Foreign Service Test Administration

The Department of State Office of Acquisition Management is conducting market research to identify potential contractors capable of providing Foreign Service Test Administration Services. This sources sought notice seeks to determine the appropriate acquisition method and whether a small business set-aside is possible for managing testing operations across 225+ domestic test centers and international locations at U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Key requirements include developing and maintaining secure computer-based testing systems for approximately 10,000-15,000 candidates annually, managing web-based registration and scheduling platforms, administering the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) four times per year, and providing online proctoring capabilities via cloud-based delivery. The contractor must maintain full compliance with Section 508 accessibility standards, FISMA security requirements, FedRAMP certification, and Department of State privacy regulations, while delivering 99-100% accuracy on reports and completing test data delivery within 2-3 days of test conclusion. Interested firms must submit responses by 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time on April 10, 2026, via email to Ashley Johnson and Maria Anguiano, including a capability statement, company profile questionnaire, and documentation of socioeconomic status and business registration information.

This pre-solicitation notice does not utilize any set-aside designations, meaning all firms are eligible to compete regardless of small business status. No incumbent contractor or current service provider is identified in the market research documents. The notice does not specify a contract value or budget range, though the performance work statement indicates a hybrid Firm Fixed Price and Time and Materials contract structure with a base period from June 10, 2026 to June 9, 2027, followed by four one-year option periods. The contractor will administer testing for approximately 10,000-15,000 Foreign Service candidates annually and manage multiple testing programs including the FSOT, Specialist Tests, Consular Fellows Program Test, Diplomatic Technology Officer Test, and Case Management Exercises. Performance monitoring will include monthly progress reports, biweekly meetings, and yearly site visits by the Contracting Officer's Representative.