RFP_33201-00926_Amd%205_Schedule.pdf

This document is Amendment #5 to a Request for Proposals issued by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) for Data Management and External Evaluation Services for GEAR UP Tennessee. The RFP, number 33201-00926, was originally issued on October 15, 2025, and seeks a comprehensive contractor to implement a data management system 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 project targets two student cohorts from the high school graduating classes of 2030 and 2031. Key deadlines include a Notice of Intent to Respond by October 24, 2025, a Questions & Comments deadline of October 31, 2025, with state responses provided by November 25, 2025, and a Response Deadline of December 15, 2025. Product demonstrations are scheduled for January 20-22, 2026, followed by state opening and scoring of cost proposals on January 23, 2026. Optional negotiations are scheduled for January 26-27, 2026, with a Notice of Intent to Award release planned for January 28, 2026. The protest period concludes on February 4, 2026, contracts are sent to contractors on February 5, 2026, and contractor signatures are due by February 9, 2026, with an anticipated contract start in early 2026.

The RFP requires deliverables including a robust data management system with live dashboards for all GEAR UP TN metrics, formative and summative program evaluations, professional development delivery to school-based staff, annual formative evaluation reports, biennial student surveys, an embedded dual enrollment research study, and participation in the College and Career Readiness Evaluation Consortium (CCREC). Compensation will be based on the total number of students served each program year with varying annual allocations by student cohort and grade level, including annual service fees and potential custom development services. The contract will be funded through a federal GEAR UP grant with 97% of funds allocated to program activities and 3% dedicated to scholarships. No specific set-aside designations were mentioned, and the total contract value is expected to be substantial given the seven-year commitment and student population served, though specific budget amounts were not detailed in this amendment.