IES Data Repository and Restricted Use Data (DR-RUD) Program
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Department of Education (ED), specifically the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), intends to award a Firm-Fixed Price contract for the IES Data Repository and Restricted Use Data (DR-RUD) Program. This program seeks contractor support to establish and manage a secure computing environment, providing remote access to IES Restricted Use Data (RUD) for approved research projects. The goal is to strengthen the evidence base for policymakers and educators while protecting confidential information. Proposals are due June 4, 2026.
Scope of Work
The contractor will be responsible for:
- Managing a secure virtual data enclave populated with IES RUD assets.
- Reviewing applications for IES RUD for feasibility and soundness.
- Reviewing all licensees' work products for disclosure risk prior to export.
- Possessing expertise in data programs generating RUD, social science research methods, and statistical inference.
- Providing secure, remote access to a subset of restricted use datasets.
- Transitioning all physical licensees to remote access by September 30, 2026.
- Hosting a data repository for IES Restricted Use datasets, including ingestion of existing and new data.
- Providing secure researcher access to datasets after NCES approval.
- Provisioning the enclave with statistical software (open source and non-open source).
- Offering user support via email or phone with a 24-hour weekday response time.
- Developing training materials for data protection (CIPSEA) and statistical efficiency (ESRA).
- Ensuring IT system security compliance, including rapid risk assessment, vulnerability scanning, and system authorization.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price
- Period of Performance: 60 months (12-month base period and four 12-month option periods)
- Anticipated Award Date: July 1, 2026
- Proposal Submission Deadline: June 4, 2026, 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time
- Clarification Questions Deadline: May 14, 2026, 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time
- Published Date: April 23, 2026
Evaluation
Proposals must be submitted in three separate volumes: Technical Proposal, Past Performance, and Business Proposal. Evaluation factors, in descending order of importance, are: Technical Approach, Management Approach, Past Performance, Small Business Participation, and Price.
Eligibility / Set-Aside
- Acquisition Type: Unrestricted
- NAICS Code: 518210 (Platform Delivered As A Service For Databases And Middleware)
- Small Business Participation: Goals for FY2026 include 34.37% for Small Business overall.
Additional Notes
The solicitation includes numerous FAR and EDAR clauses related to security, data handling, privacy, and contract administration. Attachment 1 is the Performance Work Statement (PWS), and Attachment 2 is the Small Business Participation Plan Template. The place of performance is Washington, DC.