26RFI0006_WorkEthicsCourseware_043026.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - HE125426RFI0006

Work Ethics Courseware

1.0 Description

1.1 DoWEA operates 41 high schools providing education to 13000+ students, in grades 9-12, around the world and provides academic support for 2000+ military connected students in non-DoWEA schools outside the continental United States. DoWEA seeks information on how an interested contractor could provide a ½-high school credit, commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS), virtual course focusing on work ethics as a primary life skill. DoWEA expects to make one award. The anticipated period of performance is 15 Sep 26 to 14 Sep 31.

1.2 This request for information (RFI) is issued solely for information and planning and does not constitute a request for quote (RFQ) or a promise to issue an RFQ in the future.

· The Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; i.e., all costs associated with responding to this RFI are solely the responder’s responsibility.

· Not responding to the RFI does not preclude a contractor from responding to a future RFQ/RFP. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the SAM.gov website. Potential responders are responsible to monitor the relevant site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

2.0 Overview

2.1 Agency: For school year (SY) 2026-27, the Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) will provide PK-12 instruction in 161 schools to over 67,000 dependents of military and civilian employees. In the Americas, DoWEA operates 50 schools located in seven states, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. In Europe and the Middle East, DoWEA operates 64 schools located in Germany, England, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Turkey, Bahrain, and Italy. In the Pacific, DoWEA operates 46 schools located in Korea, Japan (mainland and Okinawa), and Guam. DoWEA also operates a virtual high school with teaching hubs in the Americas, Europe, and Pacific. All DoWEA schools are accredited through COGNIA. DoWEA's curriculum, resources and student achievement scores on standardized assessments compare favorably to those of high-performing US public school systems.

2.2 Background: The Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) has a long and proud history of providing education to students of military connected families on military installations globally who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality public education. DoWEA is the umbrella organization that plans, directs, coordinates, and manages the education programs for Department of War (DoW) dependents in service to military families at locations around the globe.

2.3 Summary: DoWEA envisions the development of a structured, systemwide approach to supporting students’ exploration of postsecondary career pathways beyond traditional university‑track options, including careers in the skilled trades. Through this effort, DoWEA seeks to provide students with meaningful exposure to workforce‑relevant information and the development of positive work ethic as a foundational life skill applicable across all career paths. This courseware would support informed student decision‑making, promote personal accountability, and broaden awareness of high‑demand career opportunities that align with evolving workforce needs. At present, DoWEA does not have an existing course or contractual solution that fulfills these objectives, and this RFI is intended to inform potential approaches for addressing this identified need.

2.4 Questions:

COURSE CONTENT AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES

· Please describe your commercially available, off‑the‑shelf (COTS), ½‑credit virtual high school course and explain how it delivers a work-ethic-focused curriculum, culminating in an industry-recognized certification that carries brand weight among employers in the skilled trade.

· How does your course emphasize the development of a proactive work ethic as a primary life skill, rather than as a secondary job skill?

· How does your course balance character development and personal accountability with exposure to real‑world career pathways, including skilled trades?

· Please identify the core thematic pillars or instructional framework upon which your course is structured.

ASSESSMENTS AND STUDENT CERTIFICATION

· Please describe the formative assessment components included in your course, including quizzes or checks for understanding aligned to each core thematic pillars or the instructional framework.

· Please describe the summative assessment used to evaluate student mastery of course content.

· Does your course include a student affirmation, reflection, or acknowledgment of values presented? If so, please describe.

· Please explain whether your course provides an industry‑recognized certificate upon successful completion and the criteria for earning it.

INSTRUCTOR RESOURCES AND IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT

· Please describe the instructor resources provided to support systemwide implementation of the course with fidelity.

· How are instructor materials aligned to the course’s instructional pillars or framework?

· Please describe any standardized discussion prompts, classroom activities, or facilitation tools included to support student engagement.

· What guidance is provided to instructors for navigating the curriculum platform and administering final assessments or certifications?

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND INSTRUCTOR PREPARATION

· Please describe your approach to virtual professional learning for educators supporting this course and how your solution can be integrated into a digital learning platform.

· How would your professional learning solution support training for approximately 132 instructors over the anticipated life of the contract?

· Please describe how Career and Technical Education (CTE) specialists would be supported, including training provided during the base period.

· Please describe any instructor‑level examinations or certifications used to validate an educator’s ability to teach the course with fidelity and assess student competency.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND DIGITAL DELIVERY

· Please describe the technical support services provided for your digital courseware.

· What response times are offered for technical assistance via telephone or email?

· How do you support issues such as system access, product setup, troubleshooting, and updates throughout the life of the contract?

SECURITY, COMPLIANCE, AND ACCESSIBILITY

· Please describe how your courseware, software, and applications meet applicable Federal security requirements, including FedRAMP Level 2 or equivalent standards.

· If applicable, please describe any components that may require a waiver and how such requests are managed.

· Please confirm how your resources ensure freedom from bias regarding race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability.

· Please describe how your proposed solution complies with applicable Federal accessibility requirements, including Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

DATA RIGHTS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

· Please describe how data generated through use of your courseware is managed and protected.

· Please confirm that all data developed under this requirement would remain Government property.

· Please describe how digital rights for embedded visual or instructional materials are provided to ensure DoWEA may use resources internally without copyright restrictions.

3.0 Responses

3.1 Interested parties are requested to submit responses to this RFI in Microsoft Word, PDF, or a compatible electronic format. Responses should provide high‑level information based on the respondent’s current capabilities and experience relevant to the requirement described herein. The information requested below will be used solely for market research and acquisition planning purposes. In that regard, please include the following information:

3.1.1 Administration & Subcontracting

1) Company name, DBA name (if applicable), mailing address, and CAGE code

2) Company’s North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes

3) Designated point of contact name, title, phone number, and email address.

4) Business type based upon the NAICS codes your business uses to provide the requested services, e.g., large business, small business, 8(a)-certified business, etc. (Refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation 19 for additional information on small business size standards.)

5) Describe, if applicable, any subcontracting possibilities. Note: The prime must perform at least 51 percent of the work.

3.1.2 Capability: Briefly describe your organization’s capability to provide the requested services.

3.1.3 Standards: DoW expects to adopt the standards used in the proposed solution. Please provide a link to those standards.

3.1.4 Approach: Describe your approach to addressing DoWEA’s needs to include the composition and estimated time commitments of your team. Please include how the content and design are appropriate for high school students.

3.1.5 Recommendations: Please provide any recommendations you believe might improve the Government’s performance work statement.

3.2 Please limit responses—not including pricing information—to a maximum of 20 pages.

3.3 Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and be clearly marked. Please segregate the proprietary information. Note: All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

4.0 Industry Discussions

The Government may, at its discretion, engage in discussions with selected respondents for the limited purpose of obtaining clarification regarding submitted information, including but not limited to capabilities and pricing estimates. Participation in such discussions is not guaranteed and shall be conducted solely in support of market research activities.

5.0 Questions

Questions submitted after May 7, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) are not guaranteed to be answered. Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted by email to Ms. London Thomas, Contract Specialist, at london.thomas@dodea.edu, and Mr. Alim Koroma, Contracting Officer, at alim.koroma@dodea.edu. Verbal questions will not be accepted. Responses to questions, if provided, will be issued via email and will not contain proprietary or classified information.

6.0 Summary

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning and does not constitute an RFQ/RFP. The information herein is subject to change and not binding on the Government. Release of this RFI is not a commitment that DoWEA will issue an RFQ/RFP in the future or that it authorizes costs to be incurred for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

SUSPENSE

Submit your RFI response no later than Friday, May 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). Please email your responses to London Thomas, Contract Specialist, at london.thomas@dodea.edu and Mr. Alim Koroma, Contracting Officer, at alim.koroma@dodea.edu.