SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- Independent Evaluation of Student Achievement Levels Used to Report Results in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) - Evaluation of NAEP Achievement Levels
- Notice Date
- 4/12/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- 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, District of Columbia, 20202
- ZIP Code
- 20202
- Solicitation Number
- iesre120002
- Archive Date
- 5/15/2012
- Point of Contact
- Jennifer Arthur, Fax: 202-245-6297, Michele Thompson, Phone: 202-245-6193
- E-Mail Address
-
Jennifer.Arthur@ed.gov, michele.thompson@ed.gov
(Jennifer.Arthur@ed.gov, michele.thompson@ed.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Draft PWS THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. NO PROPOSALS ARE SOUGHT. Introduction The Department of Education (the Department) intends to make a sole source award to the National Academy of Sciences, located in Washington, DC. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) began in the 1960's with a grant from the Carnegie Corporation. The goals of the NAEP are to compare student achievement in states and other jurisdictions and to track changes in achievement of fourth-, eighth-, and twelfth-graders over time in the following subject areas: mathematics, reading, science, writing, the arts, civics, economics, geography, and U.S. history. Student performance data is reported by state using the achievement levels of Basic, Proficient, and Advanced to categorize student performance. Stakeholders use NAEP data to track student performance in their jurisdiction, and to inform their decisions related to education reform. Today, NAEP is a federally managed program that has moved from the pencil-and-paper testing format to a computer-based testing format. All NAEP assessments are administered uniformly across the nation and are conducted annually. Legislative Authority This action is designed to facilitate compliance with the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, P.L. 107-279, Title III, Section 301. Purpose The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is seeking an independent, outside evaluation of the NAEP's achievement levels. The NCES needs this evaluation to provide the Commissioner for Education Statistics with information to determine whether the achievement levels (i.e., the achievement levels of Basic, Proficient, and Advanced) used in reporting NAEP results "are reasonable, valid, and informative to the public" or whether the achievement levels should remain as "trial". Previous studies and reviews of NAEP achievement levels have yielded inconclusive results and expressed concerns over the standard setting methodologies used to establish current achievement levels. We intend to award a sole source contract to the National Academy of Sciences if no other responsible and capable sources are identified through this synopsis. If other alternative sources are identified, the Department will move forward with a full and open competition. Sources Sought The authority permitting other than full and open competition is 6.302-1. The Department will afford qualified and interested parties an opportunity to submit capability statements outlining experience directly relevant to this requirement. The Government will consider information received within 30 days of this synopsis. Draft Statement of Work (DSOW): Attached for your review is a Draft Statement of Work, which includes background, purpose of contract, legislative authority, scope of work, and tasks and deliverables. Capabilities: In order to successfully perform the work of this contract, interested parties must have ALL of the following competencies or the ability to provide all of these competencies: (Contractor must respond to all the following points by indicating your experience or the ability to provide the experience.) 1. Conduct expert, independent evaluations related to K-12th grade education; 2. Make valid conclusions that meet the purpose of proposed evaluations and present results to inform policy-making decisions; 3. Meet applicable professional standards required of the research field; and 4. Have prior experience related to standard setting methodologies. If the Department decides to move forward with a full and open competition for this requirement, a firm-fixed-priced contract will be awarded to the successful offeror. At this time, this synopsis is issued to assist the agency in performing market research to determine whether there are qualified and capable sources to provide the aforementioned services. Interested sources are requested to submit a response to Jennifer.Arthur@ed.gov by May 14, 2012 2:00 PM EST. Late responses will not be considered. Additionally, responses should include recent (within the past three years or work that is on-going) and relevant experience (work similar in type and scope) to include contract numbers, project titles, dollar amounts, points of contact, and labor rates. For points of contact, we request telephone numbers where the responder performed the relevant work. Marketing brochures and/or generic company literature will not be considered. Not addressing all the requested information may result in the Government determining the responder is not capable of performing the scope of work required. No additional information regarding any potential future RFP or Government requirements will be provided during this market research. Requested Information Interested vendors are requested to submit a maximum 5-page statement of their knowledge, experience, and capabilities to perform the following: • Conducting independent evaluations of government-funded programs; • Conducting standard-setting evaluations; • Experience with standardized national assessments measuring student academic achievement; • Establishing panels comprised of subject matter experts; • Convening two to five work group meetings per year; • Facilitating discussions with the goal to encourage committee members to reach consensus; and • Make valid conclusions that meet the purpose of proposed evaluations and present results to inform policy-making decisions. The draft SOW is included with this notice. The Department encourages comments and feedback from capable and interested vendors to the draft SOW, including comments and feedback to improve the scope of work, proposed methodology, and recommend possible contract arrangements for consideration. Please limit feedback and comments to 5 pages. Instructions for Responding to this Notice Replies will be separated from, and have no bearing on, subsequent evaluation of proposals submitted in response to any resulting formal RFPs. The use of information received in response to this notice may be used by the Department of Education (ED) for acquisition planning and solicitation preparation activities. Eligibility in participating in a future acquisition does not depend upon a response to this notice. ED will not critique the responses to this notice and the notice should not be used by Offerors to market their products/services. ED does not intend to pay for the information solicited and will not recognize any costs associated with responding to this synopsis. Proprietary information is neither sought nor desired by ED. If such information is submitted, it must clearly be marked "proprietary" on every sheet containing such information, and the proprietary information must be segregated to the maximum extent practicable from other portions of the response (e.g., use an attachment or exhibit). The Department will entertain questions through 12 PM, Eastern Time, Wednesday April 25, 2012. Questions will not be accepted after this date. Please submit questions via email to Jennifer.Arthur@ed.gov.
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