"PLAIN ENGLISH" SOFTWARE In accordance with FAR 6.302 the EPA intends to negotiate a sole source contract with Editor Software, Inc. for 1,000 licenses for software to help the Agency comply with the President's Executive Memorandum on Plain Language (June 1, 1998). The product consists of an electronic writing course and editing software: Electronic Writing Course: Runs in Windows 95 and Windows 98 applications; teaches "plain English" writing. Enables users to go through the course at their own pace. Helps users practice writing skills through exercises such as prompts to re-write sample text and compare results to those of a professional editor. Provide checklists they can print out and refer to for specific writing tasks. Cover each subject in three or fewer outline levels, for example, if numbered, rarely go to an outline level such as 1.1.1.1. Address topics such as the use of short sentences, active voice, strong verbs, correct grammar, common words, "you" for the reader, and purpose and organization in writing. Compatibility with the federal government's guidance: "Writing User-Friendly Documents." Includes client writing samples and client-based modules. Uses writing samples from the Federal Government, showing "before and after examples" of writing edited for plain language. Includes modules on "Using Questions and Answers" and "Using If-Then Tables." Electronic Editing Software: The system reviews documents and help users edit them into plain language: Works with all versions of Microsoft Word, WordPerfect 7 and 8, Corel 8 and 9 and AmiPro and Word Pro. Edits text into "plain English" or "plain language." Complements what is taught in the electronic writing course. Displays all problems at once and allows full screen editing. Checks for problem categories such as: passive verbs, hidden verbs, complex words, jargon/abstract words, overused words, legal words, cliches, business cliches, redundancies, tautologies, overwriting, foreign words, misused words, confused words, hyphen help, grammar usage, sentence length check, spelling. Gives a numeric display of problems found, with a qualitative ranking (such as, "excellent", "good", "fair", "bad", etc.). Gives extensive help screens for each problem identified with specific suggestions on how to correct them, including the ability to quickly insert suggested word changes. Allows users to add or delete "patterns" that it discovers in documents. Includes a ranking category for "regulatory documents" with greater flexibility in ranking of documents citing statutes or statutory terms. III Technical Support: Technical support for six months after delivery and an option to purchase annual technical support after the initial six months. Technical support consists of answering questions and troubleshooting the product via e-mail, sending free upgrades to new word processor versions for Word, Corel and Lotus, and any minor upgrades to the desktop editor. IV. Optional additional customization. This is not a request for competitive quotes, however, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to meet this need by submitting written requests for the solicitation and describing their qualifications and experience. These requests should be sent to: Jennifer Cranford at cranford.jennifer@epa.gov or via fax at 202-565-2554 by November 9, 1999. Please direct all questions to Jennifer Cranford at 202-564-4758, fax 202-565-2554, or email at cranford.jennifer@epa.gov. E-MAIL: Click here to contact the contracting officer via, cranford.jennifer@epa.gov. Posted 10/26/99 (W-SN394847).

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