RFP_33201-00926_Amd%205_Schedule.pdf

This is Amendment #5 to a Request for Proposals (RFP #33201-00926) issued by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) for Data Management and External Evaluation Services for GEAR UP Tennessee. The amendment updates the schedule of events for the procurement process. The RFP was originally issued on October 15, 2025, with a Notice of Intent to Respond deadline of October 24, 2025, and a Written Questions & Comments deadline of October 31, 2025. The State will respond to questions and comments by November 25, 2025. The response deadline for proposals is December 15, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. Technical response evaluations will be completed by January 9, 2026, followed by product demonstrations scheduled for January 20-22, 2026. Cost proposals will be opened and scored on January 23, 2026, with optional negotiations occurring January 26-27, 2026. The Notice of Intent to Award will be released on January 28, 2026, when RFP files will be opened for public inspection. The protest period ends on February 4, 2026 at 4:30 p.m., with the contract sent to the contractor for signature on February 5, 2026 and a signature deadline of February 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

The RFP seeks a contractor to provide comprehensive data management system implementation and external evaluation services for a federally funded seven-year initiative serving approximately 9,000 unique students across ten high schools and eighteen feeder middle schools. Deliverables include configuring a data management system with live dashboards, conducting formative and summative evaluations, delivering professional development, administering biennial student surveys, implementing a dual enrollment research study, and participating in the College and Career Readiness Evaluation Consortium. The project targets two student cohorts with high school graduating classes of 2030 and 2031, with priority given to seniors in years 2-7 of the program. Anticipated contract start date is early 2026.