RFP_33201-00926_Amd_1_Schedule.pdf

This is Amendment #1 to Request for Proposals #33201-00926 issued by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) for Data Management and External Evaluation Services for GEAR UP Tennessee. The RFP seeks a comprehensive contractor to implement a data management system with live dashboards and provide external evaluation services for a seven-year federally funded initiative serving approximately 9,000 unique students across ten high schools and eighteen feeder middle schools. The program targets two student cohorts—high school graduating classes of 2030 and 2031—with priority given to seniors in years 2-7. Key deliverables include configuring the data management system, conducting formative and summative evaluations, delivering professional development, administering biennial student surveys, implementing an embedded dual enrollment research study, and participating in the College and Career Readiness Evaluation Consortium (CCREC). The RFP was issued on October 15, 2025, with a Notice of Intent to Respond deadline of October 24, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time, and a final response deadline of December 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Product demonstrations are scheduled for December 17-19, 2025. The State will complete technical evaluations by December 11, 2025, and open and score cost proposals on December 23, 2025. Optional negotiations are scheduled for January 5-6, 2026, with a Notice of Intent to Award to be released on January 7, 2026. The protest period concludes on January 14, 2026, at 4:30 p.m., the contract will be sent to the contractor on January 15, 2026, and the contractor signature deadline is January 19, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

The procurement is funded through a federal GEAR UP grant, with 97% of funds allocated to program activities and 3% dedicated to scholarships. Compensation will be based on annual service fees and the total number of students served each program year, with allocations varying by student cohort and grade level. The amendment updates and confirms the RFP schedule of events, with all revised or new text highlighted in the document. No specific set-aside designations or incumbent information is mentioned in this amendment document. Evaluation criteria will emphasize qualifications of the lead evaluator, expertise in education research, ability to facilitate data utilization, quality of work products, and cost-effectiveness.