Regional Educational Laboratory Program: 2027 – 2031 Cycle

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) issued solicitation number 91990026R0015 for the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Program Cycle 2027–2031. This Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract aims to secure contractor support and technical expertise across nine distinct REL regions, with an estimated individual regional value ranging from $22.5 million to approximately $28.7 million. The five-year period of performance runs from January 3, 2027, through January 2, 2032, divided into a base ordering period and four subsequent one-year ordering periods. Key contract administration and security requirements include mandatory electronic invoice submission via the secure Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). Additionally, personnel assigned to the project must undergo specific security vetting. The Department has designated a uniform "Moderate" risk level for most key contractor positions—such as Directors, Principal Investigators, and Research Analysts—requiring favorable background determinations and U.S. citizenship. The solicitation incorporates extensive Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Department of Education Acquisition Regulation (EDAR) clauses by reference and full text. These provisions govern commercial products and services, organizational conflicts of interest, data rights, and small business subcontracting plans. Offers are due by October 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time, and will be evaluated based on the criteria specified in the addenda to FAR 52.212-1 and 52.212-2.

This document provides budget template directions and structural worksheets for Task Order #001 under the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Program's 2027–2031 cycle. As a hybrid contract, the task order requires offerors to separate pricing into Firm Fixed Price (FFP) and Time and Materials (T&M) categories, aligning all proposed work with the Performance Work Statement (PWS) for a 12-month performance period. FFP worksheets must cover regularly occurring management and dissemination activities, specifically Tasks 1 through 3 and Subtasks 6.1, 6.4, 6.5, and 6.6. Conversely, T&M worksheets must capture required activities for Task 4.1 (Training, Coaching, and Technical Support) and Task 5.1 (Applied Research) in math or literacy, alongside any additional regional T&M tasks (Subtasks 6.2, 6.3, and 6.7). Labor rates must utilize loaded rates from the five-year IDIQ schedule, adjusted with an escalation rate consistent with the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Cost Index. Reimbursable travel must be meticulously detailed in a dedicated worksheet without indirect costs or fees, adhering strictly to Federal Travel Regulations. Notably, food costs are strictly unallowable, and any invitational travel honoraria are capped at the GS-15 Step 10 rate. The template also mandates comprehensive worksheets for other direct costs, outside services (such as Section 508 compliance), and an FFP payment schedule mapped to specific deliverables.

This government document outlines the instructions and formatting requirements for submitting Task 4 and Task 5 Concept Papers for Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) partnerships. Each concept paper must be double-spaced, utilize a 12-point font, and not exceed 10 pages, excluding references. The Task 4 Concept Paper is for proposed Training, Coaching, and Technical Support (TCTS) projects. Submissions must include the project title, session descriptions, stakeholder involvement, a literature review of actionable research (incorporating REL/IES resources), session logistics and materials, next steps for knowledge application, presenter expertise (maximum 500 words per person), and a 12-month implementation timeline. The Task 5 Concept Paper focuses on proposed applied research projects. It requires a study title, research questions, stakeholder involvement, a literature review, data sources and variables, necessary research documentation (such as IRBs, MOUs, or Data Management Plans), analytical methods, study limitations, the proposed reporting format (traditional 15-page report or alternative), supporting products, next steps for partners, Principal Investigator expertise (maximum 500 words per person), and a project milestone timeline. Both concept papers demand letters of commitment for any proposed external personnel and require detailed, multi-year timeline tables if the projects extend past the 12-month base period.

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Program's 2027–2031 cycle, administered by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) under the Department of Education. Operating under an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, REL contractors will support regional education stakeholders in utilizing State Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS), research, and evidence to improve student outcomes from early childhood through adulthood, with 25% of funding dedicated to rural areas. REL contractors must establish a Governing Board to set regional agendas and collaborate closely with Regional Comprehensive Centers (RCCs) and other federal technical assistance providers to align with state Learning Agendas. The program's activities are organized across six key tasks: 1. **REL Management and Reporting:** Facilitating kickoff, monthly, and program meetings; administering Governing Boards; and submitting work plans and progress reports. 2. **Coordination and Collaboration:** Partnering with RCCs and other IES investments to avoid service duplication. 3. **Working in Partnership:** Conducting regional needs-sensing and developing logic models and measurement plans with stakeholders. 4. **Training, Coaching, and Technical Support (TCTS):** Building stakeholder capacity through embedded professional development and an "Ask an Expert" service. 5. **Applied Research and Peer-Reviewed Development:** Conducting rigorous, original applied research and developing evidence-based toolkits, interventions, and analytical tools. 6. **Dissemination:** Sharing findings through Section 508-compliant websites, engaging multimedia materials, webinars, conferences, newsletters, blogs, and social media. Performance is monitored annually using the REL Stakeholder Feedback Survey (SFS) to measure the capacity, relevance, and impact of the services provided.

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines Task Order #001 under the 2027–2031 Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Program, administered by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). The procurement's primary purpose is to secure administrative and general management consulting services to help regional education stakeholders leverage data, evidence, and State Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) to improve student academic outcomes. By statute, at least 25 percent of the program's funding must support rural areas. The scope of work is organized into six core tasks. Task 1 (Management and Reporting) establishes administrative foundations, including virtual kickoffs, monthly reporting, personnel security clearances, and the joint administration of a regional Governing Board with Regional Comprehensive Centers (RCCs). Task 2 (Coordination and Collaboration) mandates formal partnership agreements with RCCs, the National Comprehensive Center, and other federal technical assistance providers to prevent service duplication. Task 3 (Working in Partnership with Stakeholders) focuses on needs-sensing and aligning REL projects with state Learning Agendas and SLDS infrastructure improvements. Task 4 provides Training, Coaching, and Technical Support (TCTS), alongside an "Ask an Expert" methodological assistance service. Task 5 governs Applied Research and Peer-Reviewed Development, allowing contractors to conduct original research, develop educational toolkits based on WWC Practice Guides, and design student-outcome interventions. Finally, Task 6 (Dissemination) requires the creation of 508-compliant website content, infographics, videos, and webinars to widely share research findings with policymakers and educators.

This Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) outlines the procedures the federal government will use to monitor and evaluate contractor performance during the Regional Educational Laboratories Cycle 2027-2031. Designed to focus on quality, quantity, and timeliness of deliverables rather than specific procedures, the QASP is an informational document subject to change at the government’s discretion. While the contractor is solely responsible for quality control, the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and Contracting Officer (CO) will conduct quality assurance. Surveillance methods include 100% or periodic COR inspections, monthly reports, and customer feedback. Substandard performance may lead to discussions, Contract Discrepancy Reports, and payment deductions. Performance reviews will be conducted quarterly and annually to help determine future past performance ratings. The Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) details six core objectives: 1. **On-Time Deliverables:** Evaluated for timeliness; delays require prior approval. 2. **Comprehensive Research and Analysis:** Deliverables must meet PWS requirements and be clear, verified, and well-documented. 3. **Quality Technical Writing:** Documents must be well-designed, grammatically correct, and fully Section 508 compliant (incorporating WCAG 2.1 Level AA). 4. **Management of Key Personnel:** Demands qualified staff, timely notifications of vacancies, and rapid replacements. 5. **Business Relations:** Requires accurate, timely invoicing and adherence to security protocols. 6. **Program Management:** Focuses on proactive communication, task organization, and schedule adherence. Contractor success in these areas results in "Satisfactory" or higher performance ratings, while failures may lead to negative feedback, required re-performance, withheld payments, or contract termination.

This document is Attachment 6, a Past Performance Questionnaire for Federal Request for Proposals (RFP) 91990026R0015, issued by the U.S. Department of Education. Its purpose is to collect past performance evaluations from references regarding prospective offerors. The questionnaire requires evaluators to provide detailed contract information, including the contractor's identity, period of performance, contract numbers, total and current dollar values, and a comprehensive description of the contract effort (such as technical complexity and key requirements). Evaluators must assess the contractor across four key performance categories: - **Quality of Product or Service:** Conformance to contract requirements and workmanship standards. - **Schedule:** Timeliness against milestones, delivery schedules, and administrative tasks. - **Management:** Effectiveness in integration, problem-solving, customer satisfaction, and subcontractor management. - **Regulatory Compliance:** Adherence to applicable financial, environmental, safety, labor, and reporting regulations. Performance is rated using five defined tiers: Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, and Unsatisfactory. Each rating requires a specific level of justification based on the severity of problems and the effectiveness of corrective actions. Finally, the evaluator must indicate whether they recommend the contractor for similar future requirements and submit the completed form to the designated Department of Education contacts (Jana Knapp and Katie Opper) by the quotation due date.