Preparing Adult English Language Learners for Rigorous College and Career Readiness Standards

The purpose of this Amendment to the Solicitation Notice for ED-VAE-15-R-0033 is to formally issue Amendment 0001 which includes the questions received by interested parties and the Department's responses.

This Amendment 0001 does NOT extend the submission date for proposals, which remains 11:00 a.m., July 13, 2015. 

The purpose of this Modification to this FBO Notice is to formally issue Solicitation ED-VAE-15-R-0033 for Preparing Adult English Language Learners for Rigorous College and Career Readiness Standards.

Questions regarding the Solicitation are due no later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, June 24, 2015.  Questions must be submitted electronically to Heather Watroba at heather.watroba@ed.gov, with copy to Stephen (Steve) Scheffer at stephen.scheffer@ed.gov.

Responses to the Solicitation must be sent in sufficient time to be fully received no later than 11:00 a.m. July 13, 2015.  Responses to the Solicitation must be submitted electronically to Heather Watroba at heather.watroba@ed.gov, with copy to Stephen (Steve) Scheffer at stephen.scheffer@ed.gov.

Interested parties are reminded that the Department is not able to receive any transmissions that exceed 20 MB.  If the size of your response to the Solicitation is larger than 20 MB, you must submit your response in multiple transmissions.  If this is necessary, you must include the Solicitation Number in the Subject Line and indicate the sequence of the transmission (e.g., 1 of 3, 2 of 3, 3 of 3).

This amendment corrects the NAICS code from 541611 - Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services to 611710 - Educational Support Services.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department), Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education (OCTAE), anticipates the release of the subject solicitation via the Federal Business Opportunities website (www.fbo.gov) on or about June 17, 2015.  It is determined that these services are commercial as defined in FAR 2.101.

This procurement will be competed in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 15 (Contracting by Negotiation). A 36-month firm fixed price contract, with one twelve (12) month base period, and two twelve (12) month option periods is planned.  Once the solicitation is released, all responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency.  Award is expected to be made no later than September 30, 2015. 

This pre-solicitation notice is related to sources sought notice TAEP150014AP.  Please refer to this notice to learn more about this procurement.

Description:

This contract will enhance and support the work of the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE). It will help ensure that adult English language learners (ELLs) are supported within instructional settings and services that are based on rigorous academic content standards.  Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) the term “English language acquisition (ELA) program” means a program of instruction—

(A) designed to help eligible individuals who are English language learners achieve  competence in reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension of the English language;              and

(B)  that leads to—

               (i)(I) attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent; and

               (II) transition to postsecondary education and training; or

               (ii) employment.   

Preparing Adult ELLs for Rigorous CCR Standards will produce new resources to improve instructional services provided to adult students who are ELLs.  In consultation with appropriate experts and groups, the contractor shall meet the following objectives:

1. 
   
2. Manage the project to ensure accountability and successful outcomes;
   

1. 
   
2. Identify CCR-aligned ELP standards for AE to help promote high levels of content and language learning among adult ELLs;
   
3. Review the CCR-aligned ELP Standards for AE and the NRS accountability framework for ESL to determine the extent to which they are aligned;
   
4. Revise the NRS EFL descriptors for English as a Second language (ESL);
   
5. Develop virtual training activities to help states and programs improve the CCR-alignment of their ELP standards and ELA resources; and
   
6. Disseminate project resources to improve ELLs access to CCR-aligned standards and resources.
   

Pub. L. 113-128, July 2014, Title II, Sec. 203(6).