1-Astronomy Instructional Resources for Grades 9-12, I26055 Sol.pdf

Request for Information (RFI) I26055

Astronomy Instructional Resources for Grades 9-12 RFP ISSUANCE DATE: November 18, 2025

PURCHASING CONTACT: Jeanette Gray, 770-426-3362 or jeanette.gray@cobbk12.org

IMPORTANT DATES

NOTE: All CCSD locations will be closed November 24- 28, 2025 for the Thanksgiving Break and December 22, 2025 – January 2, 2026 for Winter Break.

EVENTS DATES

(dates are tentative) RFI issued and posted to the CCSD Euna Procurement Interactive Portal https://cobbk12.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

November 18, 2025

Deadline for written questions submitted through the CCSD Euna Procurement Interactive Portal

December 1, 2025 by 10:00

AM ET

Responses to questions posted on the CCSD Euna Procurement Interactive Portal

December 3, 2025

Deadline for RFI responses submitted to the CCSD Euna Procurement Interactive Portal

December 9, 2025 by 3:00

PM ET

Deadline for Samples, see Section 6.2. January 12, 2026 by 2:00

PM ET

mailto:jeanette.gray@cobbk12.org https://cobbk12.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

Procurement Services Department

BOARD OF EDUCATION David Chastain, Chair • John Cristadoro, Vice Chair

Randy Scamihorn • Becky Sayler • Leroy Tre’ Hutchins • Nichelle Davis • Brad Wheeler

SUPERINTENDENT Chris Ragsdale

514 Glover Street Marietta, GA 30060 Telephone: (770) 426-3300 www.cobbk12.org One Team, One Goal: Student Success

November 18, 2025

TO ALL VENDORS:

Cobb County School District (CCSD) invites you to submit a response to a “Request For Information” for the following content areas:

• RFI I26055, Astronomy Instructional Resources for Grades 9-12

All responses must be submitted through the CCSD Euna Procurement Interactive Portal.

Responses not submitted through the CCSD Euna Procurement Interactive Portal will not be considered.

Responses are due no later than 3:00 PM ET on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. Please allow ample time to complete the submission through the CCSD Euna Procurement Interactive Portal. The portal does not allow late submissions.

CCSD reserves the right to utilize this information in the best interest of the school system.

Your interest and participation in this process is appreciated.

Sincerely, Barbara Bates, CPPB, NIGP-CPP Director of Procurement Services

RFI I26055, Astronomy Instructional Resources for Grades 9-12

COBB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

MARIETTA, GEORGIA

PROCUREMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.0 COMMUNICATION

All communications concerning this RFI must be submitted in writing through the CCSD Euna Procurement Interactive Portal. Only written responses distributed through the CCSD Euna Procurement Interactive Portal will be binding upon the CCSD. The Procurement Services Department, at its discretion, may call upon user departments for clarification in their area of expertise. Questions concerning this RFI must be received by Monday, December 1, 2025 by 10:00 AM ET. Answers will be posted to the CCSD Euna Procurement Interactive Portal by Wednesday, December 3, 2025.

2.0 BACKGROUND

CCSD is the second-largest school system in Georgia and the 23rd largest school system in the United States. The District is responsible for educating more than 103,000 students in a diverse, constantly changing suburban environment. Our mission is “One Team, One Goal: Student Success.” Our vision is a school district of excellence where all students succeed. CCSD’s total enrollment – 103,283 students (October 2025) with a breakdown of the schools as follows:

• Total Number of Schools – 112

• Elementary Schools – 66

• Middle Schools – 26

• High Schools – 17

• Special Education Center – 1

• Adult Education Center – 1

• South Cobb Early Learning Center – 1

• Virtual Academies – 3

• Performance Learning Center – 1

• Charter Schools - 1

3.0 PURPOSE OF RFI

The purpose of this RFI is to identify high-quality core instructional resources – including print, digital, and open educational resources (OER) – that support instruction in Astronomy as defined by the Science Georgia Standards of Excellence. Information gathered may inform a potential future RFP or district pilot for the 2026-2027 implementation cycle. To meet this purpose, providers are given the opportunity to submit information for review, although the District reserves the right to consider any and all resources for acquisition. The information requested is limited to a set of general criteria already established by the district. Providers are https://cobbk12org-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/candice_lewis_cobbk12_org/EUr3YZGwdYZKroEHsRNB6SEBgbZg7oLsED6Y6IO6tZum-A?e=C37rgO invited to submit resources for single or multiple grade levels/spans. If there are multiple sets of materials within a provider’s product, each set of materials should be submitted separately.

4.0 REVIEW PROCESS

4.1 This RFI is for information only. In no way does this request bind CCSD to solicit bids or proposals in the future. However, if in the future, CCSD elects to solicit bids or proposals, in no way does the submittal of information give any provider any advantage. CCSD can use all or some of the information provided to draft specifications for future solicitations. Providers may be invited to discuss responses during the review process.

Responses will be reviewed based on completeness, instructional alignment, accessibility, and compatibility with district systems. This RFI does not constitute a scoring or award process.

4.2 Provide complete information below for a point of contact during the evaluation period.

This person must be available to answer any questions pertaining to your overall response that may arise prior to award.

Contact Name:

Phone Number: Fax Number:

Email Address:

5.0 PROVIDER INTERVIEW

During the evaluation process, the CCSD may, at its discretion, request any one or all providers to interview for the purpose of clarification or to amplify the materials presented in any part of the RFI.

However, providers are cautioned that the District is not required to hold interviews; therefore, all proposals should be complete. Not all providers may be asked to interview.

6.0 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Separate proposals must be submitted for each set of materials. Vendors are to respond to the following:

6.1 General Criteria for All Learning Resources

6.1.1 Describe how your materials support and are consistent with the CCSD’s mission, vision, and goals.

6.1.2 Describe how materials connect astronomical concepts with physics, mathematics, and earth science.

6.1.3 Describe how your materials directly support the instruction of the Astronomy – Science Georgia Standards of Excellence.

6.1.4 Provide evidence or research demonstrating that your materials have improved student understanding in Astronomy or similar physical science disciplines.

Include data from comparable districts, case studies, or third-party evaluations.

6.1.5 Describe how your materials promote the integration of higher-order thinking skills.

6.1.6 Describe how your materials meet high standards of quality in factual content and presentation.

6.1.7 Describe how your materials are appropriate for the course/subject area.

6.1.8 Describe how your materials are appropriate for the student’s age, emotional, and social development.

6.1.9 Describe how your materials enhance the user’s experience and have aesthetic and literary value.

6.1.10 Describe how your materials avoid bias and adhere to standards of sensitivity relative to student race, gender, religion, culture, ethnicity, disability, political, and socioeconomic status.

6.1.11 Describe how your materials will be subject to user ratings, limited contracts, partial purchases, and possible discontinuation.

6.1.12 Digital Learning Materials

Describe how digital learning materials align with the district's digital learning environment, ensure accessibility for all users, and integrate seamlessly with district systems for authentication, rostering, and data management.

6.1.12.1 Describe how your materials include or integrate virtual simulations, planetarium software, telescope observation logs, or other lab-based activities.

6.1.12.2 Identify any required or optional technology tools, such as VR environments, star-mapping software, or data visualization platforms.

6.1.12.3 Explain how simulations align with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) practices of modeling, analyzing, and interpreting astronomical phenomena.

6.1.12.4 Describe how materials are designed to be device agnostic, browser compatible, and developed using HTML5 standards without requiring Flash or plug-ins.

https://cobbk12org-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/candice_lewis_cobbk12_org/EUr3YZGwdYZKroEHsRNB6SEBgbZg7oLsED6Y6IO6tZum-A?e=C37rgO https://cobbk12org-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/candice_lewis_cobbk12_org/EUr3YZGwdYZKroEHsRNB6SEBgbZg7oLsED6Y6IO6tZum-A?e=C37rgO

6.1.12.5 Describe how materials comply with current Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1 or higher) to ensure full accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities.

6.1.12.6 Describe how Single Sign-On (SSO) is supported through Microsoft Entra ID or Clever SSO, including the authentication protocols used (e.g., SAML 2.0, OAuth2, OpenID Connect).

6.1.12.7 Describe how the system complies with IMS Global OneRoster standards for automated data exchange with the district’s Student Information System (SIS), including setup, timelines, frequency of updates, and handling of schedule changes while preserving historical data.

6.1.12.8 Describe how the platform integrated with Clever for rostering and/or SSO, or identify alternative methods that meet both authentication and rostering requirements, including the onboarding timeline from data receipt to activation.

6.1.12.9 Describe how teachers can manage multiple class sections within the same course, including options for combining sections for grading and reporting.

6.1.12.10 Describe how digital learning materials are maintained and updated to ensure accuracy, alignment to current standards, and continued compatibility with the district’s systems.

6.1.12.11 Describe how your system ensures compliance with FERPA, COPPA, and state data privacy laws, and outline procedures for student data retention and deletion.

6.2 Samples

6.2.1 Physical Samples

6.2.1.1 Providers must provide two teacher editions and two student editions for review.

6.2.1.2 Samples are to be mailed to the attention of Kevin Long, CCSD Textbook Warehouse, 6975 Cobb International Blvd., Kennesaw, GA 30152

6.2.1.3 Samples must arrive by Monday, January 12, 2026, by 2:00 PM ET.

6.2.2 Digital Access

6.2.2.1 Providers must provide digital access for each sample material submitted to CCSD for review. This includes guest login access for both teachers and students for all web-based and digital products.

6.2.2.2 The digital access must be available during the initial review period starting January 12, 2026, through January 30, 2026.

6.2.3 Selected providers will be expected to provide sample resources for the Astronomy course being reviewed.

6.2.3.1 Publisher-produced and/or OER resource providers will be expected to prioritize teacher and student sample resources aligned to the Astronomy

– Science Georgia Standards of Excellence based on one or more of the following areas/criteria:

Science and Engineering Practices

Disciplinary Core Ideas Cross Cutting Concepts Scientific Foundational Skills

• Asking Questions and Defining Problems

• Developing and Using Models

• Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

• Analyzing and Interpreting Data

• Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

• Engaging in Argument from Evidence

• Provide the essential content that students need to understand scientific concepts.

• Assist students in building knowledge over time.

• Foundational investigations, explanations, and problem-solving across grade levels and disciplines.

• Connect ideas across disciplines.

• Identify patterns.

• Explore cause and effect.

• Consider scale and quantity when analyzing systems.

• Building a deeper, transferable understanding of scientific phenomena.

• Observation.

• Data collection.

• Controlled experimentation.

• Inquiry skills.

• Designing investigations.

• Analyzing data.

• Constructing evidence-based arguments.

• Engineering solutions to real-world problems.

https://cobbk12org-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/candice_lewis_cobbk12_org/EUr3YZGwdYZKroEHsRNB6SEBgbZg7oLsED6Y6IO6tZum-A?e=C37rgO https://cobbk12org-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/candice_lewis_cobbk12_org/EUr3YZGwdYZKroEHsRNB6SEBgbZg7oLsED6Y6IO6tZum-A?e=C37rgO

MARIETTA, GEORGIA

PROCUREMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT

School List

HIGH SCHOOLS

School Name Phone Address City, Zip Allatoona 770.975.6503 3300 Dallas-Acworth Hwy NW Acworth, 30101 Aspire 770.819.2584 5805 Dunn Road Mableton, 30126 Campbell 678.842.6850 5265 Ward Street Smyrna, 30080 Cobb Horizon High School 678.594.8240 1765 The Exchange SE Atlanta, 30339 Cobb Online Learning Academy 678.594.8240 1765 The Exchange SE Atlanta, 30339 Cobb Virtual Academy 678.581.6719 1765 The Exchange SE Atlanta, 30339 Harrison 678.594.8104 4500 Due West Road Kennesaw, 30152 Hillgrove 678.331.3961 4165 Luther Ward Road Pwdr Sprgs, 30127 Kell 678.494.7844 4770 Lee Waters Road Marietta, 30066 Kennesaw Mountain 678.594.8190 1898 Kennesaw-Due W. Road Kennesaw, 30152 Lassiter 678.494.7863 2601 Shallowford Road Marietta, 30066 McEachern 770.222.3710 2400 New Macland Road Pwdr Sprgs, 30127 North Cobb 770.975.6685 3400 Old 41 Highway, North Kennesaw, 30144 Osborne 770.437.5900 2451 Favor Road Marietta, 30060 Pebblebrook 770.819.2521 991 Old Alabama Road Mableton, 30126 Pope 770.578.7900 3001 Hembree Road Marietta, 30062 South Cobb 770.819.2611 1920 Clay Road Austell, 30106 Sprayberry 770.578.3200 2525 Sandy Plains Road Marietta, 30066 Walton 770.578.3225 1590 Bill Murdock Road Marietta, 30062 Wheeler 770.578.3266 375 Holt Road Marietta, 30068