Charles Fields

CJ Fields supports the Institute of Education Sciences in advancing evidence-based education policy through strategic procurement of research and management consulting services. While their formal title is not listed, their procurement activities center on acquiring technical expertise to evaluate federal education programs, including Title I initiatives and Career Technical Education under Perkins V. Fields manages acquisitions aligned with the agency’s mission to generate rigorous, actionable data, typically overseeing contracts for administrative management consulting and social science research services. Their role ensures that contracting practices directly support the Institute’s goal of improving student outcomes through scientifically valid evaluations and data-driven policy analysis. Fields engages with a mix of large consulting firms and small businesses, primarily partnering with firms specializing in education policy evaluation, program assessment, and data analytics. While specific contractor names are not available, their contracting patterns reflect a balanced approach between competed general market vendors and 8(a) certified small businesses, indicating a preference for agile, specialized providers capable of delivering high-quality, methodologically sound research and management support. Relationships are typically project-based and outcome-oriented, emphasizing deliverables tied to performance metrics and peer-reviewed methodologies. Set-aside preferences reveal a strong inclination toward socioeconomic diversity, with 33.3% of awards designated for 8(a) competed contracts, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to expanding opportunities for disadvantaged small businesses. The remaining 66.7% are awarded without set-asides, suggesting a flexible, competition-driven approach that prioritizes capability while still integrating small business participation as a core component of procurement strategy. The primary NAICS focus is on 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services) and 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities), reflecting a specialization in program evaluation, policy analysis, and operational support for federal education initiatives. Fields procures services that include longitudinal data analysis, impact assessments, stakeholder engagement frameworks, and technical assistance design—domain expertise critical to advancing equity and effectiveness in U.S. education systems.