To provide a report on relationships between arts education and academic, social, and labor market outcomes as identified through the analysis of a series of Federal longitudinal datasets.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) intends to issue a sole source commercial item purchase order, using FAR Part 13.105(b) Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR 5.101(a)(2), with only one responsible source that will satisfy the agency's requirement based on major data already collected and made available to James S. Catterall, to provide a report on relationships between arts education and academic, social, and labor market outcomes as identified through the analysis of a series of Federal longitudinal datasets.  These datasets, which are made available by other Federal agencies, provide high-quality, nationally representative, longitudinal data without the considerable cost of collecting the data.  This report supports a mission-critical goal of the NEA's strategic plan:  "To promote public knowledge and understanding about the contributions to the arts."  The creation and distribution of a brochure that presents longitudinal findings on the impact of arts education on youth is aligned with the NEA outcome, "evidence of the value and impact of the arts is expanded and promoted."  The NEA, Office of Research and Analysis requires this Contractor for its foundational work previously conducted and on specialized knowledge he previously obtained in his 2009 book, Doing Well and Doing Good by Doing Art.  In this publication, Catterall analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Education's National Educational Longitudinal Survey (NELS:88), a study of some 25,000 secondary school students over twelve years, and found significant connections between high involvement in arts learning and general academic success as well as pro-social outcomes.  This study provided important empirical evidence of the significant role that the arts play in preparing young people for success, both in academia and in life.  The incorporation of his existing research into this report is very essential.  It is imperative that this Contractor's expertise be available to the Agency as soon as possible.  This notice is for informational purposes only.  This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes or proposals nor will a formal solicitation be issued.  Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement.  A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract action based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.