U.S. Department of Education
RFP ED-99-R-0040
Date Signed:	September 20, 1999

The purpose of this Amendment is to give responses to the bidder's
questions/clarifications for  RFP ED-99-R-0040, "Special Education
Elementary Longitudinal Study"


1. There is an apparent discrepancy between the RFP statement of the age
cohorts included in the  sample (ages 8 through 12) and the SEELS design
documents that are available on the Web (ages 6  through 12).  Please
clarify the age cohorts of students to be included in the SEELS sample.

The age cohorts included in the sample should read "ages 6 (six) through 12
(twelve)".

2. The Evaluation Criteria (RFP page 73, section M) include reference to
evaluating the technical  approach in part on the basis of plans for
development of a special education finance center and  conducting an
expenditure study.  These topics do not seem relevant to SEELS.  Please
clarify.

The Technical Approach under Evaluation Criteria should read:  "The proposal
presents a fully described technical approach to comply with each
task in the scope of work and all of the considerations set forth in
the "Statement of Work" of the RFP.  The proposal is practical and
provides specific plans and strategies for (1) minimizing sample
attrition over time; (2) collecting, analyzing, and reporting data from the 
longitudinal study; and (3) informing decision makers to enhance
outcomes for students with disabilities.  The proposal reflects a
clear understanding of (1) factors related to special education
services delivery and (2) factors related to academic growth patterns
for students with disabilities.  The proposal addresses any difficulties to 
achieving the activities under each task.  The proposal presents a
strong plan for conducting and applying research.  The proposal
demonstrates a thorough understanding of the legislation and the
issues involved."


3. Please clarify the nature of the reports that constitute deliverables for
tasks 5, 6, 7, 9, 10,  11, 14, 15, and 16.  These reports are variously
described as frequencies, crosstabulations, and score  distributions.  Does
OSEP envision these reports to be:

a. Simple computer printout of these statistics, for internal OSEP use only;

b. Printed reports of tables containing these statistics without text,
similar to the statistical almanacs  produced from the National Longitudinal
Transition Study, or;

c. Substantive text reports that provide context and interpretation with a
focus on these statistics:   If OSEP envisions option c, full substantive
reports, how do these differ from the overview reports called  for in tasks
8, 13, and 17?

Reports in tasks 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, and 16 are for internal
OSEP use only.  They shall include computer-generated tables with
text only as necessary to facilitate interpretation of the tables.

								
4. Section L.14.(b), Page 65, states that the business proposal
should include "salaries of proposed key personnel."  Individual salary
information is considered highly proprietary and confidential internally as
well as externally.  Rather than include this information within the
business proposal, which is widely distributed internally, we propose 
including this information as an attachment to the proposal cover letter
only.  Please advise if this will be acceptable.

It is acceptable to include salary information in a sealed envelope as
an attachment to the proposal cover letter only.


5. Section L.15.(c)(2)(iii), Page 66, requires that a statement be made by
the bidder that the Contractor is in "agreement to furnish any of all items
upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item."  Such a
statement could imply agreeing to a "fixed-price" amount, however, the
remainder of the RFP requests "estimated costs" for budget purposes and
implies a cost-reimbursement type award will be made.  Please clarify.

The statement is not meant to imply agreement to a "fixed-price"
amount; a cost-reimbursement type award will be made.


6. Section B.2.(c), Pages 3-4, implies that only up to 90% of the fee
withhold will be reimbursed following contract completion  and submission
and settlement of final indirect cost rate proposals.  Please clarify what
happens to the remaining 10% of the  total fee withhold.

The full 100% will be paid after completion of all terms of the
contract have concluded.