Vendor_Questions_and_Responses_(11.15.16).docx

November 15, 2016 United States Department of Education (Department)

Vendor Engagement Webinar ED-IES-17-R-0001 International Early Learning Study Pilot (iELS) Webinar

Pre-Solicitation Questions

1. Vendor question: When will the official RFP be posted?

Department Response:

We anticipate releasing the RFP in Late November or Early December.

1. Vendor question: What is the submission deadline date?

Department Response:

The RFP will be open for a minimum of 30 days.

1. Vendor question: Given optional task 6 for an additional sample and the international emphasis on the age range of 4.5 to 5.5, would the Department consider a sampling approach that is not school-based?

Department Response:

No. The most recent information provided by the OECD has narrowed the focus to 5-5.5 year-olds. The U.S. plans to sample kindergarteners, so only a school-based sample is being considered.

1. Vendor question: Do you anticipate challenges in completing national adaptations to the OECD surveys and then receiving OMB clearance with ample time to recruit participants in the current schedule?

Department Response No. The OMB package for the Field Test will be in process at time of award. The current plan is that, following adaptations, a Change Request will be submitted to OMB with the revised instruments. The Change Request has a shortened clearance time, as compared to the original OMB package, so the current schedule allows sufficient time for recruitment. A similar model may be used for the Main Study.

1. Vendor question: The draft SOW mentions that 'all instruments utilized in the iELS will be developed by iELS international contractors'. Will the international contractors also be providing systems for tracking school participation and data entry management?

The international contractor provides systems for data entry management. Tracking individual school participation would be the responsibility of the selected contractor.

1. Vendor question: Who is serving as the international contractor for the design work?

Australian Council for Educational Research.

1. Vendor question: Can the government provide their intentions for the contract vehicle that may be used for this solicitation?

We are in the process of conducing market research to finalize our acquisition strategy moving forward.

1. Vendor question: Is the government looking to build an online data collection tool?

No.