NDE Responds to Questions for NDERFI250707.pdf

This is a Response to Questions document from the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) regarding Request for Information (RFI) NDERFI250707 for Grant Writing Implementation Providers. The RFI seeks qualified vendors to provide grant writing services, implementation support services, or both across four strategic priorities: accelerating student achievement, growing the educator pipeline, equipping learners for the workforce, and providing exceptional service. Grant writing providers must develop comprehensive management plans demonstrating the ability to complete grant applications within thirty days of receiving a Notice of Funding Opportunity, including proposed meeting schedules, timelines, and specific vendor responsibilities. Implementation providers are required to submit detailed action plans addressing discretionary funding requirements from federal, state, or private sources. All vendors must submit a Corporate Overview, Scope of Work, Form A (Vendor Contact Sheet), and Form B (Vendor Cost Sheet) with detailed hourly rates or deliverables-based pricing. The deadline for written questions was December 22, 2025, with RFI responses due electronically by January 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. NDE may conduct oral interviews, presentations, and demonstrations between February 2-6, 2026, if necessary. Responses must be submitted via email to NDE.Procurement@Nebraska.gov and may require participation in a specified Zoom meeting.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations are outlined in the RFI. NDE explicitly prioritizes vendors willing to provide grant writing services at no cost to the department, indicating a strong preference for cost-effective solutions. The procurement does not specify an award value or budget range, and selection for a specific grant project is not guaranteed. The RFI is designed to establish a pool of qualified providers for future grant applications rather than award a single contract. No incumbent vendors are mentioned, and the document does not establish specific funding amounts or sources, allowing flexibility in vendor selection and project scopes based on individual grant opportunities and departmental needs.