Academic Skills Training (AST)

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To continue the Defense Department's capacity to deliver Academic Skills Training (AST) for Service members needing to improve their academic readiness for college-level course placement, qualification for reclassification or advance training, and military advancement.

• Provide a commercially available, computer adaptive, asynchronous web-based course that improves cognitive, metacognitive, and non-cognitive academic skills from basic through pre-college level learning.

• The course will be accessible 24/7, 365 days a year, to all active, reserve, and National Guard military members worldwide, including via a mobile app for remote locations.

• Offer learner support including a proactive early warning system, course mentor support, and ongoing student awareness of progression.

• Provide specific instructional modules covering math, English language arts, science, critical thinking, and self-directed behaviors.

• Include a range of diagnostic, formative, interim, and summative assessments to inform learning pathways and measure progress.

• Offer access to live tutoring and administrator dashboards for monitoring student progress.

• Assessments shall be a minimum of 95% predictive of course content learner competency with regard to ASVAB GT scores.

• System availability must be 98%.

• Instruction must be delivered as scheduled in the format required for 95% of training events.

• Response to all support inquiries within 24 hours of receipt (during business hours).

• No greater than 5 customer-substantiated complaints per quarter and no greater than 10 content errors over the period of performance.

• Performance of tasks will be at contractor facilities or designated military bases.

• Program discussions and In Process Reviews (IPRs) may be held at Government, designated military bases, or virtually.

• Contractor personnel must meet specific security requirements, including background investigations and potential IT access.

• Mandatory training for contractor employees includes OPSEC, CUI, Insider Threat, Privacy Act, IT Security, Counterintelligence, Records Management, and Antiterrorism.

• The contractor shall not use or disclose any data or deliverables for purposes other than performing the contract, unless expressly approved by the Government.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is an addendum to FAR Provision 52.212-1, "Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Services." It tailors specific paragraphs of the provision and deletes others. The acquisition will be negotiated under FAR Part 12 (Acquisition of Commercial Items) and FAR Part 15 (Contracting by Negotiation).

• Proposals must be submitted in four volumes: Business Information, Technical Capability (50-page limit), Past Performance (15-page limit), and Cost/Price Proposal (no page limit).

• Specific content requirements are detailed for each volume, including company information, executive summary, teaming arrangements, representations and certifications, technical approach, program management, staffing plan, transition plan, past performance references (1-3 relevant contracts within 5 years), and detailed pricing.

• Offerors must demonstrate technical capability to meet the PWS requirements, including providing commercially available computer adaptive courses for academic skills improvement.

• Past performance references should demonstrate experience with scope, magnitude (contracts valued at $2M+ annually), and complexity relevant to the requirement.

• Pricing must be detailed for Labor and Associated Materials (FFP) and include indirect rates and profit. Travel costs (T&M) are estimated and not-to-exceed.

• The period of acceptance of offers is 120 calendar days from the receipt date.

• Funds are not presently available; award is contingent on fund availability.

• The government reserves the right to cancel the solicitation.

• The acquisition history shows a previous contract (H9821021C004) with Peterson's LLC for FFP & T&M, valued at $11,254,690.93, with a period of performance from July 30, 2021, through June 29, 2026, under a Full and Competition strategy.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to the Contract Specialist (Joel Auer) and Contracting Officer (Mike Carnley) by the specified due date and time.

• Emails must not exceed 30 MB, including security packet scans.

• Proposals will be evaluated based on price and other technical evaluation factors.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov.

• Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted via email by March 05, 2026, 12:00 PM EST. Answers will be posted on SAM.gov.

• The government may award based on the initial proposal without discussions.

• No specific set-aside is mentioned; the acquisition history indicates "Full and Competition."

• Paragraphs (d), (e), and (h) of FAR 52.212-1 regarding product samples, multiple offers, and multiple awards are deleted.

• Offerors must acknowledge all solicitation amendments.

• Offerors must verify current assessment in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS).

• The government will evaluate FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, by taking 50% of the total price for all Option Year Four CLINs.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to solicitation H9821026RE002 serves to:

• Answer industry questions.
• Update the Performance Work Statement (PWS).
• Update the Instructions to Offerors (attachment 2).
• Update the Addendum to FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items (attachment 3).

All updates are highlighted within the document to assist in review.

• Performance Work Statement (PWS)

• Instructions to Offerors (attachment 2)

• Addendum to FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items (attachment 3)

• The proposal due date has been extended from 25 March 2026 to 30 March 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation (Solicitation Number: H9821026RE0020001) for DANTES Academic Skills Training (AST). The government is procuring commercially available, computer adaptive, asynchronous web-based courses and associated travel support.

• Delivery of commercially available, computer adaptive, asynchronous web-based courses.

• Travel in support of services performed.

• A one-month transition period is included in the Period of Performance (POP) for the base period and option periods.

• The contract type is expected to be a Firm Fixed Price and Time and Materials contract.

• The solicitation issue date is February 23, 2026.

• The offer due date is March 30, 2026, at 12:00 PM local time.

• The estimated value for NAICS code 611699 (Educational Support Services) is USD 16,500,000.00.

• The period of performance spans multiple years, with the base period from May 30, 2026, to May 29, 2027, and subsequent option periods extending through May 29, 2031.

• Offers must be submitted by the due date specified.

• Evaluation will be based on price and other factors, as detailed in the addendum to FAR 52.212-2 (Attachment 3).

• This acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• NAICS Code: 611699, Size Standard: Not specified, but the acquisition is set aside for small business.

• The solicitation includes numerous FAR and DFARS clauses, including those related to payment, contract administration, and representations and certifications.

• Key attachments include: AST PWS (Attachment 1), Instructions to Offerors (Attachment 2), Addendum to FAR 52.212-2 (Attachment 3), Section 508 Determination (Attachment 4), Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment 5), and Pricing Table (Attachment 6).

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the DANTES AST solicitation, clarifying requirements and specifications.

• Academic Skills: The course must address cognitive, metacognitive, and non-cognitive skills from basic through pre-college levels. No specific priority areas are identified as learner needs vary.
• Personalized Learning Paths: Course content should adapt based on assessment results. If less than 50% correct, the module should be emphasized; if greater than 80% correct, it should be de-emphasized.
• Standards/Frameworks: No single educational standard or framework is mandated, but guidance in PWS section 4.1.1 applies.
• Video Tutorials: Third-party media resources are acceptable and can be integrated.
• Platform Hosting: The training course will be hosted on a commercial cloud hosting service, separate from Government networks, and must comply with NIST SP 800-171.
• Mobile App: Offline access is required, and the app must synchronize data when connectivity is restored. Two independent, non-synchronized platforms will not be acceptable.
• Assessments: Specific criteria for diagnostic, formative, interim, and summative assessments are detailed, including adaptation based on performance percentages.
• Learner Support: An early warning system will trigger notifications for lack of engagement (10+ days) or significant academic performance decline (10%+).
• Reporting: The level of detail for learner progression reports and administrator dashboards will be determined by the contractor's proposed commercial solution.
• Certificates of Completion: Certificates will be downloadable PDF files, including specific required fields.
• AI Usage: The use of AI and machine learning models is permitted.
• Data Security: The system must be free of Personally Identifiable Information (PII), with specific handling protocols for aggregated PII (name, email, duty station).

These clarifications refine requirements related to platform functionality, data security, content adaptation, assessment criteria, and user support, which bidders should consider in their proposals.

Amendment / Modification

This document is an addendum to FAR 52.212-2, "Evaluation - Commercial Items," and details the evaluation approach for this solicitation.

Key points include:

• The Government intends to award without discussions, but may enter discussions if necessary.

• Proposals rated "Unacceptable" in Technical Capability will be ineligible for award.

• The evaluation will be based on a Best Value/Trade Off assessment.

• Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose offer is most advantageous to the Government, considering price and other factors.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM and have a supplier risk score in SPRS at the time of contract award to be eligible.

• Evaluation Approach: Details the process for proposal evaluation, including the possibility of discussions and the determination of a competitive range.

• Basis for Contract Award: Outlines the evaluation factors and their importance.

• Evaluation Factors: Specifies the criteria for Technical Capability (including Technical Approach, Program Management, Staffing Plan, and Transition Plan), Past Performance, and Price.

• Technical Capability: Includes a breakdown of elements to be evaluated and a color/adjectival rating system (Blue/Outstanding to Red/Unacceptable).

• Past Performance: Details the evaluation of recency, relevancy, and quality, with defined adjectival ratings (Substantial Confidence to Neutral Confidence).

• Price: States that price proposals will be assessed for reasonableness and will not receive an adjectival rating. The total evaluated price will include the base period, options, and half of the FAR 52.217-8 option period.

• This addendum clarifies the evaluation criteria and process, which bidders must consider when preparing their proposals. It emphasizes the importance of a strong technical approach, relevant past performance, and a reasonable price. Offerors must ensure they meet the SPRS registration requirement for eligibility.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment 6, a Pricing Table for the DANTES ACADEMIC SKILLS TRAINING opportunity. It provides the structure for bidders to submit their pricing for the base period and four option years.

• Base Period (5/30/2026 - 05/29/2027): Includes CLIN 0001 for a web-based course (FFP, 12 Months) and CLIN 0002 for travel (T&M, Not-to-Exceed $6,000.00).
• Option Year 1 (05/30/2027 - 05/29/2028): Includes CLIN 1001 for a web-based course (FFP, 12 Months) and CLIN 1002 for travel (T&M, Not-to-Exceed $6,000.00).
• Option Year 2 (05/30/2028 - 05/29/2029): Includes CLIN 2001 for a web-based course (FFP, 12 Months) and CLIN 2002 for travel (T&M, Not-to-Exceed $6,000.00).
• Option Year 3 (05/30/2029 - 05/29/2030): Includes CLIN 3001 for a web-based course (FFP, 12 Months) and CLIN 3002 for travel (T&M, Not-to-Exceed $6,000.00).
• Option Year 4 (05/30/2030 - 05/29/2031): Includes CLIN 4001 for a web-based course (FFP, 12 Months) and CLIN 4002 for travel (T&M, Not-to-Exceed $6,000.00).
• Bidders are expected to fill in the 'Unit Price' and 'Amount' fields for each CLIN.

This pricing table is critical for bidders to understand the cost structure expected for the DANTES ACADEMIC SKILLS TRAINING. Bidders must use this template to provide their proposed pricing for the services, including the core web-based course and associated travel, across the base period and all potential option years. Failure to complete this table accurately may impact proposal evaluation.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To continue the Defense Department's capacity to deliver the Academic Skills Training (AST) program, which is designed to improve Service members' academic readiness for college-level course placement, qualification for reclassification or advanced training, and military advancement.

• Provide a commercially available, computer adaptive, asynchronous web-based course that improves cognitive, metacognitive, and non-cognitive academic skills from basic through pre-college level learning.

• The course must be accessible 24/7 worldwide to all active, reserve, and National Guard military members.

• Offer a range of diagnostic, formative, interim, and summative assessments to drive individualized learning paths.

• Include instructional modules arranged into customized learning pathways, interactive elements, and video tutorials.

• Provide learner support, including a help desk, early warning system, academic support (response within 72 hours), and optional tutor support.

• Offer VolEd workforce support, including administrative dashboards, reporting, and promotional materials.

• System Availability: 98% system availability.

• Cognitive Skills: Content distribution as follows - Math (40-50%), English (30-40%), Science (10-20%).

• Metacognitive and Non-Cognitive Skill Content: No more than 10% of the entire course curriculum.

• Assessments: Minimum of 95% predictive of course content learner competency.

• Instructional Delivery: Acceptable when instruction is delivered as scheduled for 95% of training events.

• Technical/Learner Support: Response to all support inquiries within 24 hours (business hours); website includes troubleshooting information.

• VolEd Workforce Support: 100% participation and delivery of materials.

• Reporting: Reports received when scheduled and contain prescribed data; no greater than 5 customer-substantiated complaints per quarter.

• Performance will be at contractor facilities or designated military bases. Program discussions and reviews may be held at Government facilities, designated military bases, or virtually.

• Contractor personnel must obtain DoD credentials (CAC) and undergo a Tier 1 background investigation.

• All contractor personnel must be U.S. citizens.

• Mandatory training for contractor employees, including OPSEC, CUI, Insider Threat, Privacy Act, and IT Security Awareness.

• Compliance with all applicable records management laws and regulations.

• Adherence to cybersecurity requirements, including incident reporting and protection of nonpublic Government data.

Amendment / Modification

This document is an addendum to FAR Provision 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Services. It modifies specific paragraphs of the provision and deletes others:

• Paragraph (b) Submission of offers: Tailored to require proposals to be submitted via email to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. Proposals can be on SF1449 or letterhead stationery and must be submitted in four volumes.

• Paragraph (c) Period of acceptance of offers: Offerors agree to hold prices for 120 calendar days from the receipt date.

• Deleted Paragraphs: Paragraphs (d) Product samples, (e) Multiple offers, and (h) Multiple awards are deleted.

• Proposals will be evaluated on price and technical factors.

• Offerors must thoroughly read and understand the solicitation. Failure to provide requested information may lead to technical unacceptability.

• Proposals must be factual, accurate, and complete.

• This acquisition will be negotiated under FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 15.

• Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted via email by 12:00 PM EST on March 05, 2026. Answers will be posted on SAM.gov.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically by the date and time specified in Block 8 of the SF1449.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov.

• The solicitation is an "all-or-none" requirement; failure to include all requested items may result in elimination.

• Proposals must be clear, concise, and provide rationale for meeting requirements.

• Proposals must be stand-alone within each volume.

• Use letter-sized pages, single-spaced, 11-point font, with one-inch margins. Specific exclusions apply to page counts.

• Proposals must be submitted in four volumes: Business Volume (No page limit), Technical Capability (50 pages), Past Performance (15 pages), and Price (No page limit).

• Specific formatting and marking requirements for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Source Selection Information are detailed.

• Volume I: Business Information: Includes company details, executive summary, teaming arrangements, POCs, and acknowledgement of amendments/certifications.

• Volume II: Technical Capability: Requires demonstration of technical capability, program management approach, staffing plan, and transition planning.

• Volume III: Past Performance: Requires information on at least one and up to three most relevant contracts within the last five years. Includes specific details on scope, magnitude, and complexity.

• Volume IV: Price: Requires completion of Attachment 6 – Pricing Table, including labor and associated materials, and travel costs. The Option to Extend Services will be evaluated based on 50% of the total price for Option Year Four CLINs.

• Funds are not presently available; no award will be made unless funds are available.

• The Government reserves the right to cancel the solicitation.

• Offerors are responsible for all proposal preparation costs.

• Submissions may be sent in multiple emails, each not exceeding 30 MB.

• FAR Provision 52.212-1 (paragraphs b, c, d, e, h)

• Proposal submission process and format

• Proposal volume structure and page limits

• Evaluation criteria and factors

• Proposal submission deadline and method are specified.

• The structure and content requirements for proposals are detailed, with strict adherence required to avoid non-compliance.

Amendment / Modification

This document is an addendum to FAR 52.212-2, "Evaluation - Commercial Items," and provides specific details on the evaluation approach and basis for contract award for this solicitation.

• Evaluation Approach: The Government intends to award without discussions, but may establish a competitive range if necessary. Discussions, if held, will be conducted per FAR 15.306(d), followed by a written reiteration and potential Final Proposal Revisions (FPRs).

• Ineligibility for Award: Proposals rated "Unacceptable" for Technical Capability or "No Confidence" for Past Performance will be ineligible for award.

• Basis for Contract Award: Award will be based on a Best Value/Trade Off assessment, considering Technical Capability, Past Performance, and Price. Technical Capability is more important than Past Performance, and both combined are significantly more important than Price.

• Evaluation Factors:

  • Factor 1: Technical Capability: Evaluated based on understanding of PWS requirements, Technical Approach and Evaluation Methodology, Program Management, Staffing Plan, and Transition and Execution Plan. Risk is also assessed as part of this factor.
  • Factor 2: Past Performance: Evaluated based on recency, relevancy, and quality of past performance, using various data sources. Ratings include Substantial Confidence, Satisfactory Confidence, Limited Confidence, No Confidence, and Neutral Confidence.
  • Factor 3: Price: Assessed for reasonableness. Price proposals will not receive an adjectival rating. The total evaluated price will include the base period, all options, and half of the FAR 52.217-8 option year four price.

• Proposals must contain the Offeror's best terms from a cost and technical standpoint initially, as discussions are not intended.

• Offerors must provide a signed commitment for major subcontractors for their past performance to be evaluated.

• The evaluation methodology and factors outlined here will be used to assess proposals.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Section 508 Determination form, used to document compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the associated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessibility standards. It is required for all acquisitions of ICT supplies and services.

• Requirement Title: Academic Skills Training
• Customer Agency/Organization: DSSC-DANTES
• Technical Standards: Checkboxes for applicable standards including Functional Performance Criteria, Electronic Content, Hardware, Software, and Support Documentation and Services.
• Exceptions: Checkboxes for Legacy ICT, National Security Systems, Incidental contract items, and Maintenance or monitoring spaces.
• Exemptions: Checkboxes for Undue Burden, Fundamental alteration, Non-availability of conforming commercial products and commercial services, and Alternative means of access.
• Signature block for the Requiring Official to confirm the determination.

Bidders should be aware that this determination is part of the procurement package. While this specific document is an internal government form, the selections made within it will dictate the accessibility requirements for any ICT products or services procured under this opportunity. Vendors should ensure their offerings meet the applicable Section 508 standards as indicated by the agency's determination.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Contractor Present/Past Performance Questionnaire. It is provided to companies interested in responding to the Request for Proposal (RFP) referenced as H9821026RE002 on SAM.gov. The questionnaire is used to gather feedback on a contractor's past performance, which is a factor in the government's evaluation of offers.

• Background: Provides context on the need for Academic Skills Training (AST) for Service members, referencing relevant DoD directives and policies.
• Point of Contact: Lists government POCs (Joel Auer and Mike Carnley) for submitting completed questionnaires.
• Previous Contract General Information: Fields for the evaluator to complete regarding the contractor's past contract (Name, Agency, Contract Number, Period of Performance, Price, Description of Service).
• Questionnaire Instructions: Defines performance ratings (Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, Unsatisfactory) with specific criteria and justification notes.
• Performance Assessment: Sections for the evaluator to rate the contractor on Quality, Timeliness, Cost Control, Business Relations, Management of Key Personnel, and Regulatory Compliance, with space for justification.
• Evaluator Information: Fields for the evaluator's name, title, agency, and signature.

Bidders responding to the RFP H9821026RE002 must ensure that their past performance is documented and that their references are aware of this questionnaire. Companies that have previously worked with potential offerors are requested to complete this form to provide their assessment. The ratings and justifications provided in this questionnaire will contribute to the government's evaluation of the offeror's past performance, a critical component in determining the best value to the Government. Completed questionnaires must be submitted via email to the specified government POCs by the proposal due date.