INTENT TO ENTER INTO A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT WITH THE NATIONAL SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (NSTA) The Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Economics Exposure Technology Division (OPPT/EETD) of the United States Environmental Protection Agency is submitting a final proposal to the National Science Foundation, Instructional Materials Development Division, for the solicitation of funds to support an educational project. It is the intention of the Environmental Protection Agency to enter into a sole source contract with the National Science Teachers Association for the completion of this project. The dollar value and period of performance are dependent on the success of the proposal, and the amount of funding available if it is approved.** The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is the only one responsible source which can provide the services needed by the Agency for this project. The project will link EPA models to science education by developing a series of instructional materials on the use of models to teach concepts and skills in biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science without introducing misconceptions based on limitations of models. Internal and external evaluators will conduct ongoing evaluations in qualitative and quantitative measures. Materials and the interactive computer software and/or Internet technology will be widely disseminated to science educators.** NSTA is a nationally recognized leader in science education and has experts which are uniquely qualified for this initiative. Key criteria needed for successful completion of the project include: *(A) Experience and Key Personnel: (1) industry leader in publishing expressly for science educators, (2) direct link to master classroom teachers nationwide, (3) demonstrated experience in curriculum design of instructional objectives commensurate with science standards, (4) demonstrated ability to build instructional material about decision making on technological issues at the secondary school level, (5) demonstrated experience in developing instructional materials on how to teach, learn, and construct various types of models and their uses, (6) on-staff assessment experts, (7) on-staff professional development coordinators, (8) on-staff science educators having scientific and administrative expertise,(9) on-staff instructional and educational technologists, (10)demonstrated experience in developing and peer reviewing publications and materials, (11) demonstrated expertise in administering a program which promotes hands-on community based projects. * *(B) Demonstrated Experience in Marketing and Dissemination of Educational Materials Directly to Science Teachers: (1) demonstrated expertise in building a network at a national level for integrating (Building the Presence for Science program), (2) full capabilities via clearinghouse to disseminate materials, (3) dissemination via a national network of science-teaching professionals.* *(C) Demonstrated Experience in Innovation and Technology: (1) demonstrated experience in making the Internet a useful tool in the science classroom, (2) innovative project which links sciencetextbooks to the Internet (sci LINKS project), (3) demonstrated experience in developing websites which provide educational activities, and use of technology in the classroom, (4) demonstrated ability to incorporate computers into science, math, and technology instruction.* *(D) Demonstrated Experience in Professional Development of Teachers: (1) demonstrated ability to partner with the Federal government to initiate and implement a program to provide science educators with professional development opportunities nationwide via workshops in local communities and schools, (2) demonstrated ability to build professional development opportunities for teachers on a national level .* *(E) Demonstrated Experience in Evaluation: (1) demonstrated experience in developing instruments to measure achievement, (2) demonstrated experience in all aspects of evaluation.* E-MAIL: Click here to submit an email message to the Contracting, krumhansl.robert@epa.gov. Posted 08/07/00 (W-SN483204).

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