Regional Educational Laboratory Program: 2027 – 2031 Cycle
ID: REL-CYCLE2027Type: Sources Sought
Overview

Buyer

EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OFEDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OFINSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCESWASHINGTON, DC, 20202, USA

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

PSC

SUPPORT- PROFESSIONAL: OTHER (R499)

Set Aside

No Set aside used (NONE)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/3a01acda13114bc09e61346327767b54/view
Timeline
    Description

    The U.S. Department of Education, through its Institute of Education Sciences, is seeking qualified entities to participate in the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Program for the 2027-2031 cycle. This initiative aims to award 60-month firm fixed-price contracts to up to 10 RELs, which will support educational stakeholders in utilizing research and evidence to enhance educational outcomes, particularly in rural areas. The RELs will engage in applied research, training, coaching, and technical support, while adhering to the quality standards set by the Institute of Education Sciences. Interested parties must submit their capability statements by January 8, 2026, and can direct inquiries to Jana Knapp at jana.knapp@ed.gov or Katie Opper at katie.opper@ed.gov.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Jana Knapp
    jana.knapp@ed.gov
    Katie Opper
    katie.opper@ed.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    Draft 2027 REL PWS.docx
    The U.S. Department of Education's Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Program, authorized under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, plans to award ten 60-month contracts for the 2027-2031 cycle. RELs support education stakeholders in using data and evidence to improve schooling outcomes, with 25% of funds supporting rural areas. Key activities include applied research, training, coaching, technical support, and dissemination of scientifically valid research. Each REL establishes a Governing Board to set regional agendas, and all work must meet IES quality standards and be partner-driven. The program emphasizes measurable outcomes (short-, medium-, and long-term) and includes detailed performance measures and targets for activities and RELs. The contract is a hybrid type, with a five-year period of performance starting January 1, 2027. Deliverables include regular communication with IES, biannual meetings, Governing Board establishment and maintenance, annual work plans, monthly progress reports, personnel security compliance, and participation in program evaluations. RELs must also coordinate with other technical assistance providers and engage in needs-sensing to develop and maintain partnerships. Specific tasks cover Training, Coaching, and Technical Support (TCTS) projects, including an 'Ask an Expert' service, and Applied Research and Peer-Reviewed Research-Based Development Projects, which can involve original research, toolkit development, intervention design and testing, tool development, and research study quality assessments. All research work is subject to rigorous review and reporting standards.
    Draft REL Competition 2027 Budget Template.xlsx
    The Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Program's 2027-2031 Cycle Contract is a firm fixed-price agreement with cost-reimbursable travel. Offerors must provide a pricing menu for required and as-needed activities, aligned with the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and the provided budget template. This pricing menu will be used to develop the Base Year Firm Fixed-Price (FFP) Budget, which should not include labor, other direct costs, or indirect rates, as these are part of the pricing menu. Only the Base Year is included in the initial cost proposal. Annually, RELs will propose activities and budgets for the upcoming year, utilizing the approved pricing menu with a 3% escalation rate. Offerors must include assumptions to clarify cost variations for deliverables in Tasks 4, 5, and 6, along with detailed Base Year travel estimates (purpose, location, and costs). The document provides detailed pricing menus for Tasks 1-3, 4, 5, and 6, outlining various subtasks, labor categories, other direct costs, and indirect costs, as well as a template for the Base Year Cost Reimbursable Travel Budget and Assumptions.
    REL Competition 2027 RFI Instructions Revised.docx
    The U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Program, 2027-2031 Cycle. This RFI seeks to gauge market interest and capabilities for awarding 60-month firm fixed-price contracts with cost-reimbursable travel for up to 10 REL regions. The REL Program aims to improve educational outcomes by supporting practitioners and policymakers in generating and using research, evidence, and evidence-based practices. Eligible offerors include research organizations, institutions, agencies, institutions of higher education, or partnerships with demonstrated ability to conduct applied research, provide training and technical support, and disseminate scientifically valid research. The RFI includes general and focus questions regarding the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS), budget, and contract structure. Responses are due by January 8, 2026, and will inform IES's acquisition strategy.
    REL Competition 2027 RFI Instructions.docx
    The U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Program, 2027-2031 Cycle. This RFI seeks to gauge market interest and capabilities for awarding 60-month firm fixed-price contracts with cost-reimbursable travel for up to 10 REL regions. The REL Program aims to improve outcomes for learners by supporting practitioners and policymakers in generating and utilizing research and evidence-based practices. RELs are expected to conduct applied research, implement training and technical support, and disseminate research findings, coordinating with other Department of Education entities. The RFI outlines the required expertise for REL personnel, including content, methodological, and adult learning experts. It also includes general and focus questions regarding the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) and budget template, particularly concerning the shift to firm fixed-price contracts. Interested parties are invited to submit capability statements by January 8, 2026, addressing specific questions about their entity, the PWS, and the proposed contract structure.
    Lifecycle
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    Regional Educational Laboratory Program: 2027 – 2031 Cycle
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