91990024R0019 SF33.pdf

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD 1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED

ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 7900)

RATING

PAGE OF

PAGES

2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER 4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION 5. DATE ISSUED 6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

91990024R0019 SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

7. ISSUED BY CODE CAMLBJ 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

US Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue SW, LBJ-2C274 Washington DC 20202

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and 1 copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if handcarried, in the depository located in until 2:00 PM ET local time JUN 28, (Hour) (Date)

CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawls: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS)10. FOR

INFORMATION CALL

A. NAME

Katie Opper AREA CODE

NUMBER

987-0207

EXTENSION

C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

Katie.Opper@ed.gov

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

(X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S) (X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S)

PART 1 - THE SCHEDULE PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

X A SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM 1 - 1 X I CONTRACT CLAUSES 56 - 65

B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS - PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

X C DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT 6 - 46 X J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 66 - 67

D PACKAGING AND MARKING - PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

E INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE - X K REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER 68 - 69

F DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE - STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

G CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA - X L INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS 70 - 79

X H SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 47 - 55 X M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD 80 - 89

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror) NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232-8)

10 CALENDAR DAYS (%) 20 CALENDAR DAYS (%) 30 CALENDAR DAYS (%) CALENDAR DAYS (%)

14. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS AMENDMENT NO. DATE AMENDMENT NO. DATE

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated):

CODE FACILITY 16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER

15A. NAME AND

ADDRESS OF

OFFEROR

(Type or print)

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER 15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS IS DIFFERENT

AREA CODE NUMBER

EXTENSION FROM ABOVE - ENTER SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

17. SIGNATURE 18. OFFER DATE

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED 20. AMOUNT 21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

10 U.S.C. 2304(c) 41 U.S.C. 3304(a) ( )

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

ITEM

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7) 25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER(Type or print) 27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 28. AWARD DATE

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition is unusable

STANDARD FORM 33 (REV. 6/2014)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

PAGE 1 OF 89 91990024R0019

Table of Contents

SECTION C DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

C.1 Task Order Procedures

C.2 IDIQ Performance Work Statement

C.3 Task Order 0001 Performance Work Statement

SECTION H SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 3452.201-70CONTRACTING OFFICER`S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) (MAR 2011)

H.2 3452.202-1DEFINITIONS--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (MAR 2011)

H.3 3452.204-70RECORDS MANAGEMENT (OCT 2023)

H.4 3452.204-71CONTRACTOR SECURITY VETTING REQUIREMENTS (OCT 2023)

H.5 3452.208-72PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT (MAR 2011)

H.6 3452.209-70CONFLICT OF INTEREST CERTIFICATION (MAR 2011)

H.7 3452.209-71CONFLICT OF INTEREST (MAR 2011)

H.8 3452.215-70RELEASE OF RESTRICTED DATA (MAR 2011)

H.9 3452.224-70RELEASE OF INFORMATION UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (MAR 2011)

H.10 3452.224-71NOTICE ABOUT RESEARCH ACTIVITIES INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS (OCT 2023)

H.11 3452.224-72RESEARCH ACTIVITIES INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS (OCT 2023)

H.12 3452.227-70PUBLICATION AND PUBLICITY (MAR 2011)

H.13 3452.227-71ADVERTISING OF AWARDS (MAR 2011)

H.14 3452.227-72USE AND NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT (MAR 2011)

H.15 3452.227-73LIMITATIONS ON THE USE OR DISCLOSURE OF GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED INFORMATION MARKED WITH

RESTRICTIVE LEGENDS (MAR 2011)

H.16 3452.228-70REQUIRED INSURANCE (MAR 2011)

H.17 3452.231-71INVITATIONAL TRAVEL COSTS (OCT 2023)

H.18 3452.233-70AGENCY LEVEL PROTESTS (OCT 2023)

H.19 3452.237-70SERVICES OF CONSULTANTS (MAR 2011)

H.20 3452.237-71OBSERVANCE OF ADMINISTRATIVE CLOSURES (MAR 2011)

H.21 3452.239-71DEPARTMENT INFORMATION SECURITY AND PRIVACY REQUIREMENTS (OCT 2023)

H.22 3452.242-70LITIGATION AND CLAIMS (MAR 2011)

H.23 3452.242-71NOTICE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF DELAYS (MAR 2011)

H.24 3452.242-73ACCESSIBILITY OF MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, AND SEMINARS TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

(MAR 2011)

H.25 3452.243-70KEY PERSONNEL (OCT 2023)

H.26 306-1cINVOICE AND CONTRACT FINANCING REQUESTS SUBMISSION - IPP (MAY 2018)

H.27 306-8CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR (FEB 1985)

H.28 307-12CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACT (AUGUST 1998)

H.29 307-19REDACTED PROPOSALS (DECEMBER 1998)

H.30 307-24CONSULTANT SERVICES AND CONSENT (APRIL 1986)

H.31 312-14MULTIPLE AWARDS (APRIL 1998)

H.32

SECTION I CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 52.202-1DEFINITIONS (JUN 2020)

I.2 52.203-3 GRATUITIES (APR 1984)

I.3 52.203-5 COVENANT AGAINST CONTINGENT FEES (MAY 2014)

I.4 52.203-6 IRESTRICTIONS ON SUBCONTRACTOR SALES TO THE GOVERNMENT (JUN 2020)-- ALTERNATE I (NOV

2021)

I.5 52.203-7ANTI-KICKBACK PROCEDURES (JUN 2020)

I.6 52.203-8 CANCELLATION, RESCISSION, AND RECOVERY OF FUNDS FOR ILLEGAL OR IMPROPER ACTIVITY (MAY

2014)

PAGE 2 OF 89 91990024R0019

I.7 52.203-10 PRICE OR FEE ADJUSTMENT FOR ILLEGAL OR IMPROPER ACTIVITY (MAY 2014)

I.8 52.203-11 CERTIFICATION AND DISCLOSURE REGARDING PAYMENTS TO INFLUENCE CERTAIN FEDERAL

TRANSACTIONS (SEP 2007)

I.9 52.203-12LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS TO INFLUENCE CERTAIN FEDERAL TRANSACTIONS (JUN 2020)

I.10 52.203-13CONTRACTOR CODE OF BUSINESS ETHICS AND CONDUCT (NOV 2021)

I.11 52.203-16PREVENTING PERSONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (JUN 2020)

I.12 52.204-3 TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION (OCT 1998)

I.13 52.204-4 PRINTED OR COPIED DOUBLE-SIDED ON POSTCONSUMER FIBER CONTENT PAPER (MAY 2011)

I.14 52.204-5 WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS (OTHER THAN SMALL BUSINESS) (OCT 2014)

I.15 52.204-6 UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER (OCT 2016)

I.16 52.204-8ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (FEB 2024)

I.17 52.204-10REPORTING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND FIRST-TIER SUBCONTRACT AWARDS (JUN 2020)

I.18 52.204-12 UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER MAINTENANCE (OCT 2016)

I.19 52.204-13SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT MAINTENANCE (OCT 2018)

I.20 52.204-15 SERVICE CONTRACT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR INDEFINITE-DELIVERY CONTRACTS (OCT 2016) 57

I.21 52.204-17OWNERSHIP OR CONTROL OF OFFEROR (AUG 2020)

I.22 52.204-18COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE MAINTENANCE (AUG 2020)

I.23 52.204-19 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (DEC 2014)

I.24 52.204-20PREDECESSOR OF OFFEROR (AUG 2020)

I.25 52.204-21BASIC SAFEGUARDING OF COVERED CONTRACTOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS (NOV 2021)

I.26 52.204-22 ALTERNATIVE LINE ITEM PROPOSAL (JAN 2017)

I.27 52.204-23PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING FOR HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND SERVICES DEVELOPED OR PROVIDED

BY KASPERSKY LAB COVERED ENTITIES (DEC 2023)

I.28 52.204-27PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION (JUNE 2023)

I.29 52.209-2 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH INVERTED DOMESTIC CORPORATIONS-REPRESENTATION (NOV

2015)

I.30 52.209-5CERTIFICATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (AUG 2020)

I.31 52.209-6PROTECTING THE GOVERNMENT`S INTEREST WHEN SUBCONTRACTING WITH CONTRACTORS DEBARRED, SUSPENDED, OR PROPOSED FOR DEBARMENT (NOV 2021)

I.32 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018)

I.33 52.209-9 UPDATES OF PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018) 59

I.34 52.209-10 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH INVERTED DOMESTIC CORPORATIONS (NOV 2015)

I.35 52.209-11 REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATIONS REGARDING DELINQUENT TAX LIABILITY OR A FELONY

CONVICTION UNDER ANY FEDERAL LAW (FEB 2016)

I.36 52.209-14RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS AND MILITARY RECRUITING ON CAMPUS (NOV 2021)

I.37 52.210-1MARKET RESEARCH (NOV 2021)

I.38 52.215-2AUDIT AND RECORDS--NEGOTIATION (JUN 2020)

I.39 52.215-8 ORDER OF PRECEDENCE--UNIFORM CONTRACT FORMAT (OCT 1997)

I.40 52.215-10 PRICE REDUCTION FOR DEFECTIVE CERTIFIED COST OR PRICING DATA (AUG 2011)

I.41 52.215-11PRICE REDUCTION FOR DEFECTIVE CERTIFIED COST OR PRICING DATA--MODIFICATIONS (JUN

2020)

I.42 52.215-14INTEGRITY OF UNIT PRICES (NOV 2021)

I.43 52.215-22 LIMITATIONS ON PASS-THROUGH CHARGES -- IDENTIFICATION OF SUBCONTRACT EFFORT (OCT

2009)

I.44 52.215-23LIMITATIONS ON PASS-THROUGH CHARGES (JUN 2020)

I.45 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

I.46 52.216-7 ALLOWABLE COST AND PAYMENT (AUG 2018)

I.47 52.216-8 FIXED FEE (JUN 2011)

I.48 52.216-18ORDERING (AUG 2020)

I.49 52.216-19 ORDER LIMITATIONS (OCT 1995)

PAGE 3 OF 89 91990024R0019

I.50 52.216-22 INDEFINITE QUANTITY (OCT 1995)

I.51 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

I.52 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

I.53 52.219-1SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM REPRESENTATIONS (FEB 2024)

I.54 52.219-4NOTICE OF PRICE EVALUATION PREFERENCE FOR HUBZONE SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS (OCT 2022). 61

I.55 52.219-8UTILIZATION OF SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS (FEB 2024)

I.56 52.219-9SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN (SEP 2023)

I.57 52.219-10 INCENTIVE SUBCONTRACTING PROGRAM (OCT 2014)

I.58 52.219-16LIQUIDATED DAMAGES--SUBCONTRACTING PLAN (SEP 2021)

I.59 52.219-28POST-AWARD SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM REREPRESENTATION (FEB 2024)

I.60 52.222-2 PAYMENT FOR OVERTIME PREMIUMS (JUL 1990)

I.61 52.222-3 CONVICT LABOR (JUN 2003)

I.62 52.222-21 PROHIBITION OF SEGREGATED FACILITIES (APR 2015)

I.63 52.222-22 PREVIOUS CONTRACTS AND COMPLIANCE REPORTS (FEB 1999)

I.64 52.222-24 PREAWARD ON-SITE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMPLIANCE EVALUATION (FEB 1999)

I.65 52.222-25 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMPLIANCE (APR 1984)

I.66 52.222-26 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY (SEPT 2016)

I.67 52.222-35EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR VETERANS. (JUN 2020)

I.68 52.222-36EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES (JUN 2020)

I.69 52.222-37EMPLOYMENT REPORTS ON VETERANS (JUN 2020)

I.70 52.222-38 COMPLIANCE WITH VETERANS` EMPLOYMENT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS (FEB 2016)

I.71 52.222-40 NOTIFICATION OF EMPLOYEE RIGHTS UNDER THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT (DEC 2010). 62

I.72 52.222-41 SERVICE CONTRACT LABOR STANDARDS (AUG 2018)

I.73 52.222-50COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (NOV 2021)

I.74 52.222-54EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION (MAY 2022)

I.75 52.223-6 DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (MAY 2001)

I.76 52.223-18ENCOURAGING CONTRACTOR POLICIES TO BAN TEXT MESSAGING WHILE DRIVING (JUN 2020)

I.77 52.224-3 PRIVACY TRAINING (JAN 2017)

I.78 52.225-13RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN FOREIGN PURCHASES (FEB 2021)

I.79 52.225-20 PROHIBITION ON CONDUCTING RESTRICTED BUSINESS OPERATIONS IN SUDAN--CERTIFICATION (AUG

2009)

I.80 52.225-25PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES ENGAGING IN CERTAIN ACTIVITIES OR TRANSACTIONS

RELATING TO IRAN--REPRESENTATION AND CERTIFICATIONS (JUN 2020)

I.81 52.227-14 RIGHTS IN DATA--GENERAL (MAY 2014)

I.82 52.227-16 ADDITIONAL DATA REQUIREMENTS (JUN 1987)

I.83 52.227-17 RIGHTS IN DATA--SPECIAL WORKS (DEC 2007)

I.84 52.230-2COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (JUN 2020)

I.85 52.230-3DISCLOSURE AND CONSISTENCY OF COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICES (JUN 2020)

I.86 52.232-1 PAYMENTS (APR 1984)

I.87 52.232-7PAYMENTS UNDER TIME-AND-MATERIALS AND LABOR-HOUR CONTRACTS (NOV 2021)

I.88 52.232-8 DISCOUNTS FOR PROMPT PAYMENT (FEB 2002)

I.89 52.232-9 LIMITATION ON WITHHOLDING OF PAYMENTS (APR 1984)

I.90 52.232-18 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS (APR 1984)

I.91 52.232-20 LIMITATION OF COST (APR 1984)

I.92 52.232-23 ASSIGNMENT OF CLAIMS (MAY 2014)

I.93 52.232-25 I PROMPT PAYMENT (JAN 2017)--ALTERNATE I (FEB 2002)

I.94 52.232-33 PAYMENT BY ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER--SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (OCT 2018)

I.95 52.232-39 UNENFORCEABILITY OF UNAUTHORIZED OBLIGATIONS (JUNE 2013)

I.96 52.232-40PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENTS TO SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTORS (MAR 2023)

I.97 52.233-1 DISPUTES (MAY 2014)

PAGE 4 OF 89 91990024R0019

I.98 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

I.99 52.233-3 PROTEST AFTER AWARD (AUG 1996)

I.100 52.233-4 APPLICABLE LAW FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT CLAIM (OCT 2004)

I.101 52.237-3 CONTINUITY OF SERVICES (JAN 1991)

I.102 52.242-1 NOTICE OF INTENT TO DISALLOW COSTS (APR 1984)

I.103 52.242-3PENALTIES FOR UNALLOWABLE COSTS (DEC 2022)

I.104 52.242-4 CERTIFICATION OF FINAL INDIRECT COSTS (JAN 1997)

I.105 52.242-5 PAYMENTS TO SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTORS (JAN 2017)

I.106 52.242-13 BANKRUPTCY (JUL 1995)

I.107 52.242-15 I STOP-WORK ORDER (AUG 1989)--ALTERNATE I (APR 1984)

I.108 52.243-1 I CHANGES--FIXED-PRICE (AUG 1987)--ALTERNATE I (APR 1984)

I.109 52.243-2 I CHANGES--COST-REIMBURSEMENT (AUG 1987)--ALTERNATE I (APR 1984)

I.110 52.243-3 CHANGES--TIME-AND-MATERIALS OR LABOR-HOURS (SEP 2000)

I.111 52.244-2SUBCONTRACTS (JUN 2020)

I.112 52.244-5 COMPETITION IN SUBCONTRACTING (DEC 1996)

I.113 52.245-1GOVERNMENT PROPERTY (SEP 2021)

I.114 52.246-5 INSPECTION OF SERVICES--COST-REIMBURSEMENT (APR 1984)

I.115 52.249-1 TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT (FIXED-PRICE) (SHORT FORM) (APR 1984). 64

I.116 52.249-5 TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT (EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER NONPROFIT

INSTITUTIONS) (AUG 2016)

I.117 52.249-6 TERMINATION (COST-REIMBURSEMENT) (MAY 2004)

I.118 52.249-14 EXCUSABLE DELAYS (APR 1984)

I.119 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

I.120 52.252-5AUTHORIZED DEVIATIONS IN PROVISIONS (NOV 2020)

I.121 52.252-6AUTHORIZED DEVIATIONS IN CLAUSES (NOV 2020)

I.122 52.253-1 COMPUTER GENERATED FORMS (JAN 1991)

SECTION J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

J.1 List of Attachments

SECTION K REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

K.1 52.204-24REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR

EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021)

K.2 52.204-25PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING FOR CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE

SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021)

K.3 52.204-26COVERED TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT OR SERVICES--REPRESENTATION (OCT 2020)

SECTION L INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

L.1 52.204-7 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (OCT 2018)

L.2 52.204-16COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE REPORTING (AUG 2020)

L.3 52.215-1 IINSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS--COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION (NOV 2021)--ALTERNATE I (OCT 1997) 70

L.4 52.216-27 SINGLE OR MULTIPLE AWARDS (OCT 1995)

L.5 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

L.6 307-19aREDACTED PROPOSALS (APRIL 2004)

L.7 Instructions to Offerors

SECTION M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 Evaluation Criteria

PAGE 5 OF 89 91990024R0019

SECTION C

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

C.1 Task Order Procedures

PAGE 6 OF 89 91990024R0019

TASK ORDER PROCEDURES

These task order procedur e s shall be applicable to all orders issued under this Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ). Orders shall be issued in accordan ce with the procedu r e s specified. Orders will be issued either on a Cost- Reimbur se m e n t , Fixed Price, or a Time & Mate rials basis, as requi red by the Governm e n t . The minimum task order amount is $250. The IDIQ’s ceiling for all orders is $50 million. The cont rac tu a lly obligated minimum amount each IDIQ holder is entitled to receive for the life of the IDIQ is $250.00.

This amoun t may be invoiced after 12 months of performa nc e provided the awardee has not received a task order . The maximum period of performan ce for each task order shall not exceed 60 months. In addition:

(a) Only a Contrac ting Officer (CO) has the authori ty to issue an order under this IDIQ.

(b) This IDIQ is for the use of the U. S. Depar t me n t of Educat ion (Depar tm e n t ) .

(c) All orders are subject to the terms and conditions of the IDIQ. In the event of a conflict between an order and the IDIQ, the IDIQ terms and conditions shall take precede nc e.

(d) No work shall be performed , and no payment will be made except as authorized by an order .

(e) The Governm en t intends to use electronic commerce methods to the maximum extent practicable for orders . Each reques t for an order will be sent electronically to the contrac t adminis t ra to r of the single IDIQ awardee identified in Clause 306- 8 “Contrac t Administ ra to r .” It is incumben t upon the contrac to r to ensure that the informat ion within said clause is accura t e and curren t .

(f) Orders will be issued by the CO in accordan ce with the procedur e s specified.

Acceptable Order Types:

Firm- Fixed Price :

For Firm- Fixed Price (FFP) RFQs, cont rac to r s will price the order by multiplying the quanti ty of hours of each required labor category agains t the rate listed in the pricing schedule, and the cumulative extended total of all items order ed will define the total task order value. RFQ response s must include hourly breakout s unless otherwise noted. Travel and other- direc t- costs (ODC), if applicable, may be estimated for each task order . Any amount negotiat ed for travel and ODCs will be added to the extended price of all ordered items to arrive at the total FFP for the task order . FFP task orders may be commercial (subject to FAR Part 12) or non- commercial .

Cost- Reimbur sa ble :

Throughou t the life of the IDIQ, contrac to r s are requi red to maintain an accounting system that is adequ a t e for deter mining costs applicable to cost- reimburs e m e n t type task orders as described in FAR Subpar t 16.3. This is an accoun ting system that the Defense Contrac t Audit Agency (DCAA), the Defense Contrac t Manage m e n t Agency (DCMA), any federal civilian audit agency, or a third- party certified public accoun ting firm has audited and deter mined adequ a te for dete rmining costs applicable to this contrac t . Offerors that provided evidence of an adequa t e cost account ing system at the time IDIQ is established may not be asked to repea t that informat ion at the task order level. Offeror s who did not provide evidence at the time IDIQ is established will be required to provide evidence of an adequa t e cost accounting system at the task order level.

If a contrac to r does not have DCAA approved rates, their indirec t rates may be used in accordan ce with FAR 31.203. Any fee will be negotia t ed for each task order consis ten t with statu to ry limitations.

If the task order type is to be Cost- Plus Award Fee, Cost- Plus- Fixed- Fee, or Cost- Plus Incentive Fee, the fixed portion of fee and the incentive or award portion will be clearly differen tia t ed . Such task orders will be subject to the additional clauses presc ribed by FAR 16.307.

PAGE 7 OF 89 91990024R0019

The Contrac to r shall notify the appropri a t e CO for ongoing task orders , in writing, if there are any changes in the status of their cost accounting system and provide the reason(s) for the change.

Time and Materials :

For time and mate rials (T&M) or labor hour (LH) task orders , the contrac to r will multiply the quanti ty of hours required under each labor category against the rate in the pricing schedule. The contrac to r may propose lower rates or different rates to reflect specialized labor categories. A T&M or LH task order may utilize the clauses cited in FAR Part 12 for commer cial task orders , or FAR Part 16 for non- commercial task orders . The hourly rates in this contrac t include wages, overhead , G&A, and profit in accordan ce with FAR 16.601(b)(1).

(g) COs will issue Reques t for Quotes (RFQs) to contrac to r s to acquire services. As a genera l matte r , a RFQ will include the following documen t s :

a 1. Stateme n t of Work that includes all repor t ing requirem e n t s and deliverables b 3. Proposal Due Date and Location to Deliver Proposals c 4. Period of Perform an ce of Task Order d 5. Anticipat ed Type of Task Order e 6. Technical Quote Instruc tions f 7. Business Quote Instruc t ions g 8. Evaluation Factors for Award h i In extraor dina ry circums ta nc es , task orders may be issued verbally by an CO provided that the CO provides the contrac to r with evidence that funds are available for the required performa n ce . Following verbal authoriza tion to proceed , the parties shall, at the earlies t opportuni ty, memorialize the contrac t action consisten t with FAR regula tions. Parties are cautioned that oral contrac t s are an extrao rdina ry remedy meant for extrem e instances where services are needed in response to an unforeseen emerge ncy. Labor rates in any oral contrac t may not deviate from the rates specified in the IDIQ.

(h) Fair oppor tuni ty as required by FAR 16.505 for this IDIQ means that contrac to r s may be afforded an opportuni ty to respond to any RFQ subject to furthe r limitation provided by FAR Parts 16 and 19.

(i) Task O r d e r P ric e Re aso n a ble n e ss

Althou g h t h e labor r a t e s on t his con t r ac t h av e b e e n d e t e r min e d fai r a n d r e a so n a ble a t t h e tim e of a w a r d, t h e CO is s till r e s po n sible for a d e t e r min a tion of cos t o r p ric e r e a so n a blen e s s for e ac h t a sk o r d er. The Con t r ac to r is allow e d a n d e n co u r a g e d to offe r di scou n t s off t h ei r IDIQ p r o po s e d labo r r a t e s .

(i) Certificat e of Cost or Pricing Data

a. If none of the exceptions under FAR 15.403- 1(b) apply, the CO may reques t a certifica te of cost or pricing data in accordanc e with FAR 15.403- 4.

(ii) Other Direct Costs

a. Travel may be reimburs e d at actual cost and as limited in FAR 31.205- 46.

Contrac to r s may apply indirec t costs to travel if doing so is a par t of the Contrac to r’s usual accoun ting practices and it is consisten t with FAR 31.2. The CO should (but may not if a specific circums t an ce requires a different approach)

PAGE 8 OF 89 91990024R0019

identify a not- to- exceed travel ceiling under a separa t e cont rac t line- item number (CLIN) on the task order . Travel and ODCs will be estimated for each task order .

b. Labor dollars will not be used to pay for ODCs nor ODC dollars used to pay for labor without a contrac t modifica tion. Profit on travel and ODCs is not allowable under T&M task orders .

(j) The Contrac to r must delinea t e which portions of the order shall be performe d by the prime contrac to r and the subcont r ac to r(s) (needed only if subcont r ac to r s are proposed) respec tively.

(k) Each finalized order will be signed by the CO as a single party instru me n t , not requir ing the Contrac to r ' s signatu r e . The Contrac to r ' s acceptanc e of each order shall be presum e d by its commence m e n t of work called for therein. The Contrac to r is cautioned to observe the following instruc tions:

(1) If the Contrac to r finds any order unaccep t able for any reason, it shall contact the CO within 24 hours after receipt of such order and not begin the work required therein until the problem has been resolved.

(2) The Contrac to r shall not accept any order that exceeds the maximum amoun t of the $10 million threshold, or which requires the base period star t of performan ce beyond the IDIQ termina t ion date, unless approved by the CO. Orders whose base period of perform an ce star t in advance of the IDIQ termina t ion date may have option periods exercised past the termina t ion date.

(3) If at any time during the performan ce of the Task Order, the Contrac to r has reason to believe that the total price to the Governme n t to complete the order will be grea te r than the authorized amount , the Contrac to r shall notify the CO as soon as possible. At that time, the Contrac to r shall provide a revised estimate of the total price for performing the task, suppor t ing reasons, and documen t a t ion. If fewer hours are required , only the hours actually used shall be invoiced.

(l) Each finalized order will contain the following:

1. Project title;

2. Date of award;

3. IDIQ Contrac t number ;

4. Order number ;

5. Type of order:

(i) Fixed price orders shall include the total firm fixed price; or

(ii) Time and Material and Cost Reimburse m e n t orders shall include the total not- to-exceed amoun t ;

6. Period of performan ce ;

7. Name and addres s of COR;

8. Shipmen t and marking of deliverables;

9. Key personnel designat ion;

10. The PWS for the order including a schedule of deliverables (the Contrac to r ' s quote for the order shall be incorpor a t ed by reference); and

11. Correspon ding payment schedule (for fixed price orders).

(m) In the event any task is so urgent that time cannot be allowed to issue an order in writing, the CO may provide oral authoriza tion for the Contrac to r to proceed. In such an event, the CO will identify the contrac t number , the order number , and state the total price/cos t of the effort. Oral authoriza tion will be confirmed in writing through the issuance of an order .

(n) Additional clauses may be added at the order level, as needed

C.2 IDIQ Performance Work Statement

PAGE 9 OF 89 91990024R0019

U.S. Depart m e n t of Educat i o n Insti tu t e of Educat io n Scie n c e s

Nation a l Center for Educat i o n Evaluat io n

Indef in i t e Delivery- Indefin i t e Quant i ty (IDIQ)

Perfor m a n c e Work State m e n t (PWS)

EVALUATING CAREER PATHWAYS PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES

I. INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Depar tm e n t of Educa tion’s (ED) Institut e of Educa tion Sciences (IES) require s one or more contrac to r s to assist IES in conduc ting evaluations of career pathways programs and strategies.

These programs and strategies are designed to improve the career outcomes of youth and adults—including those with disabilities—and can include career and technical education (CTE), adult education (AE), and other educational programs with career exploration, career development, workforce development and/or related activities and supports. These evaluat ions may use new data collection and/or existing data sources to: (1) describe the implemen ta t ion and costs of federally- funded caree r pathways progra m s and stra tegies ; (2) analyze trends in par ticipa t ion and outcomes in federally- funded caree r pathways progra m s and strat egie s; (3) describe the charac t e r i s t ics and activities of schools, providers , distric ts , postseconda ry insti tu tions , and states that are implemen t ing caree r pathways progra m s and stra tegies ; (4) examine the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of policy- relevant career pathways progra m s and stra tegies through systema t ic evidence reviews, and demonstra t ion or low- cost opportunis t ic impact evalua tions; and (5) identify and describe the core componen t s of policy- relevan t caree r pathways progra m s and stra tegies , including the conditions necessa ry to achieve impact for key “high- need” youth and adult popula tions . The progra m office responsible for the evaluat ions will be the National Cente r for Educa tion Evaluation and Regional Assistance within IES.

A. Legis la t ive Authority

Section 114(d)(2) of Public Law 115- 224 (Streng th e n ing Caree r and Technical Educa tion for the 21 st Centu ry Act of 2018, also referenc ed here as Perkins V1) requires a series of independ e n t ly- conduc ted

1 https://www.govinfo.gov/conten t /pkg/COMPS- 3096/pdf/COMPS- 3096.pdf

PAGE 10 OF 89 91990024R0019

evalua tion and resea rch initiatives to assess CTE program s under the law. Perkins V also requires the Depar t m e n t to submit evaluation repor t s to Congress .

Section 242(b)(4) of Public Law 113- 128 (Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportuni ty of 2014, also reference d here as WIOA 2) manda te s independ e n t ly- conduc ted evalua tion and resea rch initiatives to assess adult education progra m s under the law. WIOA requires the Depar tm e n t to conduc t a national evalua tion at leas t once every four years.

Division H, Title III, Rehabili ta tion Services section of Public Law 117- 328 (the Consolidated Appropria tions Act of 2023 3) authorizes the Depar t m e n t to allot cer tain funds to states for innovative activities aimed at increasing competi tive integra t e d employmen t for youth and other individuals with disabilities, with the progra m known as the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF). The Act also authorizes evalua tions of DIF grantee activities and the DIF progra m, as well as studies of outcomes for studen t s receiving services and suppor t s under both the Individuals with Disabilities Educa tion Act and Titles, I, V, and VI of the Rehabili ta tion Act. This authori ty is expected to continue in subseque n t approp ria t ions acts or be codified in reau thoriza t ion of the Rehabili ta tion Act or Title IV of (WIOA, where funds are provided to states to suppor t vocational rehabili ta tion (VR) services for individuals with disabilities.

The Educa tion Sciences Reform Act of 2002 4 , Public Law 107–279, established IES as the unit within ED to evaluat e federal education progra m s and practices .

B. Back gro u n d

A critical workforce challenge in the U.S. is the skills gap, par ticula r ly among jobs that require either a high school diploma, postsecond a ry cer tifica te , or associa te’s degree . 5 Jobs requiring these “middle skills” outnum b e r the adults in the workforce who possess them, and this gap presen t s a bar rie r to economic mobility for many Americans .

There are 30 million jobs in the United States that do not require a bachelor’s degree that pay median earnings of $55,000 or more. 6

2 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/113/pu blic/128 3 https://www.cong r e s s .gov/117/plaws/publ328/PLAW- 117publ328.pdf 4 https://www.govinfo.gov/conten t /pkg/COMPS- 747/pdf/COMPS- 747.pdf 5 Burrowes , J., Young, A., Restuccia, D., Fuller, J., and Raman, M. Bridge the Gap:

Rebuilding America’s Middle Skills , 2014. Retrieved from : https://www.hbs. edu/com p e t i t iveness /Docu m e n t s /b ridge- the- gap.pdf 6 George town Universi ty Cente r on Educa tion and the Workforce, Good Jobs That Pay without a BA: A State- by- State Analysis, 2017. Retrieved from: https://goodjobsda t a .o r g /wp-

PAGE 11 OF 89 91990024R0019

Additionally, over half of all adults in the labor force repor t e d that it is essen tial to obtain training and develop new skills throughou t their caree r to keep up with the changes in the workplace. 7

To prepa re for the future , youth and adults can take various caree r pathways through educa tional and workforce developme n t systems.

These caree r pathways provide an impor tan t avenue for individuals, including those with disabilities, to gain marke ta ble skills through seconda ry, postsecond a ry , and/or adult educa tion, including through indus t ry- recognized creden tialing program s .

Through key federal educa tion laws pertaining to caree r pathways, policymake r s have long emphasized these avenues to an educa te d and skilled workforce as essential to economic mobility and American competi t ivenes s . Most recently reau thorized through Perkins V and the Workforce Innovation and Opportuni ty Act (WIOA) of 2014, caree r pathways policies and progra m s aim to improve the acade mic and technical skills of youth and adults to help prepar e them for caree r s in high- skill, high- wage, or in-demand occupa t ions and for lifelong learning.

For instance , CTE repres e n t s an impor tan t caree r pathway stra tegy and plays a vital role in the educa tion- to- workforce pipeline in the United States. Annually, more than 8 million seconda ry studen t s and over 3 million postsecond a ry studen t s par ticipat e in CTE progra m s nationwide, with over $1.4 billion in federal funds invested in CTE in fiscal year 2023. Through Perkins V, educa to r s are expected to help seconda ry and postsecond a ry studen ts develop a set of academic , technical, and employabili ty skills for entry into high- skill, high- wage, or in-demand caree r s .

Similarly, Title II of WIOA authorizes progra m mi ng to suppor t workforce developme n t , but for adults who lack basic literacy or languag e skills and/or who lack a high school diploma. Annually, approxima te ly one million learne rs par ticipa te in federally- funded adult educa tion progra m s nationwide, with over $700 million in federal funding invested in fiscal year 2023. Funding is intende d to suppor t progra m s and services designed to help adults obtain the education creden tials , knowledge, and skills necessa ry for employment and economic self- sufficiency.

conten t/uploads/Good- Jobs- States .pdf 7 Pettey, Richard . It’s Time to Rethink Career and Technical Educa tion. Homeroo m: The Official Blog of the U.S. Departm e n t of Education , Decemb er 19, 2018. Retrieved from: https://blog.ed.gov/2018/12/ t ime- rethink- caree r- technical- educa tion/

PAGE 12 OF 89 91990024R0019

Title IV of WIOA suppor t s a compreh e n s ive and accessible workforce developm e n t system that includes progra m s and services in employment , workforce developme n t , adult education, and vocational rehabili ta tion. VR agencies provide a range of services designed to help individuals with disabilities prepa re for and engage in competi t ive integra t e d employment . More than 800,000 individuals receive VR services under an individualized plan for employmen t (IPE) each year. VR agencies received more than $3.7 billion in federal funds in fiscal year 2023 to provide these critical services.

Collectively, these federal progra m s are aimed at improving caree r outcomes for America’s youth and adults . National evaluat ions of the policies and strat egies they promote will provide much- needed information rega rding how they are implemen t e d , who they serve, and the extent to which they may impact education and workforce outcomes.

II. OBJECTIVES

This contrac t will be a multiple award Indefinite Delivery- Indefinite Quanti ty (IDIQ) vehicle. The IDIQ struc tu r e is intende d to help IES design and conduc t evaluat ions that take advantag e of new initiatives in the field, emerging resea rc h being conduc te d by other s, and the need to repor t to Congress on a regula r basis. By stra tegically awarding task orders to one or more contrac to r s with appropria t e conten t area, data collection and methodological exper t ise , IES expects to reduce the time and costs involved in star ting up separa t e studies and to bette r link across them. Specifically, IES seeks the following:

Access to one or more contrac to r s , each of which possesse s wide-ranging knowledge of caree r pathways policies (federal and local), progra m s, and stra tegie s intended to improve the creden t ial attainme n t and workforce outcomes of youth and adults . To be able to respond to emerging evaluation needs quickly, IES requires access to contrac to r s with exper tise with these likely policies, progra ms , and approach es .

The ability to tap into broad exper tise in evaluation methods, including cutting- edge statis tical approache s , and to conduc t evaluat ion resear ch aligned to IES’ Standa rd s for Excellence in Educa tion Research (SEER). Tasks under this IDIQ contrac t might require complex sampling for nationally- repres en t a t ive surveys, rigorous analytic stra tegies for random assignme n t or regre ssion discontinui ty impact evalua tions , predictive analytics, processing of natur al languag e and text data, and other innovative methods

PAGE 13 OF 89 91990024R0019

for collecting, processing , and analyzing policy data and measur ing interven tion effects. Tasks under this IDIQ contrac t will also require attending to the most importa n t dimensions of high- quality educa tion resea rch , such as measu ring the impleme n ta t ion fidelity, context, and/or resourc e costs of an interven t ion, or focusing an impact study on a limited number of meaningful outcomes . A contrac to r or team with this full set of skills is import an t because IES may want to “nest” or interconne c t studies to increas e their relevance – for example, evaluat ing the effectiveness of a par ticula r stra t egy in the context of how commonly that stra tegy is used across the country, based on survey data collected from responde n t s or data extrac t ed from policy documen t s .

Access to a contrac to r or team with the capaci ty to both design and conduct multiple large- scale evaluat ions that use differing methods at the same time, and to star t up evaluat ion activities within a month of task order awards . This capacity is import an t becaus e successfully interconnec t ing studies may, for example, require a large implemen t a t ion study and randomized controlled trial to be conduc te d simultaneously or in rapid succession.

Access to a contrac to r or team with skills in communica t ing to a wide range of audiences through a variety of differen t evaluation produc ts . This includes not only IES’ new repor t format (see, for example, https://ies.ed.gov/nce e/pubs /2023 0 0 3/ and https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/pub s/202 30 0 1/ , an impact and an impleme n ta t ion repor t , respec t ively), but also shorte r data-oriented Snapsho t s (for example, https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/pub s/202 10 0 7/), “how- to” guides where evaluat ions show stra t egies are effective (for example, https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/pub s/202 20 0 1/index.as p) , and other documen t s that extend the retu rn- on- investme n t in the studies .

The IDIQ contrac t shall have an ordering period of 60 months , from Septe m b e r 2024 through Septem b e r 2029. All task orders shall begin within the 60- month ordering period. Task orders may be issued as Firm Fixed Price, Time and Mater ials, Cost Reimburs e m e n t , or Cost Plus Fixed Fee contrac t s . Each task order will include one or more tasks related to designing and implemen t ing an evaluation study. The scope of each task order will depend on IES’ needs , including which activities are approp ria t e for each desired study or stage of the study. For example, some task orders may include only design work, while other task orders may include external data collection activities.

III. SCOPE OF WORK

PAGE 14 OF 89 91990024R0019

The scope of work performe d under this contrac t shall be defined by the following tasks and/or subtasks . Each task order specified by IES shall include one or more of the tasks or subtasks , combined in various ways, to accomplish needed evalua tion studies .

Task 1—Me e t i n g s

The contrac to r shall under t ake activities to assist IES in managing the project successfully and fostering communica t ion between IES and contrac to r staff. These activities may take place in-person at ED offices in Washington DC or virtually, depending on the needs of the individual task orders .

Initial meeting to discuss details regarding the tasks, scheduling activities, and other issues related to the IDIQ or a par ticula r task order . The contrac to r shall come prepar e d to identify any areas of concern and to sugges t ways of responding to them.

Additional meetings to discuss the progre ss of contrac t activities, including all curren t task orders , and any issues or anticipa te d problems and proposed solutions to those problems.

Study briefing to solicit feedback from stakeholde r groups on study plans or to summarize interim or final resul ts . Stakeholde r groups may comprise, for example, ED progra m staff or grantees .

Task 2—Tec h ni c a l Workin g Group (TWG)

The contrac to r shall under t ake activities to gathe r advice and feedback from a TWG on an evaluation of caree r pathways policies, progra m s, or strat egie s .

The role of the TWG will be to advise the contrac to r and IES on an individual task order or collection of task orders that address a similar topic. The TWG advises by providing feedback and sugges t ions to the contrac to r and IES, typically as part of meetings where the contrac to r presen t s evaluation plans or resul ts and seeks TWG input in real time, or by providing written feedback after a review of mate r ials sent by the contrac to r . Each task order awarded under this IDIQ contrac t will specify whethe r a new TWG will be established, for example, if new types of exper tise are needed, or a previously established TWG can be used to provide ongoing advice on the new work.

PAGE 15 OF 89 91990024R0019

Establish the TWG by proposing to the COR a set of primary and alterna t e member s for each TWG panel. Each panel shall be comprised of eight to ten individuals that, togethe r , have exper tise as specified in a task order . The contrac to r shall evaluat e the poten tial for conflicts of interes t by assessing whethe r any individual conside red for inclusion on the TWG has a bias or financial interes t in the outcome of the study or study tasks. These conflicts of interes t can be perceived or actual, and are described in a form that IES provides to the contrac to r . The contrac to r shall have TWG membe r s complete conflict of intere s t forms before appointm e n t to the TWG as consultan t s .

Convene TWG Meeting. The first meeting of a TWG typically involves discussion of issues related to the design of the study or study tasks.

Subsequ e n t TWG meetings may cover differen t topics, such as methodological and policy reactions to preliminary study findings, as specified in a task order . Meetings may include all TWG member s or may involve a subse t of TWG member s to discuss a narrow issue related to a task order that require s more immediat e and targe t e d input or is an oppor tuni ty to upda te the TWG on new activities.

Task 3— Feasibi l i ty and Desi g n

The contrac to r shall under t ake activities to assist IES in dete rmining the key param e t e r s of an evalua tion of caree r pathways policies, progra m s, and stra tegies .

Genera t e and propose study design options. As specified in a par ticula r task order , the contrac to r , or the contrac to r in consulta t ion with the COR, shall develop and propose ideas and design options for evaluat ion studies that are organized around resea rc h quest ions import an t to policymake r s . Proposed studies may, for example, describe the implemen t a t ion of policy- relevan t career pathway progra m s; or test the relative effectiveness of two or more such progra m s; or examine the impact of a progra m or a stra t egy on an outcome with practical significance to policymake r s . Evaluation studies should reflect and test hypothes es that addre ss whethe r key federal policy objectives are being realized.

To genera t e study ideas and design options, the contrac to r may gathe r information, as appropria t e , such as through interviews with federal , state , and local educato r s and administ r a to r s , with federal grantee s , and with progra m and stra tegy providers . The purpose of the interviews may be to, for example, obtain informat ion about the prevalence of a particula r stra tegy of interes t , how it is implemen t e d , PAGE 16 OF 89 91990024R0019 its costs, training require m e n t s , and vendor capacity to suppor t implemen t a t ion. Informat ion may also be gathe re d and analyzed, as appropria t e , from existing administ r a t ive data sources , such as from federal , state , or local databas e s and websites. This activity may also genera t e ideas for new data collection(s) requisi te for shedding light on impor tan t issues in the area of caree r pathways. To propose a study, the contrac to r shall use the National Cente r for Educa tion Evalua tion’s (NCEE’s) standa r d repor t planning templa t e to indicate the topical focus, the overarching resea rc h question to be address e d in the repor t , and why it might be import an t to policymake rs seeking to improve career pathways or caree r outcomes for youth and adults.

Feasibility assess me n t for effectiveness or outcomes studies. As specified in a par ticula r task order , the contrac to r in consulta t ion with the COR, shall identify one or more policy- relevant progra ms and stra tegies , and assess the feasibility of examining the stra tegies through a random assignm e n t , regre ss ion discontinuity design, other quasi- experimen t a l , or descrip t ive outcomes evaluation. A progra m and stra tegy may be a par ticula r service or approach to caree r pathways that is allowable under and, prefera bly, newly emphasized in, federal policy and have some sugges t ive evidence of effectiveness .

To conduct the feasibility assess m e n t , the contrac to r shall gathe r information, as approp ria t e , such as through interviews with federal, state , and local educato r s and administ r a to r s , with federal grante es , and with progra m and stra t egy providers . The purpose of the interviews may be to, for example, obtain information about the prevalence of a particula r stra tegy of interes t , how it is implemen t e d , its costs, training require m e n t s , and vendor capacity to suppor t implemen t a t ion. Informat ion may also be gathe re d and analyzed, as appropria t e , from existing administ r a t ive data sources , such as from federal , state , or local databas e s and websites. This type of explora t ion may inform, for example, the feasibility of obtaining sufficient data to conduc t a regre ss ion discontinuity design or the likely validity of such a design. Following collection and analysis of this informat ion, the contrac to r shall develop options regarding the study design methods, outcomes , sample size (through statis tical power calcula tions), and data collection approach.

Identify and define the trea tm e n t for effectivenes s or outcomes studies. As specified in a par ticula r task order , the contrac to r in consulta t ion with the COR shall identify and define one or more policy- relevan t caree r pathway program s or stra tegies for possible inclusion in an impact or outcome study. A progra m or stra tegy may be a par ticula r service or approach that is allowable under and, PAGE 17 OF 89 91990024R0019 prefera bly, newly emphasized in, federal policy and have some sugges t ive evidence of effectiveness .

To identify and define the trea t m e n t for an effectiveness or outcome study, the contrac to r shall gathe r informa tion, as appropria t e . For example, the contrac to r may conduc t interviews with federal, state , and local educa to r s and adminis t ra to r s , with federal grantee s , with progra m and stra tegy providers , and relevant conten t exper ts . The purpose of the interviews, for example, may be to obtain informa tion about the prevalence of a par ticula r strat egy of intere s t , how it is impleme n te d , its costs, training require m e n t s , and vendor capacity to suppor t implemen t a t ion. Informat ion may also be gathe re d and analyzed, as appropria t e , from existing administ r a t ive data sources , such as from federal, state , or local databas e s and websi tes. The contrac to r may also conduc t a broad or targe t ed review of relevan t litera tu r e to collect information on the evidence of effective or promise of various progra ms and stra tegies . Informat ion may be gather e d and analyzed, as appropria t e , from existing repositories .

This type of explora tion may inform, for example, the selection and definition of one or more progra m s and stra tegie s for inclusion in an effectiveness or outcome study. Following collection and analysis of this information, the contrac to r shall develop a descrip tion of relevan t progra m s and strat egies , their policy relevance, intende d impleme n ta t ion , training require m e n t s , and evidence of effectivenes s or promise.

Survey sample design. As needed, the contrac to r shall assist ED in dete rmining the design options for one or more nationally-repres en t a t ive surveys. In consulta tion with the COR, the contrac to r shall identify feasible and policy relevant stratifica tion approache s and the number of local schools, distric ts , postsecond a ry institu tions , providers ; teache r s , faculty; employers; states; or other type of responde n t needed to fulfill the objective of the survey, as specified by the COR.

Study data collection and resea r ch plan. The contrac to r shall develop a plan for address ing the resea rch questions for one or more studies, as specified by the COR through a task order . A plan shall first describe the information topics, domains, and const ruc t s that are necessa ry to achieve the objectives of the study and, at a high level, how that information might be obtained and analyzed. Such a plan must be written in a way that it could be included in an Office of Manage m e n t and Budge t (OMB) Forms Clearance package and, in the case of effectiveness studies, a pre- registe r e d resea rc h plan. A

PAGE 18 OF 89 91990024R0019

plan shall also then provide an outline for the intended repor t(s), which clearly specify how each section of the repor t will be structu r e d to ensure that each resea rc h question is answere d in turn.

The contrac to r shall use this outline to creat e a detailed data collection instrum e n t crosswalk, modeled after NCEE’s standa rd repor t planning templa t e , which lays out what specific data are needed to suppor t each part of the outlined repor t .

Data collection instrum e n t s . The contrac to r shall develop study intake forms, survey questionnai r es , data extrac t ion forms or instruct ions, outreach or recrui tm e n t letters , or other instrume n t s , as specified by the COR, to be used in conduc ting a study under one or more task orders in this contrac t .