Dept_Questions_and_Responses_ED-IES-17-R-0019.docx

Question U.S. Department of Education Response

1. I am wondering if an incumbent exists for the potential requirement: Impact Evaluation of Departmentalized Instruction in Elementary Schools outlined under ED-IES-17-R-0019. If so, could you please provide the following information?:

· Vendor name

· Contract number

· Value

· Date of award

· Expiration date

There is no incumbent for this requirement.

2. The request for capability statements for this procurement asked a question about the possibility of releasing this RFP through GSA OASIS. We believe that the GSA OASIS contracts are not viable procurement tools for this RFP because they would severely restrict competition and prevent contractors that have experience conducting large, complicated studies for the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE) from bidding on the work. Limiting the pool of eligible contractors to only those who hold GSA OASIS contracts would result in reduced competition, which could result in lower-quality bids and ultimately poorer project performance. None of the firms eligible under GSA OASIS contracts have extensive experience conducting large, complex randomized controlled trial evaluations for NCEE. Moreover, most of the organizations that have this type of experience are not part of GSA OASIS and, therefore, would be prevented from submitting a proposal; these include Mathematica, American Institutes for Research, MDRC, and Abt Associates. Can you confirm that IES is not planning to use the GSA OASIS contracts for this procurement?

Thank You for providing feedback on the viability (or non viability) of using GSA OASIS contract vehicles. The Department is in the planning stages of this anticipated acquisition. As such all viable procurement methods and contract types will be considered before a final decision regarding the best procurement method and contract type is made.

U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance Impact Evaluation of Departmentalized Instruction in Elementary Schools Solicitation #: ED-IES-17-R-0019; FY17 Tracking #: IESE170055AP

The U.S. Department of Education provides responses to all questions and comments submitted in response to the Vendor Collaboration webinar for the subject Fiscal Year 2017 Solicitation.