Promise Program Consultant RFP Final.pdf

Promise Program – RFP #26091001

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STATE OF CONNECTICUT PROCUREMENT NOTICE

Request for Proposals (RFP) For Promise Program Development & Implementation

Consultant RFP Number: 26091001

Issued By:

Office of Higher Education

October 14, 2026

The Request For Proposal is available in electronic format on the State Contracting Portal by filtering by Organization for Office of Higher Education: https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/BidBoard or from the Agency’s Official Contact:

Name: Scott Ciecko Address: 450 Columbus Blvd. Suite 707 Hartford, CT 06103 Phone: 860-947-1851 Fax: 860-947-1310 E-Mail: scott.ciecko@ct.gov

RESPONSES MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN

November 16 at 5:00 PM EST

The State of Connecticut and the Office of Higher Education is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action

Employer. The Agency reserves the right to reject any and all submissions or cancel this procurement at any time if deemed in the best interest of the State of Connecticut (State).

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Introduction B. Instructions

II. PURPOSE OF RFP AND SCOPE OF SERVICES

A. Agency Overview B. Service Overview C. Scope of Service Description D. Performance Measures E. Contract Management/Data Reporting

III. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION OVERVIEW

A. Submission Format Information B. Evaluation of Proposals

IV. REQUIRED PROPOSAL SUBMISSION OUTLINE AND REQUIREMENTS

V. MANDATORY PROVISIONS

Terms and Conditions Rights Reserved to the State Statutory and Regulatory Compliance

VI. APPENDIX

A. Abbreviations / Acronyms / Definitions B. Statement of Assurances C. Evaluation Plan

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I. GENERAL INFORMATION

< A. INTRODUCTION

1. RFP Name and Number. RFP #26091001 / Promise Program Development & Implementation Consultant

2. RFP Summary. The Connecticut Office of Higher Education (OHE) seeks a qualified consultant with demonstrated expertise in the development, launch, operation, and sustainability of Promise Programs to support OHE in implementing Connecticut’s statewide initiative to establish new Promise Programs. The consultant will provide technical assistance, stakeholder engagement, locally responsive program design, evaluation metrics, funding strategies, sustainability planning, and implementation support.

3. RFP Purpose. OHE is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to contract with one consultant to implement the Promise Program development provisions established by Substitute Bill No. 380. A Promise Program is a scholarship program that combines scholarship assistance with services and resources, including mentoring, peer support networks, internships, and other supports intended to promote postsecondary academic success. OHE is charged with supporting the establishment of eight new Promise Programs by January 1, 2031, with priority for programs serving students in alliance districts.

Specifically, OHE seeks a consultant to:

• Advise OHE, municipalities, and regional coalitions on the development and launch of new Promise Programs.

• Provide technical assistance on initial funding strategies, stakeholder engagement, locally responsive program design, evaluation metrics, and sustainability planning.

• Support OHE in identifying and prioritizing communities, including alliance districts, that are positioned to establish Promise Programs.

• Develop practical tools, templates, implementation guidance, and a scalable framework for Promise Program development.

• Prepare progress information and written reports that enable OHE to meet its annual legislative reporting requirements.

Problem Statement Connecticut seeks to expand access to locally designed Promise Programs that combine scholarship assistance with comprehensive student supports including mentoring, peer support networks, internships, and other resources to promote postsecondary enrollment, persistence, completion, and successful transition to employment.

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While Promise Programs have demonstrated a model for connecting financial assistance with student support, communities interested in establishing new programs may lack the specialized expertise, organizational infrastructure, funding strategies, stakeholder partnerships, and implementation capacity necessary to move from initial interest to a sustainable and operational Promise Program.

State law directs the Office of Higher Education (OHE) to support the establishment of eight new Promise Programs by January 1, 2031, with priority given to programs serving students in Connecticut's alliance districts. OHE is responsible for coordinating with interested municipalities and regional coalitions and providing both start-up funding and technical assistance to support the development of these programs.

To accomplish this objective, communities will require structured technical assistance in areas including initial funding strategies; stakeholder engagement with local and regional boards of education, legislative bodies, nonprofit organizations, and businesses; locally responsive program design; development of evaluation metrics;

and long-term sustainability planning.

The legislation specifically directs OHE to retain a consultant with expertise in the development and operation of Promise Programs to support this work. Accordingly, OHE seeks a qualified consultant to provide the specialized expertise, strategic guidance, technical assistance, and implementation support necessary to help communities develop viable Promise Programs and establish a sustainable statewide framework for expanding the Promise Program model across Connecticut.

Outcome Goals

1. Program Expansion: Support OHE toward the statutory goal of establishing eight new Promise Programs by January 1, 2031.

2. Community Readiness: Build the capacity of municipalities and regional coalitions to design and launch sustainable Promise Programs.

3. Equitable Access: Prioritize development strategies that expand opportunity for students in alliance districts and other communities with demonstrated need.

4. Quality and Consistency: Establish a statewide development framework while allowing each Promise Program to respond to its local environment.

5. Accountability and Sustainability: Develop measurable outcomes, evaluation tools, funding strategies, and sustainability plans for new Promise Programs.

4. Commodity Codes. The services that the Agency wishes to procure through this

RFP are as follows:

• 86000000: Management education and training services

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< B. INSTRUCTIONS

1. Official Contact. The Agency has designated the individual below as the Official Contact for purposes of this RFP. The Official Contact is the only authorized contact for this procurement and, as such, handles all related communications on behalf of the Agency. Proposers, prospective proposers, and other interested parties are advised that any communication with any other Agency employee(s) (including appointed officials) or personnel under contract to the Agency about this RFP is strictly prohibited. Proposers or prospective proposers who violate this instruction may risk disqualification from further consideration.

Name: Scott Ciecko Address: 450 Columbus Blvd. Suite 707 Hartford, CT 06103 Phone: 860-947-1851 E-Mail: scott.ciecko@ct.gov

Please ensure that e-mail screening software (if used) recognizes and accepts e-mails from the Official Contact.

2. Registering with State Contracting Portal. Proposers must register with the

State of CT contracting portal at https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/Registration if not already registered. Respondents shall submit the following information pertaining to this application to this portal (on their supplier profile), which will be checked by the Agency contact.

• Secretary of State recognition – Click on appropriate response

• Non-profit status, if applicable

• Notification to Bidders, Parts I-V

• Campaign Contribution Certification (OPM Ethics Form 1):

https://portal.ct.gov/OPM/Fin-PSA/Forms/Ethics-Forms

3. RFP Information. The RFP, amendments to the RFP, and other information associated with this procurement are available in electronic format from the Official Contact.

State Contracting Portal (go to CTsource bid board, filter by Office of Higher Education https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/BidBoard

It is strongly recommended that any proposer or prospective proposer interested in this procurement check the Bid Board for any solicitation changes. Interested proposers may receive additional e-mails from CT Source announcing addendums that are posted on the portal. This service is provided as a courtesy to assist in monitoring activities associated with State procurements, including this RFP.

4. Procurement Schedule. See below. Dates after the due date for proposals

(“Proposals Due”) are non-binding target dates only (*). The Agency may amend the schedule as needed. Any change to non-target dates will be made by means of an

Page | 6 amendment to this RFP and will be posted on the State Contracting Portal and, if available, the Agency’s RFP Web Page.

• RFP Released: October 14, 2026

• Deadline for Questions: October 22, 2026

• Answers Released: October 29, 2026

• Proposals Due: November 16, 2026

• (*) Proposer Selection: November 23, 2026

• (*) Start of Contract Negotiations: November 30, 2026

• (*) Start of Contract: January 1, 2027

5. Contract Awards. The award of any contract pursuant to this RFP is dependent upon the availability of funding to the Agency. The Agency anticipates the following:

• Total Funding Available: Up to $400,000.00

• Number of Awards: One (1)

• Contract Cost: Not to exceed available appropriated funds

• Contract Term: Anticipated through June 30, 2031, subject to funding and contracting authority

6. Eligibility. Eligible proposers may be individuals, firms, nonprofit organizations, institutions, or other entities with demonstrated expertise in the development and operation of Promise Programs or comparable place-based scholarship and student-success initiatives. Proposers must demonstrate the capacity to provide statewide consulting, technical assistance, facilitation, research, program design, evaluation, and implementation support.

Proposers should demonstrate direct experience working with municipalities, school districts, higher education institutions, philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and other community stakeholders to design or operate scholarship-plus-support models.

Preference will be given to proposers that demonstrate practical experience launching Promise Programs; developing sustainable public-private funding models;

facilitating cross-sector coalitions; and designing measurable student-success outcomes.

All eligible proposers must be in good standing with applicable governmental and regulatory requirements and must be capable of beginning services on or near the anticipated contract start date.

7. Minimum Qualifications of Proposers. To qualify for a contract award, a proposer must have the following minimum qualifications:

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a. Promise Program Expertise:

Demonstrated expertise in the development, launch, management, or evaluation of Promise Programs or closely comparable scholarship-plus-support initiatives.

b. Strategic Planning and Program Design:

Experience translating community needs and assets into actionable program models, eligibility structures, student supports, implementation plans, and operating frameworks.

c. Stakeholder Engagement:

Demonstrated experience facilitating multi-sector partnerships involving municipalities, boards of education, higher education, nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, employers, and community leaders.

d. Funding and Sustainability:

Experience developing start-up funding strategies, diversified funding models, fundraising approaches, and long-term sustainability plans.

e. Evaluation and Reporting:

Capacity to establish performance measures, evaluation metrics, data collection approaches, and clear written reports suitable for public agencies and legislative audiences.

f. Operational Readiness:

Ability to begin services on or around the anticipated contract start date and provide sufficient staffing through the contract term.

Proposals from proposers that do not meet these minimum qualifications will be deemed ineligible for further review.

8. Letter of Intent. A Letter of Intent (LOI) is not required by this RFP.

9. Inquiry Procedures. All questions regarding this RFP or the Agency’s procurement process must be directed, in writing, electronically, (e-mail) to the Official Contact before the deadline specified in the Procurement Schedule. The early submission of questions is encouraged. Questions will not be accepted or answered verbally – neither in person nor over the telephone. All questions received before the deadline(s) will be answered. However, the Agency will not answer questions when the source is unknown (i.e., nuisance or anonymous questions). Questions deemed unrelated to the RFP or the procurement process will not be answered. At its discretion, the Agency may or may not respond to questions received after the deadline. If this RFP requires a Letter of Intent, the Agency reserves the right to answer questions only from those who have submitted such a letter. The Agency may combine similar questions and give only one answer. All questions and answers will be compiled into a written amendment to this RFP. If any answer to any question constitutes a material change to the RFP, the question and answer will be placed at the beginning of the amendment and duly noted as such.

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The agency will release the answers to questions on the date established in the Procurement Schedule. The Agency will publish any and all amendments to this RFP on the State Contracting Portal and, if available, on the Agency’s RFP Web Page.

10. RFP Conference. An RFP conference will not be held to answer questions from prospective proposers.

11. Proposal Due Date and Time. The Official Contact is the only authorized recipient of proposals submitted in response to this RFP. Proposals must be received by the Official Contact on or before the due date and time:

• Due Date: November 16, 2026

• Time: 5:00 PM EST

Proposals received after the due date and time will be ineligible and will not be evaluated. The Agency will send an official letter alerting late respondents of ineligibility.

An acceptable submission must include the following:

• One (1) conforming electronic copy of the original proposal.

• The proposal must be complete, properly formatted and outlined, and ready for evaluation by the Review Committee.

12. Multiple Proposals. The submission of multiple proposals is not an option for this procurement.

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II. PURPOSE OF RFP AND SCOPE OF SERVICES

< A. AGENCY OVERVIEW

Mission The Office of Higher Education seeks to advance the promise of postsecondary education for all Connecticut citizens and to advocate on behalf of students, taxpayers, and the postsecondary institutions under its oversight. The agency promotes access, affordability, accountability, and quality across Connecticut’s higher education landscape.

Organizational Overview The Connecticut Office of Higher Education was established to provide state-level coordination, quality assurance, and student-focused oversight of higher education activities in Connecticut. OHE operates through three key divisions:

1. Academic Affairs Division Responsible for the oversight and approval of independent colleges and private occupational schools, ensuring academic programs meet established quality standards and regulatory compliance.

2. Finance Division Administers the state’s financial aid programs, including the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship, and supports student affordability through need-based and merit-based initiatives.

3. Grant Initiatives Division Oversees a range of targeted programs and initiatives that promote student success, diversity, and service, including the Minority Advancement Program (MAP), AmeriCorps (Serve Connecticut), and the Alternate Route to Certification (ARC) program.

Together, these divisions advance the agency’s mission of ensuring all students in Connecticut can access a responsive, accountable, and supportive higher education system.

< B. SERVICE OVERVIEW

Promise Program Development & Implementation Consultant

Problem Statement Connecticut seeks to expand access to locally designed Promise Programs that combine scholarship assistance with services and resources that promote postsecondary academic success. State law directs OHE to establish a program supporting the creation of new Promise Programs throughout Connecticut, with a goal of eight new programs by January 1, 2031, prioritizing programs serving students in alliance districts. OHE must coordinate with interested municipalities and regional coalitions and provide start-up support and technical assistance. To carry out this work effectively and consistently across multiple communities, Page | 10

OHE requires specialized consulting expertise in Promise Program development and operation.

Service Outcome Goals

• Statewide Framework: Develop a practical, replicable framework for establishing new Promise Programs in Connecticut.

• Community Pipeline: Assist OHE in identifying, assessing, and supporting municipalities and regional coalitions interested in developing Promise Programs.

• Technical Assistance: Deliver tailored assistance addressing initial funding strategies, stakeholder engagement, program design, evaluation metrics, and sustainability planning.

• Implementation Progress: Advance selected communities from interest/readiness through program design, launch planning, and implementation.

• Legislative Accountability: Provide OHE with timely progress information and annual consultant reports to support statutory reporting through January 1, 2031, or until eight new Promise Programs are established, whichever occurs earlier.

Service Policies / Guidelines

• The consultant must coordinate closely with OHE and work collaboratively with municipalities and regional coalitions interested in establishing Promise Programs.

• Technical assistance must address, at minimum, initial funding strategies;

stakeholder engagement; locally responsive program design; development of evaluation metrics; and sustainability planning.

• Stakeholder engagement should include, as appropriate, local or regional boards of education, legislative bodies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, higher education partners, philanthropy, students, families, and community leaders.

• Program designs should reflect local conditions while supporting statewide quality, accountability, and sustainability.

• All work products developed under the contract must be suitable for OHE use in supporting current and future Promise Program communities, Target Communities and Partners.

• The primary users of the consultant’s services will be OHE and Connecticut municipalities or regional coalitions seeking to establish new Promise Programs.

Priority will be given to development efforts serving students in alliance districts. The consultant will also engage the local and regional partners necessary to create durable scholarship and student-support ecosystems.

Vision for a Successful Service A successful engagement will leave OHE with a strong statewide implementation framework, a pipeline of communities prepared to launch Promise Programs, locally tailored program plans, measurable performance expectations, sustainable funding approaches, and clear documentation of progress toward the establishment of eight new Promise Programs by January 1, 2031.

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< C. SCOPE OF SERVICE DESCRIPTION

Consultant Experience, Qualifications, and Organizational Capacity (25 points) Proposers must demonstrate the experience, qualifications, and organizational capacity necessary to successfully support the development and implementation of Promise Programs across Connecticut. Particular emphasis will be placed on demonstrated Promise Program or comparable experience, the qualifications of key personnel, experience working with diverse community and cross-sector partners, and the organizational capacity to effectively support multiple communities concurrently.

Submissions must include:

Demonstrated expertise in the development, implementation, and/or operation of Promise Programs or comparable place-based scholarship and student-success initiatives

Experience providing technical assistance to municipalities, regional coalitions, educational entities, nonprofits, or community partnerships

Experience with postsecondary access, student success, scholarship, and/or college-to-career initiatives

Qualifications and relevant experience of proposed key personnel Organizational capacity and availability to successfully perform the scope of services

Approach to Promise Program Development & Implementation (30 points) Proposers must present a clear, practical, and scalable approach for supporting the development and implementation of new Promise Programs across Connecticut. The proposed approach should demonstrate how the Consultant will assess community readiness, engage key stakeholders, provide tailored technical assistance, support locally responsive program design, and guide communities from initial planning through successful program launch and long-term sustainability.

Submissions must include:

• Clear and feasible approach to assessing community readiness and supporting development of new Promise Programs.

• Approach to developing initial and long-term funding strategies.

• Approach to stakeholder engagement and development of community partnerships.

• Approach to locally responsive program design, including scholarship and student-support components.

• Approach to implementation planning and movement from program concept to operational readiness.

• Approach to supporting communities serving students in alliance districts and addressing differing community needs and capacities.

Technical Assistance, Sustainability, and Knowledge Transfer (20 points) Proposers must demonstrate a comprehensive approach to providing responsive technical assistance that builds local capacity and supports the long-term sustainability of new Promise Programs. The proposed approach should also ensure that knowledge, tools, Page | 12 resources, and promising practices developed through the engagement are effectively transferred to OHE and participating communities for continued use and future program expansion.

Submissions should include:

• Quality and feasibility of proposed technical assistance model for municipalities and regional coalitions

• Approach to developing evaluation metrics and data collection strategies

• Approach to long-term financial and operational sustainability planning

• Development of reusable tools, templates, guidance, and implementation resources for OHE and participating communities

• Strategy for identifying and sharing promising practices and lessons learned across communities

Project Management, Performance Monitoring, and Reporting (15 points) Proposers must demonstrate a clear and effective approach to managing the engagement, monitoring progress, and ensuring accountability throughout the contract period. The proposed approach should include defined milestones and deliverables, regular coordination with OHE, systems for tracking community progress and performance, timely identification of challenges, and comprehensive reporting to support program oversight and required legislative reporting.

Submissions should include:

• Clear work plan, implementation timeline, milestones, and deliverables

• Approach to tracking community progress, technical assistance activities, and performance measures

• Quality and feasibility of progress-reporting methodology, including support for

OHE's statutory reporting requirements

• Communication, collaboration, issue escalation, and ongoing coordination with OHE

Budget and Cost Proposal (10 points) Proposers must provide a clear, reasonable, and cost-effective budget that aligns with the proposed scope of work, staffing approach, and anticipated deliverables. The cost proposal should demonstrate efficient use of available resources, clearly identify all proposed costs and assumptions, and reflect the capacity to scale services as additional communities enter the Promise Program development process.

Required elements include:

• Clarity and completeness of proposed budget and cost structure

• Reasonableness of costs in relation to proposed services, staffing, and deliverables

• Cost-effectiveness and demonstrated efficient use of State resources

The proposers must also commit to responsive communication with OHE throughout the contract period.

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< D. PERFORMANCE MEASURES

The following performance metrics highlight key priorities that will be analyzed with providers/vendors collaboratively during the life of the contract. This is not an exhaustive list, but rather an indication of significant performance metrics of interest to the Agency.

The Agency looks forward to working with providers/vendors to define additional important performance metrics.

Core Performance Metrics

1. Community Engagement and Readiness Definition: Number and status of municipalities or regional coalitions assessed, engaged, and receiving technical assistance.

Target: Progress consistent with an implementation pathway capable of supporting eight new Promise Programs by January 1, 2031.

2. Technical Assistance Delivery Definition: Completion of agreed technical-assistance activities addressing funding, stakeholder engagement, program design, evaluation, and sustainability.

Target: 100% of approved technical-assistance deliverables completed according to the agreed work plan.

3. Program Development Milestones Definition: Demonstrated progress of participating communities through readiness, design, funding, governance, launch planning, and implementation milestones.

Target: Milestones established with OHE and achieved or appropriately adjusted based on documented community conditions.

4. Reporting Compliance Definition: Timely and complete submission of progress reports and annual consultant reporting materials.

Target: 100% of required reports submitted on time and in the required format.

Notes on Evaluation and Collaboration

• OHE anticipates using these metrics as the foundation for ongoing program monitoring, implementation adjustments, and assessment of statewide progress.

• The Agency encourages proposers to recommend additional meaningful measures related to community readiness, program launch, student supports, funding sustainability, and implementation quality.

• Performance measures may be refined collaboratively during contract negotiation and implementation, provided they remain aligned with statutory requirements and the goals of this RFP.

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< E. CONTRACT MANAGEMENT/DATA REPORTING

As part of the State’s commitment to outcomes-oriented contract management, OHE will actively collaborate with the consultant to monitor progress, resolve implementation barriers, and strengthen the development of Promise Programs. Reliable and relevant information will be necessary to support OHE oversight and statutory reporting.

Data Collection and Reporting Requirements

The consultant will be required to collect and submit regular information on statewide and community-level implementation. At a minimum, the consultant must:

• Submit regular progress reports to OHE on a schedule established during contract negotiation. Reports must include:

Communities contacted, assessed, or actively receiving technical assistance Status of each participating community and progress against agreed milestones Stakeholder engagement activities and key decisions Funding strategy and sustainability planning progress Program design and evaluation framework development Implementation barriers, risks, corrective actions, and decisions needed from

OHE

Progress toward the statewide goal of eight new Promise Programs

• Submit an annual consultant progress report in sufficient time for OHE to meet its January 1 legislative reporting requirement, and a final report at the conclusion of the engagement, summarizing:

Statewide progress toward establishing new Promise Programs Status and accomplishments of participating communities Technical assistance delivered and tools developed Lessons learned and promising practices Recommendations for sustainability, scaling, and future implementation

OHE reserves the right to request additional data or analysis as needed to evaluate performance, respond to legislative or stakeholder inquiries, and support program administration.

Roles and Responsibilities

Consultant Responsibilities The selected Consultant will work in close partnership with OHE to support the development, implementation, and sustainability of new Promise Programs throughout Connecticut.

The Consultant will:

• Serve as the subject-matter expert on the development, implementation, operation, and sustainability of Promise Programs.

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• Assist OHE in identifying and assessing municipalities, regional coalitions, and communities interested in establishing new Promise Programs, with particular attention to communities serving students in alliance districts.

• Conduct readiness and capacity assessments to determine each community's existing resources, partnerships, needs, opportunities, and barriers to establishing a Promise Program.

• Provide individualized and group technical assistance to participating municipalities and regional coalitions throughout the planning and implementation process.

• Assist communities with developing initial and long-term funding strategies, including identification of public, private, philanthropic, business, and community-based resources.

• Facilitate stakeholder engagement involving local and regional boards of education, municipal legislative bodies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, higher education institutions, community leaders, students, families, and other appropriate partners.

• Guide communities in developing Promise Program models that reflect their local environment, student population, community needs, available resources, and postsecondary opportunities.

• Assist communities in establishing program eligibility requirements, scholarship structures, student support strategies, governance structures, operational procedures, and implementation timelines, as appropriate.

• Support the incorporation of student success services and resources, which may include mentoring, peer support networks, internships, and other supports consistent with the statutory definition of a Promise Program.

• Develop recommended evaluation metrics and data collection strategies that enable programs and OHE to measure implementation, student participation, outcomes, and overall program effectiveness.

• Assist each developing Promise Program with creating a sustainability plan addressing long-term financing, partnerships, governance, operations, and continued community engagement.

• Develop tools, templates, guidance documents, implementation roadmaps, and other resources that can be used by OHE and communities to support current and future Promise Program development.

• Identify implementation challenges, emerging issues, promising practices, and recommended corrective or strategic actions and communicate them promptly to

OHE.

• Participate in regular meetings and progress reviews with OHE and participating communities.

• Maintain appropriate documentation of technical assistance, stakeholder engagement, community progress, milestones, and deliverables.

• Prepare and submit progress reports to OHE in a format and schedule established by the Agency, including information necessary for OHE to meet its statutory reporting obligations to the General Assembly. The legislation requires annual progress reporting on the establishment of new Promise Programs until eight programs are established or January 1, 2031, whichever occurs first.

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• Provide recommendations to OHE regarding strategies for strengthening and expanding the Promise Program initiative statewide.

Office of Higher Education Responsibilities OHE will provide overall leadership, contract oversight, policy direction, and state-level coordination for the Promise Program initiative.

OHE will:

• Serve as the lead state agency responsible for administration and oversight of the Promise Program initiative.

• Establish overall program priorities, expectations, timelines, and performance requirements consistent with applicable state law and available appropriations.

• Coordinate with municipalities and regional coalitions interested in establishing new Promise Programs, as required by the legislation.

• Identify and/or approve communities that will receive Consultant technical assistance, including consideration of the statutory priority for Promise Programs serving students in alliance districts.

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Consultant and relevant state agencies, municipalities, regional coalitions, educational institutions, and other statewide partners, as appropriate.

• Provide the Consultant with available program information, statutory requirements, state guidance, relevant data, and other materials necessary to perform the contracted services.

• Review and approve Consultant work plans, deliverables, reports, technical assistance materials, recommendations, and other products developed under the contract.

• Make policy and programmatic decisions that remain within the authority of OHE; the Consultant will provide advice and recommendations but will not exercise decision-making authority on behalf of the State.

• Determine the amount and administration of available start-up funding for new Promise Programs, consistent with statutory requirements and available appropriations. The legislation assigns this funding responsibility to OHE and provides that the amount is designated by the OHE Commissioner.

• Monitor Consultant performance, contract compliance, expenditures, timelines, and progress toward required deliverables.

• Convene or participate in regular contract-management meetings with the Consultant to review progress, resolve implementation issues, and establish upcoming priorities.

• Provide timely feedback and decisions necessary for the Consultant to proceed with assigned activities.

• Coordinate state-level communications and stakeholder engagement when OHE participation or authority is required.

• Maintain responsibility for official communications, funding decisions, statutory compliance, and reporting to the General Assembly.

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• Use Consultant progress reports, data, recommendations, and other deliverables to prepare and submit required state reports and to inform continued development of the statewide Promise Program initiative.

Ongoing Collaboration and Oversight OHE and the Consultant will maintain an ongoing, collaborative working relationship throughout the contract period to ensure that technical assistance activities remain aligned with statutory requirements, community needs, established deliverables, and the State’s goal of supporting the establishment of new Promise Programs.

OHE will conduct regular contract management meetings, anticipated to occur at least monthly, with the Consultant. Additional meetings may be scheduled during periods of significant planning, community engagement, program launch, or preparation of required reports.

These meetings may be used to:

• Review progress toward the development and establishment of new Promise Programs, including progress toward the statutory goal of establishing eight new programs by January 1, 2031.

• Review the status, readiness, milestones, and technical assistance needs of participating municipalities and regional coalitions.

• Assess progress in communities serving students in alliance districts, consistent with the statutory priority established for the initiative.

• Review technical assistance provided in the areas of funding strategies, stakeholder engagement, program design, evaluation metrics, and sustainability planning.

• Identify implementation barriers, emerging risks, resource needs, and other issues requiring OHE guidance or intervention.

• Review upcoming Consultant activities, community meetings, stakeholder engagement efforts, and anticipated deliverables.

• Review data and performance measures to assess community progress and inform adjustments to technical assistance strategies.

• Discuss promising practices and lessons learned that may be applicable across participating communities.

• Coordinate communications with municipalities, regional coalitions, state agencies, educational institutions, philanthropic organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders, as appropriate.

• Review Consultant expenditures, contract deliverables, timelines, and overall performance.

• Determine whether modifications to work plans, technical assistance strategies, or implementation timelines are necessary.

• Review and finalize information needed to support OHE's required reporting to the General Assembly.

The Consultant will maintain regular communication with the designated OHE project lead and will promptly notify OHE of significant implementation challenges, delays, changes in

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OHE will retain responsibility for contract oversight, approval of deliverables, policy and funding decisions, and determination of statewide program priorities. The Consultant will provide recommendations, technical expertise, implementation support, and information necessary to assist OHE in making those decisions.

Continuous Improvement OHE and the Consultant will use information gathered through community engagement, technical assistance activities, performance monitoring, and implementation experience as a continuous feedback loop. Lessons learned from communities developing early Promise Programs should be used to refine technical assistance tools and approaches for subsequent communities.

This is particularly important because the legislation envisions an expansion process occurring through January 1, 2031, or until eight new Promise Programs have been established, whichever occurs first.

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III. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION OVERVIEW

< A. SUBMISSION FORMAT INFORMATION

1. Required Outline. All proposals must follow the required outline presented in Section IV – Proposal Outline. Proposals that fail to follow the required outline will be deemed non-responsive and will not be evaluated.

2. Cover Sheet. The Cover Sheet is Page 1 of the proposal.

3. Table of Contents. All proposals must include a Table of Contents that conforms with the required proposal outline.

4. Executive Summary. Proposals must include a high-level summary of the main proposal and cost proposal, not to exceed 2 pages. The summary must also include the organization’s eligibility and qualifications to respond to this RFP. Executive Summary should also include (a) a summary of the proposed program (b) proposer's capacity and resources (c) commitment to outcomes and collaboration (d) cost-effectiveness.

5. Attachments. Attachments other than the required Appendices or Forms identified in the RFP are not permitted and will not be evaluated. Further, the required Appendices or Forms must not be altered or used to extend, enhance, or replace any component required by this RFP. Failure to abide by these instructions will result in disqualification.

6. Style Requirements. THIS IS AN ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION.

Submitted proposals must conform to the following specifications:

• Paper Size: Standard Letter

• Page Limit: 25 pages, excluding required attachments such as the cover sheet

• Font Size: 12

• Font Type: Times New Roman

• Margins: 1 inch margins

• Line Spacing: 1.5

7. Pagination. The proposer’s name must be displayed in the header of each page. All pages, including the required Appendices and Forms, must be numbered in the footer.

8. Declaration of Confidential Information. Proposers are advised that all materials associated with this procurement are subject to the terms of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Privacy Act, and all rules, regulations and interpretations resulting from them. If a proposer deems that certain information required by this RFP is confidential, the proposer must label such information as CONFIDENTIAL prior

Page | 20 to submission. In subsection C of the proposal submission, the proposer must reference where the information labeled CONFIDENTIAL is located in the proposal.

EXAMPLE: Section G.1.a. For each subsection so referenced, the proposer must provide a convincing explanation and rationale sufficient to justify an exemption of the information from release under the FOIA. The explanation and rationale must be stated in terms of (a) the prospective harm to the competitive position of the proposer that would result if the identified information were to be released and (b) the reasons why the information is legally exempt from release pursuant to C.G.S. § 1-210(b).

9. Conflict of Interest - Disclosure Statement. Proposers must include a disclosure statement concerning any current business relationships (within the last three (3) years) that pose a conflict of interest, as defined by C.G.S. § 1-85. A conflict of interest exists when a relationship exists between the proposer and a public official (including an elected official) or State employee that may interfere with fair competition or may be adverse to the interests of the State. The existence of a conflict of interest is not, in and of itself, evidence of wrongdoing. A conflict of interest may, however, become a legal matter if a proposer tries to influence, or succeeds in influencing, the outcome of an official decision for their personal or corporate benefit. The Agency will determine whether any disclosed conflict of interest poses a substantial advantage to the proposer over the competition, decreases the overall competitiveness of this procurement, or is not in the best interests of the State. In the absence of any conflict of interest, a proposer must affirm such in the disclosure statement. Example: “[name of proposer] has no current business relationship (within the last three (3) years) that poses a conflict of interest, as defined by C.G.S. § 1-85.”

< B. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS

1. Evaluation Process. It is the intent of the Agency to conduct a comprehensive, fair, and impartial evaluation of proposals received in response to this RFP. When evaluating proposals, negotiating with successful proposers, and awarding contracts, the Agency will conform with its written procedures for PSA procurements (pursuant to C.G.S. § 4-217) and the State’s Code of Ethics (pursuant to C.G.S. §§ 1-84 and 1- 85). Final funding allocation decisions will be determined during contract negotiation.

2. Evaluation Review Committee. The Agency will designate a Review Committee to evaluate proposals submitted in response to this RFP. The Review Committee will be composed of individuals, Agency staff or other designees as deemed appropriate.

The contents of all submitted proposals, including any confidential information, will be shared with the Review Committee. Only proposals found to be responsive (that is, complying with all instructions and requirements described herein) will be reviewed, rated, and scored. Proposals that fail to comply with all instructions will be rejected without further consideration. The Review Committee shall evaluate all proposals that meet the Minimum Submission Requirements by score and rank

Page | 21 ordered and make recommendations for awards. The Commissioner will make the final selection. Attempts by any proposer (or representative of any proposer) to contact or influence any member of the Review Committee may result in disqualification of the proposer.

3. Minimum Submission Requirements. To be eligible for evaluation, proposals must (1) be received on or before the due date and time; (2) meet the Proposal Format requirements; (3) meet the Eligibility and Qualification requirements to respond to the procurement, (4) follow the required Proposal Outline; and (5) be complete. Proposals that fail to follow instructions or satisfy these minimum submissions requirements will not be reviewed further The Agency will reject any proposal that deviates significantly from the requirements of this RFP.

4. Evaluation Criteria (and Weights). Proposals meeting the Minimum Submission

Requirements will be evaluated according to the established criteria. The criteria are the objective standards that the Review Committee will use to evaluate the technical merits of the proposals. Only the criteria listed below will be used to evaluate proposals. The weights are disclosed below.

Evaluation Category Evaluation Criteria Points

1. Consultant Experience, Qualifications, and Organizational Capacity

Demonstrated expertise in the development, implementation, and/or operation of Promise Programs or comparable place-based scholarship and student-success initiatives

Experience providing technical assistance to municipalities, regional coalitions, educational entities, nonprofits, or community partnerships

Experience with postsecondary access, student success, scholarship, and/or college-to-career initiatives

Qualifications and relevant experience of proposed key personnel 4

Organizational capacity and availability to successfully perform the scope of services 2

2. Approach to Promise Program Development & Implementation

Clear and feasible approach to assessing community readiness and supporting development of new Promise Programs

Approach to developing initial and long-term funding strategies 5

Approach to stakeholder engagement and development of community partnerships 6

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Evaluation Category Evaluation Criteria Points

Approach to locally responsive program design, including scholarship and student-support components

Approach to implementation planning and movement from program concept to operational readiness 5

Approach to supporting communities serving students in alliance districts and addressing differing community needs and capacities

3. Technical Assistance, Sustainability, and Knowledge Transfer

Quality and feasibility of proposed technical assistance model for municipalities and regional coalitions

Approach to developing evaluation metrics and data collection strategies 4

Approach to long-term financial and operational sustainability planning 4

Development of reusable tools, templates, guidance, and implementation resources for OHE and participating communities

Strategy for identifying and sharing promising practices and lessons learned across communities 3

4. Project Management, Performance Monitoring, and Reporting

Clear work plan, implementation timeline, milestones, and deliverables 4

Approach to tracking community progress, technical assistance activities, and performance measures 4

Quality and feasibility of progress-reporting methodology, including support for OHE's statutory reporting requirements

Communication, collaboration, issue escalation, and ongoing coordination with OHE 3

5. Budget and Cost Proposal 10

Clarity and completeness of proposed budget and cost structure 4

Reasonableness of costs in relation to proposed services, staffing, and deliverables 3

Cost-effectiveness and demonstrated efficient use of State resources 3

TOTAL 100

5. Proposer Selection. Upon completing its evaluation of proposals, the Review

Committee will submit the rankings of all proposals to the Commissioner. The final selection of a successful proposer is at the discretion of the Commissioner. Any

Page | 23 proposer selected will be notified and awarded an opportunity to negotiate a contract with the Agency. Such negotiations may, but will not automatically, result in a contract. Any resulting contract will be posted on the State Contracting Portal. All unsuccessful proposers will be notified by e-mail about the outcome of the evaluation and proposer selection process. The Agency reserves the right to decline to award contracts for activities in which the Commissioner considers there are not adequate respondents.

6. Debriefing. Within ten (10) days of receiving notification from the Agency, unsuccessful proposers may contact the Official Contact and request information about the evaluation and proposer selection process. The e-mail sent date will be considered “day one” of the ten (10) days. The Agency will not change, alter, or modify the outcome of the evaluation or selection process as a result of any debriefing meeting.

7. Appeal Process. Proposers may appeal any aspect the Agency’s competitive procurement, including the evaluation and proposer selection process. Any such appeal must be submitted to the Commissioner. A proposer may file an appeal at any time after the proposal due date, but not later than thirty (30) days after an agency notifies unsuccessful proposers about the outcome of the evaluation and proposer selection process. The e-mail sent date will be considered “day one” of the thirty (30) days. The filing of an appeal shall not be deemed sufficient reason for the Agency to delay, suspend, cancel, or terminate the procurement process or execution of a contract. More detailed information about filing an appeal may be obtained from the Official Contact.

8. Contract Execution. Any contract developed and executed as a result of this RFP is subject to the Agency’s contracting procedures, which may include approval by the Office of the Attorney General. Fully executed and approved contracts will be posted on State Contracting Portal and the Agency website.

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IV. REQUIRED PROPOSAL SUBMISSION OUTLINE AND REQUIREMENTS

Submission Outline

A. Cover Sheet

B. Table of Contents

C. Executive Summary

D. Main Proposal

E. Attachments (clearly referenced to summary and main proposal where applicable)

F. Declaration of Confidential Information

G. Conflict of Interest - Disclosure Statement

H. Statement of Assurances

Cover Sheet The Respondent must use a Cover Sheet in this RFP.

Legal Name is defined as the name of provider, vendor, CT State agency, or municipality submitting the proposal.