President Bush announced in August 2007, a series of initiatives to address border security and immigration challenges in the United States. The President's plan consists of 26 actions designed to secure the borders and to address needed immigration reforms. Number 26 of the plan states, The Department of Education Will Launch A Free, Web-Based Portal To Help Immigrants Learn English, And Expand This Model Over Time. Knowledge of English is the most important component of assimilation. An investment in tools to help new Americans learn English will be repaid many times over in the contributions these immigrants make to our political discourse, economy, and society. The Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) has created USA Learns (www.usalearns.org), an online learning environment, designed for low-level English Language Learners (ELL) to fulfill the President's promise. This project is authorized under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, Title II of Public Law 105-220, Section 243, National Leadership Activities.

Set-aside code: N/A
Place of performance:
 Washington, DC
 US
Contact: Moira Baran, Contracting Officer, Phone (202)245-6293, Fax 202-245-6297, Email moira.baran@ed.gov - Felecia McIntosh, Contracting Officer, Phone (202) 245-7707, Fax (202) 245-6278, Email felecia.mcintosh@ed.gov

Link To Document


Updated on 2008/05/12

President Bush announced in August 2007, a series of initiatives to address border security and immigration challenges in the United States. The President's plan consists of 26 actions designed to secure the borders and to address needed immigration reforms. Number 26 of the plan states, "The Department of Education Will Launch A Free, Web-Based Portal To Help Immigrants Learn English, And Expand This Model Over Time. Knowledge of English is the most important component of assimilation. An investment in tools to help new Americans learn English will be repaid many times over in the contributions these immigrants make to our political discourse, economy, and society." The Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) has created USA Learns (www.usalearns.org), an online learning environment, designed for low-level English Language Learners (ELL) to fulfill the President's promise. This project is authorized under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, Title II of Public Law 105-220, Section 243, National Leadership Activities.

OVAE developed a feasibility study for an adult education learner portal to help implement the president's proposal. As part of the feasibility study, developed under U.S. Department of Education contract number ED05CO0062, with the University of Michigan, ending on September 29, 2008, a prototype was constructed for low-level ELL students to provide OVAE with as much information as possible about what support adults require to be successful on-line learners. That contract, Strengthening Programs Through Technology, has produced a complete feasibility study and a web portal prototype, USA Learns.

Therefore, the Department requires a contractor to:
A. Maintain and expand functionality of USA Learns.
B. Expand access of USA Learns.
C. Maintain two self-assessment tools housed on www.adultedonline.org.
D. Report to the Department the progress of the USA Learns portal.

The Department plans for a period of performance of a base year with two one-year options. Further, a cost reimbursement with award fee type contract is contemplated. The Department will consider a Fixed Price or a Fixed Price with Award Fee offer.

The contractor shall propose the technical approach, the personnel and management plan necessary to accomplish this project. The contractor shall also coordinate with the National Institute for Literacy to accomplish the tasks. Deliverables shall include:
- A fully functioning website.
- A transition in plan from the old website to the new website.
- A transition out plan from the new website when the contract ends.
- A schedule of recommended updates.
- Self-Assessment tools for English Language Learners are made fully functional.
- Scheduled updates to the Department.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Any comments on this pre-solicitation notice should be sent to the contacts provided. Please ensure that the name of the company, a point of contact, viable e-mail address, and telephone number are clearly indicated on your submission. Responses to questions will be posted to the following website: https://www.fbo.gov/. With the exception of written questions pertaining to this requirement, ED will not accept written correspondence, literature or other proposal-type submissions. The Department anticipates release of the RFP on or before May 20, 2008 with a closing date of June 19, 2008.

The contractor must possess the highest security clearance that the U.S. Department of Education requires: a background check for all employees involved with the portal. This acquisition will be a full and open competition. There will be subcontracting opportunities for small businesses and other socio-economic category businesses. The Request for Proposal (RFP) will require the submission of a technical proposal and a price proposal. Evaluation and award will be on a best value basis, cost and other factors (including past performance) considered. The solicitation will be issued via FEDBIZOPPS. NO PAPER COPIES will be mailed. All prospective contractors must be registered in the central contractors registration (CCR) in order to be eligible for award. When the solicitation is released, all responsible sources may submit a quotation that, if timely received, shall be considered by the Department.