U -- Source Sought - Alternate Assessments

2026-11-03

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICEBureau of Indian Education ( BIE ) Title : Alternate Assessments for BIE Schools ( Grades 3 ¿ 8 & 11 ; ELA , Mathematics , Science ) 1 . Notice Type & PurposeThis is a Sources Sought / Request for Information ( RFI ) issued solely for market research and acquisition planning . This notice does not constitute a solicitation , and no contract will be awarded from this announcement . Responses will help the Government determine :- Appropriate acquisition strategy ( e . g ., small business set aside , full / open competition )- Contract type and structure - Market capability and capacity - Feasibility of timelines for implementation________________________________________2 . Background & ObjectivesThe Bureau of Indian Education ' s mission ( 25 CFR 32 . 3 ) is to provide high quality , culturally responsive education that supports the holistic development of Native students . Pursuant to 25 CFR 30 . 100 . 125 , BIE must administer assessments used for federal accountability . BIE seeks Alternate assessments for students aligned to :- BIE College and Career Ready Standards ( CCRS ) ¿ ELA & Mathematics ( grades 3 ¿ 8 & 11 )- Next Generation Science Standards ( NGSS ) ¿ Science ( grades 5 , 8 , & 11 ) For the base year , BIE requires a Commercial Off the Shelf ( COTS ) assessment solution that is fully operational ( not pilot ), has completed standards setting , and includes documented alignment evidence to BIE CCRS ( ELA / Math ) and NGSS ( Science ). In option years , BIE may require customization of the COTS solution or development of a new assessment tailored to BIE needs . The Contractor shall manage all licenses , MOUs , and costs associated with the assessments . ________________________________________3 . Project Description - Alternate AssessmentBIE seeks information from vendors capable of delivering a turnkey Alternate assessment ecosystem that includes :- Statewide / SEA level AA AAAS ( Alternate Assessment aligned to Alternate Academic Achievement Standards ) for ELA , Mathematics , Science - Paper based and online delivery formats with ELL supportive design - Registration portal exclusive to BIE and integrated with NASIS ( BIE SIS ) via API and manual uploads - On time scoring , standard setting , anomaly detection , and QA - Parent friendly , FERPA compliant reports ( paper and electronic )- Training ( virtual + onsite )- Project management , communication cadence , and financial tracking - Helpdesk coverage across multiple time zones________________________________________4 . Scope of Services ( Summary of SOW Components ) Vendors should identify capabilities across the following components ( beginning SY 2026 - 2027 through SY 2030 - 2031 ): 1 . Assessment Administration & Scoring - Produce , deliver , and score paper based and online annual Alternate assessments in sufficient quantities for Spring 2027 and subsequent windows - Align administration formats and materials to support a high population of English Learners - Provide in window support ( reconciliation , portal assistance , helpdesk )- Maintain 100 % scoring accuracy , perform anomaly detection , and notify BIE of interpretive issues2 . Student Registration Portal ( Exclusive to BIE )- Provide a secure , dedicated online registration portal with 24 / 7 availability - Integrate with NASIS via API + manual uploads ; support accommodations / accessibility fields - Enable role based access , scheduling , and test assignment per BIE business rules - Annual data timeline expectations : initial org / participation / student uploads by last Friday in October ; amendment window through second Friday in December ; ongoing changes processed as additional orders - Submit and maintain a Security Plan ; adhere to federal privacy / security safeguards3 . Reporting ( Paper & Electronic ) Paper :- Two ( 2 ) Individual Student Reports ( ISRs ) per student - One ( 1 ) parent / guardian report per student - Aggregate grade level reports ( grades 3 ¿ 8 & 11 ) Electronic :- EDFacts compliant annual data files - Data Warehouse ( interactive portal ) access with user level permissions ( student , school , aggregate reports , rosters )- Machine readable formats ( CSV , XLSX , TXT , SPSS , PDF )- SIS formatted score files compatible with NASIS - Secure transmission ( SFTP / SSH ; TLS 1 . 2 +)- Support peer review evidence ; conduct standard setting and establish cut scores ( e . g ., July ¿ September 2027 ) Data Quality & Security :- Quality control plan ; end to end data integrity protections - Auditable access controls ; threat monitoring ; compliance with federal data regulations4 . Test Administration & Data Integration Training - Up to 10 virtual trainings ( recorded and posted on demand ) coordinated with the Chief Academic Office ( CAO )- Up to 10 onsite trainings at CAO designated locations with experienced trainers - Weekly office hours ( 1 hour ) during administration cycle - Develop Test Coordinator ( TC ) and Test Administration ( TA ) manuals ; maintain online learning resources5 . Project Management Services - Weekly PM status meetings ; agendas , minutes , action logs ; monthly financial tracking and invoices - Communication plan and risk / issue tracking - Ability to negotiate revised due dates for delayed dependent deliverables6 . Helpdesk Services - Phone and online chat support across Pacific , Mountain , Central , Eastern time zones - Coverage Mon ¿ Fri , 9 : 00 AM ¿ 3 : 00 PM local during registration (~ 5 weeks ), testing (~ 6 weeks ), and post testing (~ 3 weeks )- 15 minute hold time ( 95 % SLA ) 7 . Optional Services ( Option Years )- Interim Assessments with training aligned to summative standards ( grades 3 ¿ 8 & at least one HS grade )- Item development and customization ( culturally relevant prompts / materials ); pilot testing ; integration into item bank ; BIE retains IP for all items developed________________________________________Estimated Annual Tested Students ( Planning Purposes ) Grade 3 4 5 6 7 8 11Count 30 30 40 40 25 30 20________________________________________5 . Period of Performance ( PoP ) Base Year + Four ( 4 ) One Year OptionsProjected start with SY 2026 ¿ 2027 administration ; exact dates to be finalized at award . ________________________________________6 . Security , Privacy , & Compliance RequirementsRespondents must describe controls / practices aligning to federal requirements ( as applicable ), including but not limited to :- FERPA , COPPA , CIPA ( student data privacy )- NIST SP 800 53 / 800 53A , FIPS 199 ( Moderate ), FIPS 140 2 encryption - DOI IT Security Policies , OMB Circular A 123 , Privacy Act , E Government Act § 208 ( PIA )- Section 508 accessibility compliance - Background investigations if system access to BIE environments is requiredAll systems and data must remain within CONUS . ________________________________________7 . Government Furnished & School Provided ResourcesBIE will provide :- Student lists / IDs for test administrationSchools will provide :- Computers / devices and internet connectivity ( or local server / network ) ________________________________________8 . Place of Performance - Nationwide , across BIE funded schools and BIE central offices - Virtual services and contractor facilities ( CONUS only ) ________________________________________9 . Instructions to Respondents9 . 1 AdministrativeSubmission Email : Felicia . Aspaas @ bie . edu - Subject Line : " Sources Sought - BIE Alternate Assessments - [ Your Company Name ]"- Response Due : April 22 , 2026 , 11 : 00 AM MDT - Format : Only the RFI document must be submitted ( PDF or Word preferred ; ¿ 10 pages recommended )- Questions : The Government may not respond to all questions under this notice9 . 2 Content RequirementsCapability statements should address :- SEA level experience delivering Alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities - Alignment evidence ( technical reports , alignment studies , standard setting documentation ) to BIE CCRS ( ELA / Math ) and NGSS ( Science )- SIS integration experience with NASIS ( API + manual ) and data quality controls - Assessment platform security posture and privacy controls - Training program design ( virtual / onsite ) and helpdesk capability - Project management approach ( staffing , cadence , risk / issue management )- Business size and socio economic status ( UEI , CAGE )- Identification of subcontractors ( if applicable ) ________________________________________10 . DisclaimerThis notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or proceed to a solicitation . Costs associated with responding will not be reimbursed . Proprietary information should be clearly marked . No feedback or evaluation results will be provided . ________________________________________11 . Notice to Potential OfferorsAll offerors must be registered and active in the System for Award Management ( SAM ) at www . SAM . gov and must have completed Online Representations and Certifications prior to any award . ________________________________________12 . Attachments - Attachment 1 : Statement of Work ( SOW ) ¿ Alternate Assessments - Attachment 2 : Request for Information ( RFI ) ¿ Alternate Assessments - ( Only the RFI response is required at this time .)

New Mexico

2026-05-02