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

R -- NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS PANEL WEEKLY SOL ED-00-Q-0003 DUE 033000 POC Sang Park, 202 708-8222, Contract Specialist . This is a combined synopsis/solicitation prepared in accordance with the format in FAR subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation, ED-00-Q-0003, is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). The solicitation/purchase order will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular 97-15. This acquisition is in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13. This acquisition is solicited as a total Small Business Set Aside. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code is 8741 and the size standard is $5.0M. Background: The National Education Goals Panel (NEGP or, the Panel) was established by the July 31, 1990 Joint Statement of the President and the Nation's Governors. In 1994 it became an independent Federal agency by an Act of Congress.The Panel is responsible for determining how to measure and monitor educational progress toward achieving the National Education Goals, and report to the Nation on that progress. The Panel has a bipartisan composition of 18 members; two senior-level Federal executive branch officials appointed by the President; eight Governors appointed by the Chairman or vice chairman of the Nation Governors Association; four state legislators appointed by the President of the National Conference of State Legislatures; and four congressional members appointed by the majority and minority leaders of the US Senate and the US House of Representatives. The purpose of this purchase order is to specify work needed in the writing, design and layout of the NEGP WEEKLY publication. The NEGP Weekly is an on-line weekly publication that highlights digests of education stories in the popular press that relate to the eight National Education Goals. It includes stories from schools, districts and states across the country on how they areworking toward improving education and reaching the National Education Goals. The publication specifically reports on research reports and issues at the local, state and federal level. The publication currently has a highly focused readership of over 4,000. The Contractor will be listed on the publication as author. Requirements: This purchase order supports the work necessary for submission of the NEGP WEEKLY in the format and on the schedule indicated below. A series of weekly on-line newsletters, the NEGP WEEKLY, is made up of 8-11 short news stories from current events and education developments associated with one or more of the National Education Goals. Stories are to be gathered by the contractor. Contractor may gather stories through new releases, news reports, searches of the Internet, general research and contractor's contacts. A total of 48 products are due as deliverables. (No deliverables are expected during the following time periods: one week each at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and one week during the spring and summer.) Each NEGP WEEKLY will include: (a) a table of contents (including article title, goal affiliation reference, and article number); (b) a fact of the week taken from the most recent edition of the National Education Goals Panel's Goals Report; Building a Nation of Learners; (c) news stories grouped under the headings Local, State, Federal, and Research and Educational Practice. At least two stories under each of the 4 headings. Stories are 1-2 paragraphs and include Web site and contact information. Title of article includes general reference to affiliated goal; (d) a one page feature story focusing on a current topic related to the National Education Goals; and (e) when applicable, information on the National Education Goals, the Panel and the activities of the agency. The expected period of performance is 12 months from the start date, with two 12 months option periods. Schedule/format/distribution of deliverables: Each Monday, the contractor will provide a list of proposed stories to the Goals Panel for review and comment. Text of the NEGP WEEKLY will be submitted in a usable final format for distribution by Thursday morning of each week. The NEGP WEEKLY needs to be submitted in a format for immediate e-mail distribution. (Contractor will provide guidelines and general template and instructions for this format.) The NEGP Weekly will be submitted each week: (1) in a format that has been fully proof read for spelling, grammar and presentation prior to final submission, and which uses the APA bibliographic form used in Promising Practices 1998. NEGP retains the right to make final edits, in conjunction with the author, regarding both grammar and content; (2) in a format specified by the NEGP that without further adjustments can be distributed to the NEGP private list serve. The NEGP will work with the contractor to establish formats that enable prompt website posting and electronic distribution each week. NEGP will provide guidelines and general template and instructions for format of product for e-mail list serve distribution; and (3) in hard copy and in electronic format. Hard copies and electronic format should be sent to the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR). The contractor will distribute the NEGP WEEKLY on Thursday of each week: (1) in hard copy to COTR; and (2) by transmitting it in electronic format to two NEGP staff members, and to the NEGP list serve contractor for posting on the NEGP Web site and distribution to the NEGP's listserve. Evaluation Criteria: The technical portion of the quotation will receive paramount consideration in selecting an offeror. However, price will also be a significant factor in the event that two or more offerors are determined to be essentially equal following the evaluation of technical factors. The technical portion of offerors/quotations will be evaluated based on the following technical criteria: (1) Demonstrated experience in collecting information related to education reform; (2) Demonstrated success in analyzing and writing about education policy for lay and policy oriented audiences; (3) Demonstrated knowledge of education reform policy at the local, state and federal level including a general knowledge of individuals, organizations and others involved in education reform and a general knowledge of the National Education Goals and the National Education Goals Panel; (4) Demonstrated ability to maintain effective network of relationships with education related organizations and agencies for information gathering purposes; and ability to start work immediately and to meet product deadlines as set forth in the statement of work. Provisions and Clauses: The solicitation incorporates NCI REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENT OF OFFERORS OR QUOTERS (SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITONS). The award document will incorporate the requirements of the clause FAR 52.213-4, TERMS AND CONDITIONS SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS. Full text copies of these documents may be obtained from Sang Park at (202) 708-8222 or by fax at (202) 708-9817. Offers must be submitted on a SF-18 that is signed by an authorized representative of the offeror and includes a completed "Schedule of Offered Supplies/Services." The offer should include a cost breakout with a bottom line total for performing the aforementioned requirements. Offers must be accompanied by a completed and signed NCI REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS OR QUOTERS (SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS). Offers shall submit an original technical proposal plus descriptive literature and/or other materials that demonstrate that their offer/quotation meets all the foregoing requirements. The technical proposal shall provide sufficient detail to demonstrate all required experience, education, methodologies, and approaches noted in the evaluation criteria. In addition, curriculum vitae should be provided for all proposed personnel as well as their time commitments on other ongoing projects in order to evaluate availability. Three copies of the technical proposal/quotation, and all other printed materials shall be submitted with an original. Offers and related materials must be received in this office by 2:00 pm EST on March 30, 2000. Please site the solicitation number, ED-00-Q-0003.***** Posted 03/15/00 (W-SN434622). (0075)

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