Foreign Service Test Development

The Department of State Office of Acquisition Management is conducting market research for Foreign Service Test Development services through this Pre-Solicitation Notice. The government seeks contractors capable of developing legally and professionally validated written examinations that serve as initial screening instruments for Foreign Service employment across multiple position categories, including Foreign Service Officers, Foreign Service Specialists, and Diplomatic Security personnel. Interested firms must demonstrate proven experience in creating test materials and job analyses for professional assessments, developing testing methodologies related to Foreign Service hiring, and capability to travel domestically and internationally for job analysis and project work. The government is particularly interested in identifying small businesses with these qualifications. Responses must be submitted by email to Ashley Johnson and Maria Anguiano by 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time on April 15, 2026, and must include detailed company profile information such as name, point of contact, UEI, CAGE code, socioeconomic status, and System for Award Management registration status. This notice is for market research purposes only and does not commit the government to award a contract or reimburse response costs.

No set-aside designations have been applied to this opportunity. The Performance Work Statement encompasses eleven Contract Line Items covering test development and administration for various Foreign Service positions, including the Foreign Service Officer Test, Foreign Service Officer Assessment, Consular Fellows Program Test, and multiple specialist assessments. Core deliverables include job analyses, test item development, form assembly meeting statistical and content criteria, content validity studies, psychometric analytics, and post-administration reporting. The contract requires the contractor to provide monthly and yearly progress reports with 99-100% accuracy, conduct biweekly meetings, and maintain comprehensive security measures including chain-of-custody procedures for test materials and zero-tolerance policies for unauthorized disclosures. Personnel requiring access to sensitive test materials must obtain Moderate Risk Public Trust clearance and sign nondisclosure agreements. The notice does not specify an award value, budget range, or estimated contract timeline, as this is a sources sought phase rather than a formal solicitation.