SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- NAEP Education Statistics Services Institute (NESSI)
- Notice Date
- 4/27/2005
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Education, Contracts & Acquisitions Management, Contracts (All ED Components), 550 12th Street, SW, 7th Floor, Washington, DC, 20202
- ZIP Code
- 20202
- Solicitation Number
- ED-05-R-0014
- Description
- The U.S Department of Education (ED), Institute for Education Sciences (IES) National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) requires technical assistance and expert advice to support its assessment development, methodological research, and statistical product preparation related to the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP). NAEP is complex and long term, with each assessment data collection extending over many years and recurring on a periodic basis. Further, assessments in various subject areas run concurrently and with differing development cycles. Although the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB), the policy oversight board for NAEP has established a basic schedule of NAEP assessments, NCES must be able to adapt rapidly to changing priorities and policies. NCES also must incorporate the latest scientific advances in how data are designed, collected, analyzed and reported. The functions of NESSI must mirror and extend the work of NCES' Assessment Division, which is responsible for the conduct of NAEP, as well as key NCES center-wide functions particularly relevant to NAEP. Such an approach is necessary so that NAEP can continue to evolve and meet these challenges while still remaining statistically stable and living up to its reputation as the "gold standard" in large-scale assessments. Accordingly, NESSI must provide assistance to the NCES through a long-term commitment, in collaboration with the agency and the NAEP program staff, other NAEP contractors, and to some extent, other programs within NCES. During the period of performance NCES anticipates the need for NESSI to carry out a wide variety of activities. The expected work falls into the four broad project categories described below. The individual tasks may require a combination of all four types of work. 1. Statistical and psychometric methodology research Advanced psychometrics and state-of-the-art statistical methodology work will support the continuous improvement of both the conduct of NAEP data collections and the analysis of data from those collections. Priority is placed on methodological work and related theoretical underpinnings that are relevant to both the state of the field and to the particular needs of educational large-scale assessments. 2. Statistical analyses Such work will include both the most commonly used statistical procedures and advanced psychometric techniques to guide and ensure that analytic studies are designed in such a way as to produce valid and reliable NAEP data. The NESSI statistical analyses activities will employ the most commonly accepted statistical procedures in accordance with NCES' psychometric techniques and statistical standards (http://nces.ed.gov/statprog/2002/stdtoc.asp) and consistent with NAEP's reporting goals and objectives. The focus will be primarily on analysis and report writing, ad hoc data analysis requests; and ongoing monitoring of NAEP data analysis integrity. Priority is placed on the evaluation of the full range of audiences served by the NAEP data products. 3. Development The primary objectives are to: (1) assist NAEP staff in the monitoring and critical review of NAEP item development, survey instrument design, and scoring activities; (2) coordinate the on-going reviews, revisions and/or approval of NAEP items and survey instruments by NAGB, subject area specialists, state representatives and other educational bodies; (3) identify relevant information sources, technologies, literature and emerging trends in educational assessment that bear upon the quality and integrity of future NAEP instrument designs and data interpretations; (4) design or adapt improved methods for assessing students through innovative and effective item types; and (5) identify new and effective ways of administering large-scale assessment surveys given emerging challenges in areas such as nonresponse, motivation, and participation. 4. Project management Such work will include technical support for NAEP operations through assistance in the planning and implementation of data collections, monitoring and tracking activities of reports and publications and technical review of all NAEP products, including the Web-based ones. Work will be characterized by its comprehensive response to information needs, both current and anticipated; continuity, where appropriate, to permit analyses across projects; cost effectiveness; and timeliness. The Department of Education estimates a period of performance of a 12-month base year and four 12-month options. The opening date is on or around May 13, 2005; the closing date is July 7, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. Copies of the solicitation will be available for download on http://www.fedbizopps.gov/.
- Record
- SN00796510-W 20050429/050427211709 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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