19FS1A18N5000_Draft_PWS_Data_Literacy_Workshops.pdf

This document is a draft PWS intended for use as part of a Request for Information (RFI). It has been developed by the Government for market research purposes only. Nothing in this document can be construed to bind the Government in any way. A formal solicitation for this requirement may follow.

DOS/FSI/EX/ACQ

United States Department of State

Foreign Service Institute School of Applied Information Technology (SAIT)

Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS)

DOS/FSI/SAIT/BA requires a vendor(s) to design and deliver interactive workshops and seminars to expand data literacy for Dept. employees who produce and consume data.

DRAFT Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Data Literacy, Analysis & Visualization Workshop Series

This document is a draft PWS intended for use as part of a Request for Information (RFI). It has been

Background

The U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute (FSI) is the bureau of record responsible to provide training opportunities in support of the Department’s mission. The

School of Applied Information Technology (SAIT) is the school within FSI responsible for conducting IT training for the entire Department. In support of Department of State goals to increase employee data literacy, SAIT delivers a new course “Data Analysis & Visualization” to employees taught by in-house instructional staff. Students use Microsoft Excel for all class exercises and are introduced to other software tools during discussion and presentations delivered by members of the State Department’s Data Community. Demand for this introductory-level class is high, and employees performing a wide spectrum of functional work as well as those serving in roles from entry-level to senior-level have expressed interest receiving additional “data literacy” training.

Purpose

FSI is seeking subject matter experts to design and deliver highly interactive workshops and seminars to expand data literacy for Department employees who are either producers or consumers of data. The intent is to expand existing in-house training by tapping outside expertise in the data field to provide a series of data literacy, data analysis, and data visualization workshops and/or seminars to a broad spectrum of Department employees.

Scope

The Department of State’s work covers a vast spectrum of functional work and foreign policy activities (www.state.gov), and we are aiming to encourage Department employees at all levels within the organization to embrace a data-driven culture. We are therefore looking to offer a range of workshops delivered to two difference audiences: analysts who produce data analysis and executives and managers who consume data analysis to inform decision and policy making. We do not expect that any one vendor will be able to provide training for both types of audiences, but we are looking to explore what types of training exist for both. We imagine that workshops for data producers may involve teaching employees data analysis and visualization tactics utilizing software-based tools as well as training workshops that could be delivered without the need for tech tools. We also imagine training or lecture-style seminars for data consumers.

Producers of Data Analysis

The following descriptions are examples to help describe what we are looking for but should not limit the possible training scenarios. Department employees who produce data analysis and data visualization would be attracted to “hands-on” and practical “how-to” workshops.

Department employees at the analyst level may have experience analyzing subject matter policies, field reporting and other contextual or text-based analyses but need to learn how to incorporate data analysis and best practices in data visualization into their repertoire. These entry and mid-level Department employees and/or those new to data analysis need to learn the fundamentals of data analysis, statistical analysis, and how to overcome common challenges associated with identifying data sets, cleaning and organizing data in order to determine trends and patterns, and data bias. With those fundamentals in place, they need to become familiar file://///fsiexacqfp01/ACQ_Staff_Share/Solicitations/FY18/Online%20Labs%20RFI%20for%20SAIT/Draft%20PWS/www.state.gov

This document is a draft PWS intended for use as part of a Request for Information (RFI). It has been with the core principles of data visualization concepts, best practices, and strategies to create effective visualizations and tell stories with data.

Consumers of Data Analysis

The following descriptions are examples to help describe what we are looking for but should not limit the possible training scenarios. Executive and managerial-level staff need to understand how to navigate and query data presentations, as well as how to interpret data analysis to better inform their decision making processes and to create compelling data stories of their own to justify the need for resources and/or negotiate a particular policy. Department employees at the executive and managerial level are consumers of data analysis and would be attracted to training events that would provide inspiring examples of data analysis and data visualization as effective and essential drivers influencing strategic resource planning and policy making. Principles of data analysis, trend analysis, high-level overviews of predictive modeling, and how to recognize and avoid data pitfalls such as data bias are all topics that would help leaders to build a more data-driven organization.

Performance Requirements

1. Curriculum Design & Delivery: The contractor will be tasked with designing, developing, and delivering the content curriculum of the workshop(s) and/or lecture seminar(s).

2. Collaborative Meetings: The contractor will participate in collaborative meetings with

FSI staff to review and refine curriculum content and delivery plans. The content of meetings includes refining design plans, integrating workshop feedback, and guiding learning scenarios that align with the context of FSI.

3. Technical Specifications: When applicable, students will have access to PCs with

Windows 10 operating system and Microsoft Office 2016, Microsoft PowerBI, and

Tableau Reader as well as internet connection to view online sites, though they will not be allowed to download new software. If the contractor suggests exercises with other software tools, the feasibility will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The contracted instructor(s), when working on premises, will have access to a Department of State unclassified computer and/or the contractor will be able to connect his/her laptop to the audio/visual equipment in the classroom or lecture hall.

Desired Performance Outcomes

The following list of performance outcomes is not meant to be exhaustive but provide examples to be refined based on vendor capabilities and responses. These outcome examples could also very well be delivered across a series of distinct workshops (for example separate intermediate-level workshops, advanced-level workshops as well as separate workshops for producers and consumers).

This document is a draft PWS intended for use as part of a Request for Information (RFI). It has been

Producers of Data Analysis

Understand analytical and statistical thought processes, discipline, and concepts

Understand and consider issues inherent to producing data analysis: including data bias, data security, and data management and governance principles

Prepare a range of data set types (numerical, text, geographic data sets) for analysis at varying levels of complexity (intermediate to advanced)

Perform data analysis at various ranges of competencies (intermediate to advanced)

Identify and develop appropriate data visualization techniques, data storytelling, and solutions based on content, audience, method of delivery to intended audience

Consumers of Data Analysis

Understand analytical and statistical thought processes, discipline, and concepts

Understand and consider issues inherent to producing data analysis: including data bias, data security, and data management and governance principles

Identify effective and flawed features of data analysis results and visualizations

Develop effective arguments, presentations, cases based on available data analysis

Identify open-source data repositories, analysis, and visualizations relevant to the field of foreign policy

Develop recommendations for incorporating data analysis into Department strategic planning processes and documentation supporting Department policy formulation

Operating Constraints

While the students will have access to the internet, they will not be able to download unapproved software for use during delivery of the workshops. All software must be approved in advance of the workshops.

Place of Performance/Delivery

The contractor will deliver instruction to employees in a classroom or lecture hall at the

Department of State’s training campus: 4000 Arlington Blvd. Arlington, VA 22204*.

Department of State

George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center

Shultz Center FSI

This document is a draft PWS intended for use as part of a Request for Information (RFI). It has been

Washington, DC 20522-4201

*See Questions section – if the contractor or vendor has a training facility in the metropolitan area we will consider the feasibility of conducting the training at the vendor’s facility.

Government-Furnished Property

When working on premises, a Department of State unclassified computer will be provided and/or the contractor will be able to connect his/her laptop to the audio/visual equipment in the classroom or lecture hall.

Security Clearance Requirements

None.

Anticipated Period of Performance

Beginning in summer 2018 (FY18 Q3-Q4)