NIGP 95670: Research Services (Other Than Business)

NIGP 95670 Research Services (Other Than Business), an Item code, encompasses evaluation studies, strategic planning analyses, and program assessments that state and local agencies commission to evaluate initiatives, inform policy decisions, and support organizational improvement. Recent solicitations show governments buying mixed-methods program evaluations, organizational service model reviews, strategic planning studies, and specialized research consulting for education, community development, health services, and municipal administration. The issuing bodies span city departments (Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, City of Phoenix Water Service, City of Fort Worth Economic Development, City of Dallas Parks & Recreation), county governments (Ventura County, Marion County), regional authorities (Atlanta Beltline, City Colleges of Chicago, Jacksonville Transportation Authority), state agencies (Texas Education Agency, District of Columbia Department of Disability Services), and special-purpose districts (School District U-46). No single buyer dominates the activity; instead, the code sees distributed demand across multiple jurisdictions pursuing ad-hoc evaluations and planning engagements. Typical work includes program impact assessments with quantitative and qualitative components, stakeholder engagement and stakeholder mapping, deliverables such as final reports with findings and actionable recommendations, and defined contract periods ranging from six months to three years with optional renewal terms.

Recent geographic activity centers on Texas (Texas Education Agency RFI for assessment development services; City of Fort Worth economic development planning RFP with $300,000 budget), California (Ventura County Area Agency on Aging service model review RFP with estimated costs of $100,000 to $150,000, proposals due June 17, 2026), Arizona (City of Phoenix water resources consulting RFQu for qualified vendor list), Illinois (School District U-46 educational procurement; City Colleges of Chicago 36-month Thrive Strategy evaluation RFP with $350,000 budget cap, proposals due February 20, 2026), Georgia (Columbus Consolidated Government community engagement RFP for EPA brownfield grant, proposals due August 21, 2026), Indiana (Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Non-Fatal Shooting Victim Advocate Program evaluation RFQu, submittals due July 24, 2026), and Georgia (Atlanta Beltline survey panel build RFP for $35,000, proposals due March 10, 2026). The District of Columbia issued a MOBIS Schedule RFQ for vocational services rate development consulting (deadline February 21, 2026). Representative recent opportunities include the City Colleges of Chicago seeking a mixed-methods evaluator for a 36-month basic needs and student well-being initiative assessment with 25% MBE and 7% WBE participation goals; Ventura County soliciting an external consultant through RFP 6256 to conduct a comprehensive Area Agency on Aging service model review with stakeholder engagement and fiscal analysis, work commencing July 1, 2026; and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department requesting qualifications for a research analyst to evaluate the Non-Fatal Shooting Victim Advocate Program using mixed-methods design, with qualifications-based selection and MBE, WBE, VBE, and DOBE participation goals (15%, 8%, 3%, 1% respectively).