Project Manager/Analyst Impact Evaluation of EERE R&D Investments in Small Businesses and Start‑Ups

Job Description

Background:

SoCha is preparing a proposal in response to a solicitation released by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) for a rigorous impact evaluation of its 2006‑2022 awards to small businesses and start‑ups. The study will employ Regression‑Discontinuity and Difference‑in‑Differences statistical models to estimate the effects of EERE grants on commercialization, follow‑on capital, patents, jobs, revenue, and the survival of firms post-grant award. Data sources will include DOE merit‑review files, USPTO PatentsView, Census LBD/LEHD micro‑data, PitchBook, PrivCo, and sector‑specific market‑intelligence feeds. Findings will inform future EERE funding strategy.

Period of Performance

Contingent on award, the base year of the consultancy will encompass 12 months, from approximately July 2025 – June 2026, for approximately 1,238 hours (~60 % FTE). The option period, if exercised by DOE, will encompass 6 months, from approximately July 2026 – December 2026, for approximately 413 hours (~40 % FTE).

Scope of Work

Working under the supervision of the Lead Evaluator, the Project Manager/Analyst (PM/A) will be responsible for executing the data acquisition, processing, and analysis plan developed by the Lead Evaluator and approved by DOE. The PM/A will own day‑to‑day technical execution—building analytic datasets, coding statistical models, and ensuring that deliverables meet DOE’s 90 % confidence / 10 % precision standard. The PM is classified as “essential personnel” on the contract and must be available during DOE business hours. The PM/A tracks the status of tasks on the project and meets weekly or more frequently on demand with the SoCha team and the client.

Project Phase and PM/A Duties

Start‑up (Months 1–2)

• Refine the Evaluation Plan and data‑mapping matrix.
• Coordinate secure data requests to DOE, Census FSRDC, and commercial vendors.
• Establish version‑controlled (Git) codebase and FedRAMP Moderate cloud workspace.

Data Integration (Months 1–6)

• Clean and link merit‑review scores to EIN‑level firm identifiers.
• Merge USPTO, Web‑of‑Science, PitchBook, LBD/LEHD, and cost‑share data into an analysis‑ready panel.
• Document all ETL steps for reproducibility and PWS reporting.

Analysis & Modeling (Months 4–10)

• Implement RDD bandwidth diagnostics, McCrary density tests, covariate‑balance plots.
• Run negative‑binomial, logit, Cox, and panel DiD models per analysis plan. 
• Generate interim tables, forest plots, and sensitivity analyses for DOE briefings.
• Collect primary data from firms as needed to fill gaps in secondary data.

Reporting (Months 10–12)

• Draft technical appendices, codebooks, and the Preliminary Findings Deck.
• Revise based on Lead Evaluator & DOE comments.
• Prepare data and syntax for archival.

Option Period (Months 13–18)

• Conduct follow‑on heterogeneity analyses (by SBIR phase, award size, technology pillar).
• Support longitudinal‑evaluation roadmap design. 
• Address any DOE data‑call or re‑run requests.

Qualifications and experience

• Education: Master’s or Ph.D. in Economics, Econometrics, Data Science, Statistics, or other Quantitative Social Science.
• Experience: ≥ 5 years managing datasets, regression analysis and related statistical models and tests, including causal‑inference models (RDD, DiD, propensity‑score matching, negative‑binomial, survival analysis).
• Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in R, Stata, and/or Python; demonstrated use of Git, Docker, and cloud‑based secure environments; ability to document code for replication.
• Communication: Ability to translate technical findings into clear, mid‑level explanations for mixed‑expertise audiences; experience producing DOE‑style memos and slide decks.
• Project Management: Proven track record coordinating multi‑source data pipelines, meeting fixed milestones, and working in a matrixed team under tight federal deadlines.
• Preferred but not Required: Data‑access Credentials: Eligibility for—or existing—Special‑Sworn Status (SSS) to work inside a Federal Statistical Research Data Center; familiarity with Title 13 confidentiality rules.

About the Organization

SoCha is preparing a proposal in response to a solicitation released by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) for a rigorous impact evaluation of its 2006‑2022 awards to small businesses and start‑ups. The study will employ Regression‑Discontinuity and Difference‑in‑Differences statistical models to estimate the effects of EERE grants on commercialization, follow‑on capital, patents, jobs, revenue, and the survival of firms post-grant award. Data sources will include DOE merit‑review files, USPTO PatentsView, Census LBD/LEHD micro‑data, PitchBook, PrivCo, and sector‑specific market‑intelligence feeds. Findings will inform future EERE funding strategy.