Research on English Language University Offerings - SOW.pdf

Statement of Work (SOW)

Research on English Language University Offerings

August 2025

Table of Contents

1. General

1.1. Background

1.2. Objective

1.3. Scope of Work

1.4. Period of Performance

1.5. Place of Performance

1.6. Pricing

2. Specific Requirements and Tasks

3. Data Analysis & Reporting

4. Client Support & Responsibilities

5. Deliverables

6. Branding, Copyright, and Permissions

7. Meetings and Coordination

8. Timeline and Milestones

Appendix A – Deliverables Chart

1. General

1.1. Background

The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Brazil requires contractor support to conduct research on English-taught courses offered at Brazilian universities in graduate and undergraduate courses other than those in the English Teaching

Department (Letters/English Teaching Certification). With over 2,500 higher education institutions in Brazil, the Embassy seeks to understand the extent, nature, and motivations behind the development of English-based courses, in which the language is being used as a medium of instruction, at a representative sample of 150 universities.

The findings will help inform U.S. policy and engagement strategies to support internationalization of higher education and identify opportunities for partnerships between U.S. and Brazilian universities.

1.2. Objective

The objective of this contract is to identify and analyze English-taught courses across a sample of Brazilian universities, and to conduct in-depth interviews with faculty to understand the motivations, challenges, and sustainability of such offerings.

Research questions include:

• How many universities offer graduate and undergraduate courses in English?

• What subjects and learning objectives are associated with these courses?

• What motivated universities to offer these courses?

• How often are courses offered in English?

• Are there courses partially offered in English, and how do they operate?

• Do universities intend to continue these offerings in the future?

1.3. Scope of Work

The contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, facilities, supervision, and management necessary to design, execute, and deliver the research project, including literature/database review, in-depth interviews, qualitative data analysis, and preparation of a final written report.

1.4. Period of Performance

The period of performance shall begin on November 3, 2025, through May 1, 2026.

1.5. Place of Performance

The work may be performed at the contractor’s facilities. Interviews shall be conducted virtually unless otherwise approved by the Contracting Officer’s

Representative (COR).

1.6. Pricing

The contractor shall ensure that all costs associated with property, equipment, materials, and services required to fulfill this contract are incorporated into the CLIN pricing below.

CLIN Description Unit of Measure

Rate (BRL) Est. No Total Amount

(BRL)

1 University Course Catalogue Unit 1

2 Labor Hours (Research & Analysis) Hour 250

3 In-Depth Interviews Each 15

4 Travel (If Required/Approved) Unit 1

Note: The contractor shall ensure all costs associated with property, equipment, materials, and services required to fulfill this contract are incorporated into the CLIN pricing above

2. Specific Requirements and Tasks

Phase 1 – Course Catalogue

• Review publicly available information (university websites, indexes, other repositories) for 150 universities in Brazil.

• Identify universities offering courses (other than those in Letters/English Teaching

Certification) taught in English.

• Document subjects, topical areas, length, and course content.

Products:

• An organized .xlsx catalogue of universities offering courses in English, including:

o University name, city, state

• Whether courses in English are offered

• Course names and fields of study

• Faculty names and contact information (if available)

A written report summarizing course content, learning objectives, and institutional practices.

Phase 2: In-Depth Qualitative Interviews

• Conduct 15 interviews (60 minutes each) with faculty identified from the catalogue and provided by the client.

• Interviews may be conducted in Portuguese or English.

• Interview focus areas:

• Motivations for offering English-based courses

• Frequency and sustainability of such offerings

• Challenges in designing and delivering English-taught courses

• Plans for continuation or expansion

3. Data Analysis & Reporting

The contractor will analyze qualitative data from interviews and textual analysis of university documents. Reports will summarize findings by theme and research question and include description of methods and coding scheme.

4. Client Support & Responsibilities

The client, U.S. Embassy Brasilia, will provide the following support to the offeror during the planning and execution of the project:

• A list of 150 universities to be analyzed.

• A draft interview questionnaire for use during interviews.

• A report outline/structure for final deliverables.

• Clarification and guidance as needed during research execution.

5. Deliverables

• Course catalogue (.xlsx) of courses in which English is being used as a Medium of

Instruction (EMI).

• Written report summarizing content and learning objectives.

• Interview transcripts/notes (cleaned, de-identified).

• Final report including analysis, findings, and recommendations.

6. Branding, Copyright, and Permissions

All materials produced under this contract shall be the property of the U.S.

Government. The contractor shall certify that all data and analysis are original, royalty-free, and unrestricted for U.S. Government use.

7. Meetings and Coordination

• Kickoff Meeting – virtual, within 10 business days of award.

• Monthly progress reviews – conducted virtually.

• Ad-hoc meetings – at COR request, with five (5) business days’ notice.

8. Timeline and Milestones

Task/Deliverable Responsible Party Due Date Project Launch / Kickoff Call U.S. Embassy & Contractor 3-Nov-25 Client delivers university list U.S. Embassy 24-Nov-25 Catalogue of programs (.xlsx) Contractor 30-Jan-26 Client provides interview sample frame U.S. Embassy 20-Feb-26 Interviews launched Contractor 27-Feb-26 Interviews concluded Contractor 30-Apr-26 Final reports delivered Contractor 30-May-26

Appendix A – Deliverables Chart

Deliverable Description Due Date Format Recipient

Course catalogue Database of English-taught courses at 150 universities 30-Jan-26 Excel COR

Report on courses Summary of content & learning objectives 30-Jan-26 Word/PDF COR

Interview transcripts/notes Cleaned and organized notes 30-Apr-26 Word/PDF COR

Final report Comprehensive findings & recommendations 30-May-26 Word/PDF COR