BRAVES_ITA_COMMITTEE_REPORT_FORM.docx

Evaluation Committee Form Title: Building Readiness and Advancing Valuable Education and Skills in Innovation, Technology, and AI (BRAVES-ITA) RFP Number: 5556 Evaluation Date: October 28,2025 The names of the members of the evaluation committee shall not be publicly disclosed until their evaluation report as required under Section 3-203.16 is published (48 hours prior to the award.) Where evaluation committee members are not public employees, those members’ names, educational and professional qualifications, and practical experience, that were the basis for the appointment, shall be made available to the public.

Evaluator Name(s) and Professional Title(s)

Awarded Vendor Report The evaluation for qualifications for the Alcorn State University, Office of Economic Development & Community Engagement, Building Readiness and Advancing Valuable Education and Skills in Innovation, Technology, and AI (BRAVES-ITA.) took place on October 28, 2025.

The following potential offerors submitted proposals for evaluation:

· MONOCHROME

· (B)STEM Academy The award recommendation decision was based on information provided in each proposal. The information below supports our decision for this recommendation. Our comments on strengths and weaknesses were addressed comprehensively in the individual scoring rubrics. After thorough evaluation and great consideration, we recommend that (B) STEM Academy be awarded the contract for the BRAVES-ITA RFP Number: 5556.

Awarded Vendor (B)STEM Academy Total Score: 64.75 During deliberation, the Evaluation Committee identified several strengths that aligned closely with the University’s needs and the scope of work for the BRAVES-ITA initiative. The Committee noted the selected vendor’s demonstrated capacity to successfully execute the proposed activities, supported by extensive experience in similar projects across Mississippi and a demonstrated ability to build meaningful partnerships within the Southwest Mississippi region.

The Committee also highlighted the vendor’s qualified staffing structure, which was deemed appropriate to support the scale and complexity of this initiative. Detailed resumes and accompanying letters of support from local stakeholders, including government partners, further affirmed the vendor’s capability and established community relationships.

Cost was an additional consideration in the Committee’s decision-making process. The selected vendor presented a competitive and reasonable budget aligned with anticipated outcomes, offering strong value to the University while demonstrating fiscal responsibility and sustainability.

Finally, the Committee discussed the vendor’s long-term sustainability plan and its ability to build lasting capacity within the region beyond the grant period. This alignment with the University’s vision for impact and community development contributed significantly to the recommendation.

As a result, the Committee determined that (B)STEM Academy is well positioned to deliver the outcomes envisioned in the RFP and recommended awarding the contract accordingly.

Proposed Budget: $663,000.00 Not Selected for Award Monochrome Consulting Total Score: 47 During deliberation for Monochrome Consulting, the Evaluation Committee noted that the proposed budget exceeded the anticipated range for the defined scope of work. Additionally, the proposed staffing structure did not appear sufficient to feasibly support the geographic reach and participant volume outlined in the RFP. While the vendor demonstrated interest and commitment to the project goals, the proposal did not provide clear evidence of prior experience or measurable outcomes aligned with the BRAVES-ITA initiative's requirements. For these reasons, the Committee determined that Monochrome Consulting did not meet the competitive threshold for award at this time.

Proposed Budget: $3,154,000.00