GL-01172025 - Intent to Sole Source - WACEFE.pdf

Intent to Sole Source GL-01172025 Page 1

INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

GL-01172025

Western Washington University (WWU) is considering awarding a Sole Source contract to Washington Council for Economic and Financial Education (WACEFE) to conduct foundational research on the efficacy of financial education course formats. The scope of this work includes:

• Conduct a literature review and summarize existing research on financial education course formats, focusing on effectiveness and best practices.

• Interview teachers to provide insights into the challenges and successes of teaching financial literacy, the perceived efficacy of different course formats, and the barriers to broader implementation.

• Implement a financial literacy assessment and attitude survey to students in introductory personal finance / financial literacy middle and high school classes across the State of Washington, incorporating an appropriate balance of both “standalone” and “embedded” course formats in the sample.

• Clean, organize, and analyze pre- and post-test data, with a focus on comparing outcomes across different course formats.

• Summarize and present findings aimed at informing educators and legislative partners.

• Develop an engagement plan that fosters legislative and business partnerships and analyze best practices for educator recruitment and retention.

In accordance with RCW 39.26.010, WWU considers this purchase as a Sole Source as defined therein as:

“(23) "Sole source" means a contractor providing goods or services of such a unique nature or sole availability that the contractor is clearly and justifiably the only practicable source to provide the goods or services.”

The funding for this contract is specified in Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5950:

https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=39.26.010 https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2023-24/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5950-S.PL.pdf?q=20250117081654

Intent to Sole Source GL-01172025 Page 2

Capability Statements

Vendors who wish to be considered for this opportunity are required to provide capability statements detailing their ability to conduct foundational research on the efficacy of financial education course formats. In addition, vendors are required to provide verification of meeting the stated requirement of being a nonprofit organization that provides economic and financial education and that is located in Whatcom County.

Capability statements to be considered as part of this Intent to Sole Source process must be received by February 10, 2025 at:

purchasing.department@wwu.edu

In the absence of any capability statements received by the deadline, WWU intends to finalize the associated contract with WACEFE. WWU will review all capability statements received by the deadline to validate or refute the associated Sole Source designation.

On behalf of Western Washington University, we appreciate your insights into this proposed Sole Source and thank you in advance for any capability statements as we confirm the Sole Source nature of this procurement.

Gage Loots, CPPO Chief Procurement Officer

Western Washington University mailto:purchasing.department@wwu.edu

INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE