R - Professional Facilitation Services to Support Negotiated Rulemaking (Title IV)   3

Background
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Policy, Planning, and Innovation (PPI) is responsible for Title IV student aid policy development, which includes the creation of regulations that typically require a negotiated rulemaking process as mandated by section 492 of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

To facilitate this process, the Department seeks to engage trained facilitators/mediators to support the development of these policies effectively.

Work Details
The contractor shall provide comprehensive facilitation services for negotiated rulemaking processes involving multiple stakeholders. Key tasks include:
1. **Contract Management**: Provide contract-level management and administrative services as outlined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS).
2. **Facilitation Services**: Deliver facilitation support for Title IV student aid policy development, including virtual, in-person, and hybrid meetings. The contractor will lead and support full committee sessions, subcommittee discussions, and other rule-making related activities, ensuring effective pre-meeting preparation and post-meeting follow-up.
3. **Process Consultation and Design**: Collaborate with the Department’s designated lead to develop negotiation processes that promote problem-solving and consensus-building among stakeholders.
4. **Training Services**: Offer training related to agency negotiated rulemaking efforts as needed.

Period of Performance
The contract will be performed over three ordering periods:
- Ordering Period 1: 10/01/2025 to 09/30/2026
- Ordering Period 2: 10/01/2026 to 09/30/2027
- Ordering Period 3: 10/01/2027 to 09/30/2028.

Place of Performance
The work will be conducted virtually, in hybrid formats (combining virtual and in-person), and/or in person at locations in Washington DC.