LITERACY INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (LINCS) RESOURCE COLLECTION

The U.S. Department of Education (ED), Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE)anticipates the release of the subject solicitation on or about May 23, 2011. It is determined that these services are commercial as defined in FAR Part 2.101. Based on the results of market research, it is determined that commercial sources are available and capable of satisfying this requirement. Description The Literacy Information and Communication System, commonly referred to as LINCS, is a dissemination and professional development system, providing information on a wide variety of literacy relevant topics, issues, and resources. It was originally designed (under the former National Institute for Literacy) to provide a centralized point of access to information about adult literacy and an infrastructure to facilitate communication for a highly decentralized field of professionals, volunteers, and learners. The LINCS network included catalogued literacy resources, special collections of materials on topics such as workplace literacy, English as a Second Language, assessment, and a number of online public discussion lists. Each week, current news stories, events, funding opportunities, and professional development opportunities regarding literacy were added to the databases. LINCS also relied on a group of regional centers, originally called Regional Technology Centers (RTCs) and later called Regional Resource Centers (RRCs) to promote LINCS to the public; develop and manage regional and state-level website infrastructure; help populate the LINCS databases; and provide technical assistance and training at the state and local levels in the use of LINCS for adult education and literacy practitioners. In 2005, a comprehensive external review found that LINCS "...created an infrastructure capacity for dissemination of tangible materials that contributes to every adult education/literacy professional's own personal database of adult education teaching and learning tool and skills." It also noted that LINCS components "...mark a significant contribution to the adult education and literacy field. They are also classic examples of what economists refer to as a - public good. '" At the time of the review, LINCS components also included what was called the Special Collections and Discussion Lists. The Special Collections were topic based materials that were vetted, but not necessarily research- or evidence-based. Later, this became the Resource Collections which were focused on research based materials that were vetted by at least two external reviewers who were subject matter experts. Discussion Lists were eventually modified to focus more on the content of the Resource Collections rather than solely open-ended discussions. The U. S. Department of Education (ED), Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) plans to continue enhancing LINCS to provide high-quality open learning materials to improve teacher effectiveness. A further refinement of LINCS can lead to more effective teachers so that more learners progress to and succeed in postsecondary education. Beginning in FY10, OVAE is supporting a LINCS design of three components: 1) LINCS Regional Professional Development Centers; 2) the Resource Collection; and 3) a technology infrastructure. This Performance Work Statement (PWS) is for the LINCS Resource Collection. With this effort, OVAE intends to support nationally significant Adult Education Professional Development activities to enhance the quality of education and literacy nationwide. Purpose and Objectives The primary goal of the LINCS Resource Collection project is to provide a collection of high-quality evidence-based online resources for adult educators at the state and local levels. These resources will enable educators to design and deliver high-quality learning opportunities for adults so they can successfully transition to and complete college career pathways leading to 21st Century jobs. To achieve this goal, the contractor shall meet the following objectives: - Manage the project to ensure accountability and successful outcomes. - Recruit, train and manage reviewers to review materials that will be added to the Collection. - Maintain and expand evidence-based collection materials to help state and local adult educators improve the quality and quantity of resources available to assist them in providing more effective instruction. - Develop new evidence-based professional development resources and assure the quality of the professional development deployed through LINCS Regional Professional Development Centers (RPDCs). - Disseminate information on new resources in the collection to state and local adult educators through communities of practice or professional learning communities and other appropriate means. The period of performance shall be twelve (12) months with two option years.