U.S. Department of Education, Contracts and Purchasing Operations, 7th and D Streets, SW, ROB-3, Room 3616, Washington, 20202-4447

C -- TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE MATERIALS AND PLAN ON THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF ACCESSIBLE FACILITIES; AND BUILDING ELEMENTS DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN'S USE. DUE 062598 POC Contact LaShawn Flemming, 202 708-8576 or Lenox Coles, 202 708-9771 Sources Sought-The U. S. Department of Education on behalf of the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (the Access Board) intends to enter into a simplified acquisition with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), to develop training and technical assistance materials to educate design professionals on the new guidelines. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990(ADA) requires the Access Board to establish guidelines to ensur that new and altered buildings, facilities and vehicles covered by the ADA are accessible to individuals with disabilities in terms of architecture and design, transportation and communications. Architects and other design professionals are primary users of the Board guidelines and are a key audience for related technical assistance and training. The Board's current training and technical assistance materials do not include information to the Board's newly published Title ll and children's' guidance. Access Board requires the assistance of the AIA to develop training and technical assistance materials and a training and technical assistance plan for architects on the design and construction of accessible judicial, legislative and regulatory facilities; detention and correctional facilities; and building elements designed for Children's use. Training and technical assistance materials should: express the state of the art in accessible design practice; address communication as well as physical access issues; reflect current technology and trends in specific facility types; identify and assess the effects of accessible design provisions on facility-type practices and standards; illustrate the rationale behind accessible design provision; showcase best practices in facility-type planning design and construction; involve related specialized disciplines; identify appropriate resources; and include architectural graphics and photography as well as text to carry the message. The training plan should address ways the materials can be distributed to the members of AIA. Some production in alternate formats may be necessary, but will be approved by the Access Board prior to development. The AIA is uniquely qualified to address this requirement as it represents over 60,000 member architects practicing in the U.S. and abroad, in 300 state and regional chapters. The AIA includes in its mission, the continuing professional development of its members. It is the only national membership organization for licensed architects in the U.S. It's Education and Practice departments develop training materials for architects, conduct seminars and track issues of significance to the profession. The AIA has extensive resources and experience in the development of programs and materials intended for the professional development of architects and other design professional. Architects, including non-AIA members, rely on the AIA for educational programing and publications. The AIA has established a group of professional interest areas to address the information and education needs of architect who design judicial and correctional facilities, government facilities and educational facilities. Its Center for Building Design and performance is a unique resource on code, construction d technology issues. The center has the staff, resources and technical knowledge. AIA members and firms are active in design projects for these facilities. The AIA can use the knowledge of its professional interest areas including those on building codes and standards, architecture for justice and architecture for education as well as staff and consultants in these and other areas to develop the technical assistance materials that can be used in a variety of programs and media to educate architects about the new guidelines. In summation the experience and experience of the AIA makes them uniquely qualified to perform this work. Any business or firm who thinks they are qualified and able to perform this procurement should submit a detailed written capability statement by 2:00 June 25, 1998 outlining there qualifications to the above address Attention LaShawn Flemming, Procurement Assistant. THIS IS NOT A SYNOPSIS OF A PROCUREMENT. (0162)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0025 19980615\C-0007.SOL)