Two from the Feds: Why Sole Source? Why Not Watersheds?
From Monday’s issue of K-12Leads and Youth Service Markets ReportFirst Announcement: Sole Source Notice - Education Policy Working Group on Education Systems and Accountability Due May 5 (Mar 21), United States Department of Education
Their Description:The Department of Education intends to make a sole source award to the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), located in Washington, DC, for the establishment of a new Education Policy Working Group on Education Systems and Accountability....
The purpose of the... Working Group is to foster ongoing discussion among federal and state officials, education policymakers and constituency representatives, and education researchers on key education policy issues that are likely to impact the national, state, and local levels both during and following the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
The activities of the Education Working Group will help to bridge the perspectives and concerns of these different groups and inform the evolution of education policy in important areas such as education system alignment, the use of data, and accountability.
The NRC has been determined to be the most responsive and has a unique capability to meet the Department’s needs.
My Thoughts: I doubt the NRC is the only institution capable of performing this work. Let the points of contact know: Alessha Mason, Contract Specialist, Phone 202-245-6736, - Sylvia Reid, Contracting Officer, Phone 202-245-6214, Fax 202-245-6278
Second Announcement: Bay Watershed Education and Training Program Due April 18, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Their Description:NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) is an environmental education program that promotes locally relevant, experiential learning in the K-12 environment. Funded projects provide meaningful watershed educational experiences for students, related professional development for teachers, and helps to support regional education and environmental priorities in the Pacific Northwest, the northern Gulf of Mexico and New England. These new geographic areas are intended to build upon on the successes of the existing B-WET Programs in the Chesapeake Bay, California, and Hawaii.
Funded projects will involve meaningful watershed educational experiences addressing regional priorities....
• Expected Number of Awards: 15
• Estimated Total Program Funding: $2,000,000
• Award Ceiling: $300,000...
• Annual project funding ranges from $50,000-$100,000....
Eligible applicants are K-through-12 public and independent schools and school systems, institutions of higher education, community-based and nonprofit organizations, state or local government agencies, interstate agencies, and Indian tribal governments.... While applicants do not need to be from the targeted geographical regions specified in the program objectives, they must be working with target audiences in these areas.
My Thoughts: The Department of Education is hardly the only federal agency with an interest in k-12 education and youth. Even beyond the Department of Defense and Indian Education programs, federal agencies issue grant and contract RFPs for everything from product development to straight teaching and learning.
Creativity is required, but differentiating yourself from your rivals is a creative enterprise. The only way to move into these funding streams is to apply and compete. I see them as one way to add work with existing clients.
