U--Applied Learning Center Program Maintenance and Improvement

The purpose of this modification to the Presolicitation notice is to clarify the requirements regarding a PHD level Psychometrician. 1. What in the requirements and the expected outcomes requires a doctoral degree to successfully perform this effort? The government is seeking to obtain an expert in the field of assessment content validity. It is crucial that the breadth and depth of knowledge in assessment and psychometrics will be such that it will enable the individual to fluidly respond to challenges and aberrations from typical and modal findings. The complexity of patterns of correlation may be challenged by a panel of equal standing; therefore the need for a Psychometrician with a doctoral degree establishes the highest level of creditability and expertise and will put the person on equal footing during the content validity phase of the requirement. Specifically, the acquisition workforce assessment team must be able to credibly defend statistical conclusions when collaborating with PhD counterparts (both federal employees and contractors) in sister organizations across the Department, including, but not limited to VA Learning University (VALU) and the VA Acquisition Academy (VAAA). 2. Wouldn't other established credentials be sufficient to perform the tasks in this effort? If not, why not? No, because during the content validity and reliability phase of the requirement the individual may be challenged by a highly educated workforce and individuals in positions of high influence. Only an individual with a doctorate has the proven and demonstrated analytical and statistical expertise to successfully defend program methodologies and conclusions against fellow experts with doctoral degrees. 3. Where did this very specific requirement originate? The requirement is simply to ensure that VA has the best talent possible as we continue to develop and enhance our acquisition workforce development programs, including the competency assessment program. VA employs approximately 24,000 acquisition workers. Having the best available talent to support the only objective competency assessment program for these individuals who spend in excess of $20B annually seems not only prudent, but necessary. 4. What was the impetus for this requirement? The impetus for the requirement is in support of long standing policy issued by the Office Management and Budget/Office of Federal Procurement Policy wherein civilian agencies are tasked to train the acquisition workforce so as to ensure agencies accomplish their mission goals efficiently and effectively. VA is investing heavily in developing our acquisition workforce, we have already invested at the PhD level in developing the program to date, and we are likely to expand our assessment efforts across the federal government. It is imperative that we maintain this level of expertise as we move the program forward. The electronic solicitation is expected to be released on September 12, 2011.