U.S. Department of Education, OCFO, Contracts & Purchasing Operations, Support Services Group, 7th & D Streets, SW, Rm 3616, ROB-3, Washington, DC 20202-4443

R -- THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE STUDY REPLICATION BENCHMARKING FOR STATES AND DISTRICTS (TIMSS-R BENCHMARKING) POC Zilphia E. Wright, (202) 708-8572, Helen M. Chang, Contracting Officer The Department of Education anticipates that one sole source contract will be awarded to TIMSS International Study Center, Ina Mullis, Director, Campion Hall 323, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02167. The work will be completed over a period of 5 years. Pursuant to Public Law 103-382, the Government shall have the right to negotiate and award a follow-on contract of up to 5 years without recompetition. The purpose of this study is to provide an opportunity for states and districts to collect international benchmark data and obtain comparisons of 8th grade performance with that of student's peers in more than 40 countries. Through this contract, states and districts have the unique opportunity to compare their student's mathematics and science achievement with that of 40 countries participating in TIMSS-R. It is imperative that the contractor have the following competencies, experiences, and skills: * familiarity and extensive experience with conducting large-scale assessments, at the international, national and local levels; * efficiency in management and operations gained by the ability to combine a number of operational and training functions; proven record in conducting similar studies in a timely manner, and within budget; the international study center, and act as a source of information throughout the life of the study; experience in finding and training qualified quality control monitors; experience in scoring and processing mathematics and science items, that are reliable across countries, based on a multifaceted approach to collecting information about the reliable of the scoring, and extensive knowledge of the research literature and sound methodology; experience in applying the highest technical standards to the project; experience in digitizing and storing assessment data for subsequent use as a database; ability to assist NCES in making the results of the study relevant to teachers, teacher trainers, parents and policy makers. TIMSS International Study Center is uniquely qualified to address each of the above stated needs for the study. TIMSS International Study Center has assembled experts of the highest reputation to address the needs of the study in their role as the international coordinating center. The director and staff of TIMSS International Study Center have proven themselves to be at the forefront of conducting large-scale, international studies of student achievement and background factors related to mathematics and science teaching and learning. They have the necessary prior experience in international classroom-based assessment studies to ensure a rigorous and thoughtful approach to planning and carrying out the study, and have proven themselves highly capable of successful completing studies of similar scope and importance on time and within budget. This is particularly essential given the need to meet an extremely tight international timeline that must lead to timely, coordinated data releases, both nationally and internationally. Moreover, the efficiencies in management and operations to be gained by simultaneously conducting the TIMSS-R International assessment could not be achieved by another contractor. In sum, the expertise and experience of the staff of TIMSS International Study Center, combined with the advantage of combining efforts of this study with those of TIMSS-R makes the TIMSS International Study Center uniquely qualified to collect, analyze, and present the results of an international study of this importance and scope. Any business or firm who thinks that they are qualified and able to perform this procurement should submit a detailed written capability statement by 2pm, December 15, 1998, outlining their qualifications. Notices should be submitted to the above address: Attention: Zilphia E. Wright, Contract Specialist. THIS IS NOT A SYNOPSIS OF A SOLICITATION. Posted 10/29/98 (I-SN266702). (0302)

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