B-51811 Literacy IFB Questions and Answer Addendum 1.docx

26-586SBE-CHFED-B-51811

SBE: New IFB - Professional Learning for Adolescent Literacy Question and Answer Addendum #1

1. The IFB contract (Section 1.2) describes three distinct service categories — Strategic Planning and Project Coordination, Recruitment and Outreach, and Asynchronous Online Professional Learning Coursework. The BidBuy Items Tab appears to contain a single line item with a per-participant rate described as inclusive of "all required services." Please confirm that all three service categories, including Strategic Planning and Recruitment and Outreach, are intended to be incorporated into a single per-participant unit cost.

ANSWER: Confirmed. All three service categories, Strategic Planning and Project Coordination, Recruitment and Outreach, and Asynchronous Online Professional Learning Coursework, are intended to be incorporated into a single per-participant unit cost inclusive of all required services.

2. The IFB contract specifies a minimum of 1,000 educator licenses, but the BidBuy Items Tab shows a quantity of 1,500. Please clarify the intended quantity and whether the 1,500 figure represents a fixed purchase commitment regardless of actual enrollment, or whether compensation will be adjusted based on actual participation numbers.

ANSWER: 1,000 represents the minimum quantity of licenses anticipated while 1,500 represents the maximum quantity licenses anticipated.

3. Section 1.2 describes the required coursework as asynchronous online professional learning. However, Section 1.4 requires vendors to demonstrate that their approach reflects PD that is "ongoing and not one-and-done" and "promotes application of learning through modeling, practice, feedback, or coaching." Please clarify whether these requirements are intended to be met through the design of the asynchronous course itself — for example, through built-in reflection activities, application exercises, and response notebooks — or whether ISBE expects the contractor to deliver live coaching, facilitation, or synchronous support as part of this contract.

ANSWER: These requirements are intended to be met through the design of the asynchronous course itself. ISBE does not expect the contractor to deliver live coaching, synchronous facilitation, or other real-time support as part of this contract. Vendors must demonstrate how their course design incorporates built-in elements such as reflection activities, application exercises, and practice opportunities that support ongoing learning without requiring synchronous delivery.

4. Service 1 requires development of "a sustainable framework to ensure schools and districts are offered coherent follow-up support beyond the contract period." Please clarify whether this is a written planning document deliverable, or whether ISBE expects the contractor to actively deliver follow-up coaching or support services beyond the June 30, 2026 contract end date.

ANSWER: This requirement is intended to result in a written planning document deliverable. ISBE does not expect the contractor to actively deliver follow-up coaching or support services beyond the June 30, 2026 contract end date. The framework should equip schools and districts engaged in the professional learning with a roadmap for coherent continuation of that work within their own context after the contract concludes.

5. Given that the bid opening, award, protest period, and contract execution process must all occur before the clock starts on the two-week kickoff and four-week platform launch milestones, please confirm the anticipated contract execution date so vendors can assess operational feasibility against the May 1 platform launch deadline.

ANSWER: Ideally, the award, contact negotiation, and protest period will run concurrently with an anticipated full contract execution date no later than May 7th.

6. Section 1.7 of the Scope of Work reads: “All facilitated practice sessions shall be conducted at in-state Illinois locations, to be determined in coordination with ISBE” How many practice sessions will be required before the asynchronous professional learning delivery launches?

ANSWER: This contract is designed around asynchronous online delivery, and no facilitated practice session are required. The professional learning model selected for this engagement prioritizes accessibility and scalability across Illinois, which is best served through the online coursework format outlined in Section 1.2.

7. Will practice session be required to take place on-site in Illinois?

ANSWER: No on-site sessions are required under this contract. The scope is intentionally structured as a fully online, asynchronous engagement to maximize statewide reach and remove barriers related to geography, scheduling, and travel.

8. What will the onsite practice session entail?

ANSWER: This contract does not include onsite sessions. Application of learning is embedded within the course design itself through reflection activities, practices exercises, and other built-in instructional supports, consistent with the requirements outlined in Section 1.4.

9. Will the kickoff meeting be on-site or virtual?

ANSWER: The contract requires the kickoff meeting to take place within two weeks of contract execution but does not specify a format. The format will be determined in coordination with ISBE upon contract execution.

10. In reviewing the IFB, we noted references to facilitator expertise and “facilitated practice sessions.” Should vendors interpret this as requiring a facilitated (synchronous or in-person) component in addition to the asynchronous online coursework, or is a fully asynchronous model sufficient to meet the requirements?

ANSWER: The facilitated practice session language is that residual language in the travel section. Intent is to be fully asynchronous.