U -- SECRETARY OF THE ARMY DISTANCE LEARNING (DL) EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE The Army will launch a major new Distance Learning (DL) education initiative in the near future. This new initiative is designed to offer eligible soldiers the opportunity to obtain higher education degrees (AA/AS, BA/BS/MA/MS, and Technical Certification) by maximizing the use of technology-based DL education opportunities. This pilot program will start at selected installations and will follow soldiers as they move throughout the Army. Based on pilot success, the program has potential for Army-wide expansion as well as well as expansion to family members. The potential users of this program could exceed one million. Under this initiative, soldiers must be able to complete degree requirements "any time, anyplace, anywhere they can take their laptop." Features for a soldier include tuition assistance, books, and fees for all DL courses leading to post-secondary degrees or technical certifications. We are looking at contracting with a single entity or consortium/partnership that would (1) develop/coordinate the network of participating universities/colleges/career schools; (2) manage the technology package and internet service; (3) provide computer training and technology help-desk services necessary; (4) track course participation/progress; and (5) coordinate award of degree. Potential vendors will also provide a technology package (laptop computer, printer, Internet Service Provider account, maintenance and warranty of equipment, and on-site help desk assistance) to each soldier upon initial DL course enrollment. The Army will hold an Industry Day on August 2, 2000, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. All interested parties are invited to attend and discuss creative ways to achieve this vision. More specifics on this DL program initiative and contract milestone dates will also be discussed. For more information on Industry Day, see the Army's website at: www.eArmyU.com or call 1-877-633-9022, or fax: 1-877-633-9023. We intend to issue a DRAFT Solicitation for Commercial Items under PART 12 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) on August 11, 2000. Potential offerors, and other interested parties, will be asked to submit comments, suggestions and concerns in writing to the Contracting Officer no later than August 25, 2000. Based upon the written comments received, we will revise the draft Request for Proposal. A separate announcement of the location, date and time of the pre-proposal conference will be made in the near future. Comments should be submitted via electronic transmission to the point of contact cited below. The Defense Supply Service-Washington point of contact for the Draft/Formal Solicitation will be Mr. Robert J. Lavelle, who can be contacted via e-mail at: lavelrj@hqda.army.mil.***** WEB: Click here for more information on the DL Industry, http://www.eArmyU.com. E-MAIL: Click here for the DSS-W POC for the Draft/Formal, lavelrj@hqda.army.mil. Posted 07/07/00 (W-SN472115).

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