Summary of RFP Amendment #9 for Data Management and External Evaluation Services

This document is Amendment #9 to Request for Proposals #33201-00926 issued by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) for Data Management and External Evaluation Services supporting GEAR UP Tennessee, a federally funded seven-year initiative serving approximately 9,000 unique students across ten high schools and eighteen feeder middle schools. The amendment updates the RFP schedule of events with revised dates for key procurement milestones. The Notice of Intent to Respond deadline is October 24, 2025, with written questions and comments due by October 31, 2025. Responses to written inquiries will be provided by November 25, 2025, and proposal submission deadline is December 15, 2025. Technical response evaluations will be completed by January 23, 2026, followed by product demonstrations scheduled for January 28-30, 2026. Cost proposals will be opened and scored on February 2, 2026, with optional negotiations occurring February 3-4, 2026. The State will release its Notice of Intent to Award on February 6, 2026, with the protest period ending February 13, 2026. The contract will be sent to the selected contractor on February 17, 2026, with signature deadline set for February 19, 2026, and an anticipated contract start in early 2026.

The RFP targets two student cohorts for the high school graduating classes of 2030 and 2031, with priority given to seniors in years 2-7 of the program. Services include configuring a data management system with live dashboards for GEAR UP TN metrics, conducting formative and summative evaluations, delivering professional development to school-based staff, administering biennial student surveys, implementing an embedded dual enrollment research study, and participating in the College and Career Readiness Evaluation Consortium (CCREC). The procurement will be 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 the total number of students served each program year, with annual allocations varying by student cohort and grade level, including annual service fees and potential custom development services. All other terms and conditions of the original RFP remain in full force and effect unless expressly amended herein.