NIGP 94967: Scholarships, Graduate

NIGP 94967 Scholarships, Graduate is an Item code covering educational pathway programs and degree completion services that state and local governments—particularly school districts—procure to enable workforce development and professional advancement. Under this code, public sector buyers solicit accredited universities to design and deliver bachelor's degree programs combined with professional certification, serving specific employee populations or community constituencies. The DeKalb County School District in Georgia exemplifies this scope: the district issued RFP 26-723 in January 2026 seeking a university partner to develop a para-to-teacher apprenticeship program that would enable current paraprofessionals to earn bachelor's degrees and Georgia teacher certification in Elementary Education and Special Education through flexible online and in-person instruction, academic advising, portfolio-based assessment, and ongoing partnership support with district staff.

DeKalb County School District's RFP closed February 19, 2026, and required offerors to submit cost proposals on a per-participant basis for an estimated cohort of 25 students, with pricing to cover tuition, program fees, textbooks, learning materials, and academic support services bundled into all-inclusive costs. Evaluation weighted scope of services (30 points), relevant experience and expertise (25 points), firm overview (20 points), cost (15 points), and professional references (10 points). The district specified mandatory audited financial statements, certificates of insurance with $1,000,000 per-occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate minimums, valid business licenses, and standard compliance certifications including E-Verify authorization and suspension and debarment certifications. While Georgia universities are preferred, the RFP permits out-of-state institutions approved by their home state's Educator Preparation Program approving body and certified eligible to offer Georgia teacher certification under reciprocity rules. Contract performance is anticipated to commence July 2026 with an initial one-year term renewable for up to four additional one-year periods contingent upon Board of Education approval and funding availability. No specific set-aside designations are noted in the procurement documentation.