonable for its specific focus and duration, especially considering it's managed by a specialized entity like NORC. The 'time and materials' aspect warrants scrutiny to ensure efficiency.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential cost overruns due to the 'time and materials' pricing structure, which lacks a fixed ceiling. If the project scope expands or unforeseen challenges arise in data collection, costs could escalate beyond the initial $15 million estimate. Another risk is performance-related; a long-term contract with a single provider, even a reputable one like NORC, carries the risk of declining performance or an inability to adapt to evolving data collection methodologies. Ensuring data quality and respondent engagement over a five-year period also presents inherent challenges.

What is the track record of the contractor (National Opinion Research Center - NORC) in managing large federal surveys?

NORC at the University of Chicago has a long and distinguished track record of conducting large-scale, complex surveys for federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation. They are well-regarded for their expertise in survey design, sampling, data collection, and analysis. Their experience with projects like the General Social Survey (GSS) and numerous other government-sponsored studies demonstrates their capability to manage significant research initiatives. The award of this substantial contract by the NSF further attests to NORC's established credibility and proven performance in this specialized field.

How does the competition level for this contract impact value for taxpayers?

The contract is designated as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER,' suggesting that some level of competition occurred. However, the specifics regarding the number of bidders and the solicitation process are not detailed. If the competition was robust, with multiple qualified bidders vying for the contract, it would likely drive down prices and ensure the government receives the best value. Conversely, if the competition was limited, perhaps due to highly specialized requirements or a restricted bidder pool, there is a greater risk that taxpayers may not have received the most cost-effective solution. Further details on the competitive process are needed for a definitive assessment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: DACS08Q2107

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1155 E 60TH ST, CHICAGO, IL, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,374,717

Exercised Options: $15,213,858

Current Obligation: $15,059,717

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0033M

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline