IES Data Repository and Restricted Use Data (DR-RUD) Program

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Excel spreadsheet containing a pricing template for the IES Data Repository and Restricted Use Data (DR-RUD) Program. It is intended to be used by bidders to provide detailed cost breakdowns for labor and other direct costs across multiple contract periods.

• Summary Sheet: Provides an overview of tasks and total costs per period.
• Base Period Sheet: Details labor categories, hours, rates, and prices for the period 07/01/2026 - 06/30/2027. It also includes categories for Other Direct Costs (ODCs) such as Computing, Copying, Supplies, Subcontracts, Travel, Printing, Honoraria, Telephone, Network Server, Server Data Storage, and Postage/Shipping. A General & Administrative (G&A) rate is also included.
• Option Period Sheets (1-4): Similar to the Base Period sheet, these detail pricing for option periods: OP1 (07/01/2027-06/30/2028), OP2 (07/01/2028-06/30/2029), OP3 (07/01/2029-06/30/2030), and OP4 (07/01/2030-06/30/2031).
• Optional Task 8 Sheet: Outlines pricing for a "Phase-Out Support" task, including labor categories and ODCs.
• Payment Schedule Sheet: Intended to outline the payment schedule for the Base Period, though it is currently empty.

Bidders must use this template to structure and submit their pricing proposals. All labor categories, tasks, and cost elements outlined in this template must be addressed. The provided sheets detail the expected contract structure and cost components for each performance period, including labor categories and other direct costs. Note that all price fields are currently populated with zeros, indicating that bidders need to fill in their proposed rates, hours, and costs.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Data Repository and Restricted Use Data (DR-RUD) Program. The primary goal is to enable researchers to securely access approved IES Restricted Use Data (RUD) remotely, thereby strengthening the evidence base for policymakers and educators while enhancing data security.

This PWS details the tasks required to manage and provide secure, remote access to IES Restricted Use Datasets. Key tasks include:

• Task 1: Meetings: Conducting kick-off and option period meetings, and supporting weekly application meetings.
• Task 2: Data Stewardship, Project Management and Reporting: Hosting a data repository for approximately 320 existing datasets and adding approximately 60 new datasets by September 30, 2026, with about 5 additional sets per year. Providing secure, private workspaces for approximately 5,000 users across 1,000 licenses. Implementing a Contractor-Collected/Price-Offset model for user fees.
• Task 3: Subject Matter Expertise: Recruiting Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) with expertise in various NCES data collections to review research proposal feasibility and data availability.
• Task 4: Export and Export Review: Preventing unauthorized export of data until compliance with NCES statistical standards is met, and reviewing all outputs for disclosure risk.
• Task 5: Export Reviewer Seats: Providing login access and training for up to 10 government-specified users to verify export reviews.
• Task 6: CIPSEA and ESRA Training: Developing and implementing training materials on data protection responsibilities for IES staff, license applicants, and licensees.
• Task 7: IT System Security Compliance: Ensuring adherence to comprehensive federal and Department of Education security requirements, including FISMA, EDAR, NIST standards, and implementing controls for system authorization, vulnerability scanning, encryption, and audit logging.
• Task 8: Phase-out Support (Optional): Providing up to 90 days of transition support to a new contractor if the incumbent is not awarded the follow-on contract, including compiling a phase-out transition plan.

The period of performance includes a Base Period and four Option Periods. Data storage will reside in the contractor's system.

• Security: Strict adherence to federal and Department of Education security requirements, including PII protection, incident reporting, and personnel security screening (Low, Moderate, or High Risk designations). Compliance with IT Accessibility Requirements (Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act) is mandatory.
• Data Handling: All records produced are owned by ED. Contractors must comply with regulations regarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and execute an Affidavit of Non-Disclosure.
• Reporting: Monthly reporting on user licenses, data usage, and export reviews. Annual past performance evaluation will be conducted.
• Deliverables: Numerous deliverables are specified across the tasks, including meeting minutes, training plans, security documentation (SSP, DIRA, POA&M), and various test reports.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains responses to clarification questions submitted by potential bidders regarding the IES Data Repository and Restricted Use Data Program. It addresses technical, contractual, and pricing aspects of the solicitation.

• Virtual Data Enclave Functionality: The enclave must support secure upload of external datasets for authorized licensees, with all uploads subject to NCES review and approval.
• Implementation Timeline: The government will consider adjusting the September 30, 2026, implementation date if compelling justification is provided by offerors.
• Contracting: This is a recompete of an InterAgency Agreement with NSF, with The Coleridge Initiative, Inc. as the incumbent. The current contract value is $367,442.33 for 12 months, though the scope is not directly comparable.
• Technical Requirements: Offerors are responsible for providing, hosting, configuring, and operating the full virtual data enclave, which must meet FISMA Moderate requirements. The contractor will ingest and host approximately 320 data sets.
• User Volume: Up to 5,000 users are expected at any time, with potential surges due to the program reopening. Licenses are valid for up to 5 years.
• User Fees: A "Contractor-Collected/Price-Offset" model will be used, where the contractor collects fees from users for enclave services based on an approved pricing model. These fees are intended to cover variable workspace and usage costs, not the full cost of contractor services. The government will not reimburse costs associated with a deficient pricing model.
• Personnel: All contractor personnel providing direct labor must be U.S. citizens.
• Past Performance: References from predecessor companies, key personnel, or subcontractors may be considered.
• Small Business Participation: Evaluation will be based on the percentage of the Total Contract Value, with a goal of 34.37% of total subcontracted dollars.

These clarifications provide essential details for offerors to refine their technical approaches, pricing, and understanding of contractual obligations. Key areas like the virtual data enclave, user fees, and implementation timelines have been further defined.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (IES) to establish and manage a virtual data enclave for IES Restricted Use Data (RUD) assets and approved licensees. The program aims to provide secure, remote access to IES RUD for approved research projects, thereby strengthening the evidence base for policymakers and educators.

• Manage a secure virtual data enclave populated with IES RUD assets.

• Review applications for IES RUD for feasibility and soundness.

• Review all licensees' work products for disclosure risk prior to export.

• Possess expertise in data programs generating RUD, social science research methods, and statistical inference.

• Provide secure, remote access to a subset of restricted use datasets.

• Transition all physical licensees to remote access by September 30, 2026.

• Host a data repository (DR) for IES Restricted Use datasets, ingesting existing data and adding new datasets.

• Provide secure researcher access to datasets after NCES approval.

• Provision the enclave with statistical software (open source and non-open source).

• Provide user support via email or phone with a 24-hour response time on weekdays.

• Develop training materials for data protection and statistical efficiency (CIPSEA) and ESRA.

• Ensure IT system security compliance, including rapid risk assessment, vulnerability scanning, and system authorization.

• 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.

• Evaluation Factors (Descending Order of Importance): Technical Approach, Management Approach, Past Performance, Small Business Participation, Price.

• Proposals must be submitted in three separate volumes: Technical Proposal, Past Performance, and Business Proposal.

• The acquisition is unrestricted.

• NAICS Code: 518210

• Small Business Participation Goals for FY2026 are provided, including 34.37% for Small Business overall.

• 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).

• Attachment 2 is the Small Business Participation Plan Template.