U.S. Participation in the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2013

The Department of Education intends to award a contract in FY2012 to support United States (U.S.) participation in the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2013. TALIS is an international survey about teachers, teaching, and learning environments. TALIS is an effort by the U.S. and other countries to better understand the successes and challenges faced by teachers and school leaders. More information on TALIS can be found in Attachment A - Performance-Based Work Statement (PWS). This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The Department of Education intends to solicit and negotiate a firm-fixed price procurement in accordance with FAR Part 12. This requirement is 100% set-aside for small business, under the authority of FAR Part 52.219-6. The Small Business Size Standard for the NAICS code 541720 is $19.0 million. This is a Request for Proposal (RFP). Offerors must be registered in the Central Contract Registration database prior to submission of an offer to be considered for award of any Department of Education contract; go to https://www.bpn.gov/ccr/default.aspx to register. Contract Clauses...................................................................................... 52.252-2 -- Clauses Incorporated by Reference (February 1998)................................. 52.212-4 -- Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items (February 2012), by reference 52.212-5 -- Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items (April 2012)............................................................. 3452.201-70 Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) (Mar 2011).......................... 3452.202-1 Definitions - Department of Education (Mar 2011) by reference................... 3452.208-72 Printing (Mar 2011) by reference..................................................... 3452.209-71 Conflict of Interest (Mar 2011) by reference......................................... 3452.224-70 Release of information under the Freedom of Information Act (Mar 2011) by reference................................................................................................. 3452.227-70 Publication and Publicity (Mar 2011) by reference................................ 3452.227-71 Advertising of Awards (Mar 2011) by reference................................... 3452.227-72 Use and Non-Disclosure Agreement (Mar 2011) by reference..................... 3452.227-73 Limitations on the use or disclosure of Government-furnished information marked with restrictive legends (Mar 2011) by reference ................................................ 3452.237-71 Observance of Administrative Closures (Mar 2011) by reference................. 3452.242-71 Notice to the Government of Delays (Mar 2011) by reference................... 3452.242-73 Accessibility of Meetings, Conferences, and Seminars to Persons with Disabilities (May 2011) by reference ................................................................................ 306-1a Invoice and Contract Financing Requests Submission (Alternate I) (January 2007).................................................................................................... Solicitation Provisions............................................................................... 52.209-7 -- Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (February 2012)................... 52.212-1 -- Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items (February 2012), by reference 52.212-2 -- Evaluation -- Commercial Items (January 1999)..................................... 52.212-3-Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (April 2012) 3452.209-70--Conflict of Interest Certification (May 2011)...................................... Contract Clauses 52.252-2 -- Clauses Incorporated by Reference (February 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address: https://www.acquisition.gov/Far/ or http://www.ed.gov/policy/fund/reg/clibrary/edar.html. (End of Clause) 52.212-4 -- Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items (February 2012), by reference 52.212-5--Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items (April 2012) (a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: X(1) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Feb 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)). ___Alternate I (Aug 2007) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)). X(2) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553). X(3) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) (Pub. L. 108-77, 108-78). (b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: [Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] _X_ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 253g and 10 U.S.C. 2402). _X_ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Apr 2010) (Pub. L. 110-252, Title VI, Chapter 1 (41 U.S.C. 251 note)). __ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (June 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.) _X_ (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Feb 2012) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note). __ (5) 52.204-11, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-Reporting Requirements (Jul 2010) (Pub. L. 111-5). _X_ (6) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Dec 2010) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note). _X_ (7) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Jan 2012) (41 U.S.C. 2313). __ (8) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (section 740 of Division C of Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Division D of Pub. L. 111-8, and section 745 of Division D of Pub. L. 110-161). __ (9) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657a). __ (10) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (JAN 2011) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a). __ (11) [Reserved] _X_ (12)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644). __ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2011). __ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2011). __ (13)(i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644). __ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 1995) of 52.219-7. __ (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2004) of 52.219-7. _X_ (14) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Jan 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)). __ (15)(i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Jan 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)). __ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9. _X_ (iii) Alternate II (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9. __ (iv) Alternate III (Jul 2010) of 52.219-9. __ (16) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Nov 2011)(15 U.S.C. 644(r)). _X_ (17) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)). _X_ (18) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)). __ (19)(i) 52.219-23, Notice of Price Evaluation Adjustment for Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns (OCT 2008) (10 U.S.C. 2323) (if the offeror elects to waive the adjustment, it shall so indicate in its offer). __ (ii) Alternate I (June 2003) of 52.219-23. __ (20) 52.219-25, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program-Disadvantaged Status and Reporting (Dec 2010) (Pub. L. 103-355, section 7102, and 10 U.S.C. 2323). __ (21) 52.219-26, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program- Incentive Subcontracting (Oct 2000) (Pub. L. 103-355, section 7102, and 10 U.S.C. 2323). __ (22) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657 f). _X_ (23) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation (Apr 2009) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)). __ (24) 52.219-29 Notice of Set-Aside for Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (Nov 2011). __ (25) 52.219-30 Notice of Set-Aside for Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (Nov 2011). _X_ (26) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755). _X_ (27) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Jul 2010) (E.O. 13126). _X_ (28) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999). _X_ (29) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246). _X_ (30) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Sep 2010)(38 U.S.C. 4212). __X (31) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Oct 2010) (29 U.S.C. 793). _X_ (32) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (SEP 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212). __ (33) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). _X_ (34) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (JAN 2009). (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.) __ (35)(i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA-Designated Items (May 2008) (42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.) __ (ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.) __ (36) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (DEC 2007) (42 U.S.C. 8259b). __ (37)(i) 52.223-16, IEEE 1680 Standard for the Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products (DEC 2007) (E.O. 13423). __ (ii) Alternate I (DEC 2007) of 52.223-16. _X_ (38) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (AUG 2011) (E.O. 13513). __ (39) 52.225-1, Buy American Act-Supplies (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d). __ (40)(i) 52.225-3, Buy American Act-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act (June 2009) (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d, 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, Pub. L. 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, and 110-138). __ (ii) Alternate I (Jan 2004) of 52.225-3. __ (iii) Alternate II (Jan 2004) of 52.225-3. __ (41) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (NOV 2011) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note). _X_ (42) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (June 2008) (E.O.'s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury). __ (43) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150). __ (44) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150). _X_ (45) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (Feb 2002) (41 U.S.C. 255(f), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)). X__ (46) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 255(f), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)). _X_ (47) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration (Oct 2003) (31 U.S.C. 3332). __ (48) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other than Central Contractor Registration (May 1999) (31 U.S.C. 3332). __ (49) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (Feb 2010) (31 U.S.C. 3332). _X_ (50) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a). __ (51)(i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx. 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). __ (ii) Alternate I (Apr 2003) of 52.247-64. (c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: __X (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965 (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). _X_ (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 1989) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). _X_ (3) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act-Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Sep 2009) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). _X_ (4) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act-Price Adjustment (Sep 2009) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). __ (5) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements (Nov 2007) (41 351, et seq.). __ (6) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). __ (7) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (Mar 2009) (Pub. L. 110-247). __ (8) 52.237-11, Accepting and Dispensing of $1 Coin (Sept 2008) (31 U.S.C. 5112(p)(1)). (d) Comptroller General Examination of Record. The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records-Negotiation. (1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor's directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract. (2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR Subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the other clauses of this contract. If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved. (3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the Contractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law. (e)(1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause, other than those in this paragraph (e)(1) in a subcontract for commercial items. Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause- (i) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Apr 2010) (Pub. L. 110-252, Title VI, Chapter 1 (41 U.S.C. 251 note)). (ii) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Dec 2010) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds $650,000 ($1.5 million for construction of any public facility), the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities. (iii) [Reserved] X (iv) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246). X (v) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Sep 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212). X (vi) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Oct 2010) (29 U.S.C. 793). (vii) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40. (viii) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965 (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). X (ix) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Feb 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)). ___Alternate I (Aug 2007) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)). (x) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). (xi) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). X (xii) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (JAN 2009). (xiii) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (Mar 2009) (Pub. L. 110-247). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226-6. (xiv) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx. 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.247-64. (2) While not required, the contractor may include in its subcontracts for commercial items a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations. (End of clause) ? 3452.201-70--Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) (May 2011) (a) The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) is responsible for the technical aspects of the project, technical liaison with the contractor, and any other responsibilities that are specified in the contract. These responsibilities include inspecting all deliverables, including reports, and recommending acceptance or rejection to the contracting officer. (b) The COR is not authorized to make any commitments or otherwise obligate the Government or authorize any changes that affect the contract price, terms, or conditions. Any contractor requests for changes shall be submitted in writing directly to the contracting officer or through the COR. No such changes shall be made without the written authorization of the contracting officer. (c) The COR's name and contact information: to be completed at time of award (d) The COR may be changed by the Government at any time, but notification of the change, including the name and address of the successor COR, will be provided to the contractor by the contracting officer in writing. (End of Clause) 3452.202-1--Definitions - Department of Education (May 2011) by reference 3452.208-72-Printing (May 2011) by reference 3452.209-71--Conflict of Interest (May 2011) by reference 3452.224-70--Release of information under the Freedom of Information Act (May 2011) by reference 3452.227-70 - Publication and Publicity (May 2011) by reference 3452.227-71--Advertising of Awards (May 2011) by reference 3452.227-72--Use and Non-Disclosure Agreement (May 2011) by reference 3452.237-71--Observance of Administrative Closures (May 2011) by reference 3452.242-71--Notice to the Government of Delays (May 2011) by reference 3452.242-73--Accessibility of Meetings, Conferences, and Seminars to Persons with Disabilities (May 2011) by reference 306-1a Invoice and Contract Financing Requests Submission (Alternate I) (January 2007) (A) Payments shall be rendered in accordance with the payments clause(s) of the incorporated contract clause section and with those otherwise specified rated or fixed price amounts. (B) The contractor shall submit invoices electronically as an attachment to a message to contact@example.gov. The subject area of the message shall contain the invoice number, contract number, and contract specialist's name. The electronic copy of the invoice shall be in a format that is supported by Microsoft Office (Microsoft Word or Excel), or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). ? Solicitation Provisions 52.209-7-- Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (February 2012) (a) Definitions. As used in this provision- "Administrative proceeding" means a non-judicial process that is adjudicatory in nature in order to make a determination of fault or liability (e.g., Securities and Exchange Commission Administrative Proceedings, Civilian Board of Contract Appeals Proceedings, and Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals Proceedings). This includes administrative proceedings at the Federal and State level but only in connection with performance of a Federal contract or grant. It does not include agency actions such as contract audits, site visits, corrective plans, or inspection of deliverables. "Federal contracts and grants with total value greater than $10,000,000" means- (1) The total value of all current, active contracts and grants, including all priced options; and (2) The total value of all current, active orders including all priced options under indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, 8(a), or requirements contracts (including task and delivery and multiple-award Schedules). "Principal" means an officer, director, owner, partner, or a person having primary management or supervisory responsibilities within a business entity (e.g., general manager; plant manager; head of a division or business segment; and similar positions). (b) The offeror [ ] has [ ] does not have current active Federal contracts and grants with total value greater than $10,000,000. (c) If the offeror checked "has" in paragraph (b) of this provision, the offeror represents, by submission of this offer, that the information it has entered in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) is current, accurate, and complete as of the date of submission of this offer with regard to the following information: (1) Whether the offeror, and/or any of its principals, has or has not, within the last five years, in connection with the award to or performance by the offeror of a Federal contract or grant, been the subject of a proceeding, at the Federal or State level that resulted in any of the following dispositions: (i) In a criminal proceeding, a conviction. (ii) In a civil proceeding, a finding of fault and liability that results in the payment of a monetary fine, penalty, reimbursement, restitution, or damages of $5,000 or more. (iii) In an administrative proceeding, a finding of fault and liability that results in- (A) The payment of a monetary fine or penalty of $5,000 or more; or (B) The payment of a reimbursement, restitution, or damages in excess of $100,000. (iv) In a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding, a disposition of the matter by consent or compromise with an acknowledgment of fault by the Contractor if the proceeding could have led to any of the outcomes specified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (c)(1)(ii), or (c)(1)(iii) of this provision. (2) If the offeror has been involved in the last five years in any of the occurrences listed in (c)(1) of this provision, whether the offeror has provided the requested information with regard to each occurrence. (d) The offeror shall post the information in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(iv) of this provision in FAPIIS as required through maintaining an active registration in the Central Contractor Registration database via https://www.acquisition.gov (see 52.204-7). (End of provision) 52.212-1 -- Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items (February 2012), by reference Addendum to 52.212-1 - Proposal Instructions Organization and Content of Proposal Offerors are to follow the proposal format and content suggestions detailed in this section. Each offer should consist of three separately packaged - documents: a technical proposal, a cost proposal, and a past performance report. All information necessary to judge the technical soundness of the offer should be contained in the technical proposal. The cost proposal contains all information related to the determination of the costs associated with performing the tasks outlined in the offeror's technical proposal. Proposals may include plans to subcontract parts of the work, provided that evidence is presented that any proposed subcontractor has agreed to perform and is fully capable of performing the assigned tasks, and that the offeror has effective control of the subcontractor's work in the project. Offerors are encouraged to make use of subcontractors, those that qualify as small or minority-owned businesses, for specialized tasks where subcontractor expertise would strengthen the offeror's pro'posal. 1. Technical proposal Offerors should provide a technical proposal for the entire project. The technical proposal should not exceed 40 pages (1.5 spacing) excluding figures, tables, resumes, and project descriptions. The technical proposal should be organized into the follow'ing sections: Table of Contents, Introduction, General Ap'proach, Statement of Work, Project Management, Proposed Staff Related Experience, and Related Corporate Experience. The authors of each section should be clearly identified in the proposal. Specific requirements for each section are discussed in greater detail in the following paragraphs. a. The Table of Contents should provide an easy means to identify major sections of the proposal and major points of discussion. b. The Introduction should demonstrate the offeror's understanding of the purposes, methodology, and products of the project and should include a very short summary of the offeror's qualifications and unique strengths related to the work outlined in the statement of work. In describing the purposes of the project, offerors should discuss their current understanding of the design of the study and how data from this study can be used to answer international comparative educational questions or to inform policy in this area. c. The General Approach section should be organized into three parts. In the first part, the offeror is asked to describe its overall approach for successfully accomplishing the work and the rationale for the proposed approach. In the second part, the offeror should identify what it sees as the major challenges associated with conducting TALIS. In the third section, the offeror should describe and justify the methods and approaches it will use to respond to each of these challenges. d. The Performance-Based Work Statement (PWS) section corresponds to the Scope of Work section of ED's PWS, provided with these documents. The offeror's proposal expands upon each of the tasks outlined in the Scope of Work and discusses procedural issues related to completing each task. The offeror's plan for carrying out each task, including the naming of staff members who will play a major role in completing the task, should be clearly stated. Any variations to the tasks and subtasks defined are to be accompanied by a rationale. If the variation affects the overall cost of the study, this should be indicated in the technical proposal and the cost of alter-native designs presented separately in the busi'ness or cost proposal. Offerors are encouraged to pro'pose alternatives that, if adopted, would improve the study or reduce the costs. However, for evaluation purposes, the offeror must submit a proposal to perform the work as specified in this document. Alternative proposals may also be submitted. All tasks in the statement of work should be addressed when preparing the offeror's description of the work and methods it will use. e. Project Management The complexity of the project requires an effective management system that enables tasks to be completed on schedule and within budget. The Project Management section includes discussions of the offeror's procedures for: coordinating and controlling project personnel, resources, and tasks; ensuring adherence to schedules and dead'lines; ensuring the security and confidentiality of data; ensuring high quality products and outcomes; identifying potential problems early; maintaining close communication with the COR; and controlling project expenditures. This section outlines the offeror's specific plans for managing the study and identifies how its proposed approach to project management will respond to the special needs and complexities of the project. Specifically, it should also address how the offeror will respond to the activities described in task 13 of the statement of work (study management). Descriptions that are limited to the offeror's general approach to project management will be considered unacceptable. The Project Management section details the offeror's plan for managing the study including proposed lines of authority, coordination and communica'tion within the offeror's organization and with any subcontractors, consultants, and NCES/ED. All person'nel, including subcontractor staff and consultants should be identified and their position in the study's management structure detailed in an organization chart. There should also be a staff skills matrix that identifies the project director and key project staff by skill area. All key staff of subcontractors should be identified and described in the same way and listed in the staff skills matrix. There should be sufficient detail on how each project staff member will be used. In all cases where key personnel external to the offeror's organization are proposed, letters of agree'ment (with proposed staff) and letters of availability (endorsed by the primary organizations with which they are affiliated) are to be in'cluded. For purposes of the Work Statement, staff includes all personnel proposed to work on the study regardless of their primary affiliation or specific assignment. A person loading chart that shows the number of hours each key staff member will devote to each of the project tasks and the number of total hours each will devote to the core and optional tasks should be included in this section of the offeror's technical proposal. The hours for other project staff (e.g., programmers, clerical staff, field staff) should be reported by labor category. All key staff of subcontractors proposed should be included in the person-loading chart. The offeror should also provide information on the level of commitment to the project and to other projects and administrative activities for each proposed key staff member (indicated as a percentage of full-time equivalent or FTE). For proposed key staff members who are already committed to other projects and whose time commitment on the other projects would appear to preclude their involvement with TALIS, the offeror should provide a justification for their inclusion among key personnel and how time and commitment conflicts will be resolved, should they arise. The offeror should clearly state how many hours equals one full-time equivalent. f. Proposed staff related experiences This section of the offeror's proposal should contain a summary for each proposed key staff member that indicates how his/her prior work experience and educational background relates to his/her proposed role on the study. Primary areas of expertise should be clearly specified. The summary should be limited to the two or three experiences that best qualify the staff member for the role he/she will play on the study. Offerors are encouraged to subm...