A1. JLAB 27 PWS.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

for

MARINE CORPS JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS ACADEMIC

CHALLENGE BOWL

1. Scope: This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the necessary efforts to implement a competitive Academic Bowl program aimed at engaging over 29,000 Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (MCJROTC) cadets across 245 units. The program will feature a College Bowl format, comprising three levels of competition that include two online preliminary rounds followed by a final live round. Participants will be assessed on their knowledge of the MCJROTC curriculum, as well as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), American College Test (ACT), and Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) materials. The SOW encompasses the provision of online operations, logistical support for both preliminary and live rounds, professional moderators, and all necessary accommodations, transportation, meals, and supplies for cadets, instructors, and chaperones. This initiative aims to maintain continuity with the service provider utilized in previous years and aligns with the Academic Bowl programs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), ensuring compliance with the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and joint ROTC leadership for standardized curricula and initiatives across all service JROTC programs..

1.1 Introduction: Headquarters MCJROTC of the Training and Education Command serves as the executive agent for a project designed for MCJROTC programs globally. This initiative aligns with the mission of Headquarters MCJROTC to cultivate citizens of character committed to serving their communities and nations. The citizenship-building program aims to inspire cadets to reach their full potential by pursuing quality education and further training, whether through college, technical schools, or other avenues, to lead productive lives as American citizens. A successful strategy for enhancing cadet performance on college entry exams like the ACT/SAT and military ASVAB is the Academic Bowl process, which has been effectively implemented by Army, Navy, and Air Force JROTC programs for several years. The College Options Foundation (COF), LC has facilitated this program for all branches of the military, and the consensus is that it has achieved remarkable success.

1.2 Description of Requirement: The Challenge will consist of two online preliminary rounds where participating JROTC units can compete against each other by answering questions from the COF and engaging in games developed by Disney-Metro-Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) through interactive software.

Prior to these rounds, the COF will distribute ASVAB/ACT/SAT test improvement software to each unit to aid in their preparation. The winners of the preliminary rounds will advance to a Final Round held at a college venue agreed upon by the Marine Corps, mirroring the format of traditional academic competitions. The COF will supply professional moderators and organizers to manage all logistical aspects, including accommodations and meals for cadets, instructors, and chaperones. Specifically, the COF will arrange lodging for eight teams, each comprising four cadets, one instructor, and, if necessary, an additional chaperone for four nights. Furthermore, the COF will handle all logistical support for the final round, including transportation, accommodations, and meals for up to 48 participants. The specific dates for the in-person championship will be set by the Marine Corps JROTC headquarters, taking into account the availability of academic teams and resources.

1.2.1. This program will allow over 29,000+ MCJROTC cadets at 245 high schools to compete in the preliminary rounds, preparing with questions that mirror ACT/SAT/ASVAB tests from the test improvement software furnished by COF, from questions derived from curriculum materials taught to cadets as provide by the MCJROTC Headquarters. This preparation and use of already stocked SAT/ACT test improvement software in the MCJROTC curriculum inventory from COR and OSD/joint service senior leadership direction to move all JROTC programs to common curricula drive the need for this sole source service by COF.

1.2.2 The College Option Foundation (COF) has served as a valuable resource for supplemental ACT/SAT preparation software within the MCJROTC program for several years, demonstrating effectiveness in college entrance exam readiness and receiving favorable feedback from instructors.

Furthermore, the COR format and service for the Academic Challenge Bowl have been utilized by Army, Navy, and Air Force JROTC programs, establishing it as a suitable platform for the ongoing integration of common courses and curricula, as emphasized in the recent Tri-Service ROTC Conferences. COF consistently offers its materials to MCJROTC at prices lower than those listed on their website and provides complimentary training for JROTC instructors during new instructor training sessions. This synergy between COF's academic preparation resources and the funded Academic College Bowl initiative has proven beneficial for cadets.

The implementation of the academic challenge bowl as a collaborative effort will enhance the alignment of curricula across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps programs. Each service has regularly employed COF materials and management for JROTC academic bowl competitions. The action items from the Tri-Service ROTC Conference encourage continued collaboration on common program elements and courses. Incorporating this college bowl format will not only assist cadets in their future ACT/SAT/ASVAB endeavors but will also foster greater cohesion among the Marine Corps and other service programs. Ultimately, this initiative supports the overarching goal of cultivating responsible citizens for America, promoting the pursuit of higher education and military service among students.

2.1 Scope of Work: The contractor shall provide the expertise and deliverables to conduct a competitive academic competition consisting of three distinct parts, to include a Level I online game, a Level II interactive online game with a web/voice interactive component created by a designer such as IDEAS at Disney-MGM studios, and a National Level Championship bowl/game to create a renewed enthusiasm for academics and prepare them for college entrance exams. This shall include complete logistical support for on-line preliminary academic and game competition rounds between MCJROTC units worldwide and all meals, lodging, local transportation, supplies and logistics required for the final, live championship round. The scope for this effort includes: • Provide on-line and in-person games to reinforce MCJROTC curriculum; ASVAB, SAT, and ACT materials; and current events for teams of up to 5 cadets (4 team members plus 1 alternate)

• Design the games/events to reach every unit and every student and enhance online games

• Develop a minimum of 400 questions and ensure questions concerning MCJROTC program curriculum are included

• Ensure the questions taken from state exit exam programs are included

• Employ full time events managers, computer/web monitors, phone and email question support staff

• Advertise events, deliver study materials, score games, communicate upcoming events and results of game outcomes and with the command to ensure they provide the geo-demographic mix and representation of what they need (e.g., standards, diversity)

• Provide location representation and on-site visits at the National level

• Present a final championship round national Level Championship bowl/game in-person live event to energize the teams and encourage all cadets to participate

• Provide travel to bring up to 48 individuals (4 cadets per team) (winners from around the country/world), their instructor, and at least 1 additional chaperone if the school requires, to a central location in the US to run a Live National Academic Bowl

• Provide lodging, meals, events management, safety, professional judges, scoring teams, talented professional moderators, three days of non-stop competition, evening events, awards dinners, trophies, scholarship information, and noted guest speakers

• Provide CD games/bowls with questions created from Marine Corps Curriculum, ASVAB, SAT/ACT, and State standards for exit exams for distribution to all participating units so all cadets can see and play the bowls.

• Provide access to college prep materials for all participants with questions cross-walked from MC JROTC Curriculum, ASVAB, SAT/ACT, and State standards for exit exams.

• The contractor shall update questions (i.e. format and content) to prevent an advantage for repeat competitors and team