The Appalachian Regional Commission invites proposals from qualified researchers and consultants to examine significant structural and socioeconomic changes to the Appalachian Region since 1965 and determine to what extent ARC's economic development investments have contributed to these changes. The purpose is to quantify and document changes to the Region during this time period, to evaluate ARC's contribution to the Region's economic development during this time period, and to determine to what extent Appalachia still remains "a region apart," geographically and statistically, from the rest of the nation. Proposals are due on or before October 9, 2013.