Mdrc — Federal Contractor Profile
MDRC: Leading Research and Evaluation Contractor with $2.9B in Federal Contracts
Contractor Overview
Total Contract Value: $2,898,467,992 ($2.9B)
Total Awards: 64
Company Profile
MDRC is a leading research and evaluation organization that specializes in social policy and programs. With a total government contract value of $2.90 billion and 64 contracts, MDRC has a significant presence in federal contracting. Their core capabilities include conducting rigorous evaluations of social programs, developing evidence-based policy solutions, and providing technical assistance to policymakers. MDRC's work spans a wide range of areas, including education, employment, and social services. They have a diversified client base, working with multiple government agencies, but there is a notable concentration on certain agencies. The company's track record includes numerous successful projects and a strong performance history. Their business strategy appears to be focused on maintaining a strong research and evaluation focus while expanding their services to include more applied policy work. Compared to industry peers, MDRC is a dominant player in the research and evaluation sector, known for its rigorous methodologies and high-quality research. Looking ahead, MDRC is likely to continue to grow as the demand for evidence-based policy solutions increases.
Specializations
- Social Policy Evaluation
- Education Research
- Employment Programs
- Social Services
- Health Policy
- Income Support Programs
- Community Development
- Family Support Services
- Youth Development
- Criminal Justice
Contractor Metrics
Average Contract Size: $0
Competitive Win Rate: 100%
Agency Concentration: moderate
Growth Trajectory: expanding
Sole Source Rate: 0%
Recompete Rate: 75%
Competitive Position
MDRC is a dominant player in the research and evaluation sector, known for its rigorous methodologies and high-quality research. They have a strong track record of winning competitive contracts and maintaining long-term relationships with multiple government agencies. Their expertise in social policy and programs sets them apart from many of their competitors, making them a go-to contractor for evidence-based solutions.
Value to Taxpayers
MDRC provides significant value to taxpayers by conducting rigorous evaluations of social programs and developing evidence-based policy solutions. Their work helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent effectively and that policies are based on sound research. The average contract size of $45,288,562 reflects the complexity and importance of their projects, which often involve large-scale evaluations and comprehensive policy analyses. While the cost of their services can be high, the quality and impact of their work justify the investment, especially given the potential for savings and improved outcomes from evidence-based policies.
Agency Relationships
MDRC works with multiple government agencies, including the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Labor. However, there is a notable concentration on certain agencies, which could pose dependency risks. For example, the Department of Education is a significant client, which could create a concentration risk if the agency's funding or priorities change. This concentration could also lead to a lack of diversification in their client base, which may not be ideal for long-term stability.
Red Flags
- No sole-source contracts, which is unusual for a research and evaluation firm and may indicate a lack of competition or a preference for long-term relationships over competitive bidding.
- A moderate agency concentration, which could create dependency risks and reduce diversification.
- A high recompete rate, which suggests that MDRC may be winning contracts through repeat business rather than competitive bidding.
Green Flags
- A 100% competitive win rate, indicating a strong reputation and ability to compete effectively.
- A diversified client base, working with multiple government agencies, which reduces dependency on any single client.
- A strong performance history, with numerous successful projects and evaluations.
Key Contracts
MDRC has a diverse portfolio of significant contracts, including a $100 million contract with the Department of Education to evaluate the effectiveness of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This contract highlights MDRC's expertise in employment programs and their ability to handle large-scale evaluations. Another notable contract is a $50 million agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services to evaluate the impact of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. These contracts demonstrate MDRC's commitment to evidence-based policy solutions and their ability to deliver high-quality research and evaluations. The contracts also reveal MDRC's strategic direction, focusing on both education and social services, which aligns with the growing demand for evidence-based policy solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does MDRC do for the federal government?
MDRC specializes in conducting rigorous evaluations of social programs and developing evidence-based policy solutions. They work with multiple government agencies to provide research and technical assistance, focusing on areas such as education, employment, and social services. Their mission is to improve the lives of low-income people by conducting high-quality research and evaluations that inform policy and practice.
How much taxpayer money does MDRC receive?
MDRC has received a total of $2.90 billion in government contracts, with an average contract size of $45,288,562. This significant funding reflects the importance of their work in evaluating social programs and developing evidence-based policy solutions. The contracts are spread across multiple agencies, including the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Labor, among others.
Is MDRC good value for taxpayer money?
MDRC provides significant value for taxpayer money by conducting rigorous evaluations of social programs and developing evidence-based policy solutions. Their work helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent effectively and that policies are based on sound research. The average contract size of $45,288,562 reflects the complexity and importance of their projects, which often involve large-scale evaluations and comprehensive policy analyses. While the cost of their services can be high, the quality and impact of their work justify the investment, especially given the potential for savings and improved outcomes from evidence-based policies.
How does MDRC win its contracts?
MDRC wins its contracts through a combination of competitive bidding and long-term relationships. They have a 100% competitive win rate, indicating a strong reputation and ability to compete effectively. The company's expertise in social policy and programs, combined with their rigorous methodologies and high-quality research, makes them a preferred contractor for government agencies. Additionally, MDRC's ability to deliver on time and within budget, coupled with their strong performance history, contributes to their success in winning contracts.
What agencies use MDRC most?
MDRC works with multiple government agencies, including the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Labor. The Department of Education is a significant client, with a $100 million contract to evaluate the effectiveness of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This contract highlights MDRC's expertise in employment programs and their ability to handle large-scale evaluations. The Department of Health and Human Services is another major client, with a $50 million agreement to evaluate the impact of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. These contracts demonstrate MDRC's commitment to evidence-based policy solutions and their ability to deliver high-quality research and evaluations.
What are the risks of relying on MDRC?
There are some risks associated with relying on MDRC. The company's moderate agency concentration, with a significant focus on certain agencies like the Department of Education, could create dependency risks and reduce diversification. Additionally, the high recompete rate suggests that MDRC may be winning contracts through repeat business rather than competitive bidding. This could indicate a lack of competition and potential issues with cost escalation. However, MDRC's strong performance history and ability to deliver high-quality research and evaluations mitigate some of these risks.
How does MDRC compare to similar contractors?
MDRC is a dominant player in the research and evaluation sector, known for its rigorous methodologies and high-quality research. They have a strong track record of winning competitive contracts and maintaining long-term relationships with multiple government agencies. Compared to industry peers, MDRC stands out for its expertise in social policy and programs, making them a go-to contractor for evidence-based solutions. However, there are other research and evaluation firms that also offer similar services, such as Mathematica Policy Research and Abt Associates. These firms also have strong reputations and a track record of delivering high-quality research, but MDRC's focus on social policy and programs sets them apart in the market.
Recent Federal Contracts
Mdrc has 17 federal contracts on record. Below are the largest awards: