Request for Proposals 91995920R0004: Studies to Review and Revise National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Achievement Level Descriptions (ALDS) For Mathematics, Reading, and Other Subjects

Background: The National Assessment Governing Board (hereafter referred to as Governing Board) has a requirement for Studies to Review and Revise National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Achievement Level Descriptions (ALDS) For Mathematics, Reading and Other Subjects, pursuant to its legislatively mandated responsibilities in Public Law 107-279. The Governing Board is an independent, bipartisan organization that sets policy for NAEP, commonly known as The Nation's Report Card. The 26 members of the Governing Board include governors, state legislators, state and local school officials, educators, researchers, business representatives, and members of the general public, who are appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The Governing Board's policy roles align with the purpose of NAEP, which is to provide fair and accurate measurement of student academic achievement. Since its creation by Congress in 1988, the Governing Board has overseen and set policy for NAEP by identifying subjects to be tested, determining and approving the assessment content, setting achievement levels for each assessment (i.e., Basic, Proficient, and Advanced), improving the reporting of results, and planning and executing initial releases of NAEP Report Cards. NAEP makes objective information on student performance available to policymakers and the public for the nation, states, and the 27 local school districts in the NAEP Trial Urban District Assessment. Requirements: The NAEP achievement levels for reading (grades 4, 8, and 12) and mathematics (grades 4 and 8) were set approximately 25 years ago, based on the 1990/1992 assessments (the mathematics grade 12 achievement levels were reset based on the 2005 assessment). The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine conducted an evaluation of the NAEP achievement levels and issued a report in November 2016. The report made a number of recommendations, one of which that the Governing Board review, and possibly revise, the Achievement Level Descriptions in reading and mathematics at all three grades. The planned work is being conducted pursuant to this recommendation. Request for Proposals: This Request for Proposals is being issued under full and open competition. A subcontracting plan is required if offerors are large businesses. Proposals are due by 2:00 pm ET on Monday, August 17, 2020. The Department will accept clarification questions from potential offerors. Clarification questions are due no later than 10:00 am ET Friday, July 17, 2020. Please submit clarification questions via email only to the points of contact listed. Detailed instructions can be found in Attachment C. **July 20, 2020: Amendment 0001 - Responses to Clarification Questions has been posted to this solicitation** **August 4, 2020: Amendment 0002 - Resource Information has been posted to this solicitation** **August 12, 2020: Amendment 0003 - Revised Instructions has been posted to this solicitation** The contract award is projected to be made prior to September 25, 2020. The contract period of performance is 2 years -- 12 months for the base period, with an additional option period of 12 months.