U -- English Language Proficiency ( ELP ) Assessment Ecosystem for BIE Schools ( Grades

2026-11-03

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICEBureau of Indian Education ( BIE ) Title : English Language Proficiency ( ELP ) Assessment Ecosystem for BIE Schools ( Grades K – 12 ) 1 . Notice Type & PurposeThis is a Sources Sought / Request for Information ( RFI ) issued solely for market research to inform acquisition planning . This notice does not constitute a solicitation and no contract will be awarded based on this announcement . Responses will support BIE in determining :• Appropriate acquisition strategy ( e . g ., small business set - aside , full / open competition )• Contract type • Availability and capability of potential vendors • Scope and structure of the future solicitation2 . Background & ObjectivesThe Bureau of Indian Education ’ s mission ( 25 CFR 32 . 3 ) is to provide high quality , culturally relevant education that meets the needs of Native students . Under 25 CFR 30 . 100 – 125 , BIE must administer English Language Proficiency ( ELP ) assessments for federal accountability reporting . BIE seeks a fully operational , U . S . Department of Education – approved ELP assessment system for grades K – 12 across 183 BIE funded schools in 23 states . The resulting solution must provide an integrated ecosystem — including assessments , registration , administration , reporting , data integration , training , technical support , project management , and compliance with all federal privacy / security regulations . The Contractor must deliver :• Standard & Alternate ELP Assessments • ELP Screeners • A complete technology platform ( COTS preferred )• On - time administration , scoring , and reporting • End to end data security and CONUS - only data residency • Training , helpdesk support , and strong project management • Clear , parent - friendly reporting • Compatibility with BIE systems ( NASIS , Data Warehouse ) 3 . Project Description – ELP Assessment EcosystemThe Government seeks market information from vendors capable of providing a turnkey ELP assessment solution covering :• Grades K – 12 • Online and paper - based administration • Standard and Alternate ELP Assessments • Two ELP Screeners • Culturally responsive materials and support • Comprehensive reporting for schools , families , and accountabilityThe solution must be fully operational beginning in School Year ( SY ) 2026 – 2027 , with optional enhancements in subsequent option years . 4 . Scope of Services ( Summary of SOW Components ) Vendors able to deliver an integrated assessment system should identify capabilities across the following areas : 1 . Annual ELP Assessment Servicesa . Assessment Administration & Scoring • Paper - based and online administration windows • Materials production and shipping • Online environment readiness • 100 % scoring accuracy • Anomaly detection and quality assuranceb . Secure Student Registration Portal ( COTS , BIE - exclusive )• 24 / 7 availability • Integration with BIE ’ s Student Information System ( NASIS ) via API + manual uploads • Role based user access • Scheduling , accommodations , and registration verification • Monthly change logs and data ingestion QAc . Reporting RequirementsPaper Reporting :• Two ( 2 ) Individual Student Reports ( ISRs ) per student • Parent / guardian report • School , district , and BIE - wide aggregatesElectronic Reporting :• EDFacts - compliant files • BIE Data Warehouse ( interactive portal ) exports ( XLSX , CSV , TXT , SPSS , PDF )• SIS ingest - ready score files • Secure transmission ( SFTP / SSH ; TLS 1 . 2 +)• SIS import success rate target : 100 % d . Test Administration & Data Integration Training • Up to 10 virtual sessions • Up to 25 onsite sessions • Weekly web - based office hours • TC / TA manuals , online resources , and 24 / 7 learning platforme . Project Management Services • Weekly PM meetings • Monthly financial reporting • Communication plan • Qualified Project Manager ( PMP preferred )• Risk , issue , and deliverable trackingf . Helpdesk Services ( Four Tiers )• Multi – time zone coverage ( Pacific , Mountain , Central , Eastern )• Phone + online chat • SLA : ≤ 15 minute hold times ( 95 % of contacts )• Issue resolution tracking with escalation procedures2 . Training Services • Virtual and onsite training per approved travel authorization • Student registration support during training sessions • Credentialed lead trainer required3 . Optional Services ( Option Years )• Interim assessments aligned to summative standards • Dashboards or analytic tools • Research studies • Test item development ( as needed ) 5 . Period of Performance ( PoP )• Base and 4 - 1 year options6 . Security , Privacy , & Compliance RequirementsRespondents must describe controls / practices aligning to federal requirements ( as applicable to the services offered ), including but not limited to :• FERPA , COPPA , CIPA compliance ( student data privacy ).• NIST SP 800 53 / 800 53A , FIPS 199 ( Moderate ) categorization and FIPS 140 2 encryption ; DOI IT security policies ; OMB A 123 ; Privacy Act ; Section 208 of the E Government Act ; Section 508 accessibility . ( See Section 8 . 0 of SOW .) 7 . Government Furnished & School Provided Resources • BIE will provide student lists / IDs .• BIE funded schools provide computers and connectivity ( or local server / network ). 8 . Place of PerformanceNationwide across BIE funded schools and BIE central offices ; virtual services as specified . 9 . Instructions to Respondents9 . 1 . Administrative • Response Format : Only the RFI document must be submitted .• Submission Email : Felicia . Aspaas @ bie . edu • Subject Line : “ Sources Sought – BIE ELP Assessments – [ Your Company Name ]”• Response Due : April 22 , 2026 , 11 : 00 AM MDT • Questions : Government may not respond to all questions under this notice . 10 . DisclaimerThis notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract . The Government will not reimburse costs incurred in responding . Proprietary information should be clearly marked . No feedback or evaluation results will be provided . 11 . Notice to potential offerors : All offerors who provide goods or services to the United States Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management ( SAM ) at www . SAM . gov and must have completed the Online Representations and Certifications Application . 12 . Attachments • Attachment 1 : Statement of Work ( SOW ) – ELA Assessments • Attachment 2 – Request for Information ( RFI ) – ELA Assessment ( Only the RFI response is required at this time .)

New Mexico

2026-05-02