RFI 701-26-023, ASSESSMENT

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FOR

TEACHER INCENTIVE

ALLOTMENT (TIA)

Summary

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is seeking information about development of summative assessments with multiple administrations to calculate student growth and provide actionable reporting development services in support of TIA.

Responses are due July 16, 2026 - 2:00 P.M. Central Time

TEA Contracts and Purchasing Division TEASolicitations@tea.texas.gov

Kristi Nichols-Arnold mailto:TEASolicitations@tea.texas.gov

Table of Contents

1. Purpose, Background, and Scope of Work

1.1. Purpose

1.2. Background and Defined Terms

1.3. TEA Mission

1.4. Anticipated Schedule of Events

1.5. Scope of Potential Future Goods and/or Services

2. Submission Process and Instructions

2.1. Response Format

2.2. Electronic Submission Process

2.3. Communication

2.4. Response Requirements

3. Response Format and Content

3.1. Requested Information

3.2. Understanding of the Project, Methodology, and Technical Components

4. Response Review

4.1. Response Review

ATTACHMENT A: NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUBMIT A RESPONSE

ATTACHMENT B: NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS SOLICITATION

ATTACHMENT C: NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS SOLICITATION.………………..………….………………………..….…….17

ATTACHMENT D: RESPONSE COVER PAGE QUESTIONNAIRE

ATTACHMENT E: POTENTIAL FUTURE GOODS AND/OR SERVICES QUESTIONNAIRE…………….…………….19

1. Purpose, Background, and Scope of Potential Future Project

1.1. Purpose

The Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) is overseeing this solicitation to gather information that may inform a future procurement for test development, with current interest in Science and Social Studies, with possible courses in the future. This solicitation is separate from initiatives led by the TEA Student Assessment team such as State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) or Student Success Tool (SST). TEA is seeking information to understand how contractors would approach the development of summative assessments with multiple administrations to calculate student growth and provide actionable reporting. TEA also seeks to build a broader understanding of available assessment development models, implementation approaches, timelines, pricing structures, technical requirements, reporting capabilities, and partnership options that may support future TIA planning.

Responses should demonstrate the contractor’s ability to:

- Describe assessment development models, implementation options, and technical capabilities relevant to a future TIA assessment initiative, including subject-specific experience when applicable.

- Provide practical information about timelines, alignment approaches, platform strategy, pricing considerations, reporting, and partnership structures to support future procurement planning.

Please note that this RFI is not a procurement opportunity; no contract will be developed from a response to this RFI.

1.2. Background and Defined Terms

TIA is a state initiative designed to help districts strategically compensate highly effective teachers to support teacher retention, recruitment, and equitable access to strong instruction for students. As TIA continues to expand, TEA is exploring a future procurement for test development services to support teacher eligibility in underrepresented teaching assignments where the state does not currently provide assessments. TEA is currently interested in Science and Social Studies, with other possible courses in the future. TEA is seeking information from organizations that provide assessment design and related services to better understand the range of available approaches for assessment development, standards or curriculum alignment, administration models, technical platform options, reporting supports, pricing structures, and partnership models.

This request is intended to inform future procurement planning only. TEA is interested in understanding how contractors typically approach assessment development work, including project phases, client inputs, technical and implementation considerations, adoption considerations, and the factors that shape feasibility, cost, and long-term sustainability. TEA also welcomes broader assessment development responses from contractors without subject-specific experience, while remaining particularly interested in contractors with experience or capabilities related to Science, Social Studies, or other relevant subject-area assessments, if available.

As used in this solicitation, the following capitalized terms shall have the meaning as specified below:

Term Definition

Assessment An instrument, test, or measure designed to gather information about student performance, growth, or related outcomes

Blueprint A document or framework that defines assessment content coverage, structure, item distribution, and related design specifications

Contractor Entities that choose to submit a response to TEA under this solicitation.

Curriculum Alignment

The process of designing assessments so that content and expectations correspond to identified standards, curriculum, or local instructional priorities

ESBD Electronic State Business Daily

HUB Historically Underutilized Business as defined in Texas Government Code § 2161.001

IP Intellectual Property LEA Local Education Agency NIGP National Institute of Governmental Purchasing

Platform The system, tools, or environment used to roster, administer, deliver, score, and report assessment results

Response Content submitted by contractors to TEA in response to this solicitation

RFI Request for Information SIS Student Information System SME Subject Matter Expert STAAR State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness SST Student Success Tool TEA Texas Education Agency

TEKS Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills TGC Texas Government Code TIA Teacher Incentive Allotment

1.3. TEA Mission

TEA is the state agency responsible for overseeing primary and secondary public education in Texas.

TEA’s mission is to improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems; every child, prepared for success in college, career, or the military.

TEA has adopted a strategic plan comprised of four strategic priorities built upon five key actions identified below. These may be updated in the future and can be found on the TEA website located here, https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/welcome-and-overview/tea-strategic-plan:

• Strategic Priorities o Recruit, support and retain teachers and principals o Build a foundation for reading and math o Connect high school to career and college o Improve low-performing schools

• Key Actions (Continuous Improvement) o Supported Educators o Ready Students o Rigorous Engagement o Aligned Systems o Actionable Goal-setting https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/welcome-and-overview/tea-strategic-plan

1.4. Anticipated Schedule of Events

DATE EVENT

June 18, 2026 Publication of solicitation in the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) at: http://www.txsmartbuy.gov/esbd Contractors must have an account at Euna Procurement (Bonfire) to submit a response to TEA.

June 25, 2026 Last day to submit written questions about this solicitation no later than 2:00 P.M. Central Time. Submit questions via Vendor Discussion in the Euna Procurement (Bonfire) portal

July 2, 2026 Final publication of questions and answers July 16, 2026 TEA preferred date to receive Notice of Intent to submit a response July 16, 2026 Response(s) due no later than 2:00 P.M. Central Time

1.5. Scope of Potential Future Goods and/or Services

TEA is exploring a future procurement for test development in support of the TIA, with current interest in Science and Social Studies, with other possible courses in the future. The assessments would be summative assessments with multiple administrations to calculate student growth and provide actionable reporting. This work is being considered in the context of recently passed http://www.txsmartbuy.gov/esbd https://tea.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities legislation that expanded TIA funding and support. TEA is seeking information that may inform a future procurement and is broadly interested in understanding available assessment development models, implementation approaches, timelines, pricing structures, technical requirements, reporting capabilities, and partnership options that may be relevant to that future work. TEA is also interested in learning about contractor experience or capabilities related to Science and Social Studies assessments, if available.

1. Responses should be organized to mirror the structure of the Potential Future Goods and/or Services Questionnaire Q-67PL (Attachment E). Contractors should provide a narrative response to all seven (7) categories of Attachment E and address the associated prompts within each section. Narrative responses should be tailored to address how contractors would meet TEA’s potential future assessment needs to the extent possible; however, contractors may provide a more general response when they do not have directly comparable experience.

2. Each category is intended to function as a section of the response. Contractors may answer in narrative form rather than providing item-by-item responses, so long as the narrative clearly addresses the topics and questions included within each category.

3. Narrative responses must include examples of relevant prior work or experience. Contractors are strongly encouraged to submit additional supporting examples, sample materials, or other illustrative documentation in the Requested Information section on the Euna platform, as available.

4. Responses should describe, where applicable, the services, typical timelines, pricing models, cost drivers, technical requirements, reporting options, platform or rostering considerations, implementation supports, and partnership or intellectual property models that would typically shape an assessment development project of this kind.

5. Responses should address, where applicable, relevant technical and operational considerations, including district or client inputs, administration requirements, accessibility or accommodation considerations, integration needs, implementation support, staffing or training needs, and major dependencies, risks, or constraints.

6. TEA intends for the information collected to inform future procurement planning and to better understand feasibility, sequencing, and implementation considerations associated with potential future assessment offerings.

Category 1: ASSESSMENT APPROACH

a. What assessment development models do you support (for example, fixed-form, adaptive, or beginning-of-year, middle-of-year, and end-of-year)? Please complete a table for each model you support that includes model type, typical use case, development time (in months), administration window, reporting lag, and scale supported (for example, district, multi-district, or statewide).

b. What general capabilities, timelines, and constraints should TEA be aware of when considering future assessment development work? Describe any additional considerations relevant to large-scale, multi-district, or statewide assessment implementations, if applicable.

Category 2: FRAMEWORK AND CONTENT

a. How do you typically approach standards or curriculum alignment in assessment development projects? Select all alignment approaches you support: Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) direct alignment, crosswalk-based alignment, district-custom alignment, and/or item bank tagging frameworks. Explain your approach in less than 100 words.

b. What kind of alignment evidence or documentation do you usually provide? Include the typical number of items per blueprint, number of review cycles, and level of Subject Matter Expert (SME) involvement (for example, hours, roles, or both).

c. How have you supported clients who want assessments to fit within existing local testing practices?

d. What common alignment or adoption challenges should TEA anticipate in a future project?

e. What inputs from the client are usually needed to establish scope, blueprint, and timing?

Identify which inputs are required at project launch versus later phases.

f. What common alignment risks should be considered early in planning?

Category 3: PLATFORM STRATEGY

a. What platform, rostering, and administration options are typically available as part of your assessment offerings? For your primary platform, identify whether each of the following is included, available at additional cost, or not available: Student Information System (SIS) rostering integration, accommodations support, and real-time reporting.

b. How do you usually handle integration with district systems or existing testing platforms?

c. What are the typical technical and implementation requirements for districts? Provide a typical district onboarding time in weeks and note any major dependencies that affect readiness.

d. What supports do you typically provide to reduce implementation burden for clients?

e. What reports have you produced to support assessment data analysis? Differentiate standard reports from optional or custom reports and note typical reporting turnaround times.

Category 4: PRICING AND ADOPTION

a. What pricing structures do you typically offer for assessment development and related services? Provide estimated pricing ranges for the following scenarios: a small district (approximately 5,000 students, 1 subject, 2 annual administrations), a mid-size district (approximately 25,000 students, 2 subjects, 3 annual administrations), and a statewide implementation (1,000,000 or more students, 3 subjects, 3 annual administrations).

b. What services are generally included in your core offering, and what is typically optional or additional? Identify any services that commonly require separate licensing, implementation fees, or custom development.

c. What factors most often affect pricing, implementation scope, and long-term sustainability?

Rank your top five cost drivers, such as item development, platform licensing, reporting, psychometrics, and implementation support.

d. What have you learned about adoption considerations when organizations introduce new assessment offerings?

Category 5: PARTNERSHIP AND IP MODEL

a. What types of partnership models do you typically offer for assessment development work?

Describe your typical delivery model and identify whether responsibilities are primarily vendor-led, client-led, or shared.

b. How do you generally approach Intellectual Property (IP), licensing, and ownership in these engagements? Indicate whether your typical model is vendor-owned item bank, client-owned item bank, or shared licensing, and describe any common limitations or transfer conditions.

c. What considerations tend to shape feasibility, pricing, and long-term partnership structure?

d. What contracting, legal, privacy, or security considerations usually arise early in planning?

e. What is your typical contract length for this type of work (for example, 1 year, 3 years, or 5+ years), and what factors usually influence contract duration?

Category 6: ROADMAP TIMING

a. What are the typical phases and timelines in a full assessment development project? Provide a standard timeline that includes planning, blueprint development, item development, field testing (if applicable), and operational launch, with estimated duration in weeks for each phase.

b. What major milestones or review points should organizations plan for? For each milestone, indicate the typical TEA role, contractor role, and major dependencies.

c. What factors most often affect development speed, launch readiness, and project sequencing? Identify the most significant constraints and note which phases are most sensitive to delay.

Cross-Cutting Benchmark Example

Provide one example project of potential future work like this request and include the following details:

a. Number of districts served

b. Number of students served

c. Number of items developed

d. Total timeline

e. Total cost range

f. Platform used

Contractors may also note whether the example is most comparable in terms of speed to launch, cost per tested student, or implementation burden.

2. Submission Process and Instructions

2.1. Response Format

Contractors should submit a complete response and follow all the instructions contained within this solicitation. Contractors must submit responses electronically and ensure TEA receives them no later than the deadline stated in the Anticipated Schedule of Events. TEA will not accept late responses.

Response Format and Requirements:

- The contractor must download all files from Euna Procurement (Bonfire) under Public Files to prepare a submission.

- Complete and upload all required documents listed under the Requested Information section in Euna Procurement (Bonfire).

- The file name should be short but descriptive and avoid special characters. Use capital letters, hyphens, or underscores instead of spaces or periods. (i.e., 26- 023_CompanyName_Response).

- The contractor shall not encrypt or password protect response or embed documents within the response.

- Contractors must submit responses electronically via Euna Procurement (Bonfire).

2.2. Electronic Submission Process

TEA will only accept responses using the Euna Procurement (Bonfire) electronic bidding portal as a secure electronic submission method. Please upload your submission at Texas Education Agency Euna Procurement (Bonfire) Portal. Responses will not be accepted by email or facsimile.

Once uploaded, the Euna Procurement (Bonfire) platform will notify TEA of the upload. Contractors will receive a submission confirmation number upon successful submission response. The file(s) will be dated and time-stamped upon upload and the system will provide a confirmation number to the contractor’s email address. Contractors are advised to plan accordingly to ensure TEA receives a response ahead of the deadline. Once the close date has passed, you will not have an opportunity to change any of the submitted documents.

Intent to Submit Response

TEA requests contractors notify TEA as soon as possible of their intent to submit a response on the Euna Procurement (Bonfire) platform. Toggle the “Intent to Bid” checkbox in Euna Procurement (Bonfire) to confirm the intent to submit a response. Notifying TEA of an intent to submit a response in no way obliges a contractor to submit a response. Contractors will not be able to prepare a submission unless you submit “Yes”.

2.3. Communication

To protect the integrity of the solicitation process, contractors must adhere to the communication procedures outlined in this solicitation.

Euna Procurement (Bonfire) Registration

To contact TEA or ask questions in relation to this request, contractors must register at https://tea.bonfirehub.com and initiate the communication electronically through the Vendor Discussions section.

To assist with registration, submission of a response, and learning how to get started with Euna Procurement (Bonfire), watch this training video. For questions or support when using the platform, access the Euna Procurement (Bonfire) online knowledge base, search the FAQ, or contact the Euna Procurement (Bonfire) support team at support.bonfire@eunasolutions.com.

Limited Contact Policy

TEA will not accept phone inquiries regarding this solicitation.

The limited contact policy does not apply to discussions concerning matters unrelated to this request, including business related to current contracts with TEA.

Question and Answer Process

Contractors may submit questions within the date and time specified in the Anticipated Schedule of Events. Any questions or clarifications pertaining to this solicitation shall be submitted through Euna Procurement (Bonfire) Opportunity Q&A. TEA will compile questions and related responses into one or more addenda documents and post them on the Euna Procurement (Bonfire) platform and on the ESBD. It is the contractor’s responsibility to review any addenda documents before submitting a response.

https://tea.bonfirehub.com/ https://customer.eunasolutions.com/public/s/knowledge-base/bonfire-hub/vendor-registration https://customer.eunasolutions.com/public/s/knowledge-base/bonfire-hub/vendor-registration mailto:support.bonfire@eunasolutions.com https://www.txsmartbuy.gov/esbd https://www.txsmartbuy.gov/esbd

2.4. Response Requirements

TEA will not consider late responses.

Contractors must carefully review and complete all forms within the request.

TEA reserves the right to reject any and all responses to this solicitation. All responses received in response to this solicitation are the property of TEA. TEA is not liable for any costs incurred in the preparation or submission of a response.

Texas Public Information Act

Responses submitted in response to this solicitation are subject to release under TGC, Chapter 552, Public Information Act. If TEA receives a Public Information Act request for responses received under this solicitation, contractors may have the opportunity to demonstrate that some or all their offer falls into one or more exceptions to disclosure. Contractors should indicate on the response cover page questionnaire if their submission contains proprietary information and identifies the specific sections within the response that are proprietary. It is not sufficient to mark every page as confidential; rather, contractors should identify specific information or sections as proprietary.

National Institute of Governmental Purchasing

TEA has identified the following sample list of NIGP commodity codes that may be related to this solicitation.

1. Class Code: 918 – CONSULTING SERVICES

Item: 38, Education and Training Consulting

2. Class Code: 920 – DATA PROCESSING, COMPUTER, PROGRAMMING, AND SOFTWARE

SERVICES

Item: 15, Assessment and Profiling Services of Software

3. Class Code: 924 – EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING SERVICES

Item: 05, Advisory Services, Educational

Item: 19, Educational Research Services

4. Class Code: 956 – LIBRARY AND SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES, INCLUDING RESEARCH

SERVICES, INTERNET AND PERIODICAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

Item: 70, Research Services, Other Than Business

5. Class Code: 958 – MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION SERVICES

Item: 77, Project Management Services https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.552.htm https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.552.htm

3. Response Format and Content

Contractors must submit responses in the specified location, file type, and requirements listed on the Euna Procurement (Bonfire) portal. Forms requiring signatures must be signed (digital signatures or scanned ink signatures are both acceptable).

Responses must include a completed cover page questionnaire Attachment D: Response Cover Page Questionnaire.

3.1. Requested Information

Responses should be organized, indexed, and clearly labeled according to the contents below. Euna Procurement (Bonfire) provides a Requested Information section to assist contractors with including all required information in their response. The contractor should refer to the appropriate section of this solicitation for detailed information on the items listed in the checklist.

REQUESTED INFORMATION

Understanding of the Project, Methodology, and Technical Components

Section 3.2

Response Cover Page Questionnaire Attachment D, Q-22QB Potential Future Goods and/or Services Questionnaire Section 1.5, Attachment E, Q-67PL

3.2. Understanding of the Project, Methodology, and Technical Components

The response should communicate the contractor’s understanding of TEA’s interest in assessment development services that may inform a future procurement for test development in support of the TIA, with current interest in Science and Social Studies, with possible courses in the future. The response should describe the contractor’s methodology, technical approach, project design, major phases of work, expected client inputs, potential risks or constraints, technical and implementation requirements, and the types of deliverables, reports, or support services the contractor would typically provide in an assessment development engagement, and relevant experience. Where applicable, the response should explain how the contractor approaches assessment design, blueprint development, standards or curriculum alignment, administration models, platform or rostering considerations, reporting, implementation support, pricing structure, and partnership or intellectual property considerations. Contractors should also describe any experience related to Science and Social Studies assessments or other relevant subject-area assessments, if available.

4. Response Review

4.1. Response Review

TEA will review responses as soon as practical after the response deadline. TEA will not award a contract for this solicitation.

ATTACHMENT A: NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUBMIT A RESPONSE

RFI 701-26-023, Assessment Development Services for Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA)

Separate action package

TEA requests contractors notify TEA as soon as possible of their intent to submit a response on the Euna Procurement (Bonfire) platform. Toggle the Intent to Bid checkbox to confirm the intent to submit a response. Notifying TEA of an intent to submit a response in no way obliges a contractor to submit a response. You will not be able to prepare a submission unless you submit “Yes”.

ATTACHMENT B: CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS, RESPONSE PREFERENCES, AND EXECUTION

OF OFFER

NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS SOLICITATION, INCLUDED AS A PLACEHOLDER FOR CONTINUITY PURPOSES

ONLY

ATTACHMENT C: HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN

NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS SOLICITATION, INCLUDED AS A PLACEHOLDER FOR CONTINUITY PURPOSES

ONLY

ATTACHMENT D: RESPONSE COVER PAGE QUESTIONNAIRE

Separate document package.

Complete the Euna (Bonfire) Questionnaire (Q-22QB) under the Requested Information Section on the Euna Procurement Platform.

ATTACHMENT E: POTENTIAL FUTURE GOODS AND/OR SERVICES QUESTIONNAIRE

Separate document package.

Complete the Euna (Bonfire) Questionnaire (Q-67PL) under the Requested Information Section on the Euna Procurement Platform.