PWS_for_Task_Order_0001_(July_30 _2014).docx

Task Order 0001 PWS – ED-VAE-14-R-0058 Version Date: July 30, 2014

Performance Work Statement for the

Task Order 0001 “Career Counseling App Challenge”

U.S. Department of Education (Department) Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) Division of Academic and Technical Education (DATE)

A. Background

The mission of the Division of Academic and Technical Education (DATE) includes improving secondary and postsecondary Career and Technical Education (CTE), assisting the CTE field to meet the demands of the economy, and preparing students for the 21st century workforce. This mission contributes significantly to President Obama’s goal of having the highest percentage of college graduates in the world by 2020 and his challenge that every American should have an opportunity to access at least one year of postsecondary education or training during his or her lifetime.

Career guidance and counseling play critical roles in achieving the President’s goal and fulfilling DATE’s mission. State and local CTE practitioners have expressed their interest in upgrading and rethinking their guidance and counseling systems to better enable students to navigate the secondary and postsecondary educational systems that prepare them for viable, family-sustaining careers. The need for modernizing career guidance and counseling is urgent as the current system almost exclusively depends on school-based counselors who have caseloads so large that students receive an average fewer than ten minutes of career counseling a few times a year.

A key focus of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins Act; P.L. 109-270), which is administered by OCTAE, has been to promote career guidance and counseling in state and local educational institutions. The Act states career guidance and counseling:

(A) Provides access for students (and parents, as appropriate) to information regarding career awareness and planning with respect to an individual's occupational and academic future; and,

(B) Provides information with respect to career options, financial aid, and postsecondary options, including baccalaureate degree programs.

A significant issue facing educational leaders is providing support for students in their planning for career technical education and career paths beyond high school, a planning process that has become increasingly more complex and overwhelming for many students and their families. While high school guidance counseling programs already include an emphasis on planning for college, the career development domain remains a minor function of guidance and counseling practices at the secondary level. In support of the President’s goal of leading the world in college completion by 2020, OCTAE is committed to modernizing delivery by leveraging current technologies.

State directors of CTE and school counseling organizations continue to identify the lack of access to high-quality, current career information and career advisement resources as a major barrier to providing students with comprehensive career guidance and counseling.

OCTAE recognizes that career guidance and counseling plays a critical role in successfully assisting students and families in making informed decisions regarding educational and career goals. This commitment is shared by a growing number of offices within the Department and federal agencies with related interests, including the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Transportation.

B. Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of this firm fixed price task order is to organize and conduct a competition for the development of a mobile application, or “app,” that provides students with career information and allows them to explore career options while not being limited by the schedules of school-based career counselors. This task order supports OCTAE’s ongoing efforts to improve Perkins program performance, as described by the CTE Blueprint, and to prepare CTE students for both college and careers.

Through this investment, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) plans to modernize, improve, and increase access to rigorous CTE career guidance through the use of mobile apps aligned to the needs and common access methods of students. The outcomes of this investment will be an open-source, public domain app that guides students through the exploration of CTE career options including skills, education, and training requirements.

The contractor will consult experts in the field of CTE, career counseling, and academic advising to define the critical characteristics of an effective career guidance model. These experts will be joined by mobile app developers to develop the baseline requirements of the app.

With preparatory and assistance work provided by the contractor, OCTAE will issue a public challenge for an app that leverages existing technologies and public data sources and includes the elements identified by the group of experts. The challenge will select, through a competitive process, the best application that gives middle and high school youth, particularly students considering or participating in CTE programs, improved access to career guidance information so they can make informed decisions about their education, training, and careers.

To accomplish this, the contractor shall consult subject matter experts, the Department, and other Federal agencies and conduct preliminary research to ensure app submissions are relevant and applicable to students. OCTAE anticipates the following major activities to be conducted by the contractor during performance of this project:

1. Developing and administering an effective project and communication plans to ensure accountability and successful outcomes.

2. Conducting a review of available Career Counseling Apps, Web sites, and public open data sources relevant to CTE.

3. Identifying and convening CTE stakeholder groups and subject matter experts to establish a problem statement and develop app specifications.

4. Publishing specifications developed by the experts group and launching the challenge.

5. Organizing and conducting public events bringing together interested developers to review the specifications and ask questions.

6. Receiving submissions and coordinating the evaluation process.

7. Providing a list of winners to the Department for approval.

8. Disbursing prizes and conducting a public award event with the Department.

Future activities included as optional tasks in this procurement include building awareness about the app and providing technical assistance to developers to extend the capabilities of the app.

C. Legislative Authority

The goals, purposes, and activities to be accomplished under this Performance Work Statement (PWS) are authorized by Public Law 109-270, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, Section 114 (c) (1) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Act). Under this section, the Secretary of Education is authorized to carry out research, development, dissemination, evaluation and assessment, capacity building, and technical assistance with regard to career and technical education programs under the Act.

D. Scope of Work and Period of Performance

The contractor shall be responsible for carrying out all phases of work associated with the major activities under a fixed price contract. The period of performance for the base period of this task order shall be 18 months; there are no option periods for this task order. All time periods in this PWS are provided in calendar days. The contractor is encouraged to develop a plan that expedites the objectives of the project while maintaining quality and integrity of the processes.

The contractor is required to provide a work plan that details its approach to provide the services described in Section E. Tasks (see below) of this Performance Work Statement (PWS). All tasks are to be interpreted with reference to the information provided in the Background and Purpose and Objectives sections, above. The contractor shall coordinate its work with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), especially during the development phase of all tasks, and the COR will review all deliverables.

E. Tasks

The contractor, with approval from the COR, shall carry out the following tasks:

Task 1: Project Management and Administration

Sub-task 1.1: Kickoff Meeting

The contractor shall conduct an in-person kickoff meeting, to be held in Washington, DC at a Department facility, with Department staff within the timeframes specified in the Schedule of Deliverables at the end of this performance work statement (PWS). Department staff will include the Contracting Officer (CO), the Contract Specialist (CS), the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), and other project staff identified by the COR. The COR will assume responsibility for inviting relevant OCTAE staff.

The purpose of the meeting will be to review the objectives of the contract and to provide the contractor an opportunity to ask questions and clarify potential issues related to implementation of the tasks. The contractor shall submit a Draft Work Plan and timeline that incorporates the decisions from the meeting, feedback from the COR, and any other agreements made during the meeting, within the timeframe specified in the Schedule of Deliverables at the end of this PWS.

The COR will review the Draft Work Plan and Timeline and provide feedback within the timeframe specified in the Schedule of Deliverables at the end of this PWS. The contractor shall incorporate any revisions resulting from the COR review and provide to the COR an updated work plan and project timeline, which establish the project baselines.

Deliverables for Sub-task 1.1:

0. Draft Work Plan and Timeline

0. Baseline Work Plan and Timeline

Sub-task 1.2: Progress Reports and Timeline Updates

The contractor shall update the project timeline and work plan, as needed, for the duration of the contract period as stated in the Schedule of Deliverables at the end of this PWS, beginning with the third calendar month after contract award. The contractor shall maintain an electronic timeline of tasks, deliverables, and critical milestones. The online system shall be secure and accessible to the COR.

The monthly progress reports shall consist of updates to the baseline version of the work plan and timeline submitted under Sub-task 1.1 showing progress on each task.

If problems are encountered or discovered that impact the timeline or work plan, the contractor shall provide a description of the problem and how it was addressed to the COR as stated in the Schedule of Deliverables at the end of this PWS. Should a significant problem arise, the contractor shall notify the COR via email not later than three days of discovering the issue.

Deliverables for Sub-task 1.2:

a) Monthly timeline and work plan updates as necessary

Task 2: Conduct Literature and Industry Analysis

Task 2.1: Research Current Career Counseling Offerings

The contractor shall review available career counseling apps, web sites, and public open data sources relevant to career and technical education. The contractor shall also consult with stakeholder groups and subject matter experts in career and guidance counseling to determine the critical elements of effective counseling strategies. The contractor shall research similar app competitions, specifications for app submissions, and the evaluation criteria used.

The contractor shall submit a draft report of its review. The report shall include the sources and references used in the review, areas of need, and a problem statement, or statements, for the challenge.

The COR will review the report and provide feedback to the contractor as stated in the Schedule of Deliverables at the end of this PWS. The contractor shall incorporate any revisions resulting from the COR review and provide a final version to the COR.

Deliverables for Task 2.1:

a) Draft Report

b) Final Report

Task 3: Conduct Outreach and Technical Assistance

Sub-task 3.1: Develop Communications Plan

The contractor shall prepare a communications strategy to maximize the quantity and quality of submissions. The contractor shall submit a draft Communications Plan after delivery of the Draft Competition Design. The Communications Plan shall include a detailed list of activities, strategies, and treatments to be used during the challenge. The contractor shall include its recommendations for events in which the Department should participate, and deadlines or registration costs required for participation.

The COR will review the Communications Plan and provide feedback to the contractor within the time frame stated in the Schedule of Deliverables at the end of this PWS. The contractor shall incorporate any revisions resulting from the COR review and provide a Final Communications Plan to the COR.

Deliverables for Sub-task 3.1:

a) Draft Communications Plan

b) Final Communications Plan

Sub-task 3.2: Conduct Collaboration Event

The contractor shall organize and conduct at least one online public event for the Department to present the specifications of the Challenge and to provide interested participants an opportunity to ask questions and exchange ideas. The event shall be held after the launch of the App Challenge. The contractor shall broadcast the event online and record, transcribe, and summarize the event. The contractor shall deliver all event recordings, transcriptions, and summary materials according to Department publishing guidelines after the event. All materials shall be approved by the Department prior to release. The contractor shall work closely with the COR to schedule the event at a date and location to maximize attendance.

Deliverables for Sub-task 3.2:

a) Audio and video recording, transcript and event summary

Task 4: Design and Manage Challenges and Competitions

Task 4.1: Design Career Counseling App Challenge

The contractor shall submit a Draft Competition Design. The competition design shall be based on the Literature and Industry Analysis conducted in Task 2 and includes a problem statement, or statements, for the challenge, the minimum specifications for app submissions, the criteria by which submissions will be judged, monetary amount of prizes, and a detailed plan for conducting the competition.

The COR will review the Draft Competition Design and provide feedback to the contractor within 21 days. The contractor shall incorporate any revisions resulting from the COR review and provide a Final Competition Design to the COR.

Deliverables for Sub-task 4.1:

a) Draft Competition Design

b) Final Competition Design

Sub-task 4.2: Launch the App Challenge

The contractor shall provide support to the Department to launch the Challenge according to the Competition Design and Communications Plan. The contractor shall prepare media releases, talking points and collateral material to support the launch. All outreach materials shall be approved by the COR prior to release. The exact date of the launch will be determined by the COR and is expected to occur on or before the time frame specified in the Schedule of Deliverables at the end of this PWS.

Deliverables for Sub-task 4.2:

a) Outreach and Collateral Materials

Sub-task 4.3: Assemble Panel of Judges

The contractor shall identify subject matter experts to serve as judges for the Challenge, in addition to Federal staff from the Departments of Education and Labor. The contractor shall deliver a list of judges for the COR to review after the launch of the Challenge. The contractor shall include bios for the candidates and a rationale for including each judge and ensure judges do not have direct or perceived conflicts of interest with the competitors in the challenge. The COR will respond to the contractor within the timeframe specified in the Schedule of Deliverables at the end of this PWS. The contractor shall confirm participation of each judge and deliver a final list of confirmed judges to the COR.

Deliverables for Sub-task 4.3:

a) Preliminary List of Judges

b) Final list of Confirmed Judges

Sub-task 4.4: Screen Submissions for Compliance

The contractor shall provide all logistical support necessary to conduct a fair and objective evaluation of all submissions. The contractor shall screen all submissions for compliance with the rules of the competition and identify any submission not in compliance with the rules. The contractor shall provide a list of these noncompliant submissions and the reason(s) for their noncompliance to the COR after the close of the Challenge. The COR and the panel of judges will review the list and make final determinations of eligibility for each of the submissions on the list. The COR will return the list of the submissions with eligibility determinations for each of the submissions within the timeframe specified in the Schedule of Deliverables at the end of this PWS.

Deliverables for Sub-task 4.4:

a) List of potentially ineligible submissions

Sub-task 4.5: Coordinate and Monitor Evaluation Process

The contractor shall ensure all eligible submissions are evaluated and rated according to the judging process established in the Competition Design and provide weekly progress updates to the COR each Monday during the judging process. The contractor may provide a real-time monitoring system in lieu of the weekly reports. The judging process shall occur during the timeframe specified in the Schedule of Deliverables at the end of this PWS.

Deliverables for Sub-task 4.5:

a) Weekly progress updates or real-time monitor

Sub-task 4.6: Produce Recommended Slate of Prize Winners

Following the completion of the judging process the contractor shall produce an Award Slate of all submissions that includes the outcomes of the judging process, and the submissions that are recommended to receive prizes. The contractor shall deliver the slate to the COR after the conclusion of the judging process. The COR shall review and approve the slate within the timeframe specified in the Schedule of Deliverables provided at the end of this PWS.

Deliverables for Sub-task 4.6:

a) Award Slate

Sub-task 4.7: Disburse Prizes

Upon receipt of the approved list of winners from the COR, the contractor shall disburse funds to the winners. The contractor shall provide the COR a list of prizes disbursed after prizes are disbursed. The contractor shall include with the list, documentation that the prizes were received by the winners.

Deliverables for Sub-task 4.7:

a) List of Disbursements

b) Confirmation of receipt from the winners

ADDITIONAL NOTES

· The contractor will not be required to provide travel, lodging, per diem, or honoraria for third parties.

· Task orders issued under this procurement contain monetary prizes that the contractor will be required to disburse directly to the competition winners. For purposes of preparing a firm fixed-price for this task order, the contractor should assume an aggregate prize amount of $250,000. This amount should be included in the price proposal for this task order.

SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES

The contractor shall follow the deliverable schedule as directed below. All days are indicated in calendar days. All materials shall be prepared in MS Word, using 12 point Times New Roman, Arial or similar font. The contractor shall submit one electronic copy of each draft and final deliverable to the COR, and one electronic copy of each final deliverable to the Contract Specialist.

Task 1: Project Management and Administration

Task 2: Conduct Literature and Industry Analysis

Task 3: Conduct Outreach and Technical Assistance

Task 4: Design and Manage Challenges and Competitions

4.6 a)

Award Slate

7 Days after the end of judging