National Science Foundation, Division of Contracts, Policy and Oversight, Contracts Branch, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 475, Arlington, VA 22230

R -- IMPLEMENTATION OF CONCEPTUAL AND OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR MODEL INSTITUTIONS FOR EXCELLENCE (MIE) PROGRAM EVALUATION DESIGN SOL CBD-SS-97-008 POC Philip M. King, (703)306-1246/fax, (703)306-0280 E-MAIL: Click here to contact the NSF point-of-contact via email., pking@nsf.gov. This notice announces the intent of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to solicit and negotiate with only one source the requirement described herein under the authority of FAR 6.302. See Note 22. This is not a request for competitive proposals. There is no solicitation document. The NSF has a requirement for the continuation of the Implementation of Conceptual and Operational Framework for Model Institutions for Excellence (MIE) Program Evaluation Design. NSF expects that the effort will consist of two distinct activities, running concurrently: (1) continuing consultation with awardee institutions to ensure effective implementation of the Model Institutions for Excellence Self-Evaluation Template (MSET) tracking/monitoring system; and (2) annual assistance to NSF in the analysis of the MSET data. The MSET data will be used by the MIE institutions, NSF, and NASA to determine the progress of each MIE institution and the MIE program. MIE institutions have the option of selectively disseminating MSET data to organizations or individual who can may wish to replicate, or contribute to, their success. The MSET was developed by Systemic Research, Inc. (SRI) under a subcontract under NSF Contract No. MIE-9452818 with the McKenzie Group of Washington, DC. This contract was awarded under full-and-open competitive procedures. SRI has almost two years of irreplaceable experience working with the MIE institutions in implementing the MSET, and integrating the MSET into institution-wide monitoring and evaluation systems. The MSET is a complex, although non-proprietary, computer-based system for monitoring the many factors related to institutional SEM progress. The MIE institutions have made significant investments in implementing MSET, investments that preclude adoption of another monitoring and evaluation system. SRI is the only source that can provide the required services on a timely basis because of its unique experience and knowledge gained in developing the MSET and having forged relationships with the MIE institutions which are critical to the ongoing development and evaluation of the MIE program. The introduction of any other organization would cause unacceptable confusion and duplication of effort, which would jeopardize the MIE evaluation effort. The following is additional information about the MIE Program. The NSF and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have awarded six (6) cooperative agreements to selected institutions (Bowie State University, Oglala Lakota College, Spelman College, Universidad Metropolitana, University of Texas at El Paso, and Xavier University of Louisiana) to become Model Institutions for Excellence. The objective of the MIE Program is to strengthen the Natural, Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences, Computer Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics (SEM) baccalaureate degree producing capacity of Bowie State University (BSU), Oglala Lakota College (OLC), Spelman College (SC), Universidad Metropolitana (UMET), University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), and Xavier University of Louisiana (XU). In 1995, these MIE institutions received MIE implementation cooperative agreement awards (at a level of up to $2,500,000 a year) from the National Science Foundation (OLC, UMET, UTEP, and XU) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (BSU, and SC). MIE implementation awards have a maximum duration of eleven (11) years of Federal funding. Supported projects receive continuing impact monitoring and evaluation. Baseline data has been collected on the institution's success over the past five years 1989-1993) in awarding SEM baccalaureate degrees. Information is specific and includes the number of baccalaureate degrees awarded, by discipline, in all science, engineering, and mathematics (SEM) disciplines, and particularly in the natural, behavioral, and social sciences, computer sciences, engineering and mathematics disciplines at the institution, and the number of degree recipients who went on to enter SEM graduate programs. Projects have established anticipated annual increases in the numbers of baccalaureate degrees awarded and the numbers of students that will leave the institution to enter SEM graduate programs. Annual progress reports must be submitted by awardees. A tracking / monitoring system has been established to track awardee progress toward achieving strategic goals, plans and anticipated results, including future plans for the program after termination of NSF support. The evaluation technical assistance contractor will assure the efficiency and effectiveness of the tracking/monitoring system and assist NSF in the analysis of the data. The National Science Foundation's mandate to ensure the vitality of the Nation's scientific enterprise includes concern for the quality, composition, distribution and effectiveness of the human resource base in science, engineering and mathematics. The Foundation has a strong commitment to improving the quality of and access to science, engineering and mathematics education for all Americans, including women, minorities and persons with disabilities. Within this context, it is recognized that minorities are particularly underrepresented in the number of baccalaureate degrees conferred in science, engineering, and mathematics (SEM), particularly in the natural behavioral, and social sciences, computer sciences, engineering and mathematics. The impact of the small number of baccalaureate degrees is exacerbated by the even smaller number of doctorates conferred. Traditionally, minority-serving institutions (Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and Native American institutions) are leading sources for the production of SEM degrees for minorities. The MIE Program is intended to enhance the SEM baccalaureate degree granting capability of the minority-serving institutions that have the greatest demonstrated potential for success. The program will produce model institutions for SEM education and undergraduate research. In 1994, the NSF awarded a technical assistance contract to The McKenzie Group to provide technical assistance to enhance the SEM baccalaureate degree granting capability of the participating minority-serving institutions. McKenzie was tasked to provide technical assistance to institutions in: planning and implementing a tracking/monitoring system for the MIE program; implementing major institutional development efforts; providing opportunities to discuss issues, share problems and solutions, and otherwise reflect and communicate with each other, both electronically and in person; designing and implementing means to develop the capacity of local and state level policymakers, administrators, university faculty, business and industry, and the general public to work with the MIE institutions; assisting predominantly minority institutions that have not receive MIE awards, so that these institutions may submit competitive undergraduate education and research proposals to other programs and other agencies; and disseminating exemplary materials to enable other institutions to focus their plans for SEM education and undergraduate research. The proposed contract for the "Implementation of Conceptual and Operational Framework for Model Institutions for Excellence (MIE) Program Evaluation Design" is intended to continue implementation of the existing program evaluation design -- the Model Institutions for Excellence Self-Evaluation Template (MSET). (0107)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0070 19970422\R-0005.SOL)