**STATEMENT OF WORK**

**DISSEMINATION SYSTEM DESIGN AND DELIVERY**

**RFP# ED-00-R-0052**

### STATEMENT OF WORK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BACKGROUND [3](#background)

Definitions and Authorizing Statute
[4](#definitions-and-authorizing-statute)

PURPOSE OF ACQUISITION [5](#purpose-of-acquisition)

Target Audiences [5](#target-audiences)

Types of Dissemination Vehicles [6](#types-of-dissemination-vehicles)

SCOPE OF THE WORK [6](#scope-of-the-work)

AREA A: SYSTEM DESIGN [6](#area-a-system-design)

AREA B: CONTENT DEVELOPMENT [9](#area-b-content-development)

AREA C: PRODUCT/VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT
[11](#area-c-productvehicle-development)

AREA D: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE FIELD
[15](#area-d-technical-assistance-to-the-field)

AREA E: MANAGEMENT AND EVALUATION
[17](#area-e-management-and-evaluation)

PERFORMANCE PERIOD [18](#performance-period)

DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE
[18](#deliverables-and-delivery-schedule)

REFERENCES [18](#references)

GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY [19](#government-furnished-property)

**ACRONYMS**

**oFFICES**

nifl National Institute For Literacy

**PROGRAMS**

Title I Grants for Disadvantaged Children, Title I of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act

NREI National Reading Excellence Initiative

REA Reading Excellence Act

\`

**STATEMENT OF WORK**

Dissemination System Design and Delivery

National Reading Excellence Initiative

# **BACKGROUND**

The National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) is an independent Federal
organization created by the National Literacy Act of 1991 to provide
national leadership and assistance toward the goal of a fully literate
America. NIFL is jointly administered by the Departments of Education,
Labor, and Health and Human Services and has a Presidentially-appointed
Advisory Board. NIFL coordinates efforts for literacy across Federal
agencies, promotes public policy for literacy, produces and disseminates
knowledge about literacy, and supports state and local programs that
improve literacy practice. In 1998, Congress enacted the Reading
Excellence Act, an act designed to help children learn to read in early
childhood. Under the Act, NIFL is directed to disseminate information on
scientifically-based reading research. The NIFL has entitled this effort
the National Reading Excellence Initiative (NREI).

The NREI is a national dissemination effort designed to increase
accessibility to and use of scientifically-based reading research by
educators, parents, policymakers and others with an interest in helping
all people learn to read well. Like the Reading Excellence Act, the NREI
will focus attention on the acquisition of reading skills in early
childhood. However, the NREI\"s overall mission also encompasses goals
for making scientifically-based reading research available to adult
educators and family literacy providers to help improve literacy
instruction for both children and adults.

The principal goals of the NREI are to:

(1) increase access to scientifically-based reading research by
    providing information in non-technical language that is easily
    understood by those who are not researchers, including educators,
    parents, and policymakers,

(2) provide teachers, tutors, and other educational personnel with the
    best information about scientifically-based reading research to
    support high quality literacy instruction for children, youth, and
    adults,

(3) assist families in providing home environments that support
    children's learning to read in early childhood and encourage parents
    to strengthen their own literacy skills, and

(4) increases policymakers' and practitioners' awareness of
    intergenerational literacy issues and research findings.

The work to be performed under the contract that results from this
request for proposals, hereafter called the DSDD Contract, will be the
prime contractor for carrying out NREI work. The NIFL may fund other
grants and contracts, however, those grantees and contractors will be
required to work with the DSDD contractor to ensure consistency of
content across all activities.

## Definitions and Authorizing Statute

The Reading Excellence Act (Part C, Title II of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act 1965; 20 U.S.C. 6601 et seq) directs the NIFL to
disseminate information on scientifically-based reading research and
effective programs funded under the Reading Excellence Act. At a
minimum, NIFL must disseminate this information to recipients of federal
financial assistance under Titles I and IV of the Reading Excellence
Act, the Head Start Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act, and the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. The Act requires
NIFL to work cooperatively with any panel established by the National
Institute for Child Health and Human Development and the Secretary and
any panel established by the Office of Educational Research and
Improvement to develop the criteria by which NIFL judges
scientifically-based reading research and the design of dissemination
strategies. In addition, the Act requires NIFL to assist state education
agencies that receive a Reading Excellence Act grant in determining
whether applications submitted by local education agencies for Reading
Improvement grants meet the requirements established in the Reading
Excellence Act for scientifically-base reading research and in the
development of subgrant application forms.

The Act also establishes definitions for reading and
scientifically-based reading research that must be used as guidelines in
selecting and/or developing materials through the NREI.

The Reading Excellence Act also requires the National Institute for
Literacy to build its dissemination effort on existing information
networks, including those developed and maintained by the National
Center for Family Literacy and the Readline Program (now called
\"Reading Rockets\", a project of WETA, the public television station in
Washington, D.C.). In performing the work outlined in this statement of
work, the Contractor must, to the greatest extent possible, incorporate
existing information networks that serve members of the NREI target
audiences into the NREI dissemination system. Similarly, to the greatest
extent possible, the Contractor must first identify appropriate
scientifically-based reading research and related materials; development
of new materials may be undertaken only to fill an information gap or to
ensure that information in existing scientific materials is translated
into language and formats accessible to those without scientific
training who will use or are interested in the information.

The Reading Excellence Act provides definitions germane to the
activities of this statement of work. The Contractor must adhere to
these definitions in the performance of the work described within this
Statement of Work.

# **PURPOSE OF ACQUISITION**

To achieve the NREI's goals and objectives, NIFL seeks a contractor to
develop and implement a dissemination initiative that is well
coordinated with and builds upon existing information networks. Over the
past year, NIFL staff working on the NREI have laid the foundation for
this dissemination campaign by developing a detailed program plan,
establishing working partnerships with key early literacy organizations,
and sponsoring workshops at major education meetings across the country.
Through these efforts, NREI staff have identified both the specific
audiences to be targeted by the NREI dissemination campaign, and the
range of vehicles most likely to address the needs of these audiences.

## Target Audiences 

The NREI will provide information on scientifically-based reading
research in non-technical, easily understood language to:

(1) educators, teacher educators, family literacy providers, including
    adult educators, to ensure that research-based practices are used in
    instruction,

(2) families to help them provide home environments that support
    literacy development for both their child and adult members, and

(3) the general public to increase public awareness and understanding of
    how people become skilled readers.

Within this broad array of audiences, NREI has identified several
specific sub-groups as high-priority\--herein referred to as target
audiences\--for its dissemination activities through this statement of
work. These target audiences include (1) K-3 teachers, especially those
serving students who are at risk for low reading achievement, such as
children in schools with chronically low reading achievement, (2)
teacher educators, including program developers such as instructional
coordinators and district curriculum supervisors, who plan and/or
conduct professional development and other training for in-service
teachers, and (3) family literacy providers, including adult educators
serving students in adult basic education and family literacy programs,
and (4) early childhood educators serving students in family literacy
and other programs serving pre-school-aged children. The specific
informational and professional development needs of these target
audiences, as related to reading research and research-based reading
instruction, will be a critical factor in the selection and development
of NREI materials and the means to disseminate those materials.

The goal of the NREI is to provide up-to-date information to its target
audiences about scientifically-based reading research, its application
to instructional practices, and its uses in other settings in which
reading skill is acquired. The principal priority underlying the
provision of information to all target audiences is to inform the
efforts of individuals who contribute to the development of reading
skill in young children. To ensure development of an in-depth and
comprehensive database of information and an effective dissemination
strategy that meets the need of each target audience group, the NIFL has
established priorities for the NREI's implementation. The NREI's
implementation will include a series of targeted information
dissemination campaigns, each designed as an intensive effort geared to
the needs of a specific NREI target audience. Each of these targeted
information dissemination campaigns will create the foundation for
on-going dissemination activities with the target audience for whom it
was designed. The targeted dissemination campaigns, in order of
priority, beginning with the highest priority, are: (1) teachers of
children in kindergarten through grade 3, and the teacher educators who
train those teachers, (2) family literacy providers, including early
childhood and adult educators, (3) teachers working with English
language learners and dialect speakers, and the teacher educators who
train those teachers, (4) and parents. The need for other targeted
dissemination campaigns may be identified through the Contractor's
assessment of the target audiences' needs for information about
scientifically-based reading research, as required in task 1 below.

## Types of Dissemination Vehicles

NIFL intends the NREI campaign to be a multi-media, multi-pronged
activity that includes the following means of dissemination, some of
which are now being used by the NREI:

(1) a web site that is available through the NIFL/LINCS web site
    ([http://www. nifl.gov/lincs/]()),

(2) a series of training institutes focused on reading research and
    research-based instructional practices for teachers, teacher
    educators, and other district-and state-level personnel who design
    or provide reading instruction,

(3) an on-line reference collection, called the Knowledge Loom, of
    research-based instructional practices in early literacy, adolescent
    and adult literacy,

(4) a self-paced, multi-media teacher training package that will be
    available in a variety of formats, including on-line, CD-ROM, and in
    print, to help teachers learn the basics of a research-based
    approach to teaching reading and to stay abreast of current
    research, and

(5) a series of satellite meetings geared to the needs of state and
    local educational agency personnel working in urban and rural areas
    with low capacity for implementing successful reading reform
    initiatives and Title I school.

# **SCOPE OF THE WORK**

The National Institute for Literacy seeks a contractor to perform work
as outlined in the five areas listed below.

## AREA A: SYSTEM DESIGN 

The Contractor must design and implement a system that provides
information on scientifically-based reading research to the NREI target
audiences to increase their awareness of research-proven methods for
teaching reading, preventing reading difficulties, and correcting
reading problems. The plan for the system design must identify and
describe the full range of dissemination vehicles, both those to be
created specifically for the NREI, such as web pages, and existing
vehicles, such as specific organizations' information networks, that
will be incorporated into the NREI system. In addition, the plan for the
system must be based upon the results of a thorough assessment of the
NREI\'s target audiences' need for information about
scientifically-based reading research and the extent to which those
needs are fulfilled by existing information networks. The needs
assessment must examine and include a description and analysis of the
informational needs of all groups in the target audiences---educators,
teacher educators, family literacy providers, including adult educators,
and the general public.

The plan for the system's design must include an implementation plan
that reflects the priorities the NIFL has established for addressing the
needs of its target audiences. Specifically, the timeline must state
when each targeted dissemination campaign will begin, including
milestones for the completion of key activities leading to the launch of
the campaigns and major activities of the campaign. In addition, the
timeline must identify specific follow-on activities and when they will
occur. To the extent possible, in addition to dates of major activities
and milestones, the timeline must include information about who will be
responsible for performing the work associated with each activity or
milestone. Identification of who will perform the task may be as
specific as the name of a designated subcontractor or staff person or
more generally state that the work will be subcontracted. The timeline
must also indicate when each of the dissemination vehicles will be
implemented, including milestones for the development of those vehicles.

**Task 1: Assess the needs of NREI target audiences for information
about reading research and research-based instruction that builds on
existing information networks.**

The Contractor must identify the mechanisms through which members of the
NREI target audiences currently obtain information about reading
research, methods for teaching reading, and gaps in the existing
information networks, including state-level information dissemination
networks. The assessment must also document and consider information
about the most effective mechanisms for providing information to the
NREI target audiences, as identified by members of those groups. In
addition, the assessment must include information about effective
dissemination strategies identified by experts experienced in operating
national information dissemination systems. It is expected that the
contractor may need to undertake iterative cycles of assessment and
planning in order to take into account the needs of all the target
audiences, including teachers, teacher educators, family literacy
providers, including adult educators, and parents.

[Subtasks]{.underline}

1.1 Conduct a needs assessment to determine the level of awareness of
NREI target audiences of scientifically-based reading research and the
application of such research in school and home.

2.  Systematically canvass the target audience to identify their unmet
    needs for information about reading research, research-based
    practices for teaching reading, and assessing and addressing
    students' reading difficulties.

3.  Systemically canvass the target audience to determine the most
    effective mechanisms for reaching them through this dissemination
    effort.

**Task 2: Propose a design for the dissemination system that builds on
and incorporates current NREI activities and, to the extent possible,
existing information networks.**

[Subtasks]{.underline}

2.1 Review current NREI activities and plans for future activities that
are to be conducted by other contractors and/or grantees performing work
for the NREI and incorporate these into the dissemination system. These
activities may include development of specific dissemination vehicles,
such as research conferences for teachers and teacher educators, mass
mailings of information packets containing research articles and other
materials for teachers, and/or other activities.

2.3 Gather information on the key components, strategies, and mechanisms
for building an effective information dissemination model that reaches
educators and the general public from experts who have designed or
managed model dissemination projects or other appropriate sources.

2.4 Create a plan describing the specific materials that will be
disseminated, including (1) existing materials that will be disseminated
in their current format and (2) new materials that will be created from
existing resources. For the new materials that will be disseminated, the
plan must include the (1) sources of information for those materials and
(2) individuals and/or organizations that will be engaged in developing
the materials for dissemination through the NREI.

2.5 Submit a draft plan describing the proposed dissemination system.
The plan must include descriptions of the dissemination vehicles, such
as specific ways in which information will be disseminated, how the
system will work with existing information networks, identification of
existing networks or dissemination vehicles that will be part of the
system, and a timeline for the system's implementation. The plan must
also describe how the proposed dissemination vehicles meet the needs of
all the target audiences, and include provisions for adapting
vehicles/the system to meet the needs of specific target audiences.

2.6 Obtain expert comment from at least six experienced managers of
national dissemination projects and/or other experts on the proposed
plan for the dissemination system. Revise the plan as necessary and
provide a copy of the revised draft plan, along with copies of the
experts' comments, to the COTR for final approval.

2.7 Establish procedures for ensuring that all products disseminated
under the NREI have a look and feel that is consistent with other NIFL
products, are imprinted with the NIFL logo, including reference to the
National Reading Excellence Initiative. The procedures must include
steps for ensuring that the design of all NREI productss are approved by
the COTR prior to production and dissemination of those products.

**Task 3: Manage the system's implementation, monitor results, and take
necessary actions to correct problems or improve services.**

1.  Plan and conduct a pilot test of key components of the system, as
    identified by NIFL, and make changes to the system as necessary. At
    a minimum, the Contractor must pilot test the web pages (required in
    Task 9 below) and the Internet-accessible instructional program for
    teachers (required in Task 8 below).

2.  Implement the dissemination system, periodically making adjustments
    to improve the system\'s effectiveness.

3.  Systematically collect data on system\'s performance to identify
    problems or gaps in services, identify and implement appropriate
    corrective actions.

4.  Arrange for an annual independent, external evaluation of the system
    to assess extent and impact of activities on target audiences and to
    assess system\'s performance in meeting program goals and objectives
    and Government Results and Performance Act (GPRA) goals.

## AREA B: CONTENT DEVELOPMENT

The Contractor must ensure that all materials selected and/or developed
for dissemination meet the criteria established for
\"scientifically-based reading research\" given in Section 2252 of the
Reading Excellence Act. The Contractor must also ensure that materials
covering the full range of skills needed to read as they are listed in
the definition of \"reading\" in Section 2252 of the Act are available
for dissemination. The Contractor must use the reports of the National
Reading Panel and the Committee on the Prevention of Reading
Difficulties in Young Children, and the studies on which they are based,
as the conceptual framework and principle source for both the database
and other materials developed for dissemination.

The Contractor must develop a database of research studies and related
research-based materials about early literacy and family literacy,
including adult literacy, that can be used as a resource by the target
audiences and for the development of materials to be disseminated by the
NREI. The Contractor may select and develop the content of materials for
dissemination through a subcontract with experts in the field of reading
research and practice. In the event that subcontracts are used, the
Contractor is responsible for identifying the appropriate individuals or
organizations to perform the work, but must obtain COTR approval of all
such arrangements before finalizing them.

The Contractor must ensure that the database contains information about
all aspects of reading, as defined in Section 2252 (4) of the Reading
Excellence Act, over the entire performance period of this contract.
However, the Contractor must ensure in-depth collections of information
for the special targeted dissemination campaigns are in keeping with the
priorities and timeline established by the NIFL. These priorities,
beginning with the priority of higher importance are:

\(1\) teachers, and the teacher educators who train those teachers, of
children in kindergarten through grade 3, (2) family literacy providers,
including early childhood and adult educators, (3) teachers, and the
teacher educators who train those teachers, working with English
language learners, and dialect speakers, (4) and parents.

**Task 4: Identify an objective process and formulate specific criteria
for selecting quantitative and qualitative research studies and related
materials for dissemination that conform to the Reading Excellence
Act\'s requirements for scientifically-based reading research and that
include materials on all components of reading as defined by the Act.**

[Subtasks]{.underline}

1.  Identify and develop, using the findings, determinations, and
    conclusions of the National Reading Panel and the Committee on the
    Prevention of Reading Difficulties in Young Children,
    scientifically-based criteria for selecting quantitative
    (experimental and quasi-experimental) research for dissemination.

2.  Based on a review of the qualitative research methodology
    literature, and the reports of the National Reading Panel and the
    Committee on the Prevention of Reading Difficulties in Young
    Children, develop scientifically-based criteria for selecting
    qualitative research studies for dissemination.

3.  Create an objective process for adopting or developing materials
    that summarize and synthesize the findings of scientifically-based
    quantitative and qualitative reading research and delineate how
    these findings can be applied to instructional practice.

4.  Ensure that all subcontractors under this contract and all other
    NREI contractors and subcontractors are informed about the criteria
    created in subtask 4.1 and process created in subtask 4.2 and adhere
    to them.

**Task 5: Identify and work with appropriate experts, including other
NREI contractors and grantees, to select appropriate research studies
and develop materials using these studies for dissemination.**

[Subtasks]{.underline}

5.1 Review existing NREI contracts and grants to determine need for
obtaining new or modifying existing contracts for development of
materials to be disseminated.

5.2 Identify appropriate individuals and/or organizations with expertise
in reading research and practical experience in teaching reading to
target audiences to develop the materials and subcontract work as
necessary.

5.3 Work cooperatively with other NREI contractors who are selecting,
developing, and disseminating information to ensure the materials they
select or develop conform with requirements of the Reading Excellence
Act for "scientifically-based reading research" and to ensure that the
activities they conduct, such as conferences, are fully integrated into
the dissemination system.

**Task 6: Identify research studies and related research-based materials
for dissemination and develop resources about reading, using the
identified studies and related materials, that can be used by teachers,
parents, and the general public.**

[Subtasks]{.underline}

1.  Develop a database of research studies and related research
    materials that includes scientifically-based research on the full
    range of abilities and related factors that contribute to the
    ability to read as defined in Section 2252 (4) of the Reading
    Excellence Act.

## AREA C: PRODUCT/VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT

The Contractor will be responsible for developing and overseeing the
development of all products disseminated through the NREI. The
Contractor must develop the Internet-accessible vehicles that will be
among the primary dissemination vehicles for the NREI. In addition, the
Contractor must identify other appropriate formats, such as print or
CD-ROM, for disseminating information to ensure availability of
materials for those without Internet access. The Contractor must also
develop guidelines for the production of NREI materials that ensure that
all materials disseminated by the NREI have a consistent look and feel.

**Task 7: Establish criteria and procedures for ensuring that all
products and vehicles developed for the NREI under this and other
contracts and grants funded through the NREI have a consistent look and
feel.**

**Task 8: Develop a self-paced multi-media instructional program for
teachers and other educators that explains the concepts and findings
from scientifically-based research on how children learn to read.**

The Contractor must plan and carry out all phases of work associated
with the development and maintenance of a self-paced teacher training
program in reading research and research-based instructional practices
for teaching reading suitable for each audience. The content of the
training program must provide, at a minimum, the following:

-   an overview of the findings of scientific research on how reading
    skill develops, including a comprehensive synthesis of the research
    literature that provides specific references to scientific research
    studies that support the findings cited in the overview,

-   a description of the types of difficulties children encounter in
    learning to read, including the age or developmental stage in which
    these difficulties may occur,

-   a description of the roles and types of assessment that can be used
    to determine where an individual learner is in terms of reading
    development and, if a delay is identified, the nature and cause of
    the delay,

-   a description of intervention approaches that have been demonstrated
    to be effective, the reading difficulties they are designed to
    address, and strategies for the effective implementation of the
    intervention.

-   strategies for improving reading achievement in \"low performing\"
    schools

At a minimum, the program must be available via Internet, include text,
video, and audio components, and include a user support service that
provides experts in reading research and practice who can answer
questions from users about the program\'s content (See Task 11).

The Contractor must also assess the feasibility and need for providing
access to the training program by an alternate means for those who may
not have access to the Internet. On the basis of the results of that
assessment, the Contractor must recommend whether or not an alternate
means for making the program available to those without Internet access
is necessary. If it is necessary, the Contractor must identify the
appropriate alternate means and present a product development plan along
with detailed cost estimate.

[Subtasks]{.underline}

8.1The Contractor must prepare a product development plan describing the
tasks and procedures associated with producing the instructional program
for COTR approval. The Contractor must include in the plan a timeline
showing when each major task will start and be completed and must show
dates of reports, including briefings for the COTR, on progress toward
implementation of the program. The plan must also include a description
of the technical support that will be available to end-users of the
program. The technical support must include both experts to respond to
questions about the content of the program from end-users and computer
specialists to provide technical support to NIFL to correct
technological problems that limit or prevent end-users\' access to or
use of the program.

8.2 The Contractor must orally brief the COTR on the draft plan at the
time the draft plan is submitted to the COTR for approval. The
Contractor must revise the draft plan on the basis of negotiated
agreements reached with the COTR regarding the proposed timeline for
program development and tasks and procedures associated with the
program's development.

8.3 The Contractor must develop an on-line prototype of the program and
obtain expert comment from a panel of reviewers selected by NIFL. The
Contractor must plan and implement a process for the solicitation of
expert comment that includes a demonstration of the prototype for the
panel of expert reviewers and the COTR, a period of at least three weeks
when the prototype is available on-line to the expert reviewers and
COTR, and a final meeting of the expert reviewers and COTR after the
three week period to gather both written and verbal comments on the
experts' assessment of the program. The assessment must include
solicitation of information on the prototype's strengths and
deficiencies as well as suggestions for improvement.

8.4 The Contractor must submit a plan for revising the prototype in
response to expert comment.

> The Contractor must collect and analyze the expert reviewers' comments
> and determine what revisions to make to the prototype to correct
> deficiencies noted by the reviewers or incorporate suggestions for
> improvements. Upon the COTR's approval of the planned revisions, the
> Contractor must revise the prototype for pilot testing with members of
> the NREI target audience.

8.5 The Contractor must pilot test the prototype with potential
end-users including selected members of each of the NREI target
audiences, and report the results to the COTR.

> The Contractor must pilot test the revised program prototype with
> selected members of the NREI target audiences and systematically
> collect information from pilot test participants on the prototype's
> strengths and deficiencies as well as suggestions for improvements.

8.6 The Contractor must submit a plan, including a timeline, for further
development of the prototype based on results of the pilot test. The
Contractor must prepare for COTR approval a plan detailing how the
prototype will be revised to correct deficiencies or weaknesses observed
by pilot test participants and to incorporate their suggestions for
improvements. The plan must also include a report of the comments
received from pilot test participants.

8.7:The Contractor must make the program available on the NIFL web site
and must systematically collect and analyze end-users' comments on the
program.

**Task 9: Create and maintain web pages devoted to providing up-to-date
information on scientifically-based reading research.**

The Contractor must create and maintain a web page that provides
up-to-date information on scientifically-based reading research,
including literature syntheses, summaries of recently-issued reports of
scientific reading studies, and updates about progress of on-going
studies. At a minimum, the reading research web site should include (1)
research about literacy development in early childhood, adolescence, and
adulthood, (2) family literacy, (3) information about schools and
classrooms in which research-based instructional strategies have been
successfully implemented, (4) research about effective, research-based
practices for English language learners, (5) a listserv or listservs for
individuals to discuss reading research and instruction and exchange
information, (6) a forum for discussions between researchers and
practitioners, and (7) hyperlinks to other web sites that are resources
on research-based reading research and practices.

The Contractor must ensure that all materials prepared for dissemination
via this web site meet the technical requirements for the LINCS and NIFL
web sites as well as the requirements of the Reading Excellence Act. The
Contractor must work cooperatively with subcontractors under this
contract and NREI contractors and grantees who are developing the
content for the research collections on early, adolescent, and family
literacy, including adult literacy, to obtain the information and post
it on the web site.

The Contractor must plan and carry out all phases of development related
to development of the web pages and their maintenance. This includes
graphic design of the page as well as the periodic up-dating of
information of the page in accordance with a maintenance schedule that
will be developed by the Contractor and approved by the COTR.

[Subtasks]{.underline}

9.1 The Contractor must meet with the COTR and LINCS staff to obtain
information about the technical requirements for preparation of
materials that are to be disseminated via the NIFL and/or LINCS web
sites.

9.2 The Contractor must develop a plan for the creation of the web
pages. The Contractor must develop a mock-up of the proposed pages for
the NREI. The plan must include information on how and when information
on the page will be updated and a timeline for the development and
launch of the web site. As part of the plan the Contractor must include
a list of hyperlinks to other pages that are additional resources
annotated with descriptions of the information found on those pages.

9.3 The Contractor must brief the COTR on the draft plan at the time
that the plan is submitted for approval. The Contractor must revise the
draft plan on the basis of negotiated agreements reached with the COTR
regarding the proposed timeline for program development and tasks and
procedures associated with the program's development.

9.4 The Contractor must develop a prototype of the page and obtain
expert comment from a panel of reviewers selected by NIFL. The
Contractor must plan and implement a process for the solicitation of
expert comment on the page prototype. The assessment must include
solicitation of information on the page's strengths and deficiencies as
well as suggestions for improvement. The solicitation must include a
demonstration of the prototype page for the panel of expert reviewers
and the COTR. In addition, the Contractor must have the page available
on-line for expert review for a period of at least three weeks after the
demonstration. The Contractor must obtain written recommendations for
improvements from members of the review panel.

9.5 The Contractor must submit a plan for revising the prototype page in
response to expert comment. The Contractor must collect and analyze the
expert reviewers' comments and determine what revisions to make to the
prototype to correct deficiencies noted by the reviewers or incorporate
suggestions for improvements. Upon the COTR's approval of the planned
revisions, the Contractor must launch the page for public comment.

9.6 The Contractor must pilot test the prototype with potential
end-users from the target audiences and report the results to the COTR.
The Contractor must pilot test the revised page prototype with selected
members of the NREI target audiences and systematically collect
information from pilot test participants on the prototype's strengths
and deficiencies as well as suggestions for improvements.

9.7 The Contractor must submit a plan, including a timeline, for further
development of the prototype page based on results of the pilot test.
The Contractor must prepare for COTR approval a plan detailing how the
prototype will be revised to correct deficiencies or weaknesses observed
by pilot test participants and to incorporate their suggestions for
improvements. The plan must also include a report of the comments
received from pilot test participants.

9.8 The Contractor must make the page available on the NIFL web site and
must systematically collect and analyze end-users' comments on the
program.

**Task 10: Identify appropriate alternative formats for materials
disseminated by Internet and produce them in those formats.**

[Subtasks]{.underline}

10.1 Prepare a plan describing alternative formats for producing the
Internet-based materials in other formats, such as print documents or
CD-ROMs. The need for these alternative formats for materials must be
based upon information obtained from the needs assessment outlined in
Task 1 in this Statement of Work. The plan must include a cost estimate
for the development and reproduction of the materials and describe the
vehicles that will be used to disseminate them. The plan must also
include a timeline for development and dissemination of the materials in
their alternative formats.

10.2 Produce materials in formats approved by COTR.

##  AREA D: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE FIELD

**Task 11: Establish a national network of reading experts, including
researchers and practitioners experienced in planning and implementing
effective research-based reading programs, who provide technical
assistance to state and local educational agency personnel.**

The Contractor must establish a network or networks of researchers,
reading specialists, and practitioners who are experienced in
implementing effective research-based reading programs. The networks
will be established for the purpose of providing information and
technical assistance to (1) state education agency personnel, including
those who are developing subgrant applications for local education
agencies applying for Local Reading Improvement grants and/or evaluating
such grants for their compliance with the Reading Excellence Act\'s
requirements for scientifically-based reading research, (2) teacher
educators and professional developers who provide in-service training
and on-site assistance to teachers on how to teach reading, (3) local
education agency administrators and policymakers, such as
superintendents and principals, serving schools and districts in which
there are large numbers of children at risk for reading difficulty and
who are responsible for establishing policies for school-wide and
district-wide reading programs, and (4) educators and family literacy
providers who have attended an NREI reading research and best practices
institute and individuals who are using the NIFL instructional program
in reading for teachers (See Task 8). At a minimum, the networks must
provide research and information on scientifically-based reading
research and effective professional development practices for improving
reading instruction. The networks must also serve as a mechanism for
disseminating information and materials developed under the auspices of
the NREI and the Contractor must ensure that information provided by the
networks is consistent with the content of materials distributed under
the NREI.

The Contractor must ensure that network services are available to
educators throughout all regions of the United States. In addition, the
Contractor must ensure that technical assistance and other support is
available for users of the teacher training programs at least three
evening per week and on every weekend. The networks\' services must be
accessible by Internet, telephone, and mail.

[Subtasks]{.underline}

11.1 The Contractor must develop a plan for establishing the technical
assistance network.

> The plan must be based on an assessment of the extent and nature of
> educators' need for information about scientifically-based approaches
> to teaching reading. The assessment must also include an evaluation of
> existing resources, including adequacy of the resources and their
> availability to members of the NREI target audiences, for meeting the
> needs identified by the assessment. The plan must include a
> description of how the network will be organized and maintained, a
> list of the proposed technical assistance providers along with a
> description of their qualifications, and a description of how the
> assistance will be provided and a timeline for the network's
> implementation. The Contractor must also describe in the plan the
> extent to which the NREI technical assistance builds on, collaborates
> with, or uses existing information networks, including the National
> Center for Family Literacy. The Contractor must also describe in the
> plan how the network's activities will be monitored and evaluated to
> ensure high-quality service to the users, including ensuring that
> information provided through the network meets the REA definition of
> scientifically-based reading research.

11.2 The Contractor must obtain expert comment on the feasibility of the
plan and make the necessary revisions to eliminate deficiencies
identified by the expert reviewers.

3.  The Contractor must submit a revised plan for the technical
    assistance network that includes a description of how the Contractor
    will eliminate the deficiencies identified by the expert review for
    COTR approval.

4.  The Contractor must implement the approved plan for establishment of
    the network. The Contractor must secure the participation of the
    potential providers listed in the approved plan for the technical
    assistance network. The Contractor must provide a clear description
    of the policies and procedures for the network's operation and
    service to users for each of the providers. The Contractor must
    conduct a semi-annual meeting of the providers to facilitate
    information sharing among them as well as to obtain information on
    emerging needs among the NREI target audiences.

5.  The Contractor must evaluate the extent and effectiveness of the
    network's activities. The Contractor must systematically monitor and
    evaluate the network's activities. The evaluation must include the
    collection of data that documents the extent to which the network is
    used, the characteristics of users, and the user satisfaction with
    the system. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring the smooth
    operation of the network, including taking actions to correct
    problems identified by the technical assistance providers and
    network users.

## AREA E: MANAGEMENT AND EVALUATION

**Task 12: Establish a system for evaluating activities under this
contract and preparing periodic reports on the progress of activities
under this contract and evaluate activities.**

[Subtasks]{.underline}

12.1 Meet with the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR)
to obtain relevant background information, review the statement of work,
and discuss the schedule for deliverables. The Contractor shall provide
the COTR with written minutes of the meeting, including any agreements
reached about the work and delivery schedule for work conducted under
the contract.

12.2 The Contractor must ensure the smooth operation of the system by
overseeing all aspects of its implementation, including ensuring that
the implementation proceeds on schedule according to the timeline
approved by the COTR.

12.3 The Contractor must evaluate the extent and effectiveness of the
contract\'s activities. The Contractor must systematically monitor and
evaluate the contract\'s activities. The evaluation must include the
collection of data that documents the extent to which the system is
used, the characteristics of users, and user satisfaction with the
system. The Contractor must also collect data suitable for internal
management purposes, including information that facilitates
identification of gaps in services, problems, and system deficiencies.
The Contractor must identify and take the appropriate corrective actions
to resolve identified service gaps, problems, and system deficiencies.

12.4 The Contractor must brief the COTR in person at least once every
quarter on the progress of the work. The briefing must include a written
report on the status of work on each task in this statement of work, a
description of potential problems that could delay the timely completion
of any task and/or cost overruns. The Contractor must also present
recommendations for specific actions to prevent or eliminate problems,
and preliminary evaluations of the extent and effectiveness of
activities underway.

12.5 The Contractor must prepare an annual report, suitable for public
reporting of the NREI's work under this contract, for dissemination.

**Task 13: Work cooperatively with COTR and other NIFL staff designated
by the COTR to increase public awareness of the NREI, promote
participation in its activities, and use of its materials by the target
audiences.**

1.  Develop a strategy to increase general public awareness of NREI and
    participation in its activities and use of its materials by members
    of the target audiences.

2.  Promote target audiences use of services and materials using
    appropriate public awareness strategies, including preparing press
    releases to announce major events and availability of new materials,
    press kits with sample materials, direct mailings to members of the
    target audiences, and provision of sample materials to key members
    of the target audiences.

# **PERFORMANCE PERIOD** 

The work to be performed is planned as a four-year (48 months) project.
The 48 months performance period begins on the contract award date.

# **DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE**

See Attachment B for a chart of the deliverables by area of work.

# 

# **REFERENCES**

The following documents may provide helpful background information and
are included as part of this request for proposals package:

The Reading Excellence Act of 1998 (see Appendix A to this Statement of
Work)

NREI Program Overview\--On-going and Planned Activities (See Attachment
E)

List of Key NIFL Staff (See Attachment F)

List of Potential Target Audiences (See Attachment G)

In addition, the following documents may provide helpful information.
While not included as part of this request for proposals, they are
available on the Internet as indicated below:

National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development, National
Institutes of Health (2000). Report of the National Reading Panel.
*Teaching Children to Read: An Evidence-Based Assessment of the
Scientific Research Literature on Reading and Its Implications for
Reading Instruction* (NIH Publication No. 00-4769). Washington, D.C.:
U.S. Government Printing Office.

URL: <http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/>

National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development, National
Institutes of Health (2000). Report of the National Reading Panel.
*Teaching Children to Read: Reports of the Subgroups* (NIH Publication
No. 00-4769). Washington: D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. URL:
<http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/>

National Academy of Sciences (National Research Council). *Preventing
Reading Difficulties in Young Children*, edited by Catherine E. Snow, M.
Susan Burns, and Peg Griffin. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.:,
1998.) URL: <http://www.nas.edu/>

National Academy of Sciences. *Starting Out Right: A Guide to Promoting
Children\'s Reading Success*, edited by Catherine E. Snow, M. Susan
Burns, and Peg Griffin. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.:, 1999.
URL: <http://www.nas.edu/>

U.S. Department of Education, *Reading Excellence Program Overview*,
March 6, 2000. URL: <http://www.ws.gov/offices/OESE/REA/>

U.S. Department of Education, *Reading Excellence Program,
Non-Regulatory Guidance for FY 1999 Grant Applications*, March 1999.
URL: <http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/REA/>

American Institutes for Research: *Abstracts of FY 1999 State
Applications for the Reading Excellence Program*, March 8, 2000. URL:
<http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/REA/>

# 

# **GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY**

NIFL will be responsible for all printing and other reproduction costs
associated with producing the approved version of all products.

**APPENDIX A**

**The Reading Excellence Act**

**Go to**

**www.nifl.gov/lincs/collections/policy/REA.html**

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