RFI - Redesigning IES Data Tools.pdf

NCES Data Tool Redesign - Request for Information

Purpose:

The U.S. Department of Education (the Department) is conducting market research to determine if sufficient interest and capability exists in the marketplace for the DataLab O&M and possible re-design.

This does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP), Request for Quotations (RFQ), Invitation for Bids (IFB), or a commitment on the part of the Government to conduct a solicitation in the future. All information provided is strictly voluntary and no reimbursement will be made by the Government for any costs associated with providing a response to this notice or otherwise participating in market research activities. Further, the U.S. Department of Education offers no assurance that a solicitation will result from this notice.

The Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has the need for expert technical support in the day-to-day operation and maintenance (O&M) of the DataLab databases and tools that house and are used to analyze these data. The DataLab O&M contract expires in February 2027 and NCES requires an experienced contractor to assume day-to-day operations and maintenance of this system over the next several years.

Concurrent with that effort, NCES requires thought leadership to assess NCES’ current state data storage, analytics and dissemination environment and propose a modern technology solution leveraging artificial intelligence that provides stakeholders with an easy, intuitive, secure and accurate set of data analytics tools for the library of NCES data. It is expected that the ultimate awardee(s) would design, develop and implement a comprehensive iterative solution over an 18-month period culminating in a multi-month phased launch of the ultimate solution and the wind down of the various legacy products. It is expected that all required functionality will remain available – either in the legacy or future state form - during the implementation period.

Additional details about NCES, its mission, products and analytics tools can be found in the attached Statement of Objectives.

Questions:

1. Please describe similar experiences designing data tools, integrating tools, and maintaining data tools.

a. Provide contract numbers and dollar values.

b. Provide numbers of users or other metrics to demonstrate the size and scope of these previous efforts.

2. Describe experience creating and/or using APIs.

3. Describe experience working with secure, restricted, or confidential data.

4. Describe experience with leveraging AI integration.

a. Provide experiences securing confidential data with PII while using AI.

b. Provide names of the data sources and/or customers for this work.

5. What other innovations have you used to leverage cost reductions in data dissemination and analysis work?

6. Describe experience improving user experience and functionality for audiences of different technical ability levels.

7. Given the wide range of data formats, housed in different systems coupled with the interest in leveraging AI in improving the customer experience, what type of data formatting and conversion would be required to normalize data formats to fully leverage benefits of AI?

8. Is the proposed timeline realistic?

9. Are there other technical objectives that you foresee that could/should be included?

10. Is your business a small business? What percentage of this work would you be able to perform, and what percentage would you need to subcontract in order to meet the requirements?

11. What experience do you have with incentive contracts for this type of work? Please provide specific examples of incentives and how they were applied.

12. Are the services needed offered under any GWAC or Federal Supply Schedule contracts? If so, please provide the contract number and SIN.

Please provide responses to the questions above no later than 12pm ET, August 27, 2026 to Alyson Allman, Alyson.allman@ed.gov. Please include a POC with your response who can answer any follow up questions the Department might have.

mailto:Alyson.allman@ed.gov