U.S. Department of Education, Contracts and Purchasing Operations, CPO, 7th & D Streets SW, Room 3616, Washington, DC 20202-4443

B -- CONFERENCE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION: NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COURRICULUM INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT AT THE MIDDLE GRADES LEVEL POC Isadora Binder, Contract Specialist, 202-708-5141 Conference Planning and Implementation: National Conference on Curriculum Instruction and Assessment at the Middle Grades Level Sources Sought Notice -- The Department of Education anticipates that one sole-source contract will be awarded to Education Development Center, Inc., of Newton, Massachusetts. The purpose of this procurement is to provide assistance to the National Educational Research Policy and Priorities Board (NERPPB) in planning and implementing a major conference focused on curriculum, instruction, and assessment at the middle grades to be held in Washington, DC, in July 2000. The conference will bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to share the latest research on what works to help young adolescents meet high academic standards. The conference also aims to identify concrete suggestions for future research, policy, and practice. Need for the Expert Planning Assistance Middle school is a critical transition. There is a need to identify current promising practices and research about academics in middle grades and to identify areas in which research is still needed. The Board does not have the expertise needed to plan such a conference and seeks the assistance of an organization that is thoroughly familiar with the middle grades level. The supporting organization will need to know the research, the current practices, and the exemplars in the field. It will need to be part of the network of specialists, as well as an expert in curriculum, instruction, and assessment at the middle grade level. It follows that the group asked to assist with the planning should include most of the national participants in the education of students in the middle grades area. Justification for the Sole-Source Award to the Education Development Center, Inc. The Board has identified a clear need for an organization expert in the area of middle grades, thoroughly familiar with current research and practice, networked to all the major entities involved with middle grades, and able to plan and implement a large conference within a very short time frame. There is not time to learn the field, including the research experts and practitioners or to begin building a network. This must all currently be in place. The Board believes that the Education Development Center, Inc., located in Newton, Massachusetts, is uniquely qualified to perform this work. EDC is an organization of more than 250 projects grouped into 11 centers of related efforts. Of these, 91 projects focus on middle grades. Most pertinent to the work proposed is the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades School Reform. Begun in 1997 as an outgrowth of work started in 1994, the Forum is a distinguished group of individuals committed to promoting the academic performance and healthy development of young adolescents. EDC facilitated the Forum's conferences on middle-level school reform and prepared proceedings designed to document the lessons learned and contribute to deliberations. As the convenor of an extensive network of major parties that work in the area of middle grades, EDC is well informed about current research and experts in the field. Middle grades is clearly an area in which they have expertise, a track record, and a body or respected work. EDC is ready to begin work immediately. Through its work with the Forum, which includes most major partners in the middle grades field, EDC is positioned to provide the expertise and scope that other organizations would be unable to provide. The staff is well versed in the field, published, and respected by both other researchers and practitioners. In addition, the individual who will serve as the principal staff person for the conference planning participated in an earlier OERI conference on adolescent development. Her involvement is a logical continuation of work, which will now focus on the academics. For these reasons, EDC is the only organization qualified to assist in the planing and implementation of this conference. Any business or firm that thinks it is qualified and able to perform this procurement should submit a detailed capability statement to Isadora Binder, Contract Specialist by 2:00 PM, January 7, 2000 outlining its qualifications. Statements may be mailed to the above address, faxed (202) 708-9817, or e-mailed to isadora_binder@ed.gov. Posted 11/23/99 (W-SN403207). (0327)

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