SOW ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT SPECIALIST-Provost Office (3).docx

STATEMENT OF WORK FOR AN ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT SPECIALIST TO WORK

AT THE U.S. MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY, KINGS POINT, NEW YORK

BACKGROUND:

The United States Merchant Maine Academy (USMMA) is engaged in a self-study in preparation for its Middle States Council on Higher Education (MSCHE) reaccreditation in 2025. The self-study is due in the summer of 2024, ahead of the MSCHE team visit in the Spring of 2025. The Academy requires an experienced Academic Assessment Specialist to provide instruction on assessment best practices and advice on implementing an effective institutional assessment system at USMMA. The contractor must demonstrate experience and competence in institutional assessment for undergraduate college programs and a familiarity with the accreditation requirements of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Our academic assessment system is comprised of Institutional Learning Objectives (ILOs) that are mapped with Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) and Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs). While academic departments have the PLOs and CLOs, the institution-wide assessment needs additional support to develop unit goals and metrics for non-academic functions. Training of faculty and staff will be required to develop a clear understanding of the assessment process and related best practices.

Objective:

The Contractor shall provide training and support to the faculty and staff to aid in developing, assessing, and reporting on our Academic Assessment System. All work shall be in accordance with the below Statement of Work (SOW).

Statement of Work (SOW)-

a. The Contractor shall provide an experienced temporary Academic Assessment Specialist to work in the Deans Office at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York. Remote work or telework is not available for this position. The period of performance will be from September 3, 2024 and ending on or about June 2, 2025. The work schedule is Monday to Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 16:30 P.M (EST). with one half hour for lunch. The total amount of work days shall not exceed 187 days or approximately 1,496 hours. CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL SHALL BE PAID ONLY FOR ACTUAL HOURS WORKD.

Duties and Responsibilities-

1. Provide guidance in the development of an institution-wide culture of assessment through consultation, instruction, and professional development with faculty, staff, and administrators.

2. Provide advice and best practices on designing, implementing, and improving all aspects of the assessment of program-level student learning outcomes.

3. Provide instruction to faculty on developing learning outcomes.

4. Aid faculty in development of valid and reliable assessment instruments aligned to outcomes and provide examples.

7. Provide instruction and best practices on how to present data analysis to administration and faculty as needed to keep all relevant stakeholders well informed.

8. Provide training to faculty and staff on analysis of assessment and accreditation reports and documentation.

9. Provide instruction and best practices on Identifying and collecting data required.

10. Provide instruction and best practices on Assessing collected data and generating reports on key issues.

11. Conduct an audit of current practice and programs and provide a written report with feedback and recommendations for process improvement and identifies any critical issues.

12. Aid in the development of a training and familiarization program for new faculty and staff (8) Track contract funding status to identify excess funds to be deobligated.

13. The contractor shall provide training to faculty on effective assessment strategies and processes.

b. Contractor shall receive technical guidance (for clarification purposes only) in reference to the Duties and Responsibilities that is prescribed in the Statement of Work (SOW) from the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

c. Compensation Payment shall be made within 30 days after receipt of proper invoices.

Qualifications:

1.The contractor shall have prior experience in higher education as a faculty member with academic assessment duties or experience in academic program management.

2. The contractor shall have academic assessment experience at the institutional or programmatic level. Three to five years minimum experience is preferred.

3. The contractor must understand academic accreditation for higher education. Experience in an institution under the Middle States Commission on Higher Education is preferred.

4. The Contractor will certify that s/he possesses the requisite qualifications to provide services as an Academic Assessment Specialist, without further training.

5. The contractor must have experience with some Microsoft Products (i.e., Works, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook E-mail).

6. Must be proficient and articulate in English to communicate effectively with the faculty and staff.

GENERAL INFORMATON-

(a) Personnel in the employ of the Contractor shall, in the operation of motor vehicles, possess a valid State driver's license and registration, and current insurance certificate.

(b) When the Academy is closed for administrative reasons during the workday or work week, the contractor will not be reimbursed for lost hours. CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL WILL BE PAID ONLY FOR ACTUAL HOURS WORKED.

(c) The Contractor will take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to persons and damage to property and equipment. Any damage caused to Academy or tenant’s property or equipment will be the sole responsibility of the Contractor. All damages caused by the Contractor's employees will be repaired or replaced to the satisfaction of the tenant and/or the contracting officer at no additional cost to the Government.

(d) During the following Federal Holiday’s the Academy will be closed for business.

Eight (8) Federal Holiday(s) Total:

NOTE: THE U.S. MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE THIS CONTRACT FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT BEFORE THE COMPLETION DATE.