UNSPSC 81103206: Research and development extra-mural research service

Collaborations between extramural scientists and any R&D performed outside of the statistical unit.

UNSPSC 81103206 Research and development extra-mural research services (Commodity) describes state and local procurement of third-party evaluation, assessment, and research services that support district and agency decision-making, though recent solicitations show the code capturing education-focused evaluation work that spans student services assessment, program impact studies, and institutional research rather than traditional R&D. School districts and state education agencies are the dominant issuing bodies, with Texas Education Agency, Michigan Department of Education, and multiple independent school districts (Stockton Unified, Katy ISD, DeKalb County Schools, Pinellas County Schools) soliciting regularly under this code alongside city colleges and county-level entities. Recent work includes Stockton Unified's RFP for academic and emotional support services for at-risk students (posted July 15, 2026, due August 4, 2026); Muscogee County Schools' competitive solicitation for career-infused middle school curriculum design and development (posted June 29, 2026, due August 27, 2026); the Texas Education Agency's RFI for assessment development methodology supporting the Teacher Incentive Allotment program (posted June 18, 2026, due July 16, 2026); and the City Colleges of Chicago's RFP for a 36-month mixed-methods evaluation of basic needs and student retention initiatives (posted January 22, 2026, due February 20, 2026, with MBE/WBE participation goals of 25 percent and 7 percent respectively). Activity is heaviest in Texas and Georgia, with secondary activity across Florida, Michigan, Oregon, and Illinois.

The code reflects demand for outcome-focused research partnerships rather than exploratory R&D—school districts and state agencies are buying evidence of program effectiveness, student impact measurement, curriculum quality assessment, and institutional evaluation to guide resource allocation and policy decisions. Evaluation and consulting firms with expertise in K–12 and higher education environments, mixed-methods research design, and ability to manage multi-stakeholder projects compete actively. Standard state procurement timelines apply: RFPs typically allow four to eight weeks for response, many include HUB subcontracting plans or MBE/WBE participation requirements, and contracts often run three to five years with optional renewal periods. Insurance requirements are consistent (general liability, professional liability or errors and omissions, cyber liability where data handling is involved), and evaluation criteria typically weight experience and qualifications heavily (20–55 points depending on scope), with methodology and budget plan accounting for 20–40 points combined. No imminent market shifts are evident; districts continue expanding evaluation capacity to support data-driven decisions in academic support, special education compliance, and workforce pathway initiatives.