Department of Education awards $13.45M contract for longitudinal survey data analysis to Research Triangle Institute

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,450,078 ($13.5M)

Contractor: Research Triangle Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2007-07-06

End Date: 2012-07-05

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HIGH SCHOOL LONGITUDINAL SURVEY 2009

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $13.5 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: HIGH SCHOOL LONGITUDINAL SURVEY 2009 Key points: 1. Contract awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for price discovery. 2. The contract duration of 5 years indicates a significant, long-term data collection and analysis effort. 3. The 'Other Management Consulting Services' NAICS code suggests a broad scope of analytical support. 4. The award to Research Triangle Institute, a known research organization, provides some assurance of capability. 5. The cost-plus award fee contract type allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring of costs and performance. 6. The contract was awarded as a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $13.45 million over five years for a longitudinal survey analysis project appears within a reasonable range for such complex research endeavors. However, without specific benchmarks for the 'HIGH SCHOOL LONGITUDINAL SURVEY 2009' or comparable data analysis contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The cost-plus award fee structure necessitates close scrutiny of incurred costs against performance metrics to ensure optimal value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through a full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 3 bidders (no) suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. While competition is generally positive for price discovery, the specific number of bidders in relation to the market size for such specialized services would provide a clearer picture of the competitive intensity.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a more efficient marketplace and potentially driving down costs through vendor proposals.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are researchers, policymakers, and educators who will utilize the data and analysis from the High School Longitudinal Survey 2009. The services delivered include data collection, management, analysis, and reporting related to educational trends and student outcomes. The geographic impact is national, as the survey data likely represents a broad cross-section of the US student population. Workforce implications may include employment for researchers, data analysts, survey administrators, and support staff at the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus award fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
The broad NAICS code 'Other Management Consulting Services' might obscure the specific nature of the work, making performance monitoring more complex.
The lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the quality of work expected.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
The contractor, Research Triangle Institute, has a strong reputation in research and data analysis.
The five-year duration suggests a stable and committed effort towards a significant research objective.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Other Management Consulting Services' sector, which encompasses a wide range of professional services aimed at improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness. The market for educational research and data analysis services is significant, driven by federal and state agencies seeking evidence-based insights into educational policy and practice. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within federal solicitations for similar large-scale educational data analysis projects.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, Research Triangle Institute, is likely a large business, and its internal subcontracting practices would determine any indirect impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of Education. Performance monitoring, cost reviews, and adherence to contract terms would be key oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific performance details may be proprietary. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
Education Longitudinal Studies (e.g., ELS:2002)
Department of Education Data Analysis Contracts
Federal Education Research Grants

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPAF structure.
Scope creep risk given broad NAICS classification.
Ensuring objective performance measurement for award fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $13.5 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. HIGH SCHOOL LONGITUDINAL SURVEY 2009

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 $13.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-07-06. End: 2012-07-05.

What is the track record of Research Triangle Institute (RTI) in managing large-scale federal education data analysis contracts?

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has a well-established track record in conducting large-scale research and data analysis for federal agencies, including the Department of Education. They have been involved in numerous longitudinal studies and survey data collections, often serving as prime contractors. Their experience typically includes survey design, instrument development, data collection management, statistical analysis, and reporting. RTI's history suggests a capacity to handle complex projects with significant data volumes and long durations, aligning with the requirements of the High School Longitudinal Survey 2009 contract. Their past performance on similar contracts would be a key factor in their selection for this award.

How does the $13.45 million award compare to similar federal contracts for longitudinal survey data analysis?

The $13.45 million award over five years for the High School Longitudinal Survey 2009 data analysis represents an average annual value of approximately $2.69 million. This figure is generally in line with, or potentially on the lower end of, contracts for managing and analyzing large, complex national longitudinal surveys. Projects of this nature often involve extensive data cleaning, sophisticated statistical modeling, and detailed reporting, requiring significant personnel and technical resources. Factors such as the specific scope of analysis, the number of data points, and the required deliverables can cause substantial variation. Without direct comparisons to identical surveys, this award appears to be a reasonable investment for the stated purpose.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract for this type of service?

The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract for longitudinal survey data analysis revolve around cost control and performance incentivization. For the government, the risk is that costs could escalate beyond initial projections if the contractor's spending is not efficiently managed, as the government agrees to reimburse allowable costs. The 'award fee' component introduces a performance risk; if the contractor does not meet or exceed the defined performance criteria, they may not receive the full potential fee, which could disincentivize optimal performance. Conversely, the contractor bears the risk of not achieving the highest performance levels to maximize their fee. Effective oversight is crucial to mitigate these risks by ensuring costs are reasonable and allocable, and that performance metrics are clearly defined and objectively measured.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach in ensuring value for money for educational research contracts?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money in federal contracting, including for educational research. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, fostering robust competition. This competition drives down prices as contractors strive to submit the most cost-effective proposals while meeting technical requirements. Furthermore, it encourages innovation as contractors differentiate themselves through unique approaches and methodologies. For educational research, this means the government is likely to receive a wider range of technical solutions at competitive prices, increasing the probability of selecting a contractor that offers the best combination of quality, cost, and innovation for the specific research objectives.

What are the historical spending patterns for the High School Longitudinal Survey (HSLS) program or similar initiatives by the Department of Education?

Historical spending patterns for the High School Longitudinal Survey (HSLS) program, and similar large-scale educational data collection and analysis initiatives by the Department of Education, typically show significant, multi-year investments. These programs are characterized by substantial upfront costs for survey design and initial data collection, followed by ongoing costs for data management, analysis, and dissemination over several years, often a decade or more. For instance, previous longitudinal studies like the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) or the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS) programs have involved budgets in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars over their lifecycles. The $13.45 million award for HSLS:2009 data analysis fits within this pattern of substantial, long-term funding required for comprehensive educational research.

What are the implications of the 'Other Management Consulting Services' classification for the scope and oversight of this contract?

The classification of this contract under NAICS code 541618, 'Other Management Consulting Services,' suggests a broad scope that could encompass strategic planning, operational improvement, data analysis, and advisory services related to educational programs. While this classification allows for flexibility in addressing evolving needs within the High School Longitudinal Survey project, it also presents potential challenges for precise oversight. The government must ensure that the services procured are directly related to the core objectives of analyzing the HSLS data and that the contractor's activities remain focused and cost-effective. Clear performance work statements and regular reviews are essential to prevent scope creep and ensure that the consulting services deliver tangible value aligned with the survey's research goals.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other 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

Offers Received: 3

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,149,792

Exercised Options: $22,149,792

Current Obligation: $13,450,078

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: EDED04CO0036

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline