Foreign Service Test Development

Background
The Department of State (DOS), Bureau of Human Resources (HR), Board of Examiners (BEX) requires the development of legally and professionally validated written examinations to serve as the initial screening in the selection process for qualified candidates for Foreign Service employment, including Foreign Service Officers and Foreign Service Specialists.

The Secretary of State is mandated by the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to prescribe written examinations for appointment to the Foreign Service. The DOS emphasizes that these examinations must be nondiscriminatory and adhere to professional testing guidelines, with development based on Job Analyses reports.

Work Details
The contractor will be responsible for the following tasks:
1. Create test materials for DOS Foreign Service Generalists and Specialists Tests.
2. Provide a timeline plan for the development and production of test materials.
3. Develop Job Knowledge, English Expression, and Logic Reasoning components.
4. Conduct Job Analyses for all Generalists’ cones.
5. Develop a validation plan ensuring compliance with test blueprints.
6. Travel as needed (domestic or international).

Specific tests include:
- CLIN 1 - Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT): Develop a computer-based testing instrument based on job analysis results;
- CLIN 2 - Foreign Service Officer Assessment (FSOA): Maintain computer-based testing instruments;
- CLIN 3 - Consular Fellows Program Test (CFPT): Develop tests for consular fellows;
- CLIN 4 - Office Management Specialist Test (OMST): Develop tests for office management specialists;
- CLIN 5 - Foreign Service Specialist Assessment System (FSSAS): Provide tests for various specialist positions;
- CLIN 6 - FSSAS without Job Knowledge: Provide tests for specialized medical positions;
- CLIN 7 - Diplomatic Technology Officer Test (DTOT): Develop tests related to IT infrastructure;
- CLIN 8 - Diplomatic Security Special Agent Test (DSSAT): Develop tests for security agents;
- CLIN 9 - Security Engineering Officers (SEO): Develop tests focusing on security engineering;
- CLIN 10 - Security Technical Specialist (STS): Develop technical knowledge assessments;
- CLIN 11 - DS Courier: Develop assessments for diplomatic couriers.

Period of Performance
The contract will be performed over multiple years with specific timelines associated with each test administration, including up to three test administrations per year.

Place of Performance
The geographic locations include various U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, as well as domestic locations.