REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Title: Training Coordinator for 1998 National Inservice Workshop for Aquaculture Education.

Contract: March 1998 through August 1998.

Proposal deadline: December 31, 1998.

Contract Description:
Contract will initiate March 1998 and conclude August 1998. A subcontractual agreement will be signed between a Training Coordinator, as an independent contractor, and the National Council for Agricultural Education (The Council). Funding is provided under a USDA grant to "infuse aquaculture into the agricultural education curriculum." Coordinator and staff are expected to organize and host a 5 day national inservice workshop on aquaculture education, July 10 - 15, 1998, at an appropriate location (see criteria below). Coordinator, with assistance of staff, will: manage funds according to terms and conditions for USDA grants, an approved budget and Scope of Work; be responsible for procurement; assist with local and airport arrival/departure logistical support; make initial contact with local lodging and provide relevant information in a timely fashion to participants; and assist presenters, including any Council selected trainers, by organizing and coordinating presentations, technical demonstrations, laboratory exercises, and field trips.
The inservice will include: an overview of newly released curriculum, "hands-on" aquaculture and aquatic science exercises; presentations and opportunities for exchanges between participants and between participants and invited speakers from aquaculture industry, fisheries and other aquatic science professionals involved with research, extension, and education; field trips to local aquatic resources and aquaculture activities; and a display of teaching resources to (tentatively) include, aquaculture and aquatic science supplies and equipment, books and references, computer technology, video, and technical publications. The host site's own aquatic science and aquaculture education programs will be highlighted, as well as, it's working relationships with the local community, industry, and academic institutions.

Contract/funding:
The Coordinator will be an independent contractor. The Coordinator is expected to make available an experienced staff involved in a successful aquaculture/aquatic science education program and provide additional support staff, including secretarial, maintenance, and food preparation, as needed. Total funding to meet the goal of this contract, including supplies, additional equipment and compensation of Coordinator, local staff, and invited trainers is $25,000.00. (Travel costs for invited trainers to be paid by The Council.) No indirect costs may be applied under any agreement with the site or any subcontracts. Subcontracts and any amendments must be approved by The Council in advance.

Responsibilities:
Work independently under authority of the National Council for Agricultural Education in all matters related to the objectives of this agreement. The Coordinator will assure quality control, serve as primary representative for this effort to The Council, and keep the Special Projects Director/Aquaculture at The Council informed of progress on a regular basis. Support staff will maintain clerical, technical, and professional services, and financial accountability. Coordinator and staff will attend a planning meeting with the Special Projects Director/Aquaculture on-site, on a date to be determined. Final technical and financial reports will be provided at the conclusion of this contract.

Qualifications:
In addition to selection criteria noted below, the following criteria should be met: inservice site must be suitable for training teachers of secondary education, particularly teachers of agricultural education, and have a quality instructional program in aquatic science and aquaculture education focusing on several species and aspects of aquaculture technology; staff should be highly motivated, familiar with secondary agricultural education programs and The Council's aquaculture education curriculum, and possess outstanding teaching/training skills. Evidence of capacity/support to complete project is essential. Staff experience in aquatic sciences, commercial aquaculture, closed system aquaculture systems, hydroponics, and computer applications is very desirable.

The Council:
The National Council for Agricultural Education is a not-for-profit organization established to provide creative and innovative leadership and to carry out high quality programs for agricultural education as a part of public education. The Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Proposal: Proposal must include the following: name and address of institution, Training Coordinator, and available staff; a "draft" budget (attachment A) based on available funds and Scope of Work (attachment B) including details pertaining to personnel costs, a listing and price of any non-expendable equipment to be purchased in support of inservice workshops, and a description and estimation of any other anticipated "direct" training costs; a description of aquatic science and aquaculture teaching facility and available aquaculture systems/species/activities; description of other facilities available for inservice use; name and distance of nearest major airport; names and description of nearest lodging; names and description of local aquatic science and aquaculture related activities (public and/or private) or academic institutions involved with same. Send proposal with cover letter, budget, complete curriculum vitae of inservice staff, and a minimum of three professional recommendations to:

    Gordon J. Mengel, Special Projects Director/Aquaculture
    National Council for Agricultural Education
    5632 Mt. Vernon Memorial Hwy.
    Alexandria, VA 22309

Critical Dates:
Proposals must be postmarked to the above address by December 31, 1998. Contract available March 1998.

Inservice Site Selection Criteria :
    * Training Center with an exceptional aquatic science and aquaculture program/facility and an established     relationship with      both agricultural education/vocational agriculture and aquaculture industry.
    * Available facilities must be accessible to training participants and, minimally, include recirculation systems (a variety of          aquaculture systems is desirable) and adequate aquaculture equipment and supplies for training purposes.
    * An adequate supply of Tilapia (a variety of aquatic species is desirable) and a variety of aquatic resources available for          training purposes.
    * Adequate space to accommodate inservice participants for both classroom and laboratory oriented activities; at least one     large meeting area (50 - 60 people) and two medium sized classrooms (25 - 30 people)
    * Personnel with experience in several different aspects of aquatic science and aquaculture (e.g., production, management,     processing, marketing, research, extension, education).
    * Proximity to (private/public) aquaculture activities.
    * Proximity (2 hour's driving distance or less) to major (commercial jet) airport.
    * Overnight accommodations available, including food services.
    * Receive adequate financial support from other sources.
    * Use environmentally appropriate technologies.

NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
5632 Mt. Vernon Memorial Highway
Alexandria, VA 22309
(703) 360-8832 FAX (703) 360-5524