STATEMENT OF WORK
         The Outcomes of Diversity in Higher Education
                                

A.  INTRODUCTION

This contract is for a study of the outcomes of diversity in higher education and is based on the
need for a critical examination and evaluation of the effects of increased proportions of
racial/ethnic minority students participating in higher education, of attempts to improve the
climate of campus life for those students, and of inclusion of racial/ethnic minority perspectives
and experience in critical areas of the curriculum that prepare all students for participating in a
workforce that is both increasingly multi-cultural and serving diverse racial/ethnic groups.  The
research will also examine and weigh comparative outcomes of institutional policies and practices. 
This procurement is authorized by Title IX of the Goals 2000 Educate America Act [Section 931
(Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act), P.L. 103-227
(March 31, 1994)].  

B.  BACKGROUND 

By the middle of the 21st century, people of color and of language backgrounds other than English
will comprise nearly half of the U.S. population, and constitute an ever-more-critical portion of
the workforce.  Employers have recognized a more culturally-diverse workforce as essential to
successful business competition, and expect higher education to prepare students for a work
environment that is characterized by racial/ethnic diversity.  Employers have also recognized that
a workforce drawn from and prepared to serve the unique multi-ethnic population that
characterizes the United States is also prepared to compete in a global economy.  A firm
consensus has developed that a well-educated and racially diverse workforce is more productive,
offering a broader range of perspectives and ideas leading to better decision-making than a less-educated and less diverse workforce.  Creativity and innovation are more likely to flourish when
the pool of talent expands.

For related reasons, racial/ethnic diversity among student bodies serves an important co-curricular
function in higher education.  Exposure to individuals from varying backgrounds and cultures
prepares students better not only for work but also for citizenry and democracy by broadening
their perspectives and knowledge.  While, by virtue of geography and mission, not all colleges
and community colleges enjoy the full benefits of culturally diverse student bodies, overall, our
system of higher education has established a tradition of promoting diversity as a means for
fostering tolerance, understanding, and respect for group differences.  

Over the past two decades, the U.S. system of higher education has made considerable progress
in increasing the proportion of all racial minorities among college students. The minority share
of enrollments among U. S. Citizens at all levels of higher education increased from 16 percent
in 1986 to 26 percent in 1995; at the undergraduate level, from 17 to 27 percent; at the graduate
level, from 11 to 17 percent.  These overall encouraging figures, however, mask both disparities
and problems.  Overall, the proportion of Asian-American students tripled (from 1.8 percent to
5.6 percent) and the proportion of Hispanic students doubled (from 3.6 percent to 7.6 percent),
while the proportions of African-American and American Indian/Alaskan Native students
remained flat (Digest of Education Statistics, 1996, table 203, p. 208).  Attendance patterns are
also variable, with Hispanic and American Indian/Alaskan Native students far more likely to
attend community colleges than students from other groups.  Furthermore, while the "access
rates" for all minority students rose considerably, only Hispanic students increased their
bachelor's degree completion rates (The Condition of Education, 1996, p. 25).  More seriously,
the gap of degree completion rates between white and Asian-American students, on the one hand,
and other racial minorities remains unacceptably wide, despite the fact that a higher percentage
of African-American, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaskan Native students receive financial
aid (specifically, grants) (Digest of Education Statistics, 1996, table 312, p. 324).  Lower degree
completion rates hamper efforts to increase the numbers of minority faculty to keep pace with the
growth of the minority student population.

ED's awareness and concern about these differential, and sometimes paradoxical, patterns of
participation, attendance, financial aid, and completion is reflected in an on-going series of
quantitative analyses called the Postsecondary Education Data Analyses Reports (PEDAR),
conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics.  The purpose of the PEDAR series, in
part, is to provide a national portrait of issues affecting access, participation, and degree
completion, with particular attention to minority and low-income students.  ED is not alone in
collecting and analyzing these national data.  The National Science Foundation, the National
Research Council, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, among others, also conduct large-scale data
gathering, analysis, and time-series studies of national scope.  It is not the intention of this
solicitation to duplicate the types of data collection or analyses being conducted under PEDAR
and allied studies or under the aegis of other federal agencies.  The specified level of effort is
insufficient to support new large-scale national data collection.

Instead, the purpose of this contract is more focused on institutions, state systems, and disciplinary
organizations, and intended to elicit more qualitative approaches.  Despite recent questions about
the future of affirmative action, most institutions are committed to maintaining racial/ethnic
diversity in their student populations, and have pledged to continue to strive for increased minority
representation in faculty and staff.  State systems are seeking more equitable ways of
accommodation and distribution of racial minority populations across many types of institutions,
from open door community colleges to selective flagship university campuses.  Disciplinary and
professional organizations in fields of study leading to careers in the helping professions (teaching,
nursing), professional service (medicine, law, architecture), and communications (journalism,
commercial art), for example, are increasingly committed to integration of materials and topics
on the culture, language, and status of minority populations into their curricula on the grounds
that students trained without this material cannot be effective workers in a multi-cultural economy
and society.

The degree of commitment to these objectives, acceptance and participation by faculty and staff,
and definitions of successful outcomes vary from institution to institution, state system to state
system, and among disciplinary and professional organizations.  Our understanding of the reasons
for this variance is imperfect.  Evaluative studies on the effectiveness of programs and policies
addressing these different aspects of "diversity" are also lacking.

Institutional approaches to improving the participation and degree-completion rates of minority
students, for example, have involved a variety of strategies, from curricular modifications to
student service programming to self-conscious campus climate enhancements to increasing the
scope and quality of pre-college outreach programs.  Identifying strategies that are both cost
effective and beneficial is essential in developing successful programs that could be replicated in
similar institutional settings.  State system approaches to more equitable distribution of minority
students among institutional types involve consideration of testing, competency-based admissions,
language issues, and desegregation cases, among other problems.  Both institutional and state
policies that are driven by factors of race, ethnicity, and language are further confounded by
students' experience and socioeconomic background, and ambivalent public opinions of what is
fair, just, and moral.  The research must take account of these multiple perspectives in order to
develop an inclusive evidentiary base on the value of diversity for all students.  Research that does
not address this complexity, or respond to some of the uneasy questions it raises, is not likely to
contribute substantially to either theory or practice.

C. GENERAL SCOPE OF WORK

This is a contract for research on the Outcomes of Diversity in Higher Education that will lead
to a stronger base of evidence on the comparative effectiveness of approaches to a multiplicity of
"diversity issues" confronted by institutions of higher education, state systems, and disciplinary
organizations.   In each case, research must focus on defining the desirable outcomes of policies
and programs, identifying indicators of success, and evaluating innovative practices that positively
effect students from various racial, ethnic, and language minority groups.  To better understand
the complexity of diversity issues, researchers need to employ multi-disciplinary approaches, and
to draw on fields ranging from linguistics to economics, for example.  In the process, ED expects
researchers to create effective linkages among the various organizations conducting disparate work
on related issues.  Particularly if comparative studies of states, groups of institutions, or
disciplinary organizations are proposed, opportunities for collaboration must be created.

The following are examples of broad-based issues and research questions on racial, ethnic and
language diversity that are considered appropriate for this contract:

                                                                   What are the real and likely effects of alternative state system approaches to 
                                                                 minority student participation in higher education, particularly on the distribution
                                                                 of minority students by institutional type?  To what extent are these effects altered
                                                                 in states with special mission institutions (Historically Black Colleges, Hispanic
                                                                 Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges)?  In states that encourage differentiation of      institutions by curricular missions?    

                                                                   What features of institutional policy and programs have been most effective in minority
                                                                 student degree-completion?  What features have been least effective?  To what extent do
                                                                 institutional strategies change in relation to size, location (in respect to proximity to
                                                                 minority communities), selectivity, and special emphases of curriculum?

                                                                   To what extent have the disciplines in fields such as helping professions,        professional services, and communications included materials and topics on the  culture,
                                                                 language, and experience of minority populations into their curricula?               In what kinds of
                                                                 institutions (including special mission institutions) has this happened, and with what
                                                                 effects?  In fact, what measures of effectiveness are most compelling? What have been the
                                                                 most successful faculty development practices in these efforts?  

                                                                   Do teaching styles, uses of technology, and course organization have different impacts
                                                                 on different groups of students according to race/ethnicity and/or second language
                                                                 backgrounds?  What styles, technologies, and organization have proven most effective in
                                                                 the learning and achievement of minority students from different backgrounds?  Are these
                                                                 effects greater or less for the majority population?

                                                                   How do institutions with historically distinct enrollment mixes (e.g.
                                                                 commuter/residential, full-time/part-time, non-traditional age/traditional age) approach the
                                                                 task of improving the campus climate for minority students, and with what effects?  What
                                                                 are the most convincing criteria for a hospitable climate?  What criteria do minority
                                                                 students themselves use to define "comfort level"? and does to what extent does "comfort
                                                                 level" determine degree completion?

                                                                   What have proven to be the best models of practice in college preparatory outreach
                                                                 programs for pre-college minority students?  What features of those programs are most
                                                                 closely correlates not merely with initial enrollment, but of degree retention and degree
                                                                 completion? What are the quality control mechanisms in the successful programs?  To
                                                                 what extent are members of the student's family or extended  family involved, and how? 
                                                                 Where and how can these practices be conducted on a large scale? 

                                                                   What have been the effects of different degrees of racial/ethnic diversity on campuses
                                                                 and/or in major fields on the majority population?  What are the most persuasive indicators
                                                                 of positive impact?  The least persuasive?  Do alumni surveys tell us anything about the
                                                                 enduring effects of diversity?  


                           References

U. S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education
Statistics, 1996 (Washington, D.C.: 1996), 208, 324.

U. S. Department of Education, The Condition of Education, 1996 (Washington, D.C.:1996), 25.


E.  TASKS  

BASE YEAR

1.1                                                              Meet with COTR

Following the contract award  (within 10 working days), the contractor shall meet with the COTR
and the Contract Specialist  to discuss the contract generally and specifically the plan of work
(including analysis plan), management plan, commitment of participants,
collaborators/consultants, proposed products, and dissemination/outreach plan.  

2.1                                                              Finalize Commitments and Submit Revised Plan of Work

Within 2 weeks following the meeting with the COTR and the Contract Specialist, the contractor
shall submit a finalized list of all participants and collaborators from participating institutions,
organizations, or associations, along with a management plan that details how efforts will be
coordinated.  In addition, the contractor shall submit a revised plan of work to the Contract
Specialist and the COTR for final review and approval, including a final product and
dissemination/outreach plan.  The contractor shall not implement the plan until it has been
approved by the COTR.

                                                                      [Deliverables for Task 2.1: (1) Finalized List of Participants and
                                                                      Collaborators; (2) Revised Plan of Work; (3) Revised Analyses Plan; (4) 
                                                                      Revised Management Plan; (5) Proposed Product Plan; (6) Revised
                                                                      Dissemination and Outreach Plan ]
3.1                                                              Implement Research Plan

Following review and approval of the revised plan of work by the COTR, the contractor shall
conduct the study based on the revised plan of work and the proposed research questions. 

4.1                                                              Prepare Report on Preliminary Findings

The contractor shall prepare a brief report (not to exceed 20 pages) on significant findings of the
research.  The purpose of the preliminary report is to determine whether additional analyses will
be required.  This decision will be made in consultation with the COTR .

                                                                           [Deliverable for Task 4.1:  Preliminary Report]

5.1                                                              Develop and Submit Draft Research 'Issues Brief'

Following review and comment of the preliminary findings by the COTR, the contractor shall
develop and submit a brief (4-6 page) research report of the findings.  The report shall be suitable
for publication.
    
                                                                           [Deliverable for Task 5.1:  Draft Research Issues Brief]

6.1                                                              Submit Final Draft of the Research 'Issues Brief'

Following review and comment of the draft report by the COTR, the contractor shall revise and
submit the final draft of the research issue brief. 

                                                                           [Deliverable for Task 6.1:  Final Draft of Research Issues Brief]


OPTION YEAR 1

7.1                                                              Prepare Report on Additional Findings 

The contractor shall prepare a brief report (not to exceed 20 pages) on significant research
findings.  The report will include all research findings not described in the preliminary report. 
 
                                                                           [Deliverable for Task 7.1:  Research Findings Report]
8.1    Prepare Draft Outline of Final Report

Once the COTR has reviewed and commented on the research findings, the Contractor shall
prepare and submit a draft outline of the final report. 

                                                                           [Deliverable for Task 8.1:   Draft Outline of Final Report] 

9.1   Submit Revised Outline of Final Report

Following review and comment by the COTR, the contractor shall submit a revised 
outline of the final report.

                                                                           [Deliverable for Task 9.1:  Final Outline of Draft Report]

10.1    Prepare Draft Final Report
 
Once outline has been approved by the COTR, the Contractor shall prepare and submit the draft
final report.

                                                                           [Deliverable for Task 10.1:  Draft Final Report]

11.1    Revise and Submit Final Report 

Following review and comment by the COTR of the draft report, the contractor shall submit a
final report.

                                                                           [Deliverable for Task 11.1:    Final Report]

12.1                                                             Meet with COTR to Discuss Additional Research and Data Needs

Within 2 weeks after the submission of the final report, the Contractor shall meet with the COTR
and the Contract Specialist to discuss additional research and data needs relevant to the current
activity.  The contractor shall submit a plan to conduct a follow-up analysis based on the study's
findings.  
   
                                                                           [Deliverable for Task 12.1:  Follow-up Analysis Plan]

OPTION YEAR 2

13.1                                                             Implement Follow-up Analysis Plan

Upon approval of the COTR of the follow-up analysis plan, the contractor shall examine
additional research questions relevant to the project.  

14.1                                                             Develop and Submit Draft Report on Findings

The contractor shall prepare and submit a draft report (not to exceed 20 pages) on the research
findings. 

                                                                      [Deliverable for Task 14.1:  Draft Follow-up Report on Findings]

15.1     Revise and Submit Final Report

Upon review and comment by the COTR of the draft report, the contractor shall revise and submit
a final report.

                                                                      [Deliverable for Task 15.1:  Final Follow-up Report]

16.1   Develop and Submit Preliminary Dissemination Products

The contractor shall develop and submit all dissemination products proposed in the plan of work.

                                                                      [Deliverable for Task 16.1:  Dissemination Products]

17.1                                                             Submit Final Dissemination Products

Following review and approval of the preliminary dissemination products by the COTR, the
contractor shall submit the final dissemination products.

                                                                      [Deliverable for Task 17.1: Final Products]

18.1    Prepare and Submit Revised Dissemination and Outreach Plan

The contractor shall revise the dissemination and outreach plan and submit it to the COTR for
review and approval.

                                                                      [Deliverable for Task 18.1:  Revised Dissemination and Outreach Plan]

19.1                                                             Implement Dissemination and Outreach Plan

The contractor shall implement the dissemination and outreach activities based on the revised plan.      
20.1                                                             Prepare and Submit Dissemination and Outreach Report

The contractor shall prepare and submit a report on all dissemination and outreach activities.

                                                                      [Deliverable for Task 20.1:  Dissemination and Outreach Report]

F.  DELIVERABLES

Quarterly Reports.  Within 10 days following the end of each quarter, the Contractor shall submit
quarterly reports to the COTR and Contracting Officer that includes a description of the project
activities for the quarter and the activities planned for the coming quarter.   Problems shall be
identified, along with recommended solutions.  The report shall include a summary of the hours
worked during the quarter (by month and by project staff) on each task.  Project expenditures shall
be reported by each task (by month and to-date expenditures).  

Status Reports.  The contractor shall submit status reports on the implementation of the research
activity.  The Contractor shall submit one report upon completing one-third of the activity and a
second report after completing two-thirds of the activity.

Other Anticipated Products.  The contractor shall submit all visual products (videos, brochures,
etc) in final form, along with necessary computer files for layout. Other proposed products shall
require review and approval by the COTR prior to submission.
 
G.  SURVEILLANCE PLAN

A quarterly status report shall be provided by the contractor within 10 working days following
the end of quarter following the effective start date of the award.  A summary of
accomplishments, problems encountered, and plans shall be provided for each task.  The number
of direct labor hours shall be provided for each task.  

Work performed on this contract is subject to the technical review of the COTR.  In general, the
work will be evaluated in terms of how well the requirements are satisfied, clarity of
documentation, and timeliness of scheduled task accomplishment.   The management plan will be
evaluated by smoothness of operations and timeliness.

The contractor's performance shall be evaluated under Tasks 1-20 by the COTR who will assign
the following overall ratings:  1) Superior; 2) Acceptable; and 3) Unacceptable.  For each task
that the contractor performs at the 'Superior' level, a $1,000 bonus will be awarded to the
contractor.  Conversely, for each task that the contractor performs at an 'Unacceptable' level, a
1,000 deduction will be made to the amount of the contract.  In addition, the Contractor shall
receive a $1,000 bonus for each product of  'Superior' quality, and will receive a $1,000
deduction for each product that is deemed 'Unacceptable' by the COTR.   Performance bonuses
for deliverables and products will be made in a lump sum following the completion of specific
tasks.  For each deliverable of 'Superior' quality completed in Tasks 2-4, 5-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-16,
and 17-20, a lump sum payment will be made following the completion of Tasks 4, 6, 9, 12, 16,
and 20 respectively.  No performance award shall be given for the completion of Task 1.   

Standards

BASE YEAR

Task 1                                                           Meet with COTR
                                                                      
                                                                 Standard:   Within 10 days following the contract award, the contractor shall meet with
                                                                 the COTR and the Contract Specialist to discuss the final revisions to the proposal,
                                                                 including the plan of work, commitment of participants and/or collaborators, analysis plan, 
                                                                 intended products, and dissemination and outreach plan.

                                                                 Unacceptable performance:     1) Meeting does not take place within 10 days of the contract
                                                                 award; or  2) the contractor does not contribute substantially to discussions on revisions
                                                                 of the analysis plan, intended products, or dissemination/outreach  plan.

                                                                 Acceptable performance: 1) Meeting with COTR and Contract Specialist takes place within
                                                                 specified time frame; and 2) the contractor considers alterative approaches to the problem,
                                                                 suggests  solutions to problems; and 3) the contractor demonstrates that the intended
                                                                 products conform to established convention; and 4) the plan presents dissemination and
                                                                 outreach  methods appropriate for each target audience.

                                                                 Superior performance: 1) Meeting takes place within 5 days of the contract award; and 2)
                                                                 the contractor works closely with COTR and provides insight into potential problems and
                                                                 the contractor submits a report that  clear, comprehensible, and informative; and 3) the
                                                                 report addresses unexpected preliminary findings and presents feasible and insightful
                                                                 interpretations of the findings; and 4) the dissemination and outreach plan gives full
                                                                 consideration to the needs of intended target audiences. 

Task 2                                                           Finalize Commitments and Submit Revised Plan of Work

                                                                 Standard:  The contractor shall identify all project participants in a timely manner.  Each
                                                                 participant's role shall be clearly described.  The type of activity and amount of time for
                                                                 each participant/collaborator/consultant shall be well documented.  The contractor shall
                                                                 revise the plan of work to incorporate the comments and revisions suggested by the
                                                                 COTR.  The plan of work shall demonstrate a clear, in-depth understanding of the
                                                                 purposes of and the need for the proposed study.  Analytic techniques are appropriate for
                                                                 the issues under study.

                                                                 Unacceptable performance:  1) The contractor fails to identify all participants within the
                                                                 specified time frame; or, 2)  participants roles are ambiguous; or 3) the activity or the
                                                                 amount of time associated with each activity is not clearly articulated; or 4) the revised
                                                                 plan of work is unclear, poorly articulated, or shows poor understanding of the purposes
                                                                 and need for the study; or, 5)  the methodology or research design is inappropriate.

                                                                 Acceptable performance: 1) The contractor identifies all participants within the specified
                                                                 time frame; and 2) the role of each participant/collaborator, and consultant is clearly
                                                                 described; and 3) the type of activity or the amount of time associated with each activity
                                                                 in the final plan of work is clearly articulated; and 4) the plan of work presents clear
                                                                 evidence that the contractor understands why the work is important; and 5) the
                                                                 methodology or research design is appropriate for study.

                                                                 Superior performance:  In addition to meeting the standards for acceptable performance,
                                                                 1) the contractor uses measures and methods that are cost and time effective; and  2) the
                                                                 contractor not only presents a clear statement of a discrete problem and understands its
                                                                 importance, but also why it is more important than other allied problems.

Task 3                                                           Implement Research Plan

                                                                 Standard:  The contractor shall conduct the study based on the research methodology
                                                                 described in the plan of work. 

                                                                 Unacceptable performance:  1) The contractor does not complete the research study within
                                                                 the specified time frame; or 2) the study is fraught with numerous problems and obstacles
                                                                 that should have been foreseen by the contractor, resulting in major modifications to the
                                                                 plan. 

                                                                 Acceptable performance: 1) The contractor completes the study within the specified time
                                                                 frame; and 2) the contractor effectively resolves or minimizes obstacles raised during the
                                                                 course of the study, requiring minimum modifications to the research plan.  
                                                                 
                                                                 Superior performance: In addition to meeting the above criteria for acceptable
                                                                 performance, 1) the contractor demonstrates foresight into and takes immediate action to
                                                                 correct potential problems, and 2) no modifications to the research plan are required.

Task 4                                                           Prepare Report on Preliminary Findings

                                                                 Standard:  The contractor shall submit a narrative report describing significant preliminary
                                                                 findings of the research. The report shall not exceed 20 pages in length.

                                                                 Unacceptable performance:  The contractor 1) fails to submit the report within the
                                                                 specified time frame; or 2)  the report exceeds the 20-page limit or submits a report that
                                                                 is less than 10 pages in length; or 3) the report does not address  the relevance of the
                                                                 findings or the potential impact of the findings. 

                                                                 Acceptable performance:  1) The contractor submits the report within the specified time
                                                                 frame; and  2) The report does not exceed the maximum number of pages and does not go
                                                                 below 10 pages; and 3) The report addresses the potential impact of the findings on
                                                                 relevant stakeholders.

                                                                 Superior performance:  In addition to meeting the above standards for acceptable
                                                                 performance, 1) the contractor submits a report that  clear, comprehensible, and
                                                                 informative; and 2) the report addresses unexpected preliminary findings and presents
                                                                 feasible and insightful interpretations of the findings.

Task 5                                                           Develop and Submit Draft Research 'Issues Brief" Report 

Following a review of the report on the findings, the contractor shall prepare brief research report
suitable for publication.
                                                                 
                                                                 Standard: The contractor shall develop a brief report, between 4-6 pages, including
                                                                 tables and figures if applicable.

                                                                 Unacceptable performance:  1) The contractor fails to submit the report in a timely
                                                                 manner;  or 2)  the  report exceeds 6 pages in length; or 3) the report is unstructured or
                                                                 is not concise; or 4) the target audience for the report is not clearly identified, or 5) The
                                                                 report does not clearly address a specific research issue or question.
 
                                                                 Acceptable performance:  1) The contractor submits the report within the specified time
                                                                 frame; and 2) the report is between 4-6 pages in length; and 3) the report is well structured
                                                                 and concise; and 4) the target audience is well identified; and, 5) The report is clearly
                                                                 focused on a specific research issue or question.
   
                                                                 Superior performance:  In addition to meeting the criteria for acceptable performance,  the
                                                                 report is 1) clear, comprehensible, and informative and 2) presents feasible and insightful
                                                                 interpretations of the findings.


Task 6                                                           Submit Final Draft of 'Issues Brief' Report 

                                                                 Unacceptable performance:   1) The final draft report is not delivered within the scheduled
                                                                 time frame; and 2) the report does not reflect the revisions and recommendations of the
                                                                 COTR.

                                                                 Acceptable performance:  1) The final draft report is delivered with the scheduled time
                                                                 frame and reflects all comments and recommendations of the COTR; and 2)  The
                                                                 document is appropriately formatted and does not require further editing.

                                                                 Superior performance:  The final draft report is delivered at least 1 week prior to
                                                                 scheduled due date and is 'camera ready.'

Option Year 1 

Task 7                                                           Prepare Report on Research Findings

                                                                 Standard:  The contractor shall submit a narrative report on significant findings. The
                                                                 report shall describe all findings not described in the preliminary report. The report shall
                                                                 not exceed 20 pages in length.

                                                                 Unacceptable performance:  The contractor 1) fails to submit the report within the
                                                                 specified time frame or 2)  exceeds the 20-page limit or submits a report that is less than
                                                                 10 pages in length; or 3) the report does not address the relevance of the findings or the
                                                                 potential impact of the findings. 

                                                                 Acceptable performance:  The contractor: 1) submits the report within the specified time
                                                                 frame;  and 2) does not exceed the maximum number of pages and does not go below 10
                                                                 pages; and 3) discusses the relevance of the findings and potential impact on the findings.

                                                                 Superior performance:  In addition to meeting the above standards for acceptable
                                                                 performance, 1) the contractor submits a report that  clear, comprehensible, and
                                                                 informative; and 2) the report addresses unexpected findings and presents feasible and
                                                                 insightful interpretations of the findings.

Task 8                                                           Prepare Draft Outline of Final Report 

                                                                 Standard:  The contractor shall submit a preliminary outline of the draft report, based on
                                                                 the study's findings.

                                                                 Unacceptable performance:  1) The contractor does not submit the outline in the time
                                                                 frame specified;  or  2) the contractor omits relevant points and issues; 3) The outline is
                                                                 disorganized.
                                                                 Acceptable performance:  The contractor submits the outline within the specified time
                                                                 frame; and, 2) the outline is clear and consistent, forms a logical progression, and is
                                                                 inclusive.

                                                                 Superior performance:   In addition to meeting the criteria for acceptable performance, the
                                                                 outline requires minimal editing in matters of content.


Task 9                                                           Submit Revised Outline of Final Report

                                                                 Standard:  The contractor shall submit a final outline of the draft report.

                                                                 Unacceptable performance:  1) The contractor does not submit the outline in the time
                                                                 frame specified;  or  2) the revised outline does not reflect the comments and
                                                                 recommendations of the COTR.

                                                                 Acceptable performance:  The contractor submits the outline within the specified time
                                                                 frame; and 2) the outline reflects the comments and recommendations of the COTR.

                                                                 Superior performance:   In addition to meeting the criteria for acceptable performance, the
                                                                 outline requires no further editing.


Task 10                                                          Prepare Draft Final Report
                                                                 
                                                                 Standard:   The report shall contain:  1) an introduction that discusses the major issues and
                                                                 research questions being addressed and includes a review of the available relevant
                                                                 literature on the issues; 2) analysis of the data and findings; 3) relevant data tables, charts,
                                                                 and graphs; 4) recommendations and future research needs; and, 5) 1-2 pages of highlights
                                                                 from the data.   An executive summary in an appropriate non-technical style shall be
                                                                 prepared.   

                                                                 Unacceptable performance:   1) The draft final report is not submitted within the specified
                                                                 time frame; or  2) the introduction fails to address the major issues and research questions;
                                                                 or 3) data analysis fail to support findings;  or 4) tables, charts, graphs contains errors,
                                                                 or otherwise inaccurate or incomplete; or 5) recommendations are unrealistic; or 6) the
                                                                 document is poorly written or requires major revisions in content and in editing.

                                                                 Acceptable performance: 1) The draft final report is submitted within the specified time
                                                                 frame; and 2) all relevant sections are included in the final report; and 3) data analyses
                                                                 support findings;  and 4) tables, charts, graphs are easy to read, accurate, and complete;
                                                                 and 5) recommendations are feasible and realistic; and 6) the document is well written in
                                                                 a language appropriate for its target audience(s) and requires minimal editing in areas of
                                                                 content.  

                                                                 Superior performance:  In addition to meeting the criteria for acceptable performance, the
                                                                 draft final report is presented in a clear language appropriate not only to its target
                                                                 audience, but also to secondary audiences and the general public. In addition, the findings
                                                                 contribute substantially to the areas of affirmative action and diversity policies and practice
                                                                 by providing new knowledge about critical issues or raising provocative questions that
                                                                 frame national discussions on affirmative action/diversity programs and initiatives. 

Task 11                                                          Revise and Submit Final Report 
                                                                      
                                                                 Standard:  The contractor shall ensure that the comments, recommendations,  and revisions
                                                                 made by the COTR are incorporated into the final draft and that the final draft is submitted
                                                                 in a timely manner.

                                                                 Unacceptable performance: 1)  The contractor fails to submit the revised draft report
                                                                 within the specified time frame; or 2) the document requires major revisions in content;
                                                                 or 3) the document reflects poor integration of the comments and recommendations of the
                                                                 COTR.

                                                                 Acceptable performance:  1) The contractor submits the revised final draft report within
                                                                 the specified time frame; and 2) the document requires minimal editing; and  3) the
                                                                 revision adequately reflects the comments and recommendations of the COTR.

                                                                 Superior performance:  In addition to meeting the criteria for acceptable performance, the
                                                                 revised final draft requires no editing.

Task 12                                                          Meet with COTR to Discuss Research Needs Relevant to Current Activity

                                                                 Standard: The contractor shall meet with the COTR and the Contract Specialist to discuss
                                                                 implications of the current study and to submit a plan to examine additional research
                                                                 questions and issues relevant to the project.    

                                                                 Unacceptable performance:  1) The plan is not logically linked to the current study; or 
                                                                 2) The plan is unclear, poorly focused, or poorly articulated.   

                                                                 Acceptable performance:  The contractor clearly demonstrates that research issues and
                                                                 questions are clearly linked to the project's findings.  

                                                                 Superior performance:   In addition to meeting the critical for acceptable performance, the
                                                                 contractor presents a cohesive line of inquiry that will contribute to, strengthen, and/or
                                                                 influence national research on affirmative action/diversity programs, and clearly describes
                                                                 how the additional research questions will be examined. The plan is both cost and time
                                                                 effective.

Option Year 2

Task 13                                                          Implement Follow-up Analyses Plan

                                                                 Standard:  The contractor shall conduct the study based on the research methodology
                                                                 described in the  plan. 

                                                                 Unacceptable performance:  1) The contractor does not complete the analyses within the
                                                                 specified time frame; or 2) problems arise during the analyses phase that should have been
                                                                 foreseen by the contractor, resulting in major modifications to the research plan.

                                                                 Acceptable performance: 1) The contractor completes the analyses within the specified
                                                                 time frame; and 2) the contractor effectively resolves or minimizes obstacles raised during
                                                                 the course of the analyses, requiring minimum modifications to the plan.  
                                                                 
                                                                 Superior performance: In addition to meeting the above criteria for acceptable
                                                                 performance, 1) the contractor demonstrates foresight into and takes immediate action to
                                                                 correct potential problems, and 2) no modifications to the research plan are required.


Task 14                                                          Prepare and Submit Draft Report on Findings

                                                                 Standard:   The report shall contain:  1) an introduction that discusses the major issues and
                                                                 research questions being addressed and includes a brief review of the available relevant
                                                                 literature; 2) analysis of the data and findings; 3) relevant data tables, charts, and graphs;
                                                                 4) recommendations and future research needs; and 5)  1-2 pages of highlights from the
                                                                 data.   An executive summary in an appropriate non-technical style shall be prepared.   

                                                                 Unacceptable performance:   1) The draft final report is not submitted within the specified
                                                                 time frame; or  2) the introduction fails to address the major issues and research questions;
                                                                 or 3) data analysis fail to support findings; or  4) tables, charts, graphs contains errors,
                                                                 or otherwise inaccurate or incomplete; or 5) recommendations are unrealistic; or 6) the
                                                                 document is poorly written and requires major revisions in content and in editing.

                                                                 Acceptable performance: 1) The draft final report is submitted within the specified time
                                                                 frame; and 2)  all relevant sections are included in the final report; and, 3)  Data analyses
                                                                 support findings;  and 4) tables, charts, graphs are easy to read, accurate, and complete;
                                                                 and 5) recommendations are feasible and realistic; and 6) the document is well written in
                                                                 a language appropriate for its target audience(s) and requires minimal editing in areas of
                                                                 content.  

                                                                 Superior performance:  In addition to meeting the criteria for acceptable performance, the
                                                                 draft final report is presented in a clear language appropriate not only to its target
                                                                 audience, but also to secondary audiences and the general public. Also, the findings
                                                                 contribute substantially to the areas of affirmative action and diversity policies and practice
                                                                 by providing new knowledge about critical issues or raising provocative questions that
                                                                 frame national discussions on affirmative action/diversity programs and initiatives. 
                                                                 
Task 15                                                          Submit Final Report of Findings
                                                                      
                                                                 Standard:  The contractor shall ensure that the comments, suggestions,  and revisions made
                                                                 by the COTR are incorporated into the final draft and that the final draft is submitted in
                                                                 a timely manner.

                                                                 Unacceptable performance: 1)  The contractor fails to submit the revised draft report
                                                                 within the specified time frame; or 2) the document requires major revisions in content;
                                                                 or, 3) the document reflects poor integration of the recommendations of the COTR.

                                                                 Acceptable performance:  1) The contractor submits the revised final draft report within
                                                                 the specified time frame; and 2) the document requires minimal editing; and,  3) the
                                                                 revision adequately reflects the comments and suggestions of the COTR.
                                                                 
                                                                 Superior performance:  In addition to meeting the criteria for acceptable performance, the
                                                                 revised final draft requires no editing.

Task 16                                                          Develop and Submit Preliminary Dissemination Products

                                                                 Standard: The contractor shall prepare and submit products that will effectively inform
                                                                 relevant constituencies and  the public on critical research findings and implications of the
                                                                 study.  

                                                                 Unacceptable performance:  1) The products are not submitted within the specified time
                                                                 frame; or 2) the products are not in camera ready format.
                                                                 Acceptable performance:  1) The products are submitted within the specified time frame
                                                                 and are camera ready;  and 2) the products are specifically designed for each target
                                                                 audience. 

                                                                 Superior performance:   In addition to meeting the criteria for acceptable performance, the
                                                                 products will promote intellectual exchange across all levels of constitutes at the national
                                                                 level, and in both public and private sectors.  

Task 17                                                          Submit Final Dissemination Products

                                                                 Standard:  Upon review and approval of the preliminary dissemination products by the
                                                                 COTR, the contractor shall submit the final dissemination products.

                                                                 Unacceptable performance: 1) The products are not submitted within the specified time
                                                                 frame and 2) do not reflect the recommendations made by the COTR.

                                                                 Acceptable performance:  The products are submitted by the due date; and 2) the products
                                                                 reflect the recommendations of the COTR.     
 
                                                                 Superior performance:  In addition to meeting the criteria for acceptable performance,    the products, require no further modifications.

Task 18                                                          Revise and Submit Dissemination and Outreach Plan

                                                                 Standard:  Based on the research findings, the contractor shall revise the dissemination and
                                                                 outreach plan, and describe how the dissemination products will be used. 

                                                                 Unacceptable performance: 1) The contractor fails to submit the plan in a timely manner;
                                                                 or, 2) the dissemination and outreach strategies fail to identify the specific needs of each
                                                                 target audience; or 3) the dissemination and outreach plan does not take the project's
                                                                 findings into consideration, or does not clearly demonstrate how the information will reach
                                                                 targeted audiences.

                                                                 Acceptable performance:  1) The contractor clearly describes and justifies cost-effective
                                                                 dissemination and outreach procedures that assure the materials reaches those responsible
                                                                 for and interested in diversity programs, policies, and practices; and 2) specific needs of
                                                                 each target audience are clearly identified. 
  
                                                                 Superior performance:  In addition to meeting the criteria for acceptable performance, the
                                                                 plan is likely to result in the information from this study actually contributing to the
                                                                 understanding of the effects of diversity and affirmative action programs in higher
                                                                 education.

Task 19                                                          Implement Dissemination and Outreach Activities

                                                                 Standard:  The contractor shall implement activities described in the dissemination and
                                                                 outreach plan.

                                                                 Unacceptable performance: The contractor fails to follow activities and timelines 
                                                                 articulated in the plan.

                                                                 Acceptable performance:  The contractor follows the plan and completes activities within
                                                                 the specified time frame.
                                                                 
                                                                 Superior performance:  In addition to meeting the criteria for acceptable performance,    no modifications are required to the plan. 
                                                                 
Task 20                                                          Develop and Submit Report on Dissemination and Outreach Activities

                                                                 Standard: The contractor shall submit a report on all dissemination and outreach
                                                                 activities related to project.

                                                                 Unacceptable performance:     The report is not completed within the scheduled timeline.

                                                                 Acceptable performance:  The report is completed within the scheduled timeline.

                                                                 Superior performance:  In addition to meeting the  criteria for acceptable performance, the
                                                                 report clearly describes all dissemination and outreach activities and discusses the impact
                                                                 of the activities on targeted audiences.

SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES

Deliverable                                                                     Due  Dates          Copies         Government                                                  (Weeks after        COTR        CO Review Time
                                                                                      Award)
Base Year:

Finalized List of Participants                                    
  and Collaborators                                                        2 weeks        2    1         1 week
Revised Plan of Work                                                  4 weeks        2    1         1 week
Revised Analysis Plan                                                 4 weeks        2    1         1 week
Revised Management Plan                                               4 weeks        2    1         1 week
Revised Product Plan                                                  4 weeks        2    1         1 week
Revised Dissemination Plan                                       4 weeks        2    1         1 week
Quarterly Report                                                           16 weeks       2    1                   
Status Report                                                                   24 weeks       2    1
Quarterly Report                                                           32 weeks       2    1
Preliminary Findings Report                                      40 weeks       5    1         2 weeks   
Draft 'Issues Brief' Report                                           43 weeks       5    1         2 weeks
Quarterly Report                                                           48 weeks       2    1
Final Draft 'Issues Brief' Report                                52 weeks       2    1    

Option Year 1:

Status Report                                                                   58 weeks       2    1
Research Findings Report                                              62 weeks       5    1              
Quarterly Report                                                           64 weeks       2    1
Outline of Final Report                                               66 weeks       5    1         1 week
Revised Outline of Final Report                                  72 weeks       5    1         1 week
Quarterly Report                                                           72 weeks       2    1
Draft of Final Report                                                 87 weeks       5    1         2 weeks
Quarterly Report                                                           88 weeks       2    1
Final Report                                                                       99 weeks         5    1    
Follow-up Analysis Plan                                                 102 weeks         5    1         2 weeks
SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES (cont.)

Deliverable                                                                     Due  Dates          Copies         Government                                                  (Weeks after        COTR        CO Review Time
                                                                                      Award)

Option Year 2: 

Quarterly Report                                                           118 weeks           2    1
Draft Follow-up Findings Report                                  120 weeks      5    1         2 weeks
Final Follow-up Report                                                126 weeks      5    1          
Prelim. Dissemination Products                                   130 weeks      5    1         2 weeks
Quarterly Report                                                           134 weeks      2    1
Final Dissemination Products                                     146 weeks      5    1
Quarterly Report                                                           150 weeks      2    1
Dissemination and Outreach                                       
 Implementation Report                                                155 weeks      5    1