Request for Information 128632 - Social Studies.pdf

1 | Title: (Social Studies Curriculum Resources) Request for Information Number 128632

Request for Information

(RFI)

Alexandria City School Board Procurement Office dba Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) 1340 Braddock Place Alexandria, VA 22314 angela.queen@acps.k12.va.us

RFI Number: 128632

RFI Title: 6-12 Social Studies Curriculum Resources

Information Due Date: October 9, 2026, @ 1 PM

Issue Date: September 21, 2026

Requesting Department: Department of Teaching, Learning, & Leadership

Procurement Representative: Angela Queen, Senior Buyer

Angela.queen@acps.k12.va.us

703.619.8040

Section 1. Purpose and Background

1.1 Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is conducting a resource exploration process to identify and better understand available secondary social studies curricular resources that may support a future formal curriculum adoption. Responses to this RFI, including digital trial access and sample materials, will be reviewed by ACPS secondary social studies educators, instructional coaches, and leadership to better understand available instructional approaches, content, features, functionality, and implementation considerations.

1.2 Information obtained through this RFI may be used to assist ACPS in defining requirements for a future competitive solicitation. Participation in this RFI will not give a supplier a preference or advantage in any future procurement.

This Request for Information (RFI) is being issued to solicit information from curriculum publishers and providers regarding resources to support the development and implementation of a high-quality 6–12 social studies program aligned with the 2023 Virginia History and Social Science Standards of Learning and the ACPS Deeper Learning

Framework.

1.3 ACPS serves more than 16,300 students representing over 118 countries and speaking 127 languages. With 18 schools across the city—including the internationally recognized Alexandria City High School—ACPS is proud to move forward with a strategic vision that keeps students at the center of everything we do. Additional information about ACPS is available at www.acps.k12.va.us.

Section 2. Scope of Work

2.1 Curricular and Instructional Requirements - Submitted materials should address the following division priorities:

mailto:angela.queen@acps.k12.va.us mailto:Angela.queen@acps.k12.va.us http://www.acps.k12.va.us/

2 | Title: (Social Studies Curriculum Resources) Request for Information Number 128632

● Standards Alignment: Alignment with the VDOE 2023 History and Social Science Standards of Learning

(SOLs) and the ACPS Deeper Learning Framework.

● Multilingual Learner & Special Education Supports: embedded scaffolds, language supports, differentiated materials, accessibility features, accommodations, and supports for varying reading levels.

● Core Disciplines & Pedagogy: Explicit support for inquiry-based learning, primary source analysis, analytical writing, and content and skill development across history, geography, civics, and economics for grades 6–12.

● ACPS Profile of a Learner: Integration of learning experiences that foster the attributes of Communicator, Collaborator, Critical Thinker, Changemaker, Innovator, and Advocate.

● Usability & Accessibility: Robust teacher usability tools, comprehensive assessment supports, and culturally sustaining, differentiated resources adaptable for diverse learners.

● Assessment: formative, summative, performance-based assessments, item banks, rubrics, and SOL preparation/alignment.

● Teacher Supports: lesson planning, pacing, instructional guidance, differentiation, answer keys, assessment data/reporting, and professional learning resources.

2.2 Information Requested

Each supplier, as part of its submittal to this RFI, should include at a minimum the following key areas:

1. Program Overview: Identify the proposed secondary social studies resource(s), grade levels and courses supported, and available print and digital components. Clearly identify which courses listed in Section 2.3 are supported by the proposed resource..

2. Standards Alignment: Provide a correlation or alignment document demonstrating alignment with the 2023

Virginia History and Social Science Standards of Learning for each applicable course.

3. Instructional Approach: Describe how the resource supports inquiry-based learning, primary-source analysis, analytical writing, content knowledge, disciplinary skills, and the ACPS Profile of a Learner.

4. Student Supports and Accessibility: Describe available differentiation, accessibility features, multilingual learner supports, special education supports, reading-level accommodations, and culturally responsive/sustaining resources.

5. Assessment Resources: Describe available formative, summative, performance-based, and SOL-aligned assessment resources, including teacher reporting and progress-monitoring capabilities.

6. Teacher Resources and Professional Learning: Describe teacher materials, instructional planning tools, implementation resources, and any available professional learning or training.

7. Pricing Information: Provide current budgetary/list pricing, including available licensing models, print and digital pricing, implementation costs, professional learning costs, recurring fees, and any other anticipated costs.

Pricing submitted in response to this RFI is for planning and informational purposes only and will not constitute an offer or commitment by either party.

8. Digital Trial Credentials: Sandbox/pilot access credentials for ACPS teachers and instructional leaders to independently review platforms, core units, and digital features.

Trial Access Period: Digital credentials to be active upon submission and remain active through December

10, 2026

9. Sample Physical Materials (Optional): If print teacher and/or student materials are available for review, please send two copies to: ACPS Textbook Warehouse, 604 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304. Attn: RFI

128632-Social Studies

3 | Title: (Social Studies Curriculum Resources) Request for Information Number 128632

2.3 Social Studies Course Offerings: Suppliers should identify each course for which they currently offer a curricular resource. Suppliers are not required to provide resources for every course listed below in order to respond to this

RFI.

Grade ACPS Course Resource Available Resource/Product Name

Grade 6 U.S. History to 1877

Grade 7 U.S. History 1877 to Present

Grade 8 Civics and Economics

Grades 9-

Options

Global Geography

World History to 1500

World History 1500 to Present

AP Human Geography

AP World History: Modern

Grade 11

Options

Virginia & U.S. History

AP United States History

Dual Enrollment United States

History

Grade 12

Options

Virginia and U.S. Government

AP U.S. Government

AP Comparative Government

Dual Enrollment U.S. Government and Politics

Social

Studies

Electives

African American History

Latin American Studies

Psychology

Sociology

AP Psychology

2.4 For reference:

● Virginia Standards of Learning

● ACPS Profile of a Learner

● List of ACPS 6-12 Social Studies Courses

Section 3. Submission Responses

3.1 ACPS will accept responses received by October 9, 2026, at 1:00 pm Eastern Time. Responses shall be submitted electronically through eVA www.eva.virginia.gov. Vendor Registration is required. Responses shall not be opened publicly.

3.2 All questions must be submitted by email to angela.queen@acps.k12.va.us, with the subject line, “RFI 128632:

Social Studies,” no later than 1:00 PM EST on September 25, 2026. ACPS intends to provide responses to questions through an addendum to this RFI within three (3) business days. ACPS reserves the right to modify the RFI schedule, including extending the response deadline, if necessary.

https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/k-12-standards-instruction/history-and-social-science/standards-of-learning https://www.acps.k12.va.us/departments/teaching-learning-leadership/profile-of-a-learner http://www.eva.virginia.gov/ about:blank

4 | Title: (Social Studies Curriculum Resources) Request for Information Number 128632

Section 4. RFI Response Checklist

Suppliers should use the following checklist to ensure all requested information is included with their RFI response.

Suppliers are encouraged to organize their response in the order presented below.

☐ 4.1 Company and Contact Information

☐ 4.2 Program Overview

☐ 4.3 Course Availability, including completion of the course availability information identified in Section 2.3

☐ 4.4 Standards Alignment Documentation

☐ 4.5 Curricular and Instructional Information

☐ 4.6 Support for Diverse Learners and Accessibility

☐ 4.7 Assessment Resources

☐ 4.8 Teacher Resources and Professional Learning

☐ 4.9 Digital Trial Credentials and Access Instructions

☐ 4.10 Pricing Information

☐ 4.11 References

☐ 4.12 Completed and Signed Response Submittal Certification

☐ 4.13 Sample Physical Materials – Optional

Note: Pricing and other information submitted in response to this RFI are requested for informational, research, and planning purposes only. Submission of information does not constitute an offer, and ACPS's review of an RFI response does not constitute acceptance, selection, prequalification, or a commitment to purchase any product or service.

Section 5. RFI Review

5.1 ACPS reserves the right to request additional information during the review of RFI responses

Section 6. Disclaimer

6.1 Please be advised that this is a request for information only. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and it does not constitute a request for proposal or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future.

6.2 In the event that sufficient information is received, ACPS may, but is not required to, issue a competitive solicitation.

This RFI is not a competitive solicitation, and no contract award shall result. This RFI will not be used to evaluate, rank or select firms, nor will it be used to pre-qualify or screen firms for a subsequent competitive solicitation process, if any. If a subsequent competitive solicitation is issued, ACPS is under no obligation to advise any firm responding to this RFI. Firms are advised to monitor eVA, for any such opportunities, which will be open to all firms regardless of whether or not a response to this RFI has been submitted.

5 | Title: (Social Studies Curriculum Resources) Request for Information Number 128632

6.3 ACPS is not liable for any cost incurred for the preparation of any information submitted or for the use of that information. ACPS reserves the right to utilize any information submitted in its best interest without any obligation or liability.

6.4 This RFI does not commit the ACPS to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, ACPS is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Parties responding are advised that ACPS will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future Solicitation, if any is issued.

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6 | Title: (Social Studies Curriculum Resources) Request for Information Number 128632

Section 8. References

8.1 Suppliers are requested to provide information regarding their experience providing secondary social studies curricular resources to K–12 school divisions or other educational institutions.

8.2 Suppliers must provide, with their response, a list of three (3) references, including contact information. The references should clearly demonstrate the supplier’s ability. References must be within the last five (5) years. Please verify the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses prior to submitting them as references.

Reference 1

Customer/ Client

Contact Name

Telephone

Email

Contract Value

Award Date

Contract Expiration

Reference 2

Customer/Client

Contact Name

Telephone

Email

Contract Value

Award Date

Contract Expiration

Reference 3

Customer/Client

Contact Name

Telephone

Email

Contract Value

Award Date

Contract Expiration

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7 | Title: (Social Studies Curriculum Resources) Request for Information Number 128632

RESPONSE SUBMITTAL CERTIFICATION:

Full Legal Name of Offer: ________________________________________________________

Mailing Address:

Phone: _______________________________ Fax: _____________________________

Email Address: _____________________________________________________________

*Authorized Representative (Printed Name): ________________________

*Title: _____________________________________

*Signature: ________________________________________

*Person Signing must be authorized to bind the Offeror in Contractual Matters

Tax Identification (FIN/SSN): _____________________________________

8 | Title: (Social Studies Curriculum Resources) Request for Information Number 128632

VIRGINIA STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION (SCC) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER *MANDATORY

REQUIREMENT*: The Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA) §2.2-4311.2 requires the Offeror to be authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a domestic or foreign business entity if so required by Title 13.1 or

Title 50 or as otherwise by law. The Offeror shall include in its Response the identification number issued to it by the State

Corporation Commission (SCC). For more information on how the SCC can expedite a request for an identification number, please contact the SCC directly at www.scc.virginia.gov or the Clerk’s office at 1-804-371-9733.

Please check one (1) of the following lines that appropriately applies to the Offeror:

☐ Offeror is a Virginia business entity with the following SCC Identification Number: _______________________ (NOTE:

The SCC number is NOT the Federal Tax Identification Number).

☐ Offeror is an Out-of-State (foreign) business entity that is authorized to transact business in Virginia by the SCC and has the following SCC Identification Number: ______________________________

☐ Offeror is an Out-of-State (foreign) business entity that is including with this Response an opinion of Legal Counsel which accurately and completely discloses the undersigned Offeror’s current contacts with Virginia and describes why those contacts do not constitute the transaction of business in Virginia within the meaning of §13.1-757 or other similar provisions in Titles 13.1 or 50 of the Code of Virginia.

☐ Offeror shall check here if they have not completed any of the foregoing options but currently have pending before the

SCC an application for authority to transact business with ACPS, and wish to be considered for a waiver to allow you to submit the SCC Identification Number after the Response Due Date (ACPS reserves the right, at its own discretion, to determine whether to allow such waiver).

DEBARMENT:

If you answer yes to any of the following, on a separate attachment, state the person or entity against whom the debarment was entered, give the location and date of the debarment, describe the project involved, and explain the circumstances relating to the debarment, including the names, addresses and phone numbers of persons who might be contacted for additional information

1. Is your organization or any officer, director, project manager, procurement manager, chief financial officer, partner or owner currently debarred from doing federal, state or local government work for any reason?

Yes ___ No ___

2. Has your organization or any current officer, director, project manager, procurement manager, chief financial officer, partner or owner ever been debarred from doing Federal, State or Local government work for any reason?

Yes ___ No ___ http://www.scc.virginia.gov/