Department of Education awards $21.8M for regional educational laboratories network to foster research and development

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,828,195 ($21.8M)

Contractor: Pacific Resources for Education & Learning

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2006-03-16

End Date: 2011-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,116 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (ED) INTENDS TO ENTER INTO 5-YEAR CONTRACTS WITH QUALIFIED ENTITIES TO ESTABLISH A NETWORKED SYSTEM OF TEN REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORIES TO CARRY OUT APPLIED RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, DISSEMINATION, AND TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF EACH REGION IN THE UNITED STATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS STATED IN THE EDUCATION SCIENCES REFORM ACT OF 2002, (SECTION 174). ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS INCLUDE RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS, INSTITUTIONS, AGENCIES, INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, OR PARTNERSHIPS AMONG SUCH ENTITIES, OR INDIVIDUALS, WITH THE DEMONSTRATED ABILITY OR CAPACITY TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITIES AUTHORIZED UNDER THE STATUTE AND IN THE CONTRACT.

Place of Performance

Location: HONOLULU, HONOLULU County, HAWAII, 96813

State: Hawaii Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $21.8 million to PACIFIC RESOURCES FOR EDUCATION & LEARNING for work described as: THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (ED) INTENDS TO ENTER INTO 5-YEAR CONTRACTS WITH QUALIFIED ENTITIES TO ESTABLISH A NETWORKED SYSTEM OF TEN REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORIES TO CARRY OUT APPLIED RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, DISSEMINATION, AND TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIE… Key points: 1. Contract aims to establish a networked system of ten regional educational laboratories across the U.S. 2. Focus on applied research, development, dissemination, and technical assistance in education. 3. Activities are guided by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002. 4. Eligible entities include research organizations, higher education institutions, and partnerships. 5. Contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, indicating performance-based incentives. 6. The duration of the contract is approximately 2116 days, spanning over 5 years.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $21.8 million over approximately five years for ten regional laboratories suggests a cost of roughly $2.18 million per laboratory per year. This appears to be a reasonable allocation for comprehensive research, development, and dissemination activities. Benchmarking against similar large-scale federal research grants would provide further context on value for money, but the scope of work implies significant investment in educational improvement across diverse regions.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all eligible entities were permitted to submit proposals. This approach is designed to foster a broad range of innovative solutions and ensure that the most qualified organizations are selected. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a robust selection process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a wider pool of applicants, potentially leading to more competitive pricing and higher quality services through diverse approaches.

Public Impact

Educational researchers and institutions benefit from funding to conduct applied research. Teachers, administrators, and policymakers will receive technical assistance and disseminated findings. All regions in the United States will be served by the networked laboratories. The contract supports a workforce of researchers, analysts, and support staff in the education sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for administrative overhead to consume a significant portion of the award.
Ensuring equitable distribution of resources and focus across all ten diverse regions may be challenging.
Measuring the tangible impact and effectiveness of research and technical assistance can be complex.

Positive Signals

Focus on applied research directly addresses practical educational challenges.
Networked system promotes collaboration and sharing of best practices across regions.
Technical assistance component ensures findings translate into actionable strategies for educators.
Full and open competition likely selected highly capable and innovative organizations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541720 confirms this focus. Federal spending in educational research and development aims to improve educational outcomes through evidence-based practices. The establishment of regional laboratories is a strategic approach to address diverse educational needs across the nation, reflecting a significant investment in the knowledge base of the education sector.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. However, the nature of the work, involving applied research and technical assistance, may present opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors to larger prime awardees, particularly those with specialized expertise. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Department of Education's program offices responsible for educational research and dissemination. Accountability measures would be tied to the Cost Plus Award Fee structure, incentivizing performance against defined objectives. Transparency would be facilitated through reporting requirements and the public dissemination of research findings. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

Related Government Programs

Regional Educational Laboratories Program
Education Research and Development
Federal Education Grants
Applied Research Funding

Risk Flags

Performance measurement complexity
Equitable resource distribution across regions
Demonstrating tangible impact of research

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $21.8 million to PACIFIC RESOURCES FOR EDUCATION & LEARNING. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (ED) INTENDS TO ENTER INTO 5-YEAR CONTRACTS WITH QUALIFIED ENTITIES TO ESTABLISH A NETWORKED SYSTEM OF TEN REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORIES TO CARRY OUT APPLIED RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, DISSEMINATION, AND TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF EACH REGION IN THE UNITED STATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS STATED IN THE EDUCATION SCIENCES REFORM ACT OF 2002, (SECTION 174). ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS INCLUDE RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS, INSTITUT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PACIFIC RESOURCES FOR EDUCATION & LEARNING.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-03-16. End: 2011-12-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for the Regional Educational Laboratories program?

Historical spending on the Regional Educational Laboratories program has varied over time, reflecting shifts in federal education priorities and funding allocations. Prior to this contract, similar initiatives have funded regional centers to provide research, technical assistance, and dissemination services. Analyzing past contract values, durations, and the number of awarded laboratories can provide context for the current $21.8 million award. For instance, previous iterations of the program might have involved different funding levels or a different number of regional entities. Understanding these historical trends is crucial for assessing the consistency and scale of federal investment in this area and for identifying any significant increases or decreases in funding that might signal a change in programmatic emphasis or effectiveness.

How does the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure incentivize contractor performance?

The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract structure is designed to incentivize contractors to exceed baseline performance expectations by offering additional award fees based on achieving specific, measurable objectives. In this case, the Department of Education would define key performance indicators (KPIs) related to the quality, timeliness, and impact of the research, development, dissemination, and technical assistance activities. The contractor receives reimbursement for allowable costs plus a base fee, and then an additional award fee if they meet or exceed pre-determined performance targets. This structure encourages innovation and high-quality output, as the contractor has a direct financial incentive to perform exceptionally well. It shifts some of the performance risk to the contractor while allowing the government to benefit from superior outcomes.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) likely used to evaluate the regional laboratories?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for the regional educational laboratories would likely focus on the quality and impact of their work. These could include metrics such as the number and relevance of research studies conducted, the dissemination reach of findings (e.g., website traffic, publications, presentations), the effectiveness of technical assistance provided (measured through participant feedback or observed changes in practice), and the degree of collaboration among laboratories and with stakeholders. Timeliness of deliverables, adherence to budget, and innovation in approaches would also be critical. The 'Award Fee' component of the contract suggests that these KPIs would be clearly defined and rigorously assessed by the Department of Education to determine the level of performance-based incentive payments.

What is the expected impact of these regional laboratories on educational practice and policy?

The expected impact of these regional laboratories is multifaceted, aiming to bridge the gap between research and practice in education. By conducting applied research, they will generate evidence on what works in various educational settings. Through dissemination, they will share these findings with educators, policymakers, and the public. The technical assistance component is crucial for helping schools and districts implement evidence-based strategies tailored to their specific needs and contexts. Ultimately, the goal is to foster continuous improvement in educational quality, equity, and student outcomes across the nation. The networked approach is intended to ensure that lessons learned in one region can inform practices in others, creating a more dynamic and responsive national education system.

How will the Department of Education ensure equitable service delivery across diverse regions?

Ensuring equitable service delivery across diverse regions is a core objective of establishing ten distinct laboratories. The Department of Education will likely establish clear guidelines and expectations in the contract that require each laboratory to address the unique needs and challenges of its specific region. This might involve requiring regional needs assessments, culturally responsive research methodologies, and tailored technical assistance plans. Performance evaluations will need to consider regional context, ensuring that success is measured against relevant benchmarks for each area. Furthermore, the networked structure itself promotes equity by facilitating the sharing of best practices and resources, allowing laboratories to learn from each other's successes in addressing diverse populations and educational contexts.

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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 900 FORT STREET MALL # 1300, HONOLULU, HI, 01

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,828,195

Exercised Options: $21,828,195

Current Obligation: $21,828,195

Timeline