Update the competiveness/selectivity index to be merged with National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data files containing information on postsecondary institutions.

Pursuant to the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), the US Departmentof Education's (Department), Institute of Education Sciences (IES) intends to award a single purchase order, on a sole sources basis, to Barron's Educational Series. The Department of Education requires an update to the competitiveness/selectivity index to be merged with National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data files containing information on postsecondary education institutions. College selectivity/competitive indices are used by high school students, parents, school counselors and researchers to categorize postsecondary institutions as to difficulty of being admitted. In 2008, ED purchased the Barron's index because it met the criteria needed to provide continuity of an index for longitudinal data sets dating back to 1972. NCES now needs to update the selectivity index data for the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:2009) for cohort students entering college in 2013-14. Researchers study the effects of selective/competitive institution s on student outcomes such as the probability of graduation, advanced schooling and earnings. Market research, through Google searches and GSA schedules, indicates that Barron's Educational Series, Inc., remains the sole source for the updated index to maintain continuity in the longitudinal data sets. In addition, NCES needs to obtain the right to acquire future indices on an "as needed" basis. For example, NCES will need to acquire the 2018 selectivity index to merge with HSLS:09 2016 2nd followup survey. This notice is not a solicitation for competitive proposal. However, the Department will give consideration to any interested party that identifies its interest and capability to provide index needed to conduct the update. Interested parties must submit a proposal by the response date of June 2, 2017 by 4:00pm. Responses to this notice must be submitted in writing to [email protected] .