National Institute for Literacy RFP ED-00-R-0052 Amendment 0002 RFP# ED-00-R-0052 is amended to include (1) responses to questions received on or before June 12, 2000 and (2) a list of the Federal Information Processing (FIP) Standards that are applicable to the RFP. Note that the Closing Date of this RFP remains unchanged. Proposals are due to the NIFL by 4 p.m., Tuesday July 18, 2000. RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS RECEIVED: The following questions were received regarding this solicitation. The answers are provided below. Q.1 Who is the incumbent contractor? A. This is a new procurement. There is no incumbent contractor. Q.2 For the current contract, please provide the (a) abstract bids, (b) schedule "B" pricing, (c) annual value of the contract, and (d) bidders list. A. There is no current contract. See below for a list of the individuals and organizations that received a copy of this solicitation. Q.3 How much funding is available for this project over the four year performance period? A. The NIFL anticipates that funding for this project will range from $2.5 to $3.5 million over the four year performance period. However, each bidder is required to submit a detailed cost proposal, so the final determination of the contract's cost will be negotiated. Q.4 Does the government plan to award multiple contracts for this particular procurement? For example, is it possible to bid on specific tasks, rather than the entire RFP? A. No, the government does not plan to award multiple contracts for this procurement. The NIFL anticipates awarding a single contract; offerors must bid on the entire RFP and not just selected tasks. The offeror who is selected will be considered the prime contractor for carrying out National Reading Excellence Initiative (NREI) work. Q. 5 It is unclear whether the sponsor is requesting proposals solely from general contractors who will each address all of the stated tasks with the assistance of their subcontractors and staff, or whether the sponsor invites proposals from smaller organizations that will each address only one or a few of the stated tasks. A. The NIFL is soliciting proposals from all responsible sources, not just general contractors. As explained in the response to the previous questions, offerors must address all the required tasks outlined in the Statement of Work. Proposals from offerors who address only one or a few of the required tasks will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Q.6 How much emphasis will the NIFL place on the prime contractor's actual knowledge of scientifically-based reading research? A. The prime contractor is not required to have expert knowledge of scientifically-based reading research, but must demonstrate that this expertise is represented among the key project personnel. The prime contractor may provide this expertise through a consultant or subcontractor, as well as through its own staff. Q.7 Will the evaluation criteria for the award be evenly based on the expertise of the entire team or will it be heavily weighted on the expertise of the prime contractor? A. NIFL will base its evaluation on the expertise of the entire team, including subcontractors. Q. 8 There appears to be overlap between tasks 5 (working with reading experts to develop materials) and 11 (establish a national network to provide assistance). Is the latter effectively real-time tech support, while the former performs the initial and periodic service to update materials? A. Yes, the technical assistance network will provide "real-time" technical support, but working with experts to develop materials is not limited to the initial and periodic updating of materials. Task 5 requires the Contractor to identify and work with appropriate individuals or organizations with expertise in scientifically-based reading research, if the Contractor does not have the expertise, to select the research studies and related materials that the Contractor will use to develop materials for distribution by the NREI. This task also requires the Contractor to work with subcontractors or other NREI grantees and/or contractors. Task 11 requires the Contractor to identify reading experts who can provide technical support, based on the scientifically-based reading research, for teachers and administrators. NIFL anticipates that some of the materials developed under Task 5 will be used, along with other resources, by the technical assistance network in the on-going support it provides teachers and administrators. Q.9 Though the stated goal (in paragraph 2) is to aid parents, among others, the assistance network to be established in task 11 serves only teachers and administrators. Is it correct that the web site, CDs, materials, etc. should be directed at parents but that the assistance from the network (in task 11) should not? A. The overall aim of NREI is to disseminate information that will be accessible to any user. Parents are considered to be prime users, as are teachers and administrators. However, the technical assistance network's services are targeted to state and local education agency personnel and its services will not be directed to parents. The resources available for the network function were not sufficient to provide for services to all users, and NIFL made the determination that, in support of the REA's emphasis on improving school-based reading instruction, teachers and administrators were the most appropriate recipients of these services. Q.10 There appears to be overlap between tasks 5 (develop materials) and 8 (develop multi-media materials). Please clarify the distinction between these tasks. A. Task 5 emphasizes that the Contractor is expected to provide the necessary expertise to ensure materials selected or developed for the NREI conform to the requirements for scientifically-based research stated in the Reading Excellence Act. The Contractor may provide such expertise from within its own organization or may enter into subcontractual or other arrangements to provide it. In addition, this task requires the Contractor to (1) work cooperatively with other NREI grantees and contractors who are developing materials for dissemination, (2) review all the materials those grantees and subcontractors select or develop for dissemination by the NREI and (3) advise the Project Officer as to whether or not these materials (a) meet the Reading Excellence Act's definition of scientifically-based reading research, and (b) reflect a message about how reading ability is developed that is consistent with all other NREI materials. If the Contractor finds that any materials fall short of meeting the definition or send an inconsistent message, then the Contractor is expected to suggest to the Project Officer the changes that should be made to the documents to remedy the problems. While Task 5 emphasizes the importance of the Contractor's expertise in selecting and developing materials, Task 8 focuses on the development of a specific set of materials -- a self-paced, multi-media instructional program for teachers. Q.11 Please define the term "family literacy providers." Are these at-home schooling providers or social service specialists? A. Family literacy providers are those individuals who plan or administer family literacy services, or who provide instruction as a part of such services. The Reading Excellence Act , in Section 2252 of the Act, defines family literacy services as follows: "The term 'family literacy services' means services provided to participants on a voluntary basis that are of sufficient intensity in terms of hours, and of sufficient duration, to make sustainable changes in a family, and that integrate all of the following activities: (A) Interactive literacy activities between parents and their children. (B) Training for parents regarding how to be the primary teacher for their children and full partners in the education of their children. (B) Parent literacy that leads to self-sufficiency. (C) An age-appropriate education to prepare children for success in school and life experiences." Q.12 What is the distinction between what LINCS provides and what is requested in this RFP? In other words, what new mandate does this program fulfill? A. This program fulfills a new mandate under the Reading Excellence Act of 1998. Section 2258 of the Act requires NIFL to "disseminate information on scientifically-based reading research and information on subgrantee projects under section 2252 or 2256 [of the Reading Excellence Act] that have proven effective." The National Reading Excellence Initiative, the project NIFL has initiated in response to the Reading Excellence Act's mandate, differs from LINCS in that its focus is on providing information to broad variety of audiences about scientifically-based reading research, including research on how young children learn to read. LINCS, another NIFL project, is a comprehensive electronic communication and information system that provides a single point of access for adult literacy resources, including family literacy. The NREI will use LINCS as one of many vehicles for disseminating information about scientifically-based reading research. Q.13 Please provide a list of major grantees and contractors of NIFL. The following list includes grantees and contractors who have received funding over $100,000 from the NIFL within the last two years. Aspen Systems, Inc. Jessup, Maryland Harvard University/National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute for Educational Leadership Washington, D.C. Kent State University Kent, Ohio LAUBACH Literacy International Syracuse, New York Peninsula Library System San Mateo, California Seattle-King City Private Industry Seattle, Washington South Arkansas Educational Service Corporation Monticello, Arkansas University of Maine Orono, Maine University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee Validity Corporation Largo, Maryland World Education, Inc. Boston, Massachusetts Q.14 As you know, the Reading Excellence Act intended strong relationships with literacy partners like WETA. Specifically, the statute in Section 15107 (b) (1) reads: "NIFL shall use to the extent practicable, information networks developed and maintained through other public and private persons, including the Secretary, the National Center for Family Literacy, and the Reading Program." However, the recently-issued RFP does not make mention of this commitment. How does NIFL plan to work with the aforementioned agencies in the implementation of the grant program? A. While the draft statement of work, issued for public comment, did not mentions this commitment, the revised Statement of Work, which is included in the recently-issued RFP includes a reference to this commitment. In an analysis requested by NIFL, the Office of the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Education found that the statutory language cited in this question did not provide NIFL with the authority to sole source funds to these organizations. However, the NIFL recognizes the expertise of these organizations and the importance of their information networks to the success of the NREI. Therefore, NIFL plans to work closely with the organizations specifically mentioned in the law--the National Center for Family Literacy and WETA, the sponsor of Readline (now called Reading Rockets) to implement the its dissemination activities by (1) using the information networks of these organizations, (2) working cooperatively with them to plan NREI, and (3) including materials they have produced among the materials we disseminate. Q.15 Do you agree that there are significant benefits to the program by working with a successful and established media organization which is already in a position to launch a multi-media project on scientifically-based approaches to reading instruction? If so, do you foresee a longstanding partnership with such an organization in delivering a literacy program nationwide? A. Yes, working with such an organization could significantly benefit implementation of the National Reading Excellence Initiative. Over the past year, the NREI staff have begun laying the foundation for this effort by identifying and establishing working partnerships with such organizations, key early literacy organizations and other organizations with information networks serving members of the NREI target audiences. The NIFL plans these partnerships--and those it will form with other such organizations in the future--to be longstanding partnerships. We also hope that organizations with successful and established capabilities related to accomplishing the goals of the NREI will submit a proposal either as prime contractor or as a subcontrator working with a prime contractor. Q.16 How do you plan to avoid duplication of effort and make use of pre-existing networks to disseminate research-based information on reading? A. To the greatest extent possible, the NREI will use existing information networks to disseminate information. This will be accomplished, in part, by making use of partnerships with other organizations that serve members of the NREI target audiences. In addition, the NIFL will seek to prevent duplication of effort by involving representatives of these organizations in NREI planning activities and by establishing and maintaining strong lines of communications to facilitate an on-going exchange of information about dissemination activities. The NIFL emphasized the importance of preventing duplication of existing efforts by placing specific requirements in the Statement of Work issued as part of this RFP. In that Statement of Work, the NIFL directs the Contractor to "incorporate existing information networks that serve members of the NREI target audience into the NREI dissemination system." The Statement of Work also directs the Contractor to " first identify appropriate scientifically-based reading research and related materials; development of new materials may be undertaken only to fill an information gap or ensure that information in existing scientific materials is translated into language and formats accessible to those without scientific training who will use or are interested in the information." These requirements are included as a strategy to prevent duplication of effort. List of Organizations and Individuals Receiving Solicitation (in response to Question #2.) American Institutes for Research Greta Dietrich Colombi, Research Associate Appalachia Educational Laboratory, Inc. Dr. Pamela K. Buckley, Director Aspen Systems Beverly Swanson Beth Ann Bryan Brandes Associates Inc. Marc Espitia, Senior Systems Engineer C2 Multimedia, Inc. Nick Wulfekuhle Computer Frontiers, Inc. Sheryl Warner, Information Contracts Manager Cosmos Corporation Charles A. Mays, Office Manager Council of Chief State School Officers Kimberly Campbell CRMC/NICHD/NIH Child Development and Behavior Branch Peggy McCardle, Ph.D., MPH CRMC/NICHD/NIH Child Development and Behavior Branch Reid Lyon, Ph.D. Development Associates Inc. Judy Annis Domain Technologies Ed Firth, Government Account Manager Dr. Patricia M. Marin Education Development Center Inc. Wende Allen, Director Educational Services, Inc. Paul Rickett Educational Testing Service Dr. Trudy Hensley, Director Federal KPMG Consulting LLC Business Development Gail L. Kondo, Information Specialist Government Contract Services Victor Diaz Hammond Glandon & Associates, Inc. Alicia Flannery Harvard Graduuate School of Education Catherine Snow Horizon Consulting Services Hans K. Meeder IBT Federal, Inc. Joanna Wright, President Institute for Educational Leadership Michael D. Usdan, President Ivy Planning Group Janet Smith Learning First Alliance Judy Wurtzel Learning Technology Center Diana Sharp, Ph.D. Director, Young Children's Literacy Project Learning Technology Center Dr. John Bransford, Co-Director Loose Ends Katie Baird Los Angeles County Office of Education Dr. Henry Mothner, Director Macro International Inc. Janet A. Hoch, Marketing Support Director Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc. Attn: Michael W. Platt, Technical Director Massachusetts Corporation for Educational Telecommunications Cardie Texter National Center For Family Literacy Sharon Darling National Center for Learning Disabilities Dr. Sheldon H. Horowitz Director Professional Services National Center for Learning Disabilities James H. Wendorf, Executive Director National Center on Adult Literacy University of Pennsylvania John Sabatini, Ph.D. National Research Council Dr. Alexandra Wigdor, Deputy Director New Mexico Highlands University Dr. Paul Martinez, Director New York Technical Assistance Center Dr. LaMar P. Miller, Director NICHD Early Interventions Project Louisa Moats, EdD Project Director Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory Carlos Sundermann, Director Pacific Resources for Education and Learning Dr. Thomas W. Barlow, Director Pathlore Corporation Brian Doegen RMC Research Corporation Christine Dwyer Rutgers University Graduate School of Education Dorothy Strickland South East Regional Resource Center Dr. Bill Buell, Director Southwest Educational Development Laboratory Dr. Hai T. Tran, Director STAR Center Dr. Shelley Billig, Director Texas Center for Reading and Language Arts Margaret Freedson Gonzalez The George Washinton University, Center for Equity and Excellence in Education Dr. Charlene Rivera, Director The Sable Group, Inc. Namon Lewis, President and CEO Time Warner, Inc. Randall Lane Director of Minority and Women Business Development University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism Mike Cuenca, Assistant Professor of Visual Communications University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning Don Deshler University of Michigan School of Education Annemarie S. Palinscar University of Oklahoma Dr. Belinda Biscoe, Director University of Oregon Douglas Carnine, Professor of Education University of Wisconsin - Madison Dr. Walter Secada, Director Victoria J. Risko, ED.D. Professor, Language and Literacy Vinita Chhabra, MEd Research Assistant National Reading Panel Waterford Institute Jennifer Hardin, Director of Development We Can Help Darcel Harris Westat, Inc. Dee Schofield, Marketing Coordinator WestEd Celina Alvarez, Resource Development Coordinator WestEd Dr. Beverly Farr, Director WETA Noel C.R. Gunther Vice President, Program Production THE FOLLOWING FIPS ARE APPLICABLE TO RFP# ED-00-R-0052 -- FIPS 6-4, Counties and Equivalent Entities of the United States, Its Possessions and Associated Areas -- FIPS 8-6, Metropolitan Areas (Including MSAs, CMSAs, PMSAs, and NECMAs) -- FIPS 9-1, Congressional Districts of the United States -- FIPS 10-4, Countries, Dependencies, Areas of Special Sovereignty, and their Principal Administrative Divisions -- FIPS 48, Guidelines on Evaluation of Techniques for Automated Personal Identification. -- FIPS 83, Guideline on User Authentication Techniques for Computer Network Access Control -- FIPS 112, Password Usage -- FIPS 127-2, Database Language SQL -- FIPS 192, Application Profile for the Government Information Locator Service (GILS)