DVHS_SeatLicenses_QA_4-14-20_Answers.pdf

Question # Question Answer

The following question is in regards to Requirement 2.1.1.1.

Is the DoDEA authority open to an alternative delivery model? Specifically, would the DoDEA consider purchasing courses developed and implemented in Canvas vs.

purchasing seat licenses?

No, DoDEA requires course seat licenses.

The following questions are in regards to Requirement 2.1.1.2.:

* Considering the alternative delivery model, does the vendor have to be accredited by a nationally recognized high school accreditation organization?

* Also considering the alternative delivery model, would the Vendor need to use accredited subject matter experts to develop the courses?

Yes, as stated in 2.1.1.2 the vendor must be "Be accredited by a nationally recognized high school accreditation organization such as the Middle States Association, Western Association, New England Association, or Cognia (formerly AdvancED)."

Does DoDEA expect the courses to follow specific instructional design standards such as Quality Matters or do they have standards that they follow internally that they can share with us?

Please see course requirements stated in the solicitation, 2.1.1.6 (Offer courses that (1) are student-centered…) through 2.1.1.13 (Ensure content and software delivery incorporates…).

With reference to 2.1.1.6: What are your expectations with respect to information literacy, technology etc within the curriculum? Can you clarify if there are specific learning objectives to be met there?

Information about the Literacy Standards can be found on this page:

https://www.dodea.edu/collegeCareerReady/ccr-standards.cfm

Links to learning and course objectives are stated in 2.1.1.5.

Are there specific requirements with respect to video in the curriculum - or is it left to the course designer to offer videos depending on course design?

Please reference 2.1.1.8. Item #9, course needs to have a "Variety of audio, video and graphical media elements that are engaging and relate directly to topics covered."

6 Is DoDEA good with using Open Educational Resources to build this curriculum?

We follow DoDI (https://dodcio.defense.gov/Open-Source-Software-FAQ/ ) protocols for any Open Educational Resource.

Reference 2.1.1.11: For assessments, since you have an institutional LMS that has been picked, are you looking for an external assessment engine to bolster proctoring/security concerns or are you looking for the LMS to provide that sort of capability?

No, we are not looking for an "an external assessment engine".

Please see test security specifications stated in 2.1.1.11.

What resources does the DoDEA currently have for these courses? Can those be made available to us?

No. The sources we use are proprietary.

Reference 2.1.3.1: How would you like this VPE delivered?

As webinars or as orientation courses in the content we create? 2.1.3.2 - What other kinds of professional learning are desired besides what is listed in 2.1.3.1

See section 2.1.3.1 (2.1.3.1 Provide three hours of virtual professional learning…) through 2.1.3.2 (2.1.3.2 Provide professional learning in a form that DoDEA…).

What are your expectations for lecture videos in your courses? Will your teachers provide lectures to be included in the courses?

Please reference 2.1.1.8. Item #9, course needs to have a "Variety of audio, video and graphical media elements that are engaging and relate directly to topics covered." Lecture video must be audience/age appropriate and student-centered.

What are the class participation requirements for both classes?

Please see section 2.1.1.5 (...aligned to national content standards for Financial Algebra and the College Board Advanced Placement® requirements for AP® Human Geography.)

Please see section 2.1.1.7 (Offer courses that (1) provide opportunities for appropriate instructor-student, student-student, and student-content interaction...)

May we submit a standard Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT), in place of Attachment 2, the Government Product Accessibility Template (GPAT)? No, please submit the GPAT.

HE125420R0005- Virtual High School Seat Licenses for Two Electives-Questions and Answers

How does DoDEA define a “seat” for the purposes of a seat-based license? (e.g. Unique user with enrollments in one or more courses)

Unique user enrolled in one or more courses.

Can we include additional information, which we consider essential to the proposal, as Appendices in our RFP response?

Vendor submissions will be evaluated based on the requirements stated in the PWS.

Will DoDEA use their current LMS for the life of this contract?

Unknown at this time.

16 Does DoDEA use Schoology as their current LMS? Yes, DoDEA uses Schoology as their current LMS.

Where in the RFP response does the offeror need to provide the statement about agreeing to hold the prices in its offer firm?

Clause 52.212-1, located in the addendum, specifically Volume 1. The soliciation states, "Vendor quote shall be firm for 120 days from the quote submission date"

Task 1 requires the contractor to deliver web-based materials three days after receipt of delivery order. Is the requirement three business days or three calendar days?

Three business days.

Task 2 requires the contractor to delivery curriculum in one or more of three formats. Two of the formats are related to content or curriculum hosted by the Contractor and accessible through DoDEA’s LMS. Can DoDEA explain the difference between the two formats?

See p. 51, 2.1.2.2: Bullet 1 - "Imported, hosted, and maintained by DoDEA."

Explanation - Bullet 1: All content (instructional content, assignments, assessments, etc.) delivered to DoDEA to be accessed from within DoDEA's LMS.

See p. 51, 2.1.2.2: Bullet 2 -"Instructional content hosted externally by the Contractor accessible through DoDEA’s LMS with the assignments and assessments imported, hosted, and maintained in DoDEA’s LMS."

Explanation - Bullet 2: Instructional content hosted externally on the Contractor's LMS, integrated (such as LTI) and delivered to students from within DoDEA's LMS. However assessments and assignments imported, hosted and maintained on DoDEA's LMS.

See p. 51, 2.1.2.2: Bullet 3 - "Integration through DoDEA’s LMS to the curriculum hosted by the Contractor."

Explanation - Bullet 3: Instructional content, assessments, and assignments delivered from vendor's LMS but accessed from within DoDEA's LMS via integration (such as LTI).

See p. 51 2.1.2.3, "...(4) Requires single—not multiple—authentications for users to access content through the DoDEA LMS."

Task 3 requires the contractor to provide three hours of virtual professional learning and the same information to be delivered at three separate times corresponding to regions (if a webinar solution is utilized). Task 3 also requires the webinar for Education Technologists to only be delivered in the US Eastern region. Does this mean that DoDEA requires nine hours total of virtual professional learning for the three regions with additional, focused learning for the Education Technologists in the US Eastern region?

DoDEA requires a total of 3 hours virtual professional learning, 1 hour each corresponding to the regions in which DoDEA teachers are located—US, Europe, and Pacific. Education Technologist(s)will attend the US Eastern session. DoDEA does not require additional focused learning for Educational Technologists.

21 Please specify the number of teachers to be trained.

Individual 1-on-1 teacher training not requested. Need is based on 3 hours virtual professional learning, not on attendance.

If DoDEA requires additional, focused learning for the Education Technologists in the US Eastern region, how many hours does DoDEA require?

DoDEA does not require additional focused learning for Educational Technologists.

The Instructions for Volume 2 require the offerors to address the requirements listed in Technical Exhibit (TE) 1 as well as the requirements listed in PWS 2.1 and PWS 2.2.

However, TE 1 includes a performance standard and AQL for PWS 2.3. Does DoDEA require offerors to address the portion of TE 1 which is applicable to PWS 2.3? No

The Instructions for Volume 4 state, “A final total of 48 months is required in the Excel Spreadsheet. (Attachment 1, Pricing Sheet).” Can DoDEA clarify that instruction?

That is a typographical error and should reflect "72" months as the contract will be a total of 72 months.

Attachment 1, Pricing Sheet included a tab titled, “Sheet1” for labor hours and fully burdened rates. Are offerors required to complete “Sheet1” if flat rates vs hourly rates apply? Yes, if applicable please complete sheet 1.

Does DoDEA require each Volume to be submitted as a separate file? Yes

27 Will DoDEA accept a single proposal file? Please break each file out in Volumes

Will DoDEA accept the proposal file(s) in searchable PDF format? Yes

Will DoDEA provide a specific naming convention for the proposal file(s)? Please lable each file according to the volume it falls under.

Attachment X-Q&A