Social Security Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21207 (FAX # (410) 966-9310 Attn:/Elaine Davis

B -- LITERACY STUDY POC Elaine Davis tel: (410) 965-9591 CNT NONE The Social Security Administration (SSA) is seeking to identify vendors who can provide the following: (1) information on the average literacy levels of a representative cross section of individuals living in the U.S. and/or its territories, who speak Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese or Russian as their primary language. (2) documented research to show how it arrived at the various educational and/or reading level(s) for individuals in any or all of these groups. (SSA understands that educational level does not always coincide with reading level). For education level, the vendor would have to specify whether the individuals were educated in the U.S. or in their native country and whether the individuals were taught in English or in their native language. This research may be from existing studies and/or from studies undertaken for the purposes of this project. SSA wishes to: determine how well individuals in these language groups read and understand the written word in their native language and English; and determine the reading level of materials written in Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese (in one or more dialects) and Russian. The method used may be manual, such as the Gunning Fog or Flesch-Kincaid methods used for materials prepared in English. However, SSA would prefer a computer software program that would electronically apply the method, provide information about the reading level of the text and also point out grammatical errors. SSA is continuously looking for better ways to communicate with its clients, using letter and other written materials to inform clients of decisions affecting their benefits, rights and responsibilities under its programs. SSA currently produces letters in English and Spanish. The letters in English are developed according to established legibility, clarity and readability standards. The standards are based on linguistics research into the average reading level of English-speaking U.S. citizens. SSA would like to develop similar standards for its Spanish letters and because of the growing numbers of Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese and Russian immigrants to U.S., standards for those languages as well, should the need arise. This is a request for vendor information and not a Request for Proposal (RFP). Interested vendors who believe they have the required experience and specific capabilities should submit complete documentation of their experience and capability statement. Responses are to be mailed in sufficient time in order to be received by the 15th calendar day after publication of this notice. (0130)

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