Department of Education Awards $4.7M Contract for IDEA IEP Implementation Analysis

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,739,993 ($4.7M)

Contractor: Mathematica Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2017-09-29

End Date: 2024-06-15

Contract Duration: 2,451 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF THIS IS A CONTRACT TO PLAN, COLLECT, AND ANALYZE SURVEY DATA FROM STATES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND SCHOOLS TO EVALUATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION, INTERVENTION, AND SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS WITH INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAMS (IEPS) AND OTHER CHILDREN WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES UNDER THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA).

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20002

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $4.7 million to MATHEMATICA INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF THIS IS A CONTRACT TO PLAN, COLLECT, AND ANALYZE SURVEY DATA FROM STATES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND SCHOOLS TO EVALUATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION, INTERVENTION, AND SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS WITH INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAMS (IEPS) AND OTHER CHILDREN W… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on evaluating the implementation of academic instruction and supports for students with IEPs under IDEA. 2. MATHEMATICA INC. is the sole awardee, indicating a specific expertise or capability. 3. The contract spans nearly 7 years, suggesting a long-term research and analysis effort. 4. Spending is concentrated in Washington D.C., with a small business participation of 0%.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.7M over approximately 7 years is moderate for a research and analysis project of this scope. Benchmarking against similar IDEA implementation studies would be necessary for a precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to assess the effectiveness of educational programs for students with disabilities, aiming to improve service delivery and outcomes.

Public Impact

Impacts students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and other children eligible for IDEA services. Aims to improve the implementation of academic instruction, intervention, and supports. Provides valuable data for policymakers and educators on the effectiveness of current programs. The research findings could influence future educational policies and resource allocation for special education.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of small business participation.
Long contract duration may require ongoing monitoring for scope creep or evolving needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Focuses on a critical area of education for students with disabilities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. Spending in this sector can vary widely, but this value is modest for a multi-year federal research initiative.

Small Business Impact

The contract explicitly states no small business participation. This is a missed opportunity to engage smaller, specialized firms in research and analysis related to special education.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial given the long duration and the importance of the data being collected. The Department of Education's agency oversight is expected, but specific performance metrics and reporting requirements should be clearly defined.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Department of Education Contracting
Department of Education Programs

Risk Flags

No small business participation.
Long contract duration.
Potential for bias in survey data collection.
Need for clear performance metrics and oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $4.7 million to MATHEMATICA INC.. IGF::OT::IGF THIS IS A CONTRACT TO PLAN, COLLECT, AND ANALYZE SURVEY DATA FROM STATES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND SCHOOLS TO EVALUATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION, INTERVENTION, AND SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS WITH INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAMS (IEPS) AND OTHER CHILDREN WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES UNDER THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MATHEMATICA INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-29. End: 2024-06-15.

What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the implementation of academic instruction, intervention, and supports for students with IEPs?

The contract likely outlines specific performance work statement (PWS) details regarding data collection methodologies, survey instruments, and analysis frameworks. These metrics should align with the goals of IDEA and focus on measurable outcomes related to student progress, program fidelity, and resource utilization. The analysis should consider both quantitative and qualitative data to provide a comprehensive evaluation.

How will the analysis ensure objectivity and minimize potential bias in evaluating program implementation?

Objectivity can be ensured through rigorous research methodologies, including clear sampling strategies, standardized data collection tools, and robust statistical analysis. The contractor's independence from program implementation is also key. Independent verification of findings and peer review processes can further enhance objectivity and minimize bias in the final report.

What is the anticipated impact of this analysis on future federal funding or policy decisions regarding special education?

The findings from this analysis are expected to inform federal policy and funding decisions by identifying effective practices, areas needing improvement, and potential gaps in current support systems for students with disabilities. This data-driven insight can lead to more targeted resource allocation, revised program guidelines, and potentially new legislative initiatives to better serve students under IDEA.

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

Solicitation ID: ED-IES-17-R-0027

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 600 ALEXANDER PARK, PRINCETON, NJ, 08540

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,739,993

Exercised Options: $4,739,993

Current Obligation: $4,739,993

Actual Outlays: $3,062,307

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $69,286

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline