Evaluation of NAEP Achievement Levels

THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. NO PROPOSALS ARE SOUGHT. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information from interested parties, including potential offerors, about the feasibility of the proposed procurement strategy and requirements document in support of a pending 2014 solicitation to provide an independent and objective evaluation of whether the Reading and Mathematics NAEP achievement levels for grades 4, 8 and 12 are "reasonable, valid, reliable and informative to the public". Additionally, The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is conducting market research to determine whether there are qualified and capable sources to provide the aforementioned services and to receive suggestions and comments from the industry. It is anticipated that a firm-fixed-priced contract will be awarded to the successful offeror, after evaluation of all responsive proposals received in response to the anticipated solicitation. The anticipated Period of Performance is for an 18-month base period ,with a 24 month option period. Background The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation's Report Card, is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas at grades 4, 8, and 12. Congressionally authorized since 1969, NAEP is a project of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education. The NCES Commissioner is responsible for carrying out the NAEP project. Under the provisions of P.L. 107-279, the Secretary of Education is required to provide for continuing review of the NAEP assessment. The legislation identifies the issues to be addressed in the reviews, one of which includes the requirement to evaluate whether the NAEP achievement levels, are "reasonable, valid, reliable and informative to the public." P.L. 107-279 (2002), Sec. 303(e)(2)(C) states that NAEP achievement levels shall be used on a trial basis until the Commissioner for Education Statistics determines, as a result of an evaluation under Sec. 303(f), that such levels are "reasonable, valid, and informative to the public". Pursuant to the legislative authorities described above, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) has been asked by the Secretary of Education to conduct an independent and objective evaluation of the NAEP achievement levels. The anticipated contract seeks to obtain the services and expertise of an organization with experience evaluating large scale assessments to conduct an evaluation of the achievement levels used to report NAEP results. This effort is intended to provide the Commissioner of Education Statistics with information necessary to inform his decision about whether the current trial status of the NAEP achievement levels can be removed or whether they should remain in trial status. Requested Information The Draft Statement of Objectives (SOO) is included with this notice. ED encourages comments and feedback from capable and interested vendors regarding the draft SOO, 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 (double spaced and 12 point font). ED has developed a list of questions to facilitate discussion and influence the final version of the SOO and subsequent RFP. ED intends to use the answers to refine the RFP and enhance SOO. 1. Provide your Company info: Name, Cage Code, DUNS, and size standard in the NAICS Code provided in question 2. Please also provide all socio-economic designations (i.e. Hubzone). 2. Do you believe there is a more appropriate NACIS than 541990? If so, which one, and why do you believe it is more appropriate? a. What is the size of your company under NAICS Code 541990? b. What is the size of your company under any alternate NAICS that you may have provided under question 2? 3. What do you see as the risks to performance, cost, and schedule associated with this requirement? 4. What pricing arrangements do you recommend? a. If a firm-fixed-price contract is suggested what types of information would be required to price this effort? 5. Does this SOO provide enough information to prepare a Performance Work Statement? If not, please provide recommendations on how the document can be improved upon. Capability Statement Protocal 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. Marketing brochures and/or generic company literature will not be considered. ED is particularly interested in sources that are able to demonstrate the following capacities and capabilities: 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. Interested sources are requested to submit responses to Scott.Frankel@ed.gov and Veronica.Price@ed.gov by February 28, 2014, 12:00 PM EST. Late responses will not be considered. DISCLAIMER 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 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 RFI. 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).