Optimal Approved for GSA's Program Evaluation Subgroup

As part of the five years of progress under the Evidence Act, OMB and GSA created a new dedicated procurement subgroup to "simplify and improve the quality of program evaluation contracting." Optimal was approved to join this pre-vetted program evaluation subgroup in Q1:FY2024.

Optimal Researchers Participate on Multiple AERA Panels

This past April, Optimal researchers served on multiple panels at the American Education Research Association Annual Meeting in Philadelphia in collaboration with our partners at the National Center for Education Statistics.

Our panels discussed ongoing research:

COVID-19. Experiences, Contexts, and Outcomes From The Nation’s Report Card
Shifting Populations and Changing Classrooms: How Demographic Makeup of Classrooms Changed Since the COVID-19 Pandemic

Policy Research Updates:

SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program (CNPP) Evaluation

Starting in 2021, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) began piloting a new model for engaging underserved communities and business ecosystems.

Optimal recently completed the developmental evaluation of the Community Navigator Pilot Program (CNPP).

To learn more, see the CNPP Evaluation Report.

Optimal is scaling up the modernization of evidence-based decision-making through its spin-off, Revelo Software. Revelo is a modular SaaS that helps agencies rapidly develop solutions. It is ideal for new AI pilots because it provides governance, workflows, and customized reporting.

Learn more about Revelo.

Delivering a Digital-First Public Experience with iAccessible

Optimal's Vice President, Tracye Turner, recently spoke as a guest for a popular long-standing accessibility podcast hosted by NAVAIR's Section 508 Program Manager. She presented the latest OMB guidance, updates on Section 508 and the 21st Century IDEA, and potential funding sources from the Technology Modernization Fund. See below for more information and upcoming deadlines:

OMB Memo M-23-22 for the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (IDEA) Deadline:

June 21, 2024: Identify opportunities for optimizing self-service digital options.

M -24-08 Memorandum on "Strengthening Digital Accessibility and the Management of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act" Deadlines:

June 28, 2024: Conduct a policy assessment, update policies, and make them public. Also, Section508.gov resources should be up-to-date.

December 31, 2024: Standardize accessibility reporting and establish a service for ICT accessibility.

Optimal and Digital Modernization

New product gets federal market research done in minutes!

AcquisitionAI is a decision support tool for government acquisition professionals. It uses robotic process automation (RPA) to link data from multiple procurement systems and enables acquisition officials to shorten the procurement acquisition lead time (PALT).

CommentsAI, powered by Revelo Software, has been developed to reduce the burden on government agencies during the regulatory process by helping them respond to and analyze public and stakeholder comments quickly.

Using natural language processing and machine learning techniques,

CommentsAI helps agencies review, categorize, summarize, and analyze public comments rapidly, efficiently, and accurately.

The Evidence Act helps to ensure data sharing. With OptiBot, agencies can increase engagement on complex tables and ensure reliable answers.

Schedule a demo to learn more about our products