Immigration & Naturalization Service, Procurement Division, 425 I Street, N.W., Room 2208, Washington, DC 20536

U -- TESTING ORAL ENGLISH STANDARDS SOL HQ-96-34 DUE 091096 POC Vernon L. Carter, Jr, Contract Specialist, (202) 514-0587. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has a requirement for expert and experienced entities to test the standards for English proficiency that conform with the intent of Section 312(a)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act that states naturalization applicants must demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including an ability to speak words in ordinary usage in the English language. The INS plans to award a contract to an entity to assist in a pilot demonstation to enable INS to determine how the oral English proficiency standards can be tested on a broad scale in order to analyze the results and show if the tests on the standards are comparable, equivalent and parallel. The pilot test will be conducted at certain INS field offices and at nonprofit immigration provider organizations. The awardee will be expected to perform the following: 1) develop ten alternative, equivalent test forms to be used in the pilot project, develop a credible system to score and and analyze the test results, and monitor the administration of the tests; 2) develop a manual to be used to train INS personnel who will adminster and score the tests; and 3) serve as the principal instructor at three regional workshops to train INS personnel to adminster and score the tests, assist in planning workshop agendas, including the preparation of instructional aids, and provide on-going technical assistance to INS and provider organizations in administering the pilot project. It is anticipated that it will take approximately nine to twelve months to complete this entire project. It is also anticipated that a firm fixed price contract will be negotiated for this requirement. Requests for solicitation must be submitted in writing. Requests by facsimile will be accepted (202) 514-3353. No telephone requests will be honored. (0221)

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