FormSF30_Amendment_1_-_Responses_to_Questions_RFP_91995918R0002.pdf

NSN 7540-01-152-8070 STANDARD FORM 30. (Rev. 10-83) Previous Edition unusable Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Page of Pages AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. Contract ID Code

2. AMENDMENT MODIFICATION NO. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (if applicable)

6. ISSUED BY CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 6) CODE

(x) 9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (NO., Street, Country, State and ZIP Code)

CODE FACILITY CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of offers is extended, is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing items 8 and 15, and returning ______ copies of amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OR OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment your desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

Check One

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE

CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return _______ copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible)

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

15C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

16C. DATE SIGNED

Attachment Page

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RFP #: 91995918R0002

Responses to Clarification Questions

Request for Proposals #: 91995918R0002

Amendment #1

Update of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Frameworks for Mathematics, Reading, and Other Subjects

May 25, 2018

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RFP #: 91995918R0002

The following responses to clarification questions are provided as an amendment to the Request for Proposals (RFP).

SF1449 Questions:

1. "G.6 306-1b INVOICE AND CONTRACT FINANCING REQUESTS SUBMISSION - IPP (DECEMBER 2013) (a) Payments shall be rendered in accordance with the identified payment schedule(s), and any other incorporated payment clause(s), specified rates, and/or fixed price amounts." Does the responder propose a payment schedule (i.e., monthly) or does the Government intend another payment schedule?

Offerors must propose a payment schedule with their budget submission. Proposed billing amounts for labor costs must be provided; Other Direct Costs may be billed as incurred each month with detailed supporting information in accordance with the contract budget. The invoice payment schedule shall be confirmed at the project kickoff meeting.

Attachment A: Statement of Work Questions:

Context of Procurement - Current NAEP Mathematics Framework (page 6)

2. Is a draft of the report to gather and analyze mathematics standards used across the country available ahead of the anticipated public release in June? And who is the point of contact for that at AIR?

The report is currently under development and is not available at this time. The report will be finalized early to mid-summer, posted online at the Governing Board website, and shared with the contractor selected to conduct the framework update process. The Governing Board’s Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) serves as the key point of contract for all contract communications to include contact with other Governing Board contractors.

Task 2: Project Management – Plans for Item/Data Security (page 12)

3. Are there defined protocols or procedures for data security that need to be adhered to?

Non-disclosure forms are required for all project staff and consultants who will work with secure National Assessment Governing Board (NAEP) test information, such as test items. Proposed procedures for data security shall be described as part of the offeror’s response as detailed on page 12 of the work statement, and in accordance with NAEP data security protocols specified in the restricted use data procedures manual at: https://nces.ed.gov/statprog/rudman/

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RFP #: 91995918R0002

Task 5: Design Document - Framework Panel Meetings (page 17)

4. Are there already scheduled dates or locations for Framework Panel meetings?

Framework Panel meeting dates and locations will be based on the offeror’s technical approach as detailed in the Design Document and consultation with the Governing Board taking into account final deliverable due dates. The proposed dates are subject to change, based on consultation at the kick-off meeting and project management communications between the COR and the Project Director.

Task 6: Framework Panel Selection (page 16 and Task 6 deliverable)

5. Framework Panel Selection indicates that a broad solicitation process needs to be described and conducted resulting in the submission of names for approval within 20 business days after the kick-off meeting. However, the Instructions to offerors requires the inclusion of 10 committed consultants for the Framework Panels. Please clarify if panel participants are required to be confirmed as part of the response or as part of the Scope of Work upon award.

The Instructions to Offerors requires the inclusion of 10 proposed consults for the Framework Panels. Panel participants are not to be confirmed as part of the response.

Letters of commitment should be provided only with respect to the proposed consultants for the Technical Advisory Committee.

Page 6 of Attachment C: Instructions to Offerors has been updated to reflect this clarification. Attachment C of the solicitation is amended herewith.

Task 6: Framework Panel Selection (page 20)

6. How much overlap can there be between the Visioning and Development Committees for the two topics. For example can a representative from the National Education Association be on the Visioning Committee for both Mathematics and Reading?

Given the nature of the Visioning Committee, some level of overlap may be appropriate, though this should be minimal. To the extent that a timeline for one framework update process overlaps with the timeline of another framework update process, participants should be available to collaborate as needed for both.

Task 6: Framework Panel Selection (page 6 and page 20)

7. The Framework Visioning Panel is described as, "Comprised of up to 30 individuals representing the Stakeholders, the Framework Visioning Panel shall formulate guidelines

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for developing a recommended framework, based on the state of the field."; and "A list of at least 50 prospective members will be prepared for Governing Board review. The list should be organized to show the extent to which each candidate reflects the expertise needed for the overall composition of the panels. After review and consultation with the Governing Board, the contractor shall formally invite candidates approved by the Governing Board COR to participate." Does the responder determine the "up to 30 individuals" who participate in the Framework Visioning Panel or does the Government?

Based on the suggestions of the contractor reflected in the list of prospective members, the Governing Board decides on the acceptability of proposed individuals to be invited to participate in the Framework Visioning Panel.

Submission of Deliverables– Submission Protocols (page 27)

8. "The contractor shall consult with the COR before making any major technical decision concerning a deliverable, and results of these discussions will be documented in writing.

All deliverables shall be submitted to the COR. For all Major Deliverables, an electronic version shall be submitted to the CO, copying the COR. The Governing Board recommends that sufficient time be included in the schedule to consider feedback received on each deliverable from the COR." What is considered a "major technical decision" and what constitutes "sufficient time"?

Major technical decisions relate to work that impacts the scope of work significantly, such as changes to the Design Document and changes that impact the contract scope and budget. Changes impacting scope and budget require consultation with the Contracting Officer (CO). Major technical decisions also include determinations that affect the substance of guidance previously documented through minutes of meetings for the framework panels or the Technical Advisory Committee, as well as guidance documented in the kickoff meeting and project management meetings with the COR. Such determinations require consultation with the COR.

Sufficient time on technical decisions is decided on a case-by-case basis depending on the scope and impact of the decision. Typically, this is at least 5 business days, but is subject to change based on COR guidance on a continuing basis and as mutually agreed with the contract’s Project Director.

Attachment C: Instructions to Offerors Questions:

9. Is the technical proposal limit 30 pages or 25 pages? It is listed differently in different places.

The technical proposal page limit is 30 pages; Page 4 of Attachment C: Instructions to Offerors is amended to reflect this clarification.

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RFP# 91995918R0002

Attachment C: Instructions to Offerors

UPDATE OF NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL

PROGRESS (NAEP) FRAMEWORKS FOR MATHEMATICS,

READING, AND OTHER SUBJECTS

RFP# 91995918R0002

ATTACHMENT C: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

MAY 11, 2018

REVISED MAY 25, 2018

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INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

Proposal submissions and proposal reviews for this solicitation shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements of FAR Clause 52.215-1, Instructions to Offerors – Competitive Acquisitions, as well as the instructions to offerors provided herein. This Request for Proposals (RFP) does not commit the Government to pay any costs for the preparation and submission of a proposal. In addition, the Contracting Officer is the only individual who can legally commit the Government to expenditure of public funds in connection with this acquisition.

The Government will evaluate proposals in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in Attachment D of the RFP. It is understood that proposals and all related questions and responses will become part of the official contract file and is subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act, as detailed in the solicitation.

For additional details, see instructions to offerors at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/52_215.html

Responses to the RFP shall comply with the instructions below.

Proposal Submission Requirements

The outside of the proposal packaging, the cover of each proposal, and the header of each proposal page should contain the title “Update of NAEP Frameworks for Mathematics, Reading, and Other Subjects” and reference RFP number 91995918R0002.

Offerors shall prepare separate technical, business/cost proposals, and past performance information. All information necessary to judge the technical soundness and management capabilities of the offeror will be contained in the technical proposal. The business proposal shall contain all information related to the determination of the price associated with each of the project’s tasks. The technical and business/cost proposals must each be complete in and of themselves so that evaluation and review of one may be accomplished independently of the other. Cost information must be restricted to the business proposal and the technical proposal must not contain reference to specific costs (although resource information may be included so that the offeror’s understanding of the requirements may be evaluated).

The proposal must be signed and submitted by an official authorized to bind your organization.

Offerors are required to follow the submission format as detailed below. Responses shall include three separately packaged hard copy proposals: a technical proposal, a business proposal, and past performance information as described in detail below.

One original and six copies of the technical proposal (Volume I) One original and five copies of the business proposal (Volume II) One original and three copies of the past performance (Volume III) An electronic copy of all files on a portable drive (with read write capabilities). (The government will use separate scanners to ensure that the drive is free from malware).

Offerors are encouraged to conserve paper by printing double-sided. Offerors are encouraged to submit proposals on recycled paper with a high post-consumer waste content.

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RFP# 91995918R0002

Proposals are due by 2:00pm EST on Thursday, June 28, 2018 and shall be sent to:

U.S. Department of Education National Assessment Governing Board 800 North Capitol Street NW Suite 825 Washington, DC 20002-4233 Attn: Anthony White, Contracting Officer

(202) 357-0395

Proposal Validity Period

The proposal shall list the names and telephones numbers of persons authorized to conduct negotiations. The proposal shall include a statement that the offer is firm for a period of at least 120 calendar days from the date of receipt of proposlas specified within this RFP.

Clarification Questions

The Department will accept clarification questions from potential offerors. Clarification questions must be submitted by the due date, which is no later than Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. EST. Please submit clarification questions via email only to anthony.r.white@ed.gov. The Department does not guarantee that a response will be given to clarification questions submitted after the due date. Offerors will not receive a response until all questions have been received by the due date. All questions and answers will be posted at www.fbo.gov. It is the prospective offeror’s responsibility to monitor this site.

Clarification questions shall reference the RFP attachment and page number where further information is required.

Oral explanations or instructions given by the Government before the award of the contract shall not be binding. Any information given to a prospective offeror concerning a solicitation will be furnished to all other prospective offerors if that information impacts the submission of proposals, or if a lack of information would be prejudicial to any other prospective offerors. This information will be sent to all offerors that respond to the RFP.

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RFP# 91995918R0002

Volume I. Technical Proposal

All information necessary to judge the technical soundness and the capabilities of the offeror shall be contained in the technical response to the RFP. The technical response shall not exceed 30 pages (excluding the appendix), printed on 8.5” by 11” paper size, single-spaced, and in a 12-point font. Proposals that do not adhere to this requirement will be rejected.

The Table of Contents and cover page do not count toward the 30 page limitation. Resumes and other supporting material (that substantiates the technical proposal but does not introduce new content) may be provided in appendices and shall not be included in the page count. Each resume shall be single-spaced and shall not exceed 10 pages for all contractor staff, all key subcontractor staff (if any), and proposed consultants. The technical proposal must not contain reference to specific costs, but resource information may be included so that the offeror’s understanding of the scope of the work may be evaluated. Consultant agreements shall be obtained to confirm consultant commitments and expected availability for the hours proposed for the project and to assure that a conflict of interest does not exist.

Organization of the Technical Proposal

The Statement of Work for this procurement shall guide prospective offeror in developing a work plan that meets project goals. Offerors are expected to propose a technical approach designed to accomplish the objectives of this project. The proposal shall be innovative in the approach recommended, and shall delineate the role and responsibilities of all staff and groups involved, including their interrelationships. Offerors shall submit a response to the RFP in accordance with the guidance below, while considering the evaluation criteria set forth in Attachment D.

The technical proposal shall be organized into the following sections:

Table of Contents General Approach and Summary Technical Approach Management Plan Project Staffing Organizational Experience Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (see Attachment B) Appendix (resumes and information that supports the technical approach only, as needed by the offeror)

Table of Contents

In addition to providing an easy means to locating information in the document, the Table of Contents shall provide an easy means to identify authors (if different authors are used to write various sections of the proposal), and major points of discussion.

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General Approach and Summary

The General Approach and Summary section shall present an overview of the general plan to accomplish the work successfully and provide the rationale for the proposed approach. In this section, the offeror shall demonstrate an understanding of key issues in conducting the NAEP framework update processes and describe how these issues will be addressed by the proposed procedures in each task. The summary shall present the offeror’s concept of the purposes, methodology, and products of the project and shall include a short summary of the offeror’s qualifications and unique strengths to undertake the project.

Technical Approach and Work Plan

The Technical Work Plan shall provide a detailed discussion of how tasks outlined in the Statement of Work are to be accomplished while demonstrating the needed technical understanding and capability for successful project outcomes. Using the flexibility available within each task, the Plan shall identify and discuss the overall planning and scheduling strategy that will creatively and efficiently complete each task. The Plan shall address any special issues and challenges anticipated for completing the work, with particular attention to the six broad categories of framework update implementation that will be addressed in the Design Document, namely:

A. Framework Panel Selection B. Framework Panel Meetings C. Resources for Framework Panels D. Technical Advisory Committee E. Public Comment F. Facilitation

To demonstrate capability, the offeror shall elaborate details with respect to the proposed approach to:

1) developing the initial compilation of resources for the first framework panel meeting;

2) facilitating the framework panels’ deliberations;

3) facilitating meetings of the Technical Advisory Committee

4) developing a unified and coherent set of recommendations relative to the framework, specifications, and contextual variables; and

5) collecting stakeholder public comment.

If the offeror proposes to use current NAEP assessment item information as part of the framework update process, the offeror shall detail how this will be used. The offeror is encouraged to propose computerized mechanisms to facilitate determinations of consensus during framework panel meetings.

The offeror must describe proposed implementation strategies that will be uniformly applied to the update process for the current NAEP Mathematics and Reading frameworks, as well as the implementation strategies that will be distinct to address special considerations for the two

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subject areas. For the optional tasks addressing the additional framework area, the offeror shall summarize the expected level of effort; detailed implementation strategies for the optional tasks do not need to be provided since the subject area is not yet defined. However, the level of effort for the optional tasks shall be similar to the framework updates to be conducted for mathematics and reading, and will be subject to revision if the optional task is exercised during the contract period of performance.

This comprehensive Plan for carrying out each task shall identify personnel who will play a major role in executing the Plan and a description of how quality control procedures will be integrated throughout project implementation.

Approaches recommended for achieving project goals will need to be clear, sound, responsive to the requirements, and feasible. The offeror shall provide detailed plans for analyzing, documenting, and reporting the data collected as part of project activities. This includes reporting that will support meetings to be held for the project—providing participants with information needed to facilitate the work of meetings—as well as final compilations of recommendations in the form of updated frameworks, specifications, and contextual variables. Rationales shall be provided for the scope and sequencing of meetings and activities involving framework panelists, which shall be aligned with the project requirements, proposed technical approach, and draft agenda submitted for the first in-person meeting of panelists.

The offeror shall describe all plans for logistical arrangements related to implementation of the proposed set of activities and reflect a clear understanding of federal laws and regulations for undertaking all aspects of the work, particularly for convening federal sponsored meetings and Section 508 Compliance. The plan shall specifically address how logistical procedures will be designed to assure implementation without problems. As soon as possible, or no later than 90 days prior to any in-person meeting, the contractor shall submit preliminary cost projections for each in-person meeting using the Governing Board’s meeting expenses spreadsheet, which will facilitate the required approval from the U.S. Department of Education, Conference Policy Office. An example template is provided in an appendix to these Instructions to Offerors.

As appendices, the offeror shall also share a draft agenda for the first meeting of the framework panels, and proposed consultants for the framework panels (10 or more individuals for each of the two framework panels) and proposed members of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).

Letters of commitment for proposed TAC members shall be provided, if available, in the appendices. Please note that review of proposed consultants and daily rates shall be subject to Governing Board review and approval.

Management Plan

This section shall detail the offeror's overall management plan, including lines of authority, coordination, and communication within the offeror's organization (or within a consortium, if applicable). This project requires working under tight timelines; therefore the project management plan is especially important. The management control system that will be used internally for planning, scheduling, budgeting, managing, and reporting on all phases of the contract must be described in detail.

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The offeror is invited to propose a management and staffing plan that maximizes the efficiency of the process and assures adherence to the schedule of activities and project budget. The Governing Board stipulates, however, that a single person be identified as Project Director to provide leadership and direction to the contractor’s project staff and serve as the contractor’s primary contact with the Governing Board management and technical staff. The Project Director must participate in all aspects of the project, attend all meetings—both internal and external, and serve as the primary contact with and source of information for the contract.

All key personnel, including staff and consultants, shall be identified by name and title. Their position in the project's management structure and be detailed in an organizational chart. This chart shall depict clearly the lines of authority and responsibility for all persons and organizations involved in the conduct of this project. The proposed management plan shall ensure appropriate coordination of activities across relevant groups and individuals in the process and the appropriate timing of activities.

The offeror shall describe in this section the management control system that will be used for planning, scheduling, budgeting, managing, and reporting on all phases of the contract. For a successful outcome, this project will require an effective management system that enables the contractor to complete work on schedule and within budget while ensuring high technical quality. The system shall include procedures for coordinating and controlling project personnel and tasks, including appropriate time commitments of proposed personnel; ensuring adherence to schedules and deadlines; ensuring high quality products and outcomes; proactive identification of potential problems (technical or cost); and mitigation plans to address problems; maintaining close, effective communication with the COR; and accounting for and controlling project expenditures.

A Gantt chart or similar chart shall provide details on key project activities by task, the proposed timeline, and key project milestones. This section shall include a chronological timeline for all major activities, including deliverables, meetings, and proposed hearings. Included in this timeline shall be the start and completion dates for each task, as well as intermediate dates for precursor steps and draft deliverables, as appropriate. Key staff responsible for each task shall also be identified. The availability and time commitment of proposed key staff shall also be depicted, along with the percent of time staff are committed to other projects. The work of consultants and subcontractors (if any) is the responsibility of the prime contractor, and the management plan must specify how consultants and subcontractors (as applicable) will be managed.

Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

It is necessary to ensure that the contractor adheres to quality control, cost controls and meets all contract requirements efficiently and effectively. Attachment B to the RFP provides a sample Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) to ensure that the following key project objectives are met:

The Design Document is rigorous and aligns with the SOW.

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Framework panelists and technical advisers are well-qualified and broadly representative.

Panelists and Advisers provide sound technical recommendations and are engaged in a comprehensive and deliberative process.

All secure data are maintained as confidential.

Framework, specifications, and contextual variables update recommendations are developed in accordance with SOW and widely accepted professional standards for assessment development.

The final recommended updated framework, specifications, and contextual variables align with all requirements outlined in SOW.

Quality assurance in general project management safeguards must also ensure:

All deliverables are aligned to specifications in the SOW and the Design Document, and meet professional conventions for grammar, spelling, and clarity.

Meetings with advisers and participants on panels are well-executed and support high-quality outcomes as detailed in the contract terms and conditions.

Relations between the contractor and the client support high quality outcomes for the project.

Project milestones are executed within the specified timelines.

Costs are actively monitored to assure they are within budget and are fully supported and documented based on contract budgets.

Project Staffing

The Project Staffing section of the technical proposal shall summarize the vitae for all proposed personnel and identify key personnel, as appropriate. The proposal shall state the name of each person assigned to work on the project, and identify the role and functions of each person. The Project Director is to be identified as key personnel. Primary areas of expertise shall be specified clearly to include: demonstrated skills in leading large-scale assessment development processes of similar nature and scope; exceptionally good management and organizational expertise; and strong written and oral communication skills. The Project Director must have demonstrated project management skills that include successful project planning and execution, with effective contingency planning.

Successful oversight for project quality and cost controls is essential to the contract. To plan, conduct, and complete the work successfully, the offeror must provide staff that collectively possess technical expertise, knowledge, and experience in the following illustrative areas:

Expertise in design, management, and implementation of national and/or state level assessment development processes;

Experience in working closely with a diverse set of experts, practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders in K-12 education;

Solid knowledge base in instruction and assessment in subjects to include mathematics, reading, and other subjects assessed by NAEP;.

Effective oral and written communication with varied audiences such as panelists, Governing Board staff, and Board members;

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Logistics planning and support;

Psychometric expertise;

The use of quality control measures;

The use of facilitation and negotiation skills for ensuring that the concerns of all involved individuals, groups, and organizations are addressed appropriately;

Work under tight timeframes with projects of similar scope and timely submission of deliverables.

All staff (including subcontractors and consultants) shall have qualifications appropriate for the tasks they are to perform. Vitae of proposed staff shall document that the person has the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the tasks to be performed for this project. The documentation shall include directly related experience, educational background, publications and roles played in related projects. Writing samples (not to exceed 5 pages) for the Project Director and other key personnel responsible for preparing the reports shall be submitted in an appendix to the technical proposal.

For each key staff member, identify two or three projects for which the person has played a major role and provide contact information (name, current affiliation, email address, and telephone number) for the sponsor’s project officer or other staff member who is familiar with the key staff member’s performance on each project.

Any changes or substitutions of key personnel will require written advance approval by the Contracting Officer.

For the optional tasks addressing the additional framework area, tentative staff may be proposed and are subject to revision prior to the Governing Board’s exercise of the option, if the option is in fact exercised. However, emphasis of the project staffing narrative shall focus on the base tasks for mathematics and reading.

In all cases where consultants or subcontractors external to the offeror’s organization are proposed, resumes, letters of agreement (with proposed key individuals), and letters of availability (endorsed by the primary institutions with which they are affiliated) shall be included in the proposal for the time period of the contract.

Organizational Experience

This section shall describe the offeror's experience in conducting projects of a similar nature and magnitude. The prime organization undertaking this project must provide evidence of capabilities in all areas noted in the “Staffing Plan” section of Attachment A: Statement of Work.

In addition, the offeror must demonstrate successful performance on prior contracts in the following areas:

Designing, implementing, and managing similar projects, especially in large-scale national or state level assessment development;

Working closely with a diverse set of experts, practitioners, policymakers and other stakeholders in K-12 education;

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Coordinating project activities that include, for example, convening and facilitating meetings of project committees in a thorough and professional manner;

Implementing cost-effective project management strategies with cost monitoring and cost controls, and adherence to budget constraints;

Maintenance of high quality control standards;

Responsiveness to clients;

Timeliness and acceptability of project deliverables; and Demonstrated the ability to recruit and retain well-qualified project staff.

Offerors may modify or propose additional metrics to the QASP and submit the proposed QASP with the technical proposal. A final QASP shall be submitted to the Governing Board five business days following the kick-off meeting.

Volume II: Business Proposal Costs shall be provided in a format similar to the Sample Budget Submission template provided in Attachment F. An Excel version of Attachment F is provided in the solicitation on FBO.gov. A cumulative total shall be provided. The business proposal must contain all information related to the determination of the costs associated with the execution of the project. The business proposal shall include a Conflict of Interest Plan and Certificate. The business proposal shall include completion or attestation of the Representations and Certifications issued in the RFP or attest to online certification, and provide proposed overall contract costs detailed by task.

The offeror shall submit proposed costs for each task and subtask and for the project overall, for the performance period. The proposed budget for each task shall include the number of hours each staff person is expected to commit. There is no page limitation for the business proposal.

Please verify that the contents of the business proposal are mathematically accurate and the supporting data are reconciled in the technical proposal.

All other cost reductions or rebates shall be provided upfront as it is likely that negotiations shall be very limited; an award may be made without extensive cost negotiations. The budget needs to be provided in both print, as well as electronic Microsoft Excel format (with formulas).

NOTE TO OFFERORS – It is required that the business proposal contain enough information for a cost realism determination to be made. Offerors are expected to use their best business judgement in submitting the necessary information. The Contracting Officer can reject an offeror’s proposal if a negative cost realism determination is made, or if proposed prices are found to NOT be reasonable.

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Organization of the Business Proposal

The Business Proposal must be paginated and include the following:

Abstract

A one-page summary is to be provided abstracting the proposal contents in a language understandable to an informed layperson. The abstract shall indicate full acceptance of the solicitation requirements or note any assumptions justified. A summary chart showing the proposed costs for the performance period must be included.

Cost Accounting, Estimating, and Purchasing Information

The offeror shall provide information on the corporate accounting, estimating, and purchasing system and indicate if these systems have been reviewed and approved by a Government agency.

If so, please include a copy of the approval letter and a copy of the approved indirect cost rates, Offerors must provide details on how the proposed costs were estimated in order for the Government to make a determination if the proposed costs are fair and reasonable. The Government reserves the right to not award a contract where offerors do not demonstrate use of an approved accounting, estimating, and purchasing system. Please note that the Government reserves the right to conduct a pre-award audit if the CO determines the necessity to do so prior to contract award. These requirements will be governed by the stipulations in the Federal Acquisition Regulations at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/Subpart%2015_4.html.

Labor Rates

Offerors shall describe how their labor rates are calculated and submit their labor rates with a detailed breakout of the loading factors for the rate calculation. The labor mix and labor categories proposed shall be consistent with the personnel qualifications and experience proposed in the technical proposal.

Other Direct Costs

Other Direct Costs (ODCs) need to be identified by cost type, with detailed cost assumptions by task for all proposed costs. It is important to note that while ODCs are being awarded on a firm fixed price basis, detailed cost assumptions must be provided to support pricing. It is therefore required that offerors provide unit costs whenever possible, such as travel costs per person. The detailed cost assumptions are subject to change if the unit pricing changes. When such changes arise, the Government will ensure that equitable adjustments are made via contract modification.

For example, if five meetings are budgeted under the contract and one meeting is cancelled, then the invoicing must be submitted for four meetings instead of five meetings. Alternatively, if the Government decides to convene an additional meeting, the contract would be modified to add the additional meeting.

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Subcontractor and Consultant Costs

Offerors must submit cost breakdowns of all proposed subcontractors and consultants. Please note that the daily rate for consultants cannot exceed the Federal Government’s pay level of GS15, step 10, per day. In the event that a higher rate is proposed, rationale must be submitted in the proposal to justify the higher rate.

Conflict of Interest Plan

The offeror shall submit a Conflict of Interest Plan, providing details on policies and procedures in place to identify and avoid potential organizational or personnel conflicts of interest (or apparent conflicts of interest). The Plan shall address procedures taken to neutralize or mitigate such conflicts, if they have not been or cannot be avoided. Such policies and procedures must be operative throughout the period of outside activities financial interests, or other significant connections or identifications that would establish, or give the appearance of establishing, a conflict of interest. A method for periodically reviewing financial interests of employees, subcontractors and consultants, and their immediate families, in order to assess actual or apparent conflicts of interest, must be included in the plan. The term, “potential conflict” means a reasonably foreseeable conflict of interest. The thoroughness, completeness and effectiveness of the Plan shall be evaluated as part of the offeror’s overall proposal. The Plan will be incorporated into the contract awarded to the successful offeror.

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Volume III: Past Performance

The offeror shall also provide a Past Performance narrative as part of the proposal to address the Statement of Work. Volume III shall consist of short abstracts of four previous projects completed during the past three years, or current ongoing contracts that have a minimum of twelve months completed in the period of performance to date. The projects must clearly identify the names of staff members who were participants and the name, current affiliation, and current telephone number of the sponsor’s Project Officer, and also Contract Officer. These Project Officers, or Project Directors, or Contract Officers will be asked to report their experience with the offeror on projects of similar size and scope as defined in the Statement of Work (Attachment A).

Attachment E provides a past performance reference form that must be completed with the following information:

Technical Quality of Work Problem Resolution Cost Control Timeliness Business Relations Customer Service

These reference submissions shall be sent directly from the reference to the Contracting Officer at Anthony.R.White@ed.gov prior to the proposal due date.

Use of Subcontractors

If offers are received from large businesses, a subcontracting plan with a small business or businesses is required. Attachment G provides details on submission requirements. The proposed subcontractor must agree to participate in the project and provide a commitment to adhere to the contract requirements, including all related contract terms and conditions.

The prime contractor must demonstrate implementation of an effective subcontractor management plan and document procedures for effective managing the subcontractor’s work on the project. Offerors who propose subcontracting plans may propose past performance information from both the prime and subcontractor, not to exceed a combined total of four previous projects completed during the past three years.

The subcontractors must also submit a detailed cost proposal adhering to the requirements described in this Statement of Work, and as prescribed by their prime contractor. Subcontractors may, if desired, submit the cost proposals separately to the National Assessment Governing Board. Subcontractors may also have previous customers submit their past performance forms to the Contracting Officer. Invoice submission by the subcontractors via the prime contractor shall also provide similar cost detail as described above for the prime contractor.

Descript: This amendment responds to clarification questions, and provides revisions to page 4 and page 6 of the Instructions to Offerors, as detailed in the attachments.

The proposal due date remains unchanged: June 28, 2018 2:00 pm EST. Please allow sufficient time for security check if packages are hand delivered.

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