Council of Chief State School Officers Task Force

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE

Description

The National Assessment Governing Board intends to award a sole source contract to the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) in accordance with the authority of 41 United States Code (U.S.C.) 253(c)(1) as set forth in FAR Subpart 6.302-1(a)(2) "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements."

The membership of the Council of Chief State School Officers provides unique state perspectives on education matters, which is essential for informing the Governing Board's work. CCSSO membership includes Chief State School Officers and state education policymakers who have the knowledge and ability to provide state perspectives and outreach services representing all 50 states. This coordination among all 50 states and the federal government is essential for making informed policy decisions related to The Nation's Report Card and for carrying out the Board's congressionally-mandated responsibilities under the requirements of Public Law 107-279. More information on the work of the National Assessment Governing Board can be found at www.nagb.gov.

This notice is being posted under the requirements of FAR Subpart 6.3 - Other Than Full and Open Competition. This notice is not a request for competitive proposals. A formal solicitation will not be issued. The procurement will be awarded as a simplified acquisition in or around December 2016. The contract period of performance will include a base year as well as 2 option years, for a maximum duration of 36 months.

Background

The National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB or Governing Board) has a congressional mandate to set policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)-also known as The Nation's Report Card- and to take appropriate actions that improve the form, content, use, and reporting of assessment results. The Governing Board also has responsibility to plan and execute the initial public release of NAEP reports. A key component in providing feedback on the Governing Board's work and disseminating NAEP is through expanded outreach activities with targeted audiences across the nation. As increased attention is drawn to NAEP, it is important to encourage and expand the involvement of state policymakers and educators in providing information and input to the Governing Board in executing its congressionally mandated responsibilities. As a continuing component of its policy making and outreach activities, the Governing Board seeks input from state stakeholders who are keenly interested in NAEP.

Task Force History and Collaboration

Since September 2007, the Governing Board has been working collaboratively with the Task Force, composed of high-level state education agency staff. The joint work involves discussions of current issues, policy decisions, and outreach mechanisms. The goal of this collaboration is to seek continuing state input and feedback to inform the Governing Board's policy setting work in specific areas.

Discussion topics addressed to date include NAEP reporting, inclusion and accommodations; NAEP assessment schedule; Grade 12 NAEP; NAEP reading trend line; NAEP contextual questions; Common Core State Standards; misuse and misinterpretation of NAEP data; international benchmarking; digital-based assessment; testing time; research with NAEP data; and several Board initiatives for NAEP. More information on the history and work of the Task Force can be found at https://www.nagb.org/what-we-do/outreach/ccsso.html.

The Task Force conducts its work through webinars and in-person meetings. A Task Force member attends each quarterly meeting of the Governing Board and provides routine reports on the Task Force's ongoing work. Project activities of the Task Force are available to the public via the Board's website and meeting transcripts of the Governing Board's quarterly meetings, which include an annual briefing for the Board delivered by the Task Force chair.

Topics to be discussed by the Task Force include release activities for 2017 NAEP reports, follow-up on previously discussed topics, as well as a variety of policy issues and activities from the Governing Board's new Strategic Vision. In addition, one Task Force member shall attend each of the Governing Board's quarterly meetings as an observer or presenter to promote communication between the Governing Board and the Task Force.

Opportunity for Comment and Capability Statements

Organizations and persons may identify their interest in and capability to respond to the requirement. Please submit capability statements to anthony.r.white@ed.gov by November 29, 2016. Responses received will be posted via www.fbo.gov. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government.