Department of Education awards $9M contract to Activate Research Inc. for statistical standards and data confidentiality services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,026,164 ($9.0M)
Contractor: Activate Research Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2021-12-01
End Date: 2027-01-23
Contract Duration: 1,879 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: EO14042 - STATISTICAL STANDARDS AND DATA CONFIDENTIALITY STAFF CONTRACT
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $9.0 million to ACTIVATE RESEARCH INC. for work described as: EO14042 - STATISTICAL STANDARDS AND DATA CONFIDENTIALITY STAFF CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Activate Research Inc. for administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. The contract has a duration of 1879 days, ending in January 2027. 3. This contract falls under the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services NAICS code. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating a set cost for the services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $9.03M over approximately 5 years suggests a reasonable annual spend for specialized consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for management consulting would provide a clearer picture of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and allows for a wide range of qualified vendors to bid. This method is expected to yield fair market prices.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing competitive pricing for the services rendered.
Public Impact
Ensures the integrity and confidentiality of statistical data used by the Department of Education. Supports the development and implementation of data standards critical for educational research and policy. Provides essential consulting services to maintain robust data management practices.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Potential for scope creep in long-term consulting contracts.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract type helps control costs.
- Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process.
- Long contract duration allows for sustained support and expertise development.
Sector Analysis
The sector for administrative management and general management consulting services is broad, encompassing a wide range of expertise. Spending benchmarks vary significantly based on the specific services and agency needs.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or achieved through subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure Activate Research Inc. meets performance expectations and adheres to data confidentiality standards throughout the contract's duration. Regular reviews by the Department of Education are expected.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract duration is long, increasing risk of vendor performance issues over time.
- No specific performance metrics provided for evaluation.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is developed.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical data functions.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-education, dc, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $9.0 million to ACTIVATE RESEARCH INC.. EO14042 - STATISTICAL STANDARDS AND DATA CONFIDENTIALITY STAFF CONTRACT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ACTIVATE RESEARCH INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $9.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-12-01. End: 2027-01-23.
What specific statistical standards and data confidentiality protocols are being addressed by this contract?
The contract likely focuses on establishing, maintaining, and updating statistical standards for data collection, analysis, and reporting within the Department of Education. It also addresses protocols for ensuring the confidentiality and security of sensitive student and educational data, aligning with federal regulations and best practices to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract to measure success?
Key performance indicators would likely include adherence to established data confidentiality policies, successful implementation of new or updated statistical standards, timely delivery of consulting reports and recommendations, and positive feedback from departmental stakeholders on the effectiveness of the consulting services provided in enhancing data integrity and security.
How does this contract contribute to the Department of Education's overall mission and strategic goals?
This contract directly supports the Department's mission by ensuring the reliability and trustworthiness of the data used for policy-making, program evaluation, and public reporting. Maintaining data confidentiality is paramount for public trust and legal compliance, enabling the Department to effectively serve students and improve educational outcomes.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 91990022Q0001
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1300 L STREET NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20005
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $9,026,164
Exercised Options: $9,026,164
Current Obligation: $9,026,164
Actual Outlays: $7,472,176
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00F428GA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-12-01
Current End Date: 2027-01-23
Potential End Date: 2027-01-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-21
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