SOLICITATION NOTICE
U -- Development and support of distance learning courses
- Notice Date
- 6/11/2009
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 611430
— Professional and Management Development Training
- Contracting Office
- Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Office of Acquisition Management, HAAM, Mail Stop E65-101, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, District of Columbia, 20590
- ZIP Code
- 20590
- Solicitation Number
- DTFH61-09-R-00028
- Point of Contact
- Robert G Prior, Phone: 2023664247
- E-Mail Address
-
bob.prior@dot.gov
(bob.prior@dot.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- MARKET RESEARCH Development and Delivery Support for Online Surface Transportation Training Potential RFP DTFH61-09-R-00028 The Federal Highway Administration is conducting market research to: •Determine if responsible, qualified, capable sources exist who are interested in satisfying the Government’s requirements generally described below; •Determine the capabilities of potential contractors, including an estimate of prices; •Determine size and status of potential sources; and •Determine the nature of competition (i.e., 8(a), small business set-aside, or full and open) Established by Congress in 1970, the National Highway Institute (NHI) is the training and education arm of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under the United States Department of Transportation. NHI’s mission is to provide technical training and resource materials to the transportation community. NHI courses respond to changing workforce development requirements and provide technical professional development opportunities to a wide range of disciplines that make up the surface transportation industry. The NHI plans to award multiple 5-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contracts for the development/update and online support of training courses in the broad area of Surface Transportation. The work requires skilled, knowledgeable and experienced instructional systems designers and technologists (ISD), graphic artists, and digital multimedia specialists that will be partnered with Government-provided subject matter experts (SMEs) to develop new curriculum materials and to update existing course materials for appropriate distance learning formats. The majority of current NHI offerings are instructor-led training (ILT) within a classroom setting. But to meet the time and budget challenges of customers and reach as many participants as possible, NHI espouses distance learning options, which presently include Web-Based Training (WBT), Web Conference Training (WCT), blended learning, and Web 2.0 technologies as opportunities arise. The ID/IQ solicitation will involve multiple awards for distance learning developments and delivery support services. For WBT, WCT and blended courses in addition to ISDs, the contractor team must include web training specialists including graphics artists, digital media experts, and flash programmers. NHI has been approved as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500, McLean, VA 22102. Since 2004, NHI has awarded Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to participants who successfully complete selected NHI training courses. One CEU is equivalent to ten contact hours of training. For those whose jobs require Professional Development Hours (PDHs), each hour of an NHI training session can be translated into one PDH. Additionally, several NHI courses are approved for state licensure programs and others serve as prerequisites for state certification curricula. The target audience for NHI courses is very broad, and includes staff from Federal, State and local transportation and resource agencies; Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Centers; as well as tribal government representatives, academia, and consultants involved with transportation issues. The NHI Web site—http://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/-- provides a listing of current training courses, as well as information on resources, training philosophy, instructor standards, the NHI Style and Standards Guide and many other related topics. NHI’s goal is to optimize training for maximum effectiveness, ensuring that the greatest amount of learning takes place within certain defined constraints. Part of this process involves developing course materials precisely targeted to participant needs and providing clearly articulated Learning Outcomes. The principles of adult learning and ISD must be incorporated into the curriculum materials, as well as an end of course learning assessment (i.e. exam, skill demonstration, etc) in order to be consistent with IACET requirements. Training typically includes a combination of instructional strategies designed to provide the proper context, allow the learner to be actively engaged and in control of their learning, allow time for reflection on the implications of content, as well as provide a social venue to question and learn from others. Since the NHI training program is national in scope, individual course developments are designed according to the NHI Style and Standards Guide and designated FHWA Program Office input. The contractor is expected to provide interactions and flexibility into the course design that allows the participant to achieve the required outcomes as well as provide opportunities to locate and assimilate additional related information. Highly qualified, experienced and knowledgeable instructors have been the hallmark of NHI training courses. To be truly effective in an online environment, synchronous training requires skilled, competent, and credible instructors supported by an individual skilled in using the features and functions of the synchronous classroom. From time to time, those awarded an ID/IQ contract will be invited to compete for award of task orders that may also include other functions relating to training development and delivery, such as needs assessment, marketing, electronic formatting for Section 508 compliance, studies to determine alternate delivery formats and recommendations. Performance under the Task Orders is subject to the requirements of Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended in 1998. Section 504 deals with accessibility for all participants in training classes. Section 504 specifically addresses classroom settings, course materials and accommodations for special needs. Section 508 addresses accessibility issues relative to electronic media such as web postings, web sites, computer simulations, and videos. The NHI follows Section 504/508 Compliance in all of its training development and delivery efforts. The NHI and its contractors must, to the greatest degree possible, meet all accessibility needs of its participants. Examples and access to current NHI distance learning course offerings may be found on the NHI Web site home page, under the Web course section. PARTICIPATION IN THE MARKET RESEARCH IN NO WAY AFFECTS YOUR ELIGIBILITY TO COMPETE FOR THESE SERVICES WHEN THE RFP IS SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUED. Place an X beside each requirement your firm would be able to satisfy. 1. Design and develop distance learning events for graduate level instruction: define target population characteristics; articulate Learning Outcomes; explain instructional strategies and methods; develop subject content, create participant exercises, incorporate best practices; design case studies; chunk or sequence content; determine instructional time allocations; develop evaluation strategies. 2. Develop or Update a Facilitator Guide, Participant Workbook, Reference Manual and Visual Aids, based on the established principles of Instructional Systems Design (ISD) for courses offered by NHI. 3. Provide teams of digital media experts and instructional technologists to develop and incorporate online video, flash animation, and/or Articulate Presenter quizzes into PowerPoint-to-Flash conversion products. 4. Develop training strategies and information dissemination using Web 2.0 technologies. 5. Develop training interventions in Second Life for supplemental or as stand-alone training support elements. Would your firm be able to support synchronous online support of: 6. 10 – 19 course sessions per year? 7. More than 20 course sessions per year? Based on your firm’s experience, please provide rough estimates for the following services ITEM UNITPRICE Item 1: Course Development for a new 10 contact-hour WBT courseEach$ Item 2: Update of an existing 10 contact-hour WBT courseEach$ Item 3: Provide synchronous delivery support for a 2-hour WCT courseEach$ Item 4: Develop a 3-5 minute vodcast Each$ Item 5: Develop a 3-5 minute podcastEach$ Item 6: Develop a 2-hour synchronous Second Life learning event Each$ Item 7: Host a WBT Pilot event for up to 30 participants Each$ Item 8: Develop a 70-page 508 compliant PDF manualEach$ Is your firm A small business?A small disadvantage business? A woman-owned business?A HubZone business? An 8 (a) business?Service Disabled Veteran-Owned SB? A large business? Other? Please return the completed form no later than 4:00 PM EDT June 26, 2009 to Thomas.Elliott@dot.gov or fax (703-235-0593) and reference “Online Surface Transportation Training” in the subject line. Thank you for participating in FHWA’s market research. Among other issues, the survey results will assist us in determining whether to award contracts for individual activities (i.e. course development, synchronous delivery support, etc.) or omnibus contracts requiring each contractor to be capable of performing all required activities.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOT/FHWA/OAM/DTFH61-09-R-00028/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Arlington, Virginia, 22203, United States
- Zip Code: 22203
- Zip Code: 22203
- Record
- SN01843150-W 20090613/090612000359-53815898d4d3cdc5d7ffacd37a83b308 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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