The National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) 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 policy makers 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 for more than three decades. 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 at www.nagb.org. The Governing Board has important congressional mandates to set policy for the NAEP and to take appropriate actions that improve the form, content, use, and reporting of assessment results, plan and execute the initial public release of NAEP reports. A key component in providing feedback on the Governing Board's work and disseminating NAEP is through expanded outreach activities with targeted audiences across the nation. As increased attention is drawn to the NAEP, particularly with the Common Core State Standards, it is important to encourage and expand the involvement of state policymakers and educators in providing information and input to the Governing Board in executing its congressionally mandated responsibilities. Since September 2007, the Governing Board has partnered with the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) to establish a jointly sponsored Task Force. The Governing Board/CCSSO Policy Task Force provides advisory and support services. The Task Force is charged with providing feedback from states including recommendations to the National Assessment Governing Board on policy areas and projects related to the NAEP. The goal of this collaboration is to seek state input and feedback that informs the Governing Board's policy setting work in specific areas. Therefore, the Task Force is comprised of 12 high-level state education agency leaders including 1 chief state school officer, 8 members who are either deputy or assistant superintendents, and 3 public information officers. This wide cross section of perspectives vested in education will help shape careful and extensive deliberations on many NAGB/NAEP policy areas. The Task Force conducts its work through webinars and in-person meetings. The work and partnership are facilitated by a purchase order each fiscal year. The Task Force provides regular reports to the Governing Board, which are available to the public via meeting transcripts of the Governing Board's quarterly meetings. In each fiscal year, two in-person meetings and four webinars shall be convened. Topics to be discussed by the Task Force include reporting approaches for the 2012 and 2013 NAEP reports, 12th grade preparedness research and reporting issues, achievement level setting, testing students with disabilities and English language learners, subjects assessed by NAEP including their value to states, and NAEP's role in the era of the Common Core State Standards and assessments. In addition, one Task Force member shall attend each of the Governing Board's quarterly meetings as an observer to share and promote communication between the Governing Board and the Task Force. In accordance with FAR Subpart 6.3 - Other Than Full and Open Competition, and under the provisions of FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source - the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) - has the unique membership of Chief State School Officers and state policymakers who have the knowledge and ability to provide state perspectives and outreach services representing all 50 states. This coordination among all 50 states and the federal government is essential for making informed policy decisions related to The Nation's Report Card and for carrying out the Board's congressionally-mandated responsibilities. The National Assessment Governing Board intends to award a sole source contract to the CCSSO in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 13 -- Simplified Acquisitions, under the authority of FAR Subpart 6.302-1(a)(2) as only one responsible source can provide the required services. Organizations and persons may identify their interest in and capability to respond to the requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; a solicitation will not be issued. However, all capability statements received by March 19, 2012 will be considered by the Governing Board in developing the proposed acquisition strategy. Questions or suggestions received before March 9, 2012 will have written responses posted via www.fedbizopps.gov. Please submit written questions or comments to
[email protected].