Department of Education awards $11.5M for NHES data collection, highlighting R&D in social sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,498,885 ($11.5M)
Contractor: Research Triangle Institute
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2007-04-04
End Date: 2012-04-20
Contract Duration: 1,843 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SUPPORT NHES:2007 DATA COLLECTION
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $11.5 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: SUPPORT NHES:2007 DATA COLLECTION Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities. 2. Full and open competition was utilized. 3. The contract duration is 1843 days. 4. The award was made by the Department of Education.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Cost Plus Award Fee structure can lead to costs exceeding initial estimates if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Full and open competition was employed, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee structure might incentivize higher spending to achieve award fees.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for research and development, with the potential for cost overruns depending on performance and award fee payouts.
Public Impact
Supports the National Health and Education Survey (NHES) data collection. Funds research and development in social sciences and humanities. Contract duration spans over five years, indicating a long-term research need.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure can lead to cost uncertainty.
- Long contract duration may not reflect current needs.
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes benchmarking difficult.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition ensures broad market access.
- Supports critical national data collection for education and health.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (NAICS 541720). Spending in this sector is often project-specific and can vary widely based on research scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract. The prime contractor, Research Triangle Institute, is a large research organization.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would focus on ensuring the quality and integrity of the NHES data collection and managing the Cost Plus Award Fee structure to control costs effectively.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
- Long contract duration (over 5 years).
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown for benchmarking.
- Potential for cost overruns.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-education, dc, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $11.5 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. SUPPORT NHES:2007 DATA COLLECTION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $11.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-04-04. End: 2012-04-20.
What specific research questions or data points is the NHES aiming to address with this funding, and how does this align with current educational and health priorities?
The National Health and Education Survey (NHES) aims to collect data on various aspects of education and health in the U.S. This funding likely supports the collection of data crucial for understanding trends, informing policy, and evaluating programs. The specific research questions would be detailed in the contract's statement of work, but generally, NHES addresses topics like school enrollment, student achievement, health behaviors, and access to services, aligning with ongoing national priorities in these areas.
How effectively was the Cost Plus Award Fee structure managed to ensure value for money, given the potential for cost escalation?
Assessing the effectiveness of the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure requires examining the final costs against the initial estimates and the achievement of performance objectives. Without detailed performance reports and final cost data, it's difficult to definitively state its effectiveness. CPAF is intended to incentivize performance while allowing for cost flexibility. Effective management would involve rigorous oversight of contractor performance and justification for any cost increases tied to achieving award fee criteria.
What was the impact of the full and open competition on the final contract price and the quality of the research services provided?
Full and open competition generally leads to competitive pricing by allowing all qualified vendors to bid, potentially driving down costs and improving service quality. For this $11.5 million contract, it suggests that multiple research organizations competed, likely resulting in a price that reflects market rates. The quality of services is expected to be high due to the competitive pressure and the selection process inherent in full and open competition.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: ED-02-R-0008
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3040 CORNWALLIS ROAD, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 04
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $53,515,732
Exercised Options: $53,515,732
Current Obligation: $11,498,885
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-04-04
Current End Date: 2012-04-20
Potential End Date: 2012-04-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-11-21
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