B -- Analysis of Data

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service plans to make a sole source contract award to Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. (MPR) to analyze data from the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) Access, Participation, Eligibility, and Certification Study conducted during the 2005-2006 school year. This study, which MPR originally performed, gathered nationally representative data from school districts and households to estimate certification and payment errors as well as erroneous payments within the NSLP and SBP programs. The decision for a sole source award is based on the need to avoid unacceptable delays and prevent substantial duplication of costs that would arise if the agency initiated a competitive procurement. This procurement, authorized under 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), is not open for competitive proposals, and the government reserves full discretion whether to forgo competition. The notification explicitly states that it is not a solicitation and invites questions or comments by a specified deadline. The contract falls under NAICS code 541720, relating to research and development in the social sciences and humanities, and will be managed through the USDA Food and Nutrition Service office located in Alexandria, Virginia. Tina M. Nevitt serves as the point of contact for further inquiries.