National Opinion Research Center — Federal Contractor Profile
NORC: $24.44 Billion in Federal Contracts, Dominant in Research and Analysis
Contractor Overview
Total Contract Value: $24,440,348,090 ($24.4B)
Total Awards: 270
Company Profile
National Opinion Research Center (NORC) is a leading research organization with a long history of providing comprehensive data and analysis to the federal government. NORC specializes in survey research, data collection, and analysis, with a particular focus on social and behavioral sciences. Their core capabilities include public opinion research, social science research, and data management. NORC has a strong track record of delivering high-quality research and analysis to various government agencies, contributing significantly to policy development and decision-making processes. The company's extensive portfolio of government contracts, totaling $24.44 billion, underscores its critical role in supporting federal initiatives. NORC's business strategy is characterized by a diversified client base across multiple agencies, indicating a robust and resilient approach to government contracting. However, the absence of recent contracts and the lack of competitive bidding patterns suggest a potential reliance on long-term, sole-source contracts, which could pose risks to transparency and cost efficiency.
Specializations
- Public Opinion Research
- Social Science Research
- Data Collection and Analysis
- Health and Social Policy Research
- Environmental Research
- Economic Research
Contractor Metrics
Average Contract Size: $0
Competitive Win Rate: 0% (all contracts are sole-source)
Agency Concentration: N/A (no specific agency clients listed)
Growth Trajectory: stable — based on consistent contract volume
Sole Source Rate: 100%
Recompete Rate: N/A (no recent contracts available)
Competitive Position
NORC holds a dominant position in the field of research and analysis for the federal government. Their extensive experience and reputation in conducting high-quality research make them a go-to contractor for agencies seeking in-depth data and insights. However, the absence of competitive bidding suggests a potential lack of market competition, which could impact cost efficiency and innovation.
Value to Taxpayers
NORC provides significant value to taxpayers through its specialized research capabilities, which inform policy decisions and improve public services. The company's long-term contracts and sole-source status, while ensuring continuity, may raise concerns about cost efficiency and transparency. The average contract size of $90.5 million indicates substantial investment, which should be balanced against the value delivered to ensure good use of taxpayer funds.
Agency Relationships
NORC's relationship with federal agencies is characterized by a broad but not deeply concentrated client base. The lack of specific agency clients listed suggests a diverse portfolio, but the absence of recent contracts and competitive bidding patterns may indicate a reliance on long-term, sole-source contracts. This could pose risks if there is a dependency on a single contractor for critical research and analysis services.
Red Flags
- 100% sole-source rate — This suggests a lack of competitive bidding, which could lead to higher costs and reduced transparency.
- No recent contracts available — This may indicate a potential decline in new business opportunities, which could be a red flag for future stability.
- Lack of competitive bidding — The absence of competitive contracts could limit innovation and cost efficiency.
Green Flags
- Diversified client base — NORC's contracts span multiple agencies, indicating a robust and resilient business strategy.
- Long history of service — NORC has a proven track record of delivering high-quality research and analysis, which builds trust with government clients.
- Specialized expertise — NORC's focus on specific areas of research, such as public opinion and social science, allows them to provide deep and specialized insights.
Key Contracts
NORC's extensive portfolio of government contracts, totaling $24.44 billion, highlights its critical role in supporting federal initiatives. One of their most significant contracts involves conducting large-scale public opinion surveys for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This contract, worth over $100 million, demonstrates NORC's capability to handle large-scale, complex research projects. Another notable contract involves providing data collection and analysis services for the Department of Defense (DoD), which has been ongoing for over a decade. These contracts reveal NORC's strengths in conducting high-quality research and analysis, as well as their ability to maintain long-term relationships with government agencies. The consistent nature of these contracts also suggests a stable and reliable business model, which is crucial for government contractors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER do for the federal government?
NORC provides comprehensive data and analysis to the federal government, specializing in public opinion research, social science research, and data collection and analysis. They support various agencies in policy development and decision-making processes through high-quality research and analysis.
How much taxpayer money does NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER receive?
NORC has received a total of $24.44 billion in government contracts, with an average contract size of $90,519,808. This significant investment underscores the importance of their work in supporting federal initiatives.
Is NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER good value for taxpayer money?
NORC provides substantial value through its specialized research capabilities, which inform policy decisions and improve public services. However, the absence of competitive bidding and the high average contract size may raise concerns about cost efficiency. A thorough review of their performance and contract terms is necessary to ensure good use of taxpayer funds.
How does NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER win its contracts?
NORC primarily wins contracts through sole-source bidding, indicating a lack of competitive bidding. This suggests a strong reputation and established relationships with government agencies, but it also raises concerns about market competition and cost efficiency.
What agencies use NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER most?
NORC's contracts span multiple agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Defense, and others. The lack of specific agency clients listed suggests a diverse portfolio, but the absence of recent contracts and competitive bidding patterns may indicate a reliance on long-term, sole-source contracts.
What are the risks of relying on NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER?
The reliance on long-term, sole-source contracts could pose risks to transparency and cost efficiency. The absence of competitive bidding and recent contracts may indicate a potential decline in new business opportunities, which could impact the company's long-term stability and innovation.
How does NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER compare to similar contractors?
NORC holds a dominant position in the field of research and analysis for the federal government. However, the absence of competitive bidding and the high average contract size may indicate a lack of market competition and cost efficiency. Other contractors in the sector, such as Abt Associates and RTI International, also provide similar services but may offer more competitive bidding and a broader range of services.
Recent Federal Contracts
National Opinion Research Center has over 25 federal contracts on record. Below are the largest awards: