26MACISFK1 - Attachment A - Final.docx

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Attachment A Mathematics High-Dosage Tutoring Departmental Master Agreement (MA)

Alternate ID #: 26MACISFK1 COMMBUYS Bid #: BD-25-1026-DOE02-DOE01-115107

Background:

This MA seeks Mathematics high-dosage tutoring vendors to serve students in grades K-12 in Massachusetts as part of a Departmental Master Agreement (MA). Mathematics tutoring supports DESE's overarching vision for educational excellence and a commitment to providing equitable opportunities for all students. Mathematics tutoring is designed to support students, particularly those from historically underserved groups, in excelling in mathematics by creating targeted interventions through high-dosage tutoring services.

This MA identifies high-dosage tutoring as a route to supporting accelerated mathematics growth because of this strategy’s demonstrated effectiveness with diverse populations, recognizing the individual strengths, needs, and diverse backgrounds of the students. The high-dosage math tutoring program will serve as an integral part of districts’ Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) by providing targeted Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions to complement Tier 1 instruction and accelerate mathematics growth.

For the purposes of this MA, high-dosage mathematics tutoring refers to individual or small group models (four students or fewer) for children in grades K-12, focused on the standards as identified in the 2017 Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks (see additional details below). These services are supplemental to regular instructional time and are delivered through a structured model with a specific duration and frequency. For example, students may receive tutoring sessions twice a week for 45 minutes each or three times a week for 30 minutes each over a 12-week period.

Please note that an award under this MA does not guarantee that an organization will automatically be awarded a funded contract to conduct work with DESE, districts, schools, or other organizations utilizing this list; nor does this MA carry an award of state or federal funds.

Scope of Service:

Through this MA, DESE will approve high-dosage mathematics tutoring vendors resulting in a pre-qualified list of approved vendors. There is no monetary award associated with this contract.

The purpose of this MA is to provide a resource for schools, districts and DESE to support efforts to deliver high-quality high-dosage math tutoring services. Approval under this MA signifies that the vendors have undergone a thorough vetting process by DESE and that the services and/or products that have been approved offer the potential to add value to schools, districts and state improvement efforts.

Under this agreement approved vendors will be available to partner with multiple stakeholders for different purposes:

· DESE may issue competitive procurements for specific pieces of work through the Requests for Quotes (RFQs) process posted to COMMBUYS. Only vendors approved under this MA will be eligible to MA on this contracted work.

· Districts may also use the MA for their own contracting services by entering into a direct contract following their local procurement laws and regulations. When contracting for educational services, DESE may recommend that districts and schools select vendors approved under this MA.

· In some instances, DESE may require that recipients of certain grant awards use a portion of the awarded funds for contracted services provided by vendors approved under this MA. While funded by the grant award, the contract for services would be directly between the pre-qualified vendor and the district.

The selected vendors are expected to:

· Provide high-dosage math tutoring services consistent with the model, frequency and duration recommendations by EdResearch for Recovery, for students in grade(s) K-12 who have not met relevant benchmarks on mathematics screening assessments. Vendors should indicate for which grades their services are appropriate.

· Provide in person and/or virtual tutoring services to children from September 2025 until June 2030. Tutoring services should be scheduled based on 12-week cycles (90 min/week) for individual or small group models (four students or fewer)

· For grades K – 2 tutoring must occur in person and during the school day.

· For grades 3 – 12 tutoring can be virtual or in-person, during the school day.

· Working with participating and contracted districts to support integration of the high-dosage tutoring program into the existing Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). This may include supporting districts to further define and develop their MTSS model.

· Ensure the hiring, training, and vetting of tutors and subcontractors through a meticulous process, including comprehensive background checks and CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) checks, to provide a safe and enriching learning environment for all students.

· For grades 6 – 12, bidders must hire and train tutors with math content knowledge and experience needed to teach these grades span as consistent with the 2017 Math Framework.

· Monitor and supervise the tutors and tutoring sessions to maintain a safe and enriching learning environment for all students consistent with the goals of this program.

· Notify DESE if the bidding vendor employs subcontractors for math tutoring. Vendors are required to furnish evidence substantiating that the subcontractors' values align with the vendor's overarching vision for the program. Additionally, it is essential that the subcontractors undergo comprehensive training to ensure they are well-versed in delivering tutoring services in strict accordance with DESE's established requirements. This proactive communication and assurance process are fundamental to maintaining program integrity and upholding the standards set forth by DESE.

· Agree to follow DESE’s direction regarding possible pre/post tutoring assessment data collection using a DESE determined screening assessment for participating students. If requested by DESE, and possibly in coordination with a third-party evaluator and/or DESE, direct tutors to administer a DESE-selected pre/post screening assessment to every participating student, prior to the start of each tutoring cycle and a post-test/screening assessment at the completion of the tutoring cycle. Tutoring programs that operate on a full school year cycle will need to assess participating students with the DESE-determined screening assessment mid-year.

· Participate, if requested by DESE, in a third-party evaluation to determine tutoring efficacy; this may include disseminating and completing parent and staff surveys, participating in interviews, and providing required student level data. If DESE requires participation, the vendor will be compensated only for students that they provide the following complete useable data:

· Pre and post tutoring assessment data for each participating student using an assessment selected by DESE. Note: full year programs would provide a middle of the year (MOY) data point as well.

· Monthly tutoring roster reports as well as learning logs which are a record of each tutoring session delivered that includes: frequency; duration; content; name of tutor; student participants; and student demographics. provided directly or via evaluator secure website)

· Attestation Form signed by district or school leader affirming the number of students served.

This is a Rolling Enrollment MA. Bidders can submit a response at any time while this posting is open on COMMBUYS.

This MA does not commit DESE to approve a contract, pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a bidder’s response to this MA, or to procure or contract for services.

Budget:

The Department has an interest in keeping the cost of tutoring affordable, and the proposed cost structure will be an important criterion in the Department’s provider selection process.

In their response, vendors must indicate:

· The per student fee they will charge for math high-dosage tutoring, inclusive of any additional costs or overhead.

· The duration of services as it pertains to the per student cost. It must be clearly stated if the per student cost is based on tutoring services for an hourly, 12-week cycle, a full school year, or some other service duration.

· The cost structure based on various student group sizes, from 1 student to 4 students in a group.

· For full year programs, vendors must indicate if their full year student cost reflects “a seat” for the school year that can be filled by multiple students rather than a per student cost.

· The minimum and maximum number of schools/districts and children they can serve under this MA.

If approved, costs named in vendors’ responses will be incorporated into a Departmental Master Agreement and must remain in effect throughout the duration of the contract, i.e., until June 30, 2030. Once under contract, the vendor may not increase the cost of their approved services for each fiscal year, for Massachusetts public schools or DESE.

For DESE-funded tutoring partnerships, DESE will identify communities for tutoring. These partnerships will be determined by DESE in collaboration with school districts, though DESE will make final partnership determinations.

DESE reserves the right to broker new DESE-funded partnerships and end existing DESE-funded partnerships as needed to meet program goals.

Invoice Process for DESE-funded tutoring partnerships:

For DESE-funded partnerships, vendors will enter into a work order agreement with DESE to provide services in schools. For such arrangements, tutoring vendors will invoice DESE after the completion of service (generally, a 12-week tutoring cycle) and, if data is required, after verification that pre/post testing, learning logs, and attestation forms have been submitted to the outside evaluator and/or DESE. For tutoring models that extend beyond twelve weeks (generally, a tutoring cycle), the vendor will coordinate with DESE to determine the appropriate invoicing schedule. Vendors will be required to provide attestation from the partner LEA or community organization that services were completed as reported.

If DESE requests student tutoring assessment data, vendors may only invoice for students for whom their data is complete. Complete data are defined as:

1. Pre-test and post test data from a DESE-determined assessment that has been shared with and verified received by DESE’s third-party evaluator and/or DESE.

2. A Learning Log for each tutoring session with required information: frequency; duration; content; name of tutor; student participants; and student demographics, demonstrating that the student has participated in the agreed-upon duration and format of tutoring.

If pre/post assessment data are required, DESE recognizes that students may leave the tutoring program unexpectedly and may not be administered a post test. For this reason, DESE will allow vendors to invoice for no more than 15% of their total student participants without complete data. For example, if a vendor serves 100 students, DESE will allow the vendor to invoice for no more than 15 students that have incomplete data. Incomplete data is defined as missing or incomplete post-test scores. DESE will not compensate vendors for any students without a pre-test and Learning Logs. In the event of unanticipated circumstances such as excessive student/tutor absences or incomplete sessions, DESE may consider the option for vendors to invoice on a pro-rated per student cost basis. The per student cost will be in effect for the duration of the MA.

The work order process, (which takes place after an approved vendor responds to an RFQ and is the successful bidder), is when the specific scope of service and the total budget for a project are developed.

Approved vendors will be placed on a Departmental Master Agreement through June 30, 2030. Provide in person and/or virtual tutoring services to children from September 2025 until June 2030.

Required Qualifications:

Responses related to materials that do not meet Required Qualifications will not be reviewed.

1. Capacity: Vendor must have the capacity to establish relationships with schools/educational organizations and capacity to deliver MA students with high-dosage math tutoring services beginning in September of the next school year (2025, etc).

2. Experience: Demonstrated experience deploying high-dosage math tutoring programs in elementary, middle, and/or high school settings during the school day.

3. Alignment: Demonstrated use of tutoring materials, including assessments, that are aligned to the 2017 Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Frameworks or Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Existing agreement/commitment with the MA Student Data Privacy Alliance agreement, see here https://sdpc.a4l.org/about_alliance.php?state=MA. If not already under agreement, willingness to agree, or willingness to include a crosswalk demonstrating compliance with all of the requirements outlined in the agreements.

2. Demonstrated evidence that tutors received training on cultural/linguistic competence, working with students with disabilities, social-emotional learning, and anti-racism practices as well as ongoing support throughout their employment as a tutor.

3. Demonstrated capability to provide services to students at various levels of English language development, aligned with the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition.

Submission Requirements:

Please respond to each of the following prompts. Responses may include hyperlinks to supplemental information and/or additional appendices but should also be comprehensive and comprehensible on their own. There is no page limit for appendices, however appendices must directly relate to the submission requirements below.

1. Please complete and submit the Evidence Form providing evidence of qualifications and meeting criteria as identified on the Form. The Evidence Form provides a structure for the vendor to report on Required Qualifications, Preferred Qualifications and other Submission Requirements including Organizational Overview; Evidence of Effectiveness Impact; and Cost Effectiveness. See word limits for each section.

2. In addition to the Evidence Form, please submit an annual budget for each year of this MA (FY26 – July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026, FY27 – July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027, FY28 – July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028, FY29 – July 1, 2028 – June 30, 2029 and FY30 – July 1, 2029 – June 30, 2030) based on the number of students the vendor anticipates serving, which includes all costs for high-dosage math tutoring and provides these costs on a per-student basis. The budget should reflect the maximum number of services the vendor can provide while maintaining program quality. Rates need to be all-inclusive of expenses (including travel, indirect, printing etc….) See the Budget section above for more details.

3. In the appendices, provide a sample lesson plan, including student assignments, tailored for specific grade students. The lesson plan must clearly outline content and language objectives, the goal of the session, the MA standards being addressed, and a strategy for promoting student discourse during the session. Additionally, it should include strategies to support MLLs, SWD, and students working below grade level. In the Evidence Form Q13, provide a link to a video demonstration of an actual tutoring session. The video must reflect authentic student interactions, demonstrating real instructional practices, student participation, and the application of effective tutoring strategies. The session may highlight how MLLs, SWD, and students working below grade level are supported through targeted interventions, differentiated instruction, and opportunities for active engagement.

4. In the appendices, provide examples of advertising materials designed for district recruitment. Include samples of introductory materials that provide an overview of the program tailored specifically for districts. Include a range of introductory materials that cater to different district preferences, ensuring a comprehensive and adaptable approach to presenting the program overview.

5. Submit the Prompt Payment Discount Form (This form can be found on COMMBUYS in the same location as this MA posting. This form is required to be completed, Bidders are highly encouraged to offer a PPD to expediate payment and provide cost savings to the Commonwealth. Bidders unable to provide a discount can claim hardship. Hardship must be accepted by the team and procurement office.

6. Submit the Supplier Diversity Program Plan Form (This form can be found on COMMBUYS in the same location as this MA posting. This form must be completed and offer a percentage commitment of 1% or higher to a subcontractor or ancillary partner. The higher the commitment the more points earned on the Evaluation Criteria Scorecard. See scorecard for more details.

7. Please provide the name, email address, and telephone number of the contact person.

8. Additionally, the vendor may append to their MA any artifacts or samples that may attest to their meeting the Required or Preferred Qualifications, which may include but are not limited to annual reports, impact evaluation reports, instructional materials, client, or partner testimonials. Appendices have no page limit.

Responses MUST be uploaded to COMMBUYS. Responses not posted to COMMBUYS will not be considered for evaluation. Do not Email and/or mail responses to the department.

To respond to this MA, please register on the COMMBUYS website. If you need assistance contact the OSD Help Desk at OSDHelpDesk@mass.gov or (8am - 5pm ET Monday – Friday) at 1-888-627-8283 or 617-720-3197.

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