RMC Research Corporations Administration of the Reading First Program Contracts

The Department of Education, Office of the Inspector General's audit disclosed that RMC did not adequately address conflict of interest (COI) issues. As a result, we identified two instances in which RMC may have provided inappropriate assistance to the state education agencies while providing technical assistance (TA) during the first two contracts. We also found that RMC did not include the required COI clause in its subcontracts and consulting agreements, did not adequately vet TA providers for reading product relationships and affiliations, and did not have formal COI policies and procedures (including the subcontractors). Except as noted above, the auditors determined that RMC generally provided appropriate guidance and information to the technical assistance centers during the third Reading First contract.