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

B -- NATIONAL LONGITUDINAL TRANSITION STUDY 2 (NLTS2) & OPEN BRIEFING ON THE PROGRESS OF THE DESIGN WORK" SOL ED-00-R-0050 DUE 081700 POC Pamela J. Weaver at (202) 260-0183 or Dorothy Moody at (202) 708-8236 Pending the availability of funds, the US Department of Education intends to solicit proposals to conduct a study with a four-year base period and six one-year options. The purpose of this study is to follow a large, nationally representative sample of students in special education who are ages 13 through 17 and in at least 7th grade when the sample is selected (fall 2000). The general aim is two-fold: 1) to study longitudinally the educational, vocational, social, and personal achievements of students with disabilities during adolescence and early adulthood together with the familial, social, institutional, and cultural factors that account for the variability in those outcomes; and 2) to use this information to suggest improvements to education policy, implementation, and practice. The first National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS) was conducted in 1985-1990. The second NLTS2 study will revisit many of the topics addressed in the first NLTS to evaluate progress in the implementation of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as well as examine new issues for secondary-aged youth in transition. The Department awarded a task order to a team of researchers to design the NLTS2 study. The design task order for NLTS2 is in effect from October 1999 through March 2001 and accomplishes several major formative activities related to this study: 1) the development of a conceptual framework; 2) the sample plan; 3) the drawing and solicitation of the local education agency (LEA) sample; 4) the drawing of the student sample; 5) the data collection plan; 6) instrument development; 7) OMB clearance; and 8) the analysis plan. Copies of all related documents can be found at www.sri.com/nlts2 ED is sponsoring a second open briefing on the progress of the design work for the NLTS2 study, in anticipation of the release of the RFP. The purpose of this open briefing is to provide information for all potential offorers on the progress of the design work and to provide an opportunity for potential offorers, who wish to bid on the proposal, to obtain information in implementing this evaluation. In addition it will provide information on the design work to date. The briefing will take place on June 27, 2000, from 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. at the US Department of Education, Mary E. Switzer Building, 4th & C Streets, SW, Room number 3065, Washington, DC 20202. Request solicitation ED-00-R-0050. Anticipated issue date is July 6, 2000, and the closing date is August 17, 2000. Request for copies may be made by telephone, mail, telegram, or in person. All requests shall reference ED-00-R-0050 and the title of the RFP. Telephone requests may only be placed at 202/708-6498. Mail or telegram requests shall be sent to the above given address. The Solicitation will be posted on the web once it is issued. You can locate it at http://ocfo.ed.gov/Coninfo/currrfp.htm. All responsible sources may submit a proposal, which will be considered.***** Posted 05/30/00 (W-SN459562). (0151)

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