Background The National Assessment Governing Board (hereafter referred to as Governing Board) is an independent, bipartisan Board that sets policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), commonly known as The Nation's Report Card. NAEP makes objective information on student performance available to policymakers and the public at the national, state, and local levels. It has served an important role in evaluating the condition and progress of American education. Created by Congress in 1988, the Governing Board is made up of 26 members, including governors, state legislators, local and state school officials, educators and researchers, business representatives, and members of the general public. More information on the Governing Board and its work is available at www.nagb.gov. NAEP 12th Grade Preparedness Research For the past decade the National Assessment Governing Board has been working to strengthen the 12th grade National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and study its potential for use as an indicator of whether students are academically prepared for education and job training opportunities after high school. One of the five preparedness research areas involves content comparisons and alignment between NAEP and widely used examinations for college admissions, post-secondary course placement, and workplace skills. The content comparison or alignment studies compare NAEP to other relevant assessments, such as those that measure academic preparedness for college and job-related skills. These serve as the foundation for most of the Board's preparedness research, especially for the statistical relationship studies, which link NAEP to other tests and data. The content comparisons provide a basis for statements about what NAEP scores may indicate about the knowledge and skills that represent academic preparedness for freshman college coursework or job training programs. More information on this work can be found at http://www.nagb.gov/what-we-do/preparedness-research/types-of-research/content-alignment.html Requirements The Governing Board is seeking a contractor to conduct content alignment studies for the Grade 8 NAEP in reading and in mathematics with the EXPLORE in these subjects. The purpose of content alignment studies is to evaluate the extent to which the grade 8 NAEP is aligned in content and complexity with the comparable subject tests, i.e., reading and mathematics, in the EXPLORE, administered by ACT. The content alignment studies will inform interpretations from statistical linking studies of NAEP and EXPLORE in grade 8 reading and mathematics, currently underway. A total of two alignment studies will be implemented: one for reading and one for mathematics. A content alignment design based on Webb methodology will be utilized to guide development and implementation of the procedure, and that design is to be used for developing the proposal and for implementing the studies. This design is available on the Governing Board website at: http://www.nagb.org/content/nagb/assets/documents/what-we-do/preparedness-research/content-alignment/assessment-content-comparison-methodology-for-alignment-studies.pdf. Request for Proposals The Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued under full and open competition, no later than 30 days from this notice. Proposals will be due approximately 45 days after the RFP is released. The award is anticipated to be a hybrid type contract with labor costs awarded on a Firm Fixed Price Basis and Other Direct Costs awarded on a cost reimbursement basis. Certified Cost and Pricing data will be required for RFP submissions. The work will require close coordination with ACT, NCES/NAEP, and NAGB staff. The period of performance is anticipated to be approximately 12 months. This is a new procurement; there is no incumbent. The contract award is projected to be made prior to September 30, 2014. All responsible sources are encouraged to respond to this notice, provide capability statements (not exceeding 2 pages), and submit feedback on the proposed solicitation. All timely responses received shall be considered by the Governing Board. Information on the Governing Board's 12th Grade Preparedness Research work can be found at http://www.nagb.gov/what-we-do/preparedness-research.html . Questions and comments on this notice may be submitted via email to the Contracting Officer no later than Friday, June 6, 10:00 a.m. EST at
[email protected]. Responses will be posted approximately five working days after receipt.