PSS FY26 Avoid, Deny, Defend Training

SCOPE OF WORK

1. Introduction

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE), through the School Safety Center (SSC), seeks a qualified contractor to deliver developmentally appropriate emergency preparedness training aligned with Avoid, Deny, Defend response protocols for K–12 school leaders and personnel. Avoid, Deny, Defend represents a nationally recognized set of response protocols for active threat situations and may be delivered through proprietary or copyrighted training programs.

The training shall address the Avoid, Deny, Defend response protocols in a manner that is practical, age‑appropriate, and suitable for school and workplace environments. The program must equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and instructional guidance necessary to implement and locally cascade training using the vendor’s authorized materials and delivery model within their respective Local Education Agencies (LEAs).

2. Rule Alignment and Authorized Adaptation

This statewide training supports compliance with USBE Administrative Rule R277‑400‑6, Emergency Preparedness Training for School Occupants, which requires LEAs and schools to include standard response protocols established by the state security chief and provide developmentally appropriate and age‑appropriate emergency preparedness training for students and adults, including Avoid, Deny, Defend protocols.

Vendors may propose training solutions that incorporate Avoid, Deny, Defend response protocols through proprietary or copyrighted programs, including programs that lawfully modify or adapt those protocols for developmental appropriateness, provided the vendor holds the necessary rights, licenses, or permissions to do so. Proposed training must substantively address the required protocols and meet all applicable statutory and rule requirements.

3. Training Purpose

The purpose of this training is to provide K–12 school leaders and personnel with practical, developmentally appropriate instruction on Avoid, Deny, Defend response protocols for emergency preparedness.

The training is designed to build participant knowledge, confidence, and capacity to implement and cascade effective training using the vendor’s authorized materials and delivery model within their LEAs in alignment with R277‑400‑6. Emphasis shall be placed on age‑appropriate application, student and staff well‑being, and consistency with applicable state law and rule to support safe, secure, and supportive learning and working environments across Utah schools.

4. Intended Participants

The selected contractor shall provide training appropriate for the following participants:

a. School safety personnel identified in Utah Code § 53G‑8‑701.5, including:

i. School Safety and Security Directors

ii. School Safety and Security Specialists

b. School principals

c. School personnel, as determined appropriate by the LEA

d. USBE staff to be trained as trainers for Utah

5. Training Delivery

The selected contractor shall:

a. Deliver high‑quality emergency preparedness training addressing the Avoid, Deny, Defend and Aid response protocols that is developmentally appropriate for K–12 school environments.

b. Ensure training content aligns with Utah statute and rule, including R277‑400‑6, and reflects best practices for school and workplace safety.

c. Present training using evidence‑based instructional strategies appropriate for adult learners in educational settings.

6. Practical Application and Scenarios

The selected contractor shall:

a. Utilize scenarios, examples, and discussions that reflect realistic school and workplace conditions.

b. Emphasize response options that are feasible, age‑appropriate, and suitable for classrooms, offices, and common areas.

7. Training Materials and Resources

The selected contractor shall:

a. Provide participant handouts, reference materials, and facilitator support resources necessary to reinforce training concepts and support local delivery.

8. Technical Assistance and Clarification

The selected contractor shall:

a. Provide reasonable technical assistance to USBE and participating LEAs regarding training content, delivery expectations, and implementation considerations.

9. Timelines

The selected contractor shall:

a. Participate in regular meetings with the School Safety Center (SCC), at least 2 per month.

b. Ensure that the program developed will be reviewed by the SCC and approved before final completion.

c. Ensure that the final document will be edited to comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

d. Work with the USBE and SCC to schedule training dates and possible post-training participant evaluations.

e. Ensure that all deliverables outlined in this scope of work will be completed no later than June 30, 2027.

10. Vetting

The Contractor will make available any resources or materials developed or used in connection with professional learning, training, or instructional programs for review by the appropriate USBE program manager prior to being shared with LEAs, schools, stakeholders, or other training participants, to ensure alignment with applicable state and federal laws.

Vendors proposing proprietary or modified training programs shall, upon request, demonstrate they hold the necessary rights or permissions to deliver and adapt such training for K–12 school settings.

11. Budget Information

The firm, fixed price for this agreement shall not exceed $170,000.00. All work under this agreement will be completed by the date specified in the contract and invoiced upon completion of the contracted services. The amount identified herein includes all costs associated with performance under this agreement and will be invoiced as an all‑inclusive expense. The Contractor is solely responsible for its own travel arrangements and related expenses and may not invoice USBE for travel costs.

12. Program Management

Any questions or other inquiries should be sent to the Program Manager listed below.

Any changes or deviations from the agreement must be agreed to in writing by a proper amendment or change order. The parties identified below are the points of contact for the agreement for the purpose of amending the agreement.

a. USBE Program Manager:

Rhett Larsen, School Safety Center Coordinator rhett.larsen@schools.utah.gov

(801) 538-7997

b. USBE Contract Manager:

Michael Iwasaki, Director of Purchasing michael.iwasaki@schools.utah.gov

(801) 538-7621

c. Contractor: TBD mailto:rhett.larsen@schools.utah.gov mailto:michael.iwasaki@schools.utah.gov

13. Invoicing and Payments

Any changes or deviations from the agreement must be agreed to in writing through a proper change order to this purchase order.

Upon completion of services, the Contractor shall submit invoices electronically to the USBE email accountspayable@schools.utah.gov for all goods and/or services provided in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Invoices will not be considered for payment if submitted by another method.

Invoices shall include the following:

a. Contractor Name

b. Vendor Number (if known)

c. Uniquely identifiable invoice number

d. Invoice date

e. Agreement or Purchase Order Number

f. Recipient Entity’s contact information (phone number and email address)

g. Contractor’s authorized signature

h. Date(s) goods/services were provided

i. Description of goods and/or services for which payment is requested

j. Dollar amount requested

Invoices submitted by the Contractor to USBE without the required information will not be paid and shall be returned to the Contractor for completion.

All payments made to the Contractor under this agreement shall be made in the name of the Contractor, as it appears in this agreement. All payments will be sent to the address for the Contractor as it appears in the agreement.

Changes to the information identified in this section must be requested in writing.

To obtain payment for the goods and/or services authorized by this agreement, the Contractor shall submit the itemized invoice together with supporting documentation of work performed.

USBE reserves the right to question or seek clarification for any cost invoiced if the invoice is not supported by proper documentation.

mailto:accountspayable@schools.utah.gov

The Contractor may be required to repay the USBE if, during or after the contract period, an audit or other review determines that payments made by the USBE to the Contractor were incorrectly paid or were based on incorrect information received from the Contractor. USBE reserves the right to withhold any or all subsequent payments to the Contractor until the incorrect amounts paid have been fully recovered.