U.S. Department of State, Office of Acquisition, P.O. Box, 9115, Rosslyn Station, Arlington, VA 22219-0244

R -- CONCEPT PAPER TO DESCRIBE FUTURE EVALUATION & SELECTION FSO DUE 021496 POC Royce Fichte, (703) 875-7219, Stephen Eisenbraun (703) ; 875-4649, or Sally Allen, Contracting Officer, (703) 875-6020 This is a Request for Information (RFI). The Foreign Service of the Department of State seeks, within sixty days, concept papers to describe how the Foreign Service might conduct future evaluation and selection of those interested in the career of Foreign Service Officers. Purpose of the evaluation process is to identify individuals possessing the knowledge, skills, abilities and personal characteristics necessary to work successfully abroad and in the United States to further the goals of U.S. foreign policy. The traditional division of job responsibility within the Foreign Service includes officers functioning in political, economic, administrative, consular and cultural/press responsibilities. Any proposed new selection process must be cost efficient and capable of identifying a diverse pool of talented individuals capabale of assuming responsibility in any of the five functions after training. For illustrative purposes only, at the present time both a written examination and oral assessment, based on an existing job analysis, are used in the selection process. The written examination is given annually to some 12,000 to 15,000 individuals who must be U.S. citizens between the ages of 20 and 59. The written exam is administered simultaneously at numerous locations within the U.S. and by prior registration at U.S. missions abroad. A day-long oral assessment is given at various locations within the U.S. and in Washington to about 25,000 who pass the written exam. The percentage of those who pass the oral assessment is presently about 8 percent. Those who pass both the written and oral portions of the selection process must also pass a physical exam and complete a security clearance before being placed on a list of those eligible for employment. Anticipated employment of Foreign Service Officers may be around one hundred individuals annually. Those submitting concept papers should not be unduly influenced by the process currently used to select Foreign Service Officers. The POC's identified in this announcement are availale for further discussion. The Government does not intent to issue a solicitation or award a contract as a result of this announcement. Additionally, the Government will not pay for information or reimburse expenses incurred by respondents for responses to this announcement. (0348)

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