Fwd: National Service-Learning Clearinghouse RFQ

>Below is a request for qualifications pertaining to the National Service
>Learning Clearinghouse, a project of ETR Associates.  The full text of the
>request for qualifications is below.  A formatted version of this document
>is available by calling our project's administrative assistant Debbie
>Lucas at 1-800-860-2684, ext 142.  Note the text of the formatted version
>is identical to the text below and is being provided for your convenience.
>You are not required to request a formatted copy of the proposal to
>respond.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Mark Fulop, MA
>Acting Project Director
>
>ETR Associates
>PO Box 1830
>Santa Cruz, CA
>800-860-2684 ext: 214
>
>----
>
>National Service-Learning Clearinghouse
>Senior Program Advisors
>Request for Qualifications
>
>Background
>The National Service-Learning Clearinghouse (NSLC),a project of ETR
>Associates and funded by the Corporation for National Service's Learn and
>Serve America program, supports service-learning projects in K-12 school,
>higher education, community-based and tribal settings as well as other
>groups including researchers, policy makers, parents and others interested
>in service-learning. The NSLC assists clients with service-learning topics
>ranging from program start-up to program evaluation and is a comprehensive
>information resource center that provides materials, referral services,
>current research and information. Currently housed at the University of
>Minnesota, the NSLC is in the process of being relocated to ETR
>Associates. The Minnesota NSLC project website can be found at:
>http://umn.edu/~serve.
>
>To ensure that the highest quality and leading edge resources are
>available to the service-learning community, ETR Associates is soliciting
>proposals for Senior Program Advisors to assist us in the development of a
>comprehensive range of services targeting each of the four primary
>settings where service-learning occurs. The Senior Program Advisors will
>bring expertise in service-learning and the ability to provide ongoing
>contributions to the NSLC objectives and activities (note see Appendix A
>for project objectives).
>
>Proposals will be accepted from qualified individuals or agencies with
>demonstrated service-learning expertise. The Senior Program Advisors will
>provide the following services: a) participate on a national project
>workgroup, b)on a regular basis, identify for NSLC staff, existing
>resources to be included in the NSLC resource library and databases,
>c)create new service-learning content, and d)provide project consultation
>and technical support.
>
>The term of this contract is from September 17,2001 through May 31,2002 (8
>months) with the possibility of the contract being renewed for 1-2
>additional years. It is anticipated that one award will be made for each
>of the content areas listed below. Funding for the advisor content areas
>will be as follows:
>
>* K-12 Service-Learning Expertise: Not to exceed $30,000
>* Higher Education Service-Learning Expertise: Not to exceed $30,000
>* Community Service-Learning Expertise: Not to exceed $15,000
>* Tribal Service-Learning Expertise: Not to exceed $5,000
>
>Submission requirements include completion of a proposal according to the
>format outlined below that is approximately 7 pages. Proposals due no
>later than 5:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time) August 24,2001. Send completed
>applications to:
>
>Mark Fulop, MA, Director of Clearinghouse Services:
>ETR Associates
>4 Carbonero Way
>Scotts Valley, CA 95061
>
>Or by email at
>markf@etr.org
>Only Microsoft Word or PDF attachments will be accepted
>
>
>Proposal Format
>Note: Individuals or agencies applying for funds to address more than one
>content area must submit separate proposals for each of the content areas.
>
>I. Cover Page:
>Include: a) the specific setting that you will address (K-12 school,
>higher education, community-based and tribal settings),b)Individual/Agency
>name, c)Mailing and street address, d)Fiscal and Program Contact (if
>applicable), e)Phone, f) Fax, g)Email Address, and h)Social Security or
>Federal employer identification number.
>
>II. Summary of Qualifications and Background:(1 page maximum:30 points)
>Describe the background that you or your agency possesses that qualifies
>you or your agency to serve as a Senior Program Advisor for this project.
>Note: this description must focus on your or your agency's specific
>service-learning expertise (K-12 school, higher education, community-based
>or tribal programs) and, if there are more than one staff dedicated to the
>project, detail the role of each specific staff member.
>
>Describe any experience and or affiliations you have with service-learning
>projects and/or the Learn and Serve America program. Attach as Appendix A,
>resumes or vitas for staff dedicated to working on this project.
>
>III. Scope of Work: (6 page maximum:50 points)
>
>A. Participation on a National Project Workgroup.(1 page maximum)
>For this activity, the Senior Program Advisor will be responsible for
>assisting NSLC in planning, implementation and evaluation of project
>activities. This may include participation in two-four workgroup committee
>meetings to be held in a geographically central location (anticipated Fall
>and Spring), telephone conference calls (anticipated bimonthly), and email
>discussion groups (as needed).  Please describe: 1)the overall time
>commitment that you or your agency would be able to make to this project
>expressed as either consulting days or full-time equivalents (FTEs), 2)
>what limitations there are in that time structure (i.e., only specific
>times or days)and 3)what specific strengths that you or your agency would
>bring to a national workgroup process.
>
>B. Identify Existing Resources To Be Included In The NSLC Resource Library
>And Databases. (2 pages maximum)
>For this activity, the Senior Program Advisor will identify for NSLC
>staff, existing resources and resources under development that could be
>included in the NSLC resource library and databases. This includes such
>resources as professional literature, syllabi, books, conference
>proceedings, case studies, textbooks and program materials (i.e.,
>curricula, videos, training manuals).The expectation is that the Senior
>Program Advisors will establish a system to communicate information about
>new resources in a systematic, routine (i.e., ETR Associates, weekly or
>monthly)and consistent manner to NSLC staff. It is also expected that the
>resources will be current, reliable and accessible to those using the
>clearinghouse services. Please describe: 1) your approach and system for
>identifying and contributing resources to this collection, 2) anticipated
>quantity of contributions, 3) any additional information you or your
>agency would wish to provide to help us understand the process and
>mechanisms you would use to ensure the completion of this activity.
>
>C. Creation or Compilation of Service-Learning Content. (2 pages maximum)
>For this activity, the Senior Program Advisor will be expected to assist
>NSLC staff in creating and compiling service-learning content. This might
>include but not be limited to compiling annotated bibliographies, FAQ 's
>(frequently asked questions), writing content area primers and/or how-to
>guides, or facilitating of email or web-based topic discussions. Please
>describe: 1) potential type of materials you or your agency would create
>and contribute to the NSLC collection, 2) anticipated quantity of
>materials that might be produced and, 3) any additional information you or
>your agency would wish to provide to help us understand the process and
>mechanisms you would use to ensure the completion of this activity.
>
>D. Additional Project Consultation and Technical Support (1 page maximum).
>In addition to the primary activities above, NSLC expects the Content
>Provider to serve as a technical consultant on the development and
>implementation of other program components. Within the context of the
>budget, please outline additional support that would be available to
>advance the goals of the NSLC. Examples of additional support might
>include: 1) making presentations that include the promotion of the NSLC at
>national or regional conferences, 2) promoting the NSLC through
>professional associations or networks, or 3) linking your or your agency's
>efforts on this project with independent yet related service-learning
>projects. The deliverable of the activity is at the discretion of the
>subcontracting agency and should be based upon available resources.
>
>IV. Timeline and Deliverables (1 page maximum: 10 points).
>For the scope of work summarize a) activities (in a chart form), b) the
>anticipated deliverables, and c) milestones and the timeline that
>illustrates your activities for this project.
>
>V. Budget (10 points no page limit)
>Funds allocated through the subcontracts will only support program
>development, implementation, and coordination for the proposed project.
>Funds may not be used for capital expenditures, or equipment expenses.
>Funds may not support any efforts to engage in any political activities or
>lobbying, including, but not limited to, support of or opposition to
>candidates, ballot initiatives, referenda or other similar activities.
>Please submit a budget according to one of the following frameworks:
>
>A. For Senior Program Advisors applying as a consultant, include: 1) the
>daily rate (not to exceed $443/8 hour consulting day)and number of
>consulting days to be billed, 2) estimated consulting days associated with
>each deliverable and 3)any additional information you feel is relevant to
>our evaluating your proposed budget.
>
>B. For Senior Program Advisors based in an agency or applying as an
>agency, please submit a brief line item budget that identifies: 1) Costs
>associated  with personnel including FTEs dedicated to the project, 2)
>Operating expenses,  3) Indirect Costs, if any, and  4) any additional
>information you feel is relevant to our evaluating your proposed budget.
>
>Note: Travel costs to attend the national workgroup meetings will be
>reimbursed by the NSLC project and should NOT be included in the budget.
>Travel reimbursements will be paid according to federal per diem
>guidelines.
>
>Notification of Decision All completed proposals received by the due date
>will be reviewed for technical merit and following the award decisions all
>applicants will receive notification of the decisions in writing. All
>decisions are final.
>Timeline
>
>July 20,2001 Guidelines released
>August 24,2001 Proposals due by 5:00 PM
>September 5,2001 Award Decision Made
>September 17,2001 Estimated date of subcontract to begin.
>
>-------
>
>Appendix A National Service Learning Clearinghouse Objectives
>
>* Operate and systematically improve a clearinghouse library with a
>20%annual expansion of the collection holdings.
>* Operate and systematically improve a clearinghouse website that
>includes: a) calendar of events, b) searchable resource database, c)
>searchable database d)other resources (i.e., FAQs, PDF documents)and
>e)reference and referral links.
>* Operate and maintain a toll free telephone line and telephone
>assistance, accessible nationwide.
>* Operate and maintain an online searchable database of approximately
>2,000 Learn and Serve America grantees and sub-grantees.
>* Operate and maintain a minimum of 6-10 listservs addressing the various
>themes of Learn and Serve America.
>* Market the clearinghouse services via print and electronic means and
>through conferences, newsletter articles and professional journals.
>* Create and disseminate at least 26 FAQs on service-learning, addressing
>themes for multiple audiences, with varying points of view, interests,
>lifestyles, levels of experience, and technological access.
>* During the second and third year, publish a journal, circulated to 7,000
>clients.
>* Develop and maintain a collaborative referral system to training or
>technical assistance that is beyond clearinghouse responsibilities.
>* Conduct an impact evaluation of NSLC services.
>* Ensure that NSLC materials are accessible to persons with disabilities
>and clients without Internet access by providing alternative access to and
>formats of materials and services.
>* Carry out such other activities that are determined in collaboration
>with the Corporation to be reasonably appropriate.
>