English for Heritage Language Speakers (EHLS) Program Support

The Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for administering the English for Heritage Language Speakers (EHLS) Program. This initiative, under the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO), aims to enhance the English language and professional skills of U.S. citizens who are native speakers of critical foreign languages. The contractor will be responsible for program administration, partnering with an institution of higher education, conducting national recruiting campaigns, managing scholarships for approximately 18 scholars annually, performing proficiency testing, and delivering various reports. Key aspects include achieving ILR Level 3 English proficiency for scholars, ensuring compliance with records management, security, and cybersecurity regulations, and adhering to specific deliverables and reporting schedules. The program emphasizes preparing scholars for employment within the U.S. federal national security community.

The Defense Human Resources Activity (DHRA) issued a Sources Sought Notice for the English for Heritage Language Speakers (EHLS) Program, currently performed by the Center for Applied Linguistics. This notice aims to identify potential vendors capable of providing services as outlined in the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS), with the intent to make a sole-source award unless market research identifies other qualified vendors. The proposed NAICS code is 611430. Interested parties must be registered in SAM and are requested to submit a 10-page capability statement detailing company information, business type, teaming arrangements, GSA contract numbers, prime or subcontractor interest, expertise in English language training and scholarship programs, and feedback on the PWS. Submissions should also include information on two similar projects completed within the last five years. This notice is for market research only and does not constitute a solicitation or obligation to award a contract.