National Institute of Standards and Technology, Acquisition & Assistance Division, Building 301, Room B117, Gaithersburg, MD

A -- IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY SOL 52SBNT7C1049 DUE 013097 POC Marsha Rodgers (301)975-6398 The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has a requirement from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to procure services to conduct a study that consists of a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the grants funded during the first two years of the Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program (TIIAP). The study will also develop a mechanism for ongoing data collection and evaluation of TIIAP. Established under P.L. 103-317 as part of the Administration's National Information Infrastructure (NII) initiative, TIIAP is a competitive matching grant program which promotes the widespread and efficient use of advanced telecommunications services in the public and non-profit sectors to serve America's communities. The study will enable NTIA to examine its efforts in meeting program objectives and to prepare to accept and apply the results of ongoing, systematic evaluation of the program and the projects it supports. The objectives of the study are to gain the following: (1) an assessment of short term impacts of the 210 projects that have been funded by TIIAP in its first two years; (2) an examination of the potential for long-term impacts, including spillover effects to other communities, of the projects; (3) the development of a structured reporting system that will enable the program to collect relevant data and conduct ongoing analysis of the projects and their impacts; (4) an understanding of the current reach of the program, through profiling and analysis of the organizations that request application materials, the organizations that submit applications, and the organizations that are awarded grants; (5) the development of an ongoing feedback loop of valuable information that will assist the program's management in refining the program's policies and strategies; and (6) an increased understanding of the methods that can be used to evaluate the broad range of projects that the program supports. -- The period of performance for the base contract shall be nine months from date of award. The contract shall contain four one-year option periods to extend the study for an assessment of the grants funded in FY 1996-1999 and related evaluation activities. -- F.O.B. Destination, Washington, D. C. -- Offeror's responses shall demonstrate that the team of personnel involved in the design, testing and implementation of this study have demonstrated past performance and knowledge of the following subjects: (1) program evaluation, (2) evaluation of information infracture projects, with particular emphasis on productivity and organizational change, and (3) public and non-profit sector organizations and services, (4) development and execution of survey instruments, (5) case study analysis, and (6) statistical analysis. In addition, the contractor and/or proposed subcontractors shall have the organizational capacity to complete the scope of work within the specified time frame. Responses shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bonafide capability to fulfill the requirements. -- All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency. Please request copies of the solicitation in writing by fax number (301)963-7732 or email contracts@nist.gov. See Numbered Note 26. (0348)

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