NIGP 91725: Contracted Services, Research Collaboration

NIGP 91725 Contracted Services, Research Collaboration (Item) encompasses research design, evaluation methodology, and subject matter expertise that state and local governments procure to assess program impact, develop curricula, support strategic planning, and guide policy decisions. Recent solicitations show government entities engaging consultants to conduct comprehensive community health needs assessments, evaluate multi-component education and social service initiatives, design longitudinal survey research, and provide technical review of specialized workforce programs. The issuing bodies span diverse public sectors: higher education institutions (Georgia Southern University, Valencia College, City Colleges of Chicago), municipal departments (City of Phoenix Water Service Department, City of Tucson), transit and development authorities (Atlanta Beltline, Inc.), and safety-net health organizations (Central Health, Travis County Healthcare District). Most solicitations use RFP or RFQ vehicles with single or multiple awards anticipated, reflecting a mix of competitive evaluation and indefinite-quantity arrangements for task-order delivery.

Geographic activity appears concentrated in the Southeast and Southwest, with recent Georgia, Arizona, Florida, and Texas postings. Representative current opportunities include the City of Phoenix Water Service Department issuing an RFQu (due March 20, 2026) to establish a Qualified Vendor List for five-year water demand forecasting and water resources consulting across six service categories, the City Colleges of Chicago procuring a 36-month evaluation contractor (due February 20, 2026) for a capped budget of $350,000 to assess its Thrive Strategy with mandatory MBE and WBE participation goals of 25 and 7 percent respectively, Central Health's request for proposals (due February 9, 2026) for a Community Health Needs Assessment supporting a 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, and the City of Tucson's RFP for on-call brownfields assessment and remediation consultant services with DBE requirements and Section 3 labor compliance tied to EPA and HUD funding. Most contracts require demonstrated subject-matter expertise (typically 3–5 years), comprehensive insurance including professional liability, and compliance with local prevailing-wage, set-aside, and federal work-authorization requirements.