Department of Education's $13.26M ECLS-B Preschool Contract Awarded to RTI
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,259,435 ($13.3M)
Contractor: Research Triangle Institute
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2004-09-30
End Date: 2007-11-30
Contract Duration: 1,156 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ECLS-B: PRESCHOOL
Place of Performance
Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $13.3 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: ECLS-B: PRESCHOOL Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Research Triangle Institute (RTI) for Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010-2011 (ECLS-B). 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration was 1156 days, indicating a significant, long-term project. 4. The award amount of $13.26 million represents a substantial investment in early childhood education research.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure incentivizes performance. Benchmarking against similar large-scale educational research contracts is difficult without specific scope details, but the award amount appears reasonable for a multi-year, comprehensive study.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of full and open competition suggests that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid, fostering price discovery and potentially leading to a more competitive price. The award to RTI indicates they offered the best value proposition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical early childhood education research, aiming to provide valuable data for policy and program development.
Public Impact
Enhances understanding of early childhood development and educational trajectories. Provides data crucial for informing federal and state education policies. Supports evidence-based decision-making in preschool program design and funding. Contributes to the long-term body of knowledge on educational outcomes.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with Cost Plus Award Fee contracts if not managed tightly.
- Scope creep could increase the final cost beyond initial projections.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition promotes fairness and potentially better pricing.
- Focus on early childhood education aligns with national priorities.
- Award to a known research institution suggests expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the 'Research and Development' sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and education. Spending in this area is vital for evidence-based policymaking and program improvement, with benchmarks varying widely based on study scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the primary awardee is Research Triangle Institute, a large research organization. There is no explicit information on small business participation in this specific award, suggesting it may not have been a primary focus or was subcontracted.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Education's oversight is crucial for ensuring the quality and integrity of the ECLS-B data collection and analysis. The CPAF structure implies performance metrics that would be monitored.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with CPAF structure.
- Risk of participant attrition impacting longitudinal data.
- Ensuring data relevance over an extended study period.
- Complexity of managing a large-scale, multi-year research project.
Tags
department-of-education, nc, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $13.3 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. ECLS-B: PRESCHOOL
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 $13.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-09-30. End: 2007-11-30.
What specific metrics are used to determine the 'award fee' in this Cost Plus Award Fee contract, and how do they ensure research quality and value?
The specific metrics for the award fee are not detailed in the provided data. However, typical metrics for such research contracts include adherence to timelines, data quality standards, successful completion of research objectives, and timely reporting. The Department of Education would establish these performance standards, and RTI's achievement against them would determine the variable award fee portion, aiming to incentivize high-quality research outcomes.
Given the 1156-day duration, what are the primary risks associated with maintaining data integrity and relevance over such an extended period?
Key risks include participant attrition (families moving or opting out), changes in data collection methodologies or technologies over time, and potential shifts in research priorities or funding. Mitigating these requires robust tracking systems, flexible protocols, and continuous engagement with participants and stakeholders to ensure the data remains accurate, comprehensive, and relevant to evolving educational research needs.
How does the data collected from the ECLS-B preschool study directly translate into measurable improvements in federal education programs or policies?
The ECLS-B data provides longitudinal insights into child development, learning environments, and the effectiveness of various educational interventions. This evidence informs federal agencies in designing, refining, and evaluating programs like Head Start, Title I, and early intervention services. By identifying successful practices and areas needing improvement, the study enables data-driven policy adjustments to enhance educational equity and outcomes for young children.
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Contractor Details
Address: 3040 CORNWALLIS RD, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PA, NC
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $167,814,955
Exercised Options: $161,062,211
Current Obligation: $13,259,435
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: ED01CO0052
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-09-30
Current End Date: 2007-11-30
Potential End Date: 2007-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-03-07
More Contracts from Research Triangle Institute
- Iraq Strengthening Local & Provincial Governance Program — $569.9M (Agency for International Development)
- - REF. NO. 283-17-0491, "2018-2022 National Survey on Drug USE and Health (nsduh)" — $303.8M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- ADP INF, Broadcast&dist Svcs — $234.2M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- 2014-2017 National Survey on Drug USE and Health (nsduh) — $220.1M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- THE Contractor Under This Task Order Award Shall Provide Technical Assistance to Build the Capacity and Strengthen the Performance of the Local Government Institutions in the Areas of Planning, Provincial Budget Formulation and Execution, Representation of Local Priorities, Creation of Laws, Regulations and By-Laws, and Supervision of Local Public Administration — $206.8M (Agency for International Development)
Other Department of Education Contracts
- Administrative Action — $2.2B (Conduent Education Solutions, LLC)
- - Tivod Supports the Origination, Disbursement, and Reporting of Title IV Federal Student AID Programs, Including - BUT NOT Limited to - Direct Loans, Pell Grants, and the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants. the Title IV Solution Shall Also Provide Ongoing Support for the Discontinued Title IV Federal Student AID Programs, Including - BUT NOT Limited to - Academic Competitiveness Grants and National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants — $1.5B (Accenture Federal Services LLC)
- Federal Student AID Common Origination and Disbursement Services — $1.1B (Accenture LLP)
- Provide Direct Loan Services Such AS Call Center and Financial Reporting - Nelnet From 12/15/2019 Through 12/14/2020 — $983.7M (Nelnet Servicing LLC)
- Debt Management and Collections System (dmcs) Igf::ct::igf — $906.9M (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)