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

The U.S. Department of Education, through the Institute of Education Sciences, is soliciting a firm-fixed price contract for the Data Repository and Restricted Use Data (DR-RUD) Program, with solicitation number 91990026R0010 and a response deadline of June 4, 2026. The contract supports secure, remote access to federally collected Restricted Use Data (RUD) from the National Center for Education Statistics and the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, enabling approved researchers to conduct evidence-based studies while safeguarding confidential information. The primary objective is to transition from physical media to a fully digital licensing ecosystem, operating a secure virtual enclave that manages user access, data export controls, and the RUD license application process. The contractor must deliver a comprehensive suite of services encompassing data stewardship, subject matter expert recruitment, export review mechanisms, CIPSEA and ESRA training programs, IT system security compliance aligned with NIST 800-171 and FIPS 199 standards, and ongoing monitoring of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) under Department of Education directives. The work is structured across seven mandatory tasks and one optional phase-out task, with deliverables including monthly reports, an annual transition plan, security categorization and digital identity risk assessments, a detailed pricing model, and training materials—all subject to strict timelines beginning with a kickoff meeting within one week of award on July 1, 2026. The contract spans a total of 60 months, structured as a base year through June 30, 2027, followed by four optional one-year periods extending to June 30, 2031. Proposals must be submitted in three volumes—Technical, Past Performance, and Business—with stringent formatting requirements including Times New Roman 12-point font, single spacing, PDF format, and a 25-page limit for the technical volume. The technical proposal must detail the approach to meeting the Performance Work Statement without referencing price, while the business volume must include fully loaded labor rates and a complete price breakdown by task and by year. Pricing must be submitted for all five potential contract periods and rounded to the nearest cent. Evaluation prioritizes technical approach, management approach, and past performance as the most significant factors, with small business participation serving as a mandatory pass/fail gate requiring at least 34.37% of the total contract value to be subcontracted to small businesses unless the prime is