MCEI Fast Follower Grant_FY27_RFP~1.docx

FY27 MCEI Co-op Program Design Grants

One Ashburton Place, Room 1401, Boston, MA 02108

Grant Solicitation

Massachusetts Cooperative Education Initiative (MCEI) “Fast Follower” Co-op Program Design Grants

July 22, 2026

Agency Information Agency: Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) Agency Address: One Ashburton Place, Room 1401, Boston, MA 02108 Grant Manager Name: Daniel Curtis Grant Manager Email: dcurtis@dhe.mass.edu

Grant Information Name of Grant: MCEI “Fast Follower” Co-op Program Design Grants Grant Duration: Upon Approval – 9/30/2027 Anticipated # of Awards: 2 Maximum Award Amount: $30,000 per selected institution.

Appropriation Number: N/A COMMBUYS Bid Number: Open Market Bid BD-27-1088-RGT01-RGT01-131634 Application Deadline: Friday, August 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM (ET) Information Session: We will hold an information/technical assistance session on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM to answer questions about this RFP. If you are interested in participating in this information session, please email Daniel Curtis (dcurtis@dhe.mass.edu) to register. A response will be provided with the call-in number and passcode. Written questions will be addressed during the information session.

Purpose and Priorities The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) invites 4-year public postsecondary institutions to submit proposals to join the Massachusetts Cooperative Education Initiative by planning and launching a cooperative education pilot. Cooperative education (co-op) is a form of work-based learning that DHE defines as: a four- to eight-month, full-time, paid work experience that students participate in that often aligns to their major; is administered by the institution; and may receive credit. See Appendix A for more on the distinctions between various forms of work-based learning.

Announced in April 2026, the Department of Higher Education’s Massachusetts Cooperative Education Initiative (MCEI) was launched to expand the availability of co-op programs for students at Massachusetts public 4-year institutions of higher education. In alignment with the Board of Higher Education’s (BHE) approved strategic priorities (BHE 25-29, Jan. 29, 2025), DHE is committed to advancing high-impact career-connected learning opportunities, such as co-op, in postsecondary education.

DHE is partnering with the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) to advance this initiative, leveraging the expertise UML leaders have developed in building and operating one of the most established cooperative education programs of any public college in New England. Through this partnership, UML will administer grant funds made available through the generous support of Axim Collaborative and will work with DHE to provide technical assistance, direct coaching, and related support to grant recipients as they design new co-op pilots.

DHE, in coordination with UML, has already awarded co-op development grants to three “first mover” institutions that will launch new co-op offerings in academic year 2026-2027: Bridgewater State University, Framingham State University, and the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

Up to two “fast follower” institutions will receive grants under this program to design new co-op programs for implementation in the 2027-2028 academic year. The selected institutions will receive grants of up to $30,000 each, as well as technical assistance—including direct coaching and recurring workshops—to inform the design of co-op pilots to be implemented in academic year 2027-2028. By the end of the grant period, grantees are expected to have completed the planning necessary to launch a net-new co-op pilot in academic year 2027-2028, including a defined academic program model, preliminary employer and academic partnerships, a student recruitment strategy, and a measurement and reporting plan.

Regular engagement with technical supports is a requirement of grant funding, and participating institutions are expected to exit the grant period with a final design deliverable that includes, but is not limited to, the following:

· Evidence of commitment to co-op implementation from academic and industry partners, including academic department leadership, faculty, and employers.

· Academic program design, including an approach to credit conferral, pre-co-op course offerings, or other curricular planning.

· A strategy for marketing and recruiting of students to participate in co-op program

· A sustainability plan and budget detailing anticipated program allocations and expenses.

· A measurement and reporting plan detailing how program performance will be measured and reported to DHE throughout the first year of implementation.

Interim deliverables will include a midpoint performance report on co-op planning progress—aligned to metrics to be determined in partnership with DHE and UML and in accordance with the project proposal—as well as a scope of work detailing the remaining activities required during the second half of the planning period to satisfy the planning requirements outlined above.

In addition to developing stand-alone co-op programs, grantees will serve as instrumental partners in informing and shaping efforts to grow the Commonwealth’s co-op ecosystem. The following grant requirements will be considered part of the grant scope of services and will inform grantee performance expectations, reporting obligations, and final deliverables:

· Sharing interim and final reports, including data on program outcomes aligned to metrics identified in partnership with DHE.

· Sharing best practices among peer institutions at recurring workshops and other required convenings regarding cooperative education programs supported by DHE.

· Supporting DHE’s development of state-level co-op reporting standards and processes.

· Participating in additional collaboration activities informed by institutions’ MCEI priorities that emerge as the Initiative continues to develop and expand.

While the Department anticipates funding the development of future co-op programs across academic disciplines and employer partners, priority in this round of awards will be given to institutions that: 1) have not yet received co-op development funding from DHE; and 2) are open to developing workplace partnerships with non-profit and public sector entities in addition to commercial organizations. Prioritizing such proposals enables the Department to continue diversifying and extending the impact of co-ops in Massachusetts.

Eligibility All 4-year Massachusetts public state universities (defined in M.G.L. c.15A, § 5) are eligible to apply for funding, including University of Massachusetts campuses serving undergraduate populations. DHE is seeking to support the development of co-op models that are integrated into bachelor’s degree pathways where sustained, major-aligned work experiences can be embedded across upper-level academic programs and connected to post-baccalaureate career outcomes.

Awards Funding of up to $30,000 is available for individual proposals, with a total of $60,000 available in this solicitation across all awardees. Award amount will be based upon the merits of each individual proposal and the scope of impact. The full award will be disbursed at the start of the grant period through UML.

The agency anticipates awarding two grants at the maximum funding level per campus. This RFP is the governing document for these grant funds. DHE reserves the right to make no awards, to award more/less than the applicant requests, and/or to award less than the maximum amount of funds made available through this solicitation.

This grant is designed to provide seed funding to help support the planning and execution of pilot programs. While DHE anticipates that additional institutional or grant funding may be necessary for co-ops to launch at scale after the expiration of the grant, DHE cannot commit funds in excess of those allocated and as outlined in this specific grant program.

Funding Source Funding for these grants is awarded from the Department of Higher Education’s Innovation Trust Account (7066-0430) with support from Axim Collaborative, a nonprofit philanthropic organization. The Department and the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) have entered an MOU to advance this initiative through shared resources and support. Under this agreement, UML serves as the Department’s fiscal agent and will disburse grant funds directly to recipients on behalf of the Department.

Project Duration Awards will be made to support the development of cooperative education programs that can be designed in academic year 2026-2027 and subsequently launched in academic year 2027-2028, with funds dispersed during AY 2026-2027. While DHE intends to implement this grant flexibly, any potential or actual delays in co-op program development and launch must be communicated immediately and transparently with DHE to ensure DHE can respond and adequately support grantees in meeting their goals as necessary.

Evaluation Criteria Applicants must submit responses that meet all the submission requirements of the RFP. Only proposals that meet the submission requirements will be evaluated according to the criteria, process, or formula being used to determine award distribution. Please note that the agency reserves the right to request additional information for evaluation purposes at its discretion.

Applicants that satisfy submission requirements will be evaluated by DHE based on a combination of criteria aligned to their commitment and readiness to design, implement, and sustain cooperative education programs.

The DHE review team will prioritize proposals that demonstrate the following:

· Motivation for co-op adoption

· Interest in adoption from academic department(s)

· Interest in adoption from employer(s)

· Interest in participation from students

· Clear plans for grant management, allocation of grant funds, and progress reporting

· Clear plans for sustaining co-op programs planned with grant funds

· That they have not yet received co-op development funding from DHE

· Openness to developing workplace partnerships with non-profit and public sector entities in addition to commercial organizations The full rubric that will be used for proposal evaluation can be found in the Evaluation Criteria document provided in the CommBuys RFP.

Grant Timeline

Applicants are required to monitor COMMBUYS for changes to the timeline for this solicitation.

Information Session and Questions We will hold an information/technical assistance session on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM to answer questions about this RFP. If you are interested in participating in this information session, please email Daniel Curtis (dcurtis@dhe.mass.edu) to register. A response will be provided with the call-in number and passcode. Written questions will be addressed during the information session.

Please submit any questions that you have about the grant either directly to the COMMBUYS bid, or via email addressed to: Daniel Curtis (dcurtis@dhe.mass.edu), Danielle Rowdy (drowdy@dhe.mass.edu), and Eleanor Baumgarten (ebaumgarten@dhe.mass.edu). All responses to submitted questions will be released on the bid solicitation on COMMBUYS by the “Responses to Questions” date indicated in the grant timeline above.

Solicitation Packet Responses to this RFP must contain a complete application packet, which includes the following documents:

· Application Coversheet – Word Document

· Grant Narrative – Word Document

· Budget Worksheet – Excel Worksheet

Attachments must be in the document format listed above. The file name of each document uploaded should include the name of your institution and the document name provided above (e.g. Application Coversheet, Grant Narrative, Budget Worksheet). Please do not include any additional information in the title when uploading the documents into COMMBUYS.

A. Coversheet The coversheet has been designed to concisely capture information about the applicant and the planned project. The coversheet provides the opportunity to summarize the project details including the project description, expected outcomes and proposed activities. This project description will be used as part of the funding recommendations packet and may be posted publicly. Be sure to complete all sections of the coversheet and to electronically sign the bottom of the second page.

B. Narrative The project narrative serves as a comprehensive overview of your project. The narrative should not exceed four pages. Four pages is the maximum length; shorter, more concise narratives are encouraged. Narratives that exceed the four-page limit will have evaluation points deducted.

i. Design Approach Provide a detailed description of the proposed cooperative program design strategy that addresses the following:

a. Institutional commitment to career-connected learning and experience with co-op: Please describe any institutional commitments to career-connected or work-based learning, linking to any public statements or other evidence of those commitments. Please also describe, if applicable, any prior efforts at your institution around cooperative education, including but not limited to relevant academic programs, student participation year-over-year, and employer partners.

b. Motivation for designing a co-op pilot: Please explain why the institution is interested in launching a co-op pilot, and what it hopes to achieve by participating in this statewide effort.

c. Academic department willingness: Please identify up to three academic departments at your institution willing and interested to participate in the AY2027-2028 co-op pilot. For each, please describe any evidence of interest from the department, linking to any public statements or other evidence of commitment to career-connected or work-based learning

d. Employ er demand: Please identify up to three employers that could serve as employer partners. For each, explain why the institution believes these employers would be motivated and equipped to engage with the institution’s co-op program, and, if applicable, describe any existing relationship or previous engagements you have had with the employer.

e. Student interest and potential barriers: Please describe the interest that you anticipate from the institutions’ learners and identify how many learners the institution hopes to serve through the pilot. If applicable, please cite evidence for student participation in previous career-connected or work-based initiatives at the institution. Please also describe at least one potential barrier students might encounter in participating in co-op and how the institution might support them in overcoming it.

ii. Grant Management Provide details of individuals who will participate in co-op planning, training, convenings, and reporting requirements.

a. Grant management: Please identify the division of the institution where the grant will reside. Provide the name and title of the grant manager with details of their experience with grant management. Also provide descriptions of staff roles and responsibilities for implementing this grant, including who will participate in the MCEI training and technical assistance support events hosted by DHE and UMass Lowell and their relevant experience and/or qualifications.

b. Performance monitoring and reporting: This grant requires submission of an interim report on planning progress and a final report on program design including available data on program outcomes aligned to metrics identified in partnership with DHE. Please identify who will be responsible for compiling these reports, describe their relevant experience and/or qualifications, and briefly explain how the institution will collect and organize information needed for required reporting.

iii. Sustainability Plan Provide a high-level overview of your plan to sustainably fund co-op programming when design grant funding ends. Discuss proposed allocation of institutional resources to support launching and sustaining programs designed during the grant period at scale.

C. Budget Worksheet Please submit a proposed budget for your project using the separate budget worksheet included with the RFP packet. Provide details of the planned expenses in the “Explanation” column of the worksheet including calculations and breakdowns of budget amounts, descriptions of budget items and explanations for purchases of supplies and equipment. The worksheet is embedded with mathematical formulas to automatically tabulate all numeric entries. The following lists were created to provide guidance on allowable, limited, and unallowable expenses, but this list is not meant to be all inclusive.

i. Allowable expenses:

Expenditures related to co-op program design are expected to include, but are not limited to:

· Faculty time related to support of pilot (e.g. stipends, direct expense, and/or course release funds)

· Staff time related to support of pilot (e.g., stipend, direct expense)

· Professional development for faculty/staff on relevant topics

· Materials and supplies related to grant activity (e.g. software, data)

· Other relevant expenses relevant to grant activity

ii. Limited expenses:

· Indirect costs are allowed but are limited to rate of 10% of total costs

· Payroll tax is allowed at the state rate

· Fringe benefits are allowed at the state rate

iii. Unallowable expenses include:

· Capital expenses such as office furniture or upgrades to existing facilities

· Personal use of goods and services

· Alcoholic beverages

· Entertainment costs

Submission Instructions Only electronic bids submitted via COMMBUYS will be accepted in response to this RFP. COMMBUYS is the State’s online procurement platform for all bids and solicitations. The website is found here: www.COMMBUYS.com. The posting is under bid number BD-27-1088-RGT01-RGT01-131634. Upload the proposal by, or before, August 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. Responses posted to COMMBUYS after 5:00 pm EST on that date will not be considered for evaluation.

To respond to this bid, please register on the COMMBUYS website. If you need assistance with registering, please contact the COMMBUYS helpdesk at: COMMBUYS@state.ma.us or (888) 627-8283 or (617) 720-3197. Instructions on how to submit a proposal via COMMBUYS can be viewed at https://www.mass.gov/doc/instructions-for-vendors-responding-to-bids New Users to COMMBUYS, must register with COMMBUYS prior to submitting an application.

The following links to resources are provided to assist Bidders in submitting Quotes:

1. An instructional job aid of Basic COMMBUYS and Searching Navigation: download (mass.gov)

2. An instructional job aid on How to Register as a Vendor: download (mass.gov)

3. An instructional job aid on How to Locate a Bid Logged into COMMBUYS: download (mass.gov)

4. An instructional job aid on how to Locate a Bid or Grant then Create and Submit Quote: download (mass.gov)

5. An instructional job aid on How to Edit, Withdraw or Resubmit Your response download (mass.gov)

COMMYBUYS Registration

a. It is the responsibility of the prospective Applicant to maintain an active registration in COMMBUYS and to keep current the email address of the Applicant’s contact person and prospective contract manager, if awarded a grant, and to monitor that email inbox for communications from the Procurement Department, including requests for clarification. The Procurement Department and the Commonwealth assume no responsibility if a prospective Applicant’s designated email address is not current, or if technical problems, including those with the prospective Applicant’s computer, network, or internet service provider (ISP) cause email communications sent to/from the prospective Applicant and the Procurement Department to be lost or rejected by any means including email or spam filtering.

b. Quotes (Bid Responses) Deadline (Bid Opening Date/Time) See the Grant (Bid Responses) Deadline (Bid Opening) Date and Time indicated in the Estimated Procurement Calendar (above).

c. Estimated Grant Start Date DHE anticipates the approximate start date to be upon approval. The actual start date will be the Contract Effective Date which is the date the Contract is executed by the parties.

d. Incomplete Submissions Any submission that fails to meet the submission requirements of the RFP will be found non-responsive without further evaluation unless the evaluation team, at its discretion, determines that the non-compliance is insubstantial and may be corrected. In these cases, the evaluation team may allow the vendor to make minor corrections to the submission. Applicants are required to monitor COMMBUYS for changes to the procurement calendar for this Grant.

Policy A. Solicitor Responsibility Solicitors may not alter (manually or electronically) the grant application language. Modifications to the body of the grant application, specifications, terms and conditions, or application that change the intent of this grant application are prohibited and may disqualify a response. All costs associated with responding to this RFP are the sole responsibility of the responding organization. The DHE reserves the right to use any and all ideas included in any response without incurring any obligations to the responding applicant or committing to awards for the proposed services. Responses are considered public information.

B. Public Records All responses and information submitted in response to this call for proposals are subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L., Chapter 66, Section 10, and to Chapter 4, Section 15 | Subsection 26. Any statements in submitted responses that are inconsistent with these statutes shall be disregarded.

C. Grant Disbursement Following the applicant’s acceptance of the award letter and the execution of the Interagency Service Agreement, the applicant can expect to receive the full funds disbursement from UML.

D. Publicity Grant recipients are obligated to acknowledge the funding source in all print materials, websites and press releases as funding received from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education through the Higher Education Innovation Fund.

E. Changes to Proposal Any changes to the accepted proposal, including all budget modifications and changes in participating schools or districts, need to be made in writing and approved by the Department of Higher Education. Notification must include associated costs and a rationale for the proposed changes. Changes will be evaluated and, if approved, kept on file as part of the record

F. Performance Any funds distributed to successful applicants are done so with the expectation that the grantee will deliver the programs as described. If the applicant is, for some reason, unable to fulfill the program described in the original proposal, we reserve the right to recover funds distributed.

G. Legal Disclaimer This RFP does not represent a contractual agreement by the DHE to any applying organization. Selected organizations will enter into an Interagency Service Agreement or Standard Contract with the DHE upon award.

The Department of Higher Education Reserves the Right to Reject any and all Responses and the Right to Cancel this Request for Qualified Proposals (RFP) at any Time Prior to Award.

Appendix A: Work-Based Learning Taxonomy

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