A10 Attachment A - Statement of Work Online High School Diploma (HSD).docx

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

Contents

Project

Online High School Diploma (HSD) Program

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

It is the responsibility of all Job Corps centers to assist students with earning their high school diplomas through the implementation of an accredited program that meets Job Corps Policy and Requirements Handbook (PRH) standards (PRH 3.1 R5, PRH Appendix 302). An accredited, online high school diploma (HSD) program that meets PRH standards is an effective, efficient way to provide students with the requisite instruction needed to earn individual course credits to satisfy HSD requirements. An online HSD vendor will not only provide student test integrity procedures, but will also assess student transcripts to discern which courses a student must take to satisfy HSD course credit requirements (PRH 3.1 R8). Online course software, provided by the vendor, will include online course instruction and will integrate assessment instruments to ensure course competency. Moreover, upon course completion, the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) accredited vendor has the ability to confer the student diploma and will provide a course transcript.

2.0 Background

Per (PRH 3.2, R5), all Job Corps centers must assist students with earning their high school diplomas and must implement a program to support student attainment of high school diplomas. Contracting with a DEAC accredited, online HSD program as defined by the PRH is one avenue that can be taken by centers to assist students with earning their HSDs. Because the number of required online HSD slots varies from center to center, the need for a national contract exists.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

The online HSD vendor will perform/satisfy the following tasks:

· Ensure that the online HSD program is accredited as defined by PRH standards (PRH Appendix 302).

· Ensure that the online HSD program is on-demand and provides web-based modules.

· Upon receipt of the student’s prior high school transcripts, if available, the online HSD vendor will enroll the student into the online program.

· Upon enrollment of a student, the online vendor will provide the center with student log-in information that will enable the student to access online course content.

· Upon receipt of the student’s transcript, the online HSD vendor will complete the transcript audit process to determine and upload a list of courses that the student must take to satisfy his/her/their HSD completion requirement.

· Once the online HSD vendor uploads the list of courses that a student must successfully take to earn an HSD, the vendor will provide the online course content to the student by making 2 courses available to a student at a time.

· Required course content including video lessons, written content, assessments, and resource materials necessary for course completion will be available online to students for each of the 2 courses that are open for a student at any given time.

· The HSD online vendor will provide student integrity procedures and a student integrity document that meets PRH standards.

· The HSD online provider will provide client support to the Job Corps’ teacher/facilitator as needed to address any questions/issues that arise as students proceed through the program.

· As students submit writing papers or other papers that must be hand graded, the HSD online provider will return papers promptly.

· If a request is made to expedite the grading process, the student will receive his/her/their paper back the day after submission.

· At no time will the HSD online vendor discriminate against any student based on any protected category.

· When a student completes the requisite list of courses for his/her/their HSD, the vendor will:

· make a completion letter available to the academic manager (AD) or his/her/their designee through the online portal or email.

· will make a digital copy of a student’s diploma available to the academic manager or his/her/their designee through the online portal or email.

· will make a transcript available to the academic manager or his/her/their designee through the online portal or email.

· Protect the confidentiality of student personal information contained in records, as well as verbal and written communications, in accordance with federal, state, and local law (PRH 6.4, R20).

· Ensure that copies of students’ transcripts and diplomas are available to students through an electronic platform in perpetuity.

· Provide a weekly status report detailing student progress in the online HSD program.

If a student initially enrolled in the program where payment has been collected by CHS from the center leaves the center (former enrollee) without graduating from CHS, within 45 days of initial enrollment, the next student enrolled in the program within the same 45-day period may be enrolled at no charge.

Regulatory standard of conduct governs all personnel directly and indirectly involved in procurements. All personnel engaged in procurement and related activities shall conduct business in a manner above reproach and, except as authorized by statute or regulation, with complete impartiality and with preferential treatment for none. The general rule is to strictly avoid any conflict of interest or even the appearance of a conflict of interest in FS/Contractor relationships.

Administrative personnel that are assigned to completing the transcript audit must understand HSD requirements and possess educational experience in how to read and interpret transcripts.

Educators whom the contractor has hired must have educational backgrounds and degrees required by Federal and State laws, and possess the knowledge and skill to effectively and professionally assess student papers and provide valuable feedback to students.

4.0 Government Furnished Equipment

None

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

6.0 Travel

Not applicable

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

7.1 Program Coordinator: The Contractor shall designate a primary and alternate representative who will be the Contractor’s Point of Contact (POC). The Program Coordinator must have a minimum of five (5) years of experience managing programs, projects, or requirements of comparable size, scope and complexity to this procurement. The Program Coordinator shall have experience with government contract oversight. The Program Coordinator shall be an individual who is knowledgeable of the terms and conditions of the contract, contract invoicing, and authorized to make decisions regarding the contract. The Contractor shall submit the Program Coordinator’s contact information, to include email address and phone number, in writing, to the CO. The Contractor shall notify the CO, in writing, of changes in the status (i.e., termination or replacement) of the Program Coordinator within 3 business days of the change.

Any personnel the contractor offers as substitutes shall have the ability and qualifications, including education and experience, at least equivalent to the key personnel whose biography was submitted with the successful proposal. All notification of / request for substitutions in key personnel shall be submitted to the COR/CO at least 10 calendar days prior to making any change in key personnel, to the maximum extent practicable. The notification shall be in writing and shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitution. The contractor shall submit a complete biography for the proposed substitute, and any other information requested by the CO. The CO will evaluate such requests and promptly notify the contractor of approval or disapproval thereof in writing.

8.0 Security and Privacy Requirements

All Contractors and Contractor personnel shall be subject to the same Federal security and privacy laws, regulations, standards and DOL and/or JC policies as JC personnel, including the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552a, regarding information and information system security. Contractors must follow all security and privacy requirements, per Attachment C - Privacy Requirements 6500. During active performance Contractors and Contractor personnel are responsible for maintaining compliance with JC policies. Specific stipulations for rapid response task orders will be included there within. Any and all sensitive information that pertains to a requirement in a specific call order will be contained to FS systems and networks.

9.0 Data Rights

Not applicable

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards

Software must be compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

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