8-5410-002 RFP 26-0631-011 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY TEXTBOOK ADOPTION.pdf

BUFFALO PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROCUREMENT OFFERING

RFP 26-0631-011 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY TEXTBOOK ADOPTION

Offering Specification

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SUMMARY:

The purpose of this RFP is to provide the Buffalo Public Schools with a rigorous, interactive Anatomy and Physiology textbook aligned to the New York State Science Learning Standards. This Anatomy and Physiology textbook program will be available to all schools offering Anatomy and Physiology, plus CTE based Anatomy and Physiology courses & Dual College credit Anatomy and Physiology for student and teacher use. The textbook must be culturally responsive, offer supports for students identified as English Language Learners and Special Education as well as offer online resources.

The textbook must reflect the importance of every student’s engagement with natural scientific phenomenon at the nexus of three dimensions of learning; Science and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Crosscutting concepts; A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards. Additionally, the program must be adaptive to meet the needs of all learners, including special education, English language learners, and advanced students.

DESIGNATED CONTACTS:

Owner (Primary): Tatiana Merrick, Director of Science

Buyer (Copy To): Jason Giglio, Buyer jrgiglio@buffaloschools.org

The dates specified on the timeline of this offering are subject to change via addendum

TIMELINE:

Release Date: 07/21/2025 8:00 AM Advertise Dates:

Questions Due*: 08/11/2025 4:00 PM - Website/BONFIRE 07/21/2025

Answers Posted: 08/15/2025 4:00 PM - Buffalo News 07/20/2025

Offering Closed: 08/21/2025 4:00 PM - Contract Reporter 07/21/2025

Presentations: TBD - Rocket 07/24/2025

Tentative Award: Upon Board approval - Criterion 07/26/2025

Public Opening Time and Location: No Public Opening

*Questions regarding this offering must be submitted via the online offering portal @ https://buffaloschools.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

PROCUREMENT DATA:

Requisition: n/a

BPS Commodity Code: 051 Textbooks

Prior Offering: n/a Prior Awardee: n/a

Prior Award Period: n/a Current Year Value: n/a

OFFERING DATA:

Initial Award & Contract Term: 6 years upon Board approval

Extensions: n/a

Maximum Term End: 06/30/2031

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OTHER OFFERING PARAMETERS:

Award may be split among respondents: NO

Award may be consolidated: NO

Subcontractors may be used: NO

Insurance is required: YES

Prevailing Wage Law applies: NO

Response Surety Required (“Bid Bond”) NO

Performance Bond Required: NO

Formal contract required: YES

Proposals valid for: 90 days past closing.

SUBMITTAL OPTIONS:

Submittals may be mailed OR submitted electronically per the instructions below:

Mailed or delivered responses must include two (2) printed copies and one (1) electronic copy.

Electronic submittal is ALLOWED (and encouraged) via Buffalo Public Schools BONFIRE portal at:

https://buffaloschools.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities.

THIS PAGE RESERVED FOR OFFERING SUMMARY

Offering Specification

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1) GENERAL INFORMATION

a. DEFINITIONS:

i. “District”: Buffalo Public Schools (BPS)/Buffalo City Schools/Buffalo Board of

Education and any or all of the departments within the organization.

ii. “Vendor”, “Bidder”, “Proposer”: An individual, partnership, or corporation from whom the “District” is soliciting a response.

iii. “Contractor”: The individual, partnership, or corporation whose proposal is accepted and who is awarded.

iv. “Contract”, “Agreement”: The legal document the District issues to bind the

Contractor to provide the product and / or service described in the offering.

v. “Request for Proposal (RFP)”: A competitive negotiation process to procure the best value for the District.

b. RESPONSE AND VENDOR INFORMATION:

Qualified vendors are encouraged to submit a response for providing the goods and / or services described. If the vendor plans to subcontract any of the work described in the

Scope of Work the vendor must complete all response requirements for the subcontractor.

If a vendor plans a joint venture with another company and/or utilizes subcontractors, the vendor shall specify accordingly and complete all response requirements for each company involved in the offering response.

All responses should clearly state/include the following:

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS:

1. Name and address of company (SR-01).

2. A Project Manager who shall be the single point of contact for the contract should be identified and Resume and/or Curriculum Vitae attached (SR-02).

3. Details of how each item under “Scope of Work” will be addressed. This should take the form of a list that addresses each item (SR-03).

4. A fee for the requested services, inclusive of travel and other costs necessary to complete the contract services (SR-04).

- A list of each year’s costs/charges for each year of the offering term including potential extension periods must be included.

5. A project timeline with clear objectives, deliverables, and completion criteria (SR-05).

6. Documents supporting your company’s experience with any projects of similar magnitude (SR-06)

7. Vendor’s references if requested in the offering (SR-07).

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8. Disclosure of any information to the extent possible of any proposed takeover; both for takeovers of this company by another company, or any takeovers of other service providers by this company (SR-08).

9. Respondent status: Respondents must disclose any relevant conflicts of interest and / or pending lawsuits (SR-09).

OFFERING SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

See Scope and Sequence

There will be multiple stages to this adoption:

1. Review of written submission

2. Curriculum Committee review of materials

3. Presentation to Curriculum Committee

4. Presentation to Administrative and other Stakeholder Team

2) PURPOSE OF OFFERING AND GENERAL PROVISIONS

a. PURPOSE OF THE OFFERING

The purpose of this RFP is to provide the Buffalo Public Schools with a rigorous, interactive Anatomy and Physiology textbook program aligned to the New York State Science Learning Standards. This textbook will be available to all schools offering Anatomy and Physiology plus CTE based Anatomy and Physiology courses, for student and teacher use. The textbook must be culturally responsive, offer supports for students identified as English Language Learners and Special Education as well as offer online resources. There must an online component of the textbook in addition to a physical component.

The textbook must reflect the importance of every student’s engagement with natural scientific phenomenon at the nexus of three dimensions of learning; Science and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Crosscutting concepts; A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards.

Additionally, the program must be adaptive to meet the needs of all learners, including special education, English language learners, and advanced students.

b. RESPONSES Any and all contracts awarded as a result of this offering are subject to the Terms & Conditions stated in the offering. The submission of any other terms or conditions by a

Offering Specification

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c. REFERENCES Respondents must provide a list of a least three (3) client references and their contact information. References will be contacted at the sole discretion of the District.

d. TERM OF CONTRACT

Dates are approximate and dependent upon the award date.

Please refer to “Offering Summary Page(s)”

SCOPE OF WORK

The Buffalo Public School District is searching for a textbook aligned to the NYSSLS with embedded supports for a variety of learners (E-2) and (E-6).

• The physical Anatomy and Physiology textbook must have an electronic equivalent with digital access for students and teachers. Please reference NYS definition of textbooks at https://stateaid.nysed.gov/tsl/html_docs/textbook_loan_program.htm#Definition. (E-2) and (E- 6)

• The Anatomy and Physiology textbook must be organized to help students understand the concept development and include vocabulary, visuals, and illustrations. (E-2) and (E-4)

• The Anatomy and Physiology textbook must provide comprehensive, engaging, rigorous and culturally relevant content that is aligned to New York State Science Learning Standards- NYSSLS. NYSSLS must be embedded into aspects of the program including but not limited to the student textbook, teacher’s edition, lesson planning, differentiation strategies, and digital component of the Chemistry program (E-2)

• The Anatomy and Physiology Textbook must include multiple assessments tools for each lesson and/or unit (e.g., project, multiple choice, short answer, essay), and assessments.

• The Anatomy and Physiology textbook must provide a means for teachers to customize content according to student’s needs (e.g. editable lessons). (E-4)

• The student materials must be available in Braille and large print to meet the NIMAS standards. (E-9)

• The student materials and digital resources must be available in Spanish. (E-9)

• There must be a comprehensive professional development plan. (E-7) https://stateaid.nysed.gov/tsl/html_docs/textbook_loan_program.htm#Definition

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• The program includes accurate and balanced representation of different races, ethnicities, religions, cultures, genders and disabilities. (E-10)

• The program is free of language that suggests, by editorial emphasis, omission, or commission, that any race, ethnicity, religion, culture, gender or ability group is superior or inferior. (E-10)

• The program is of high academic quality and is written in standard English, free from grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. (E-2)

• The program must reflect current, accurate and thorough information and research related to the science content. (E-2)

• The vendor must provide evidence of a successful program implementation in school districts of similar size and demographics. (E-1)

• A customer service plan is included with the cost proposal that details shipping and distribution requirements, on-site support, and technology support. (E-5)

3) COURSEWARE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

a. The system will have administrative support/tools which shall include:

i. Daily synchronization capability with online District Student data and information system

ii. Digital content, assessments, User groups, newsletters, and other communication from vendor to user

iii. Support from client services department

iv. Technical support for end users

v. Role-based access levels to designated District and school personnel

vi. Ability to monitor student participation and progress monitoring (completion and progress monitoring reports)

4) TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

a. The vendor’s system will support user single sign-on capability (Buffalo Schools utilize

Microsoft Active Directory)

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b. The system must be compatible with, including but not limited to: internet browser Google

Chrome and Internet Explorer

c. Must be compatible with Windows 7 and higher, Macintosh MAC OS 10.5x and higher, Ios,and Linux Red Hat 5.4 and higher

d. The vendor will develop system-wide, role-based security and user access security

e. The system must provide for HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) support in all functions where usernames and/or passwords are transmitted

f. Vendor should provide mobile access technology and security. System should be available on most mobile devices (smart phones, iPads, tablets, etc…)

g. Enrollment data of students automatically and automatic roster upload based on Infinite

Campus SIS.

Meetings and Professional Development must be delivered/compatible with Microsoft TEAMS or Zoom platforms.

5) DATA IMPORT/EXPORT REQUIREMENTS

a. BPS requires an interface that accepts text or csv files connections for uploading, importing, and exporting student data. BPS utilizes Infinite Campus as its student information system, and the system may be required to support an automated interface with the BPS developed

Data Dashboard.

b. The system must provide BPS with the ability to import data and from other district-level data systems (i.e. Infinite Campus, the BPS developed Data Dashboard, and our other education data warehouses) Imports should be automated on a nightly basis.

6) DATA INTEGRATION REQUIREMENTS

a. The data / Digital content including assessment tools must be fully accessible (exportable in

.pdf, .txt, and .csv) to the District upon installation and throughout the term of the agreement.

b. Report availability based on content and assessments shall be 24 hours/day, except during scheduled maintenance periods.

c. The vendor will support the initial data migration and validation.

7) SERVICE LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

a. The system’s environment must be Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) compliant.

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b. All data collected by the learning management system remain the sole property of and for the exclusive use of BPS.

c. Technical support and services to include:

i. Integrity of data should the vendor’s server go down

ii. Server down time of less than .03%

iii. Adequate servers and backup to prevent database corruption and to provide restoration within two hours of data loss

iv. Product updates for the period of the contract

Help Desk Support that will include 24/hour assistance and availability, reliable help desk statistics, online, email, and phone supports, easy to locate up-to-date training resources available online and in hard copy formats, training materials utilizing multimedia (images, video, audio, etc…), availability of help desk logs, a nightly data refresh with access to transmitted data within 24 hours.

8) TRAINING, SUPPORT, and IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

a. The vendor will assign a primary point of contact to support the BPS account. BPS requires that primary point of contact will respond to calls or emails within 24 hours to support the resolution troubleshoot all issues and requests.

b. The vendor will provide a complete Professional Development Plan Outline as well as a Roll Out Plan. (See Scope of Work)

c. The system training for district staff will incorporate a train the classroom teacher and support staff approach and other applicable staff as needed. Staff development should include in-person and remote training.

d. The vendor must have the capability to support virtual meetings and professional learning (i.e.

webinars, e-learning, videos, TEAMS or ZOOM meetings, etc.)

e. The vendor shall provide a user guide for all users with comprehensive information related to test administration, generating, and interpreting reports.

9) PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

Project planning – vendor will provide a project plan that includes all materials, resources and training included with the adoption.

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10) EVALUATION PROCEDURES

a. Review of Responses

Responses will be evaluated by a cross functional team consisting of subject matter experts and a Purchasing representative. During the multiple stages of this adoption, the Proposals and programs will be reviewed by a team comprised of Central Office administrators, building administrators, grade 8-12 Science content teachers, CTE teachers, ELL/Special education teachers, community stake holders and a representative from the Purchase department.

b. Respondent’s Presentations

Respondents may be required to present once, at the District’s discretion, which will include a question and answer session with the evaluation team. Questions and specific requests to be addressed during the presentation will be forwarded to the respondents.

c. Evaluation Criteria

Responses will be evaluated on a 100 point scale as defined in the table below. Cost will be calculated proportionally compared to lowest cost response.

FINAL EVALUATION CRITERIA MAXIMUM POINTS

Effectiveness of the program based on scientific research and implementation in districts of similar size and demographics. (E-1)

Demonstrable & visible alignment of curriculum and assessments to the

NYSSLS- New York State Science Learning Standards in physical and digital components of the Chemistry program (E-2)

Assessment options / formats in both physical and digital components of the Chemistry program (E-3)

Differentiated instructional resources to meet the needs of all learners.

(E-4)

Level of proposed customer service (E-5) 5

Technology (E-6) 10

Professional Development Plan (E-7) 5

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Cost (E-8) 20

Multi-languages / NIMAS (E-9) 10

Cultural Responsiveness (E-10) 10

Total 100

d. Final Selection

The Board of Education and its representatives will select a firm based upon the recommendations of the evaluation team. It is anticipated that a firm will be selected by the date listed in the offering summary. Following notification of the firm selected, it is expected that a contract will be executed between both parties. The selected firm must be prepared to begin work upon execution of the BPS contract. The contract will not necessarily be awarded to the response with the lowest cost projection.