RFQ_2025-26_CIPs_FINAL.pdf

STATE OF WASHINGTON

OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON

PROJECT TITLE: Continuous Improvement Partners for the OSPI Support Team. Staffed with educational specialists with expertise in facilitating the development and implementation of continuous school improvement systems.

PRE-BID CONFERENCE: 1:00 pm, Pacific Time (PT) on March 27, 2025

PROPOSALS ENCOURAGED BY: 3:00 p.m., Pacific Time (PT) on April 7, 2025

Proposals received by this date will be considered in an initial round of evaluation for a contract start date of August 1, 2025. All proposals received after this date will be evaluated ad-hoc and therefore may take longer.

LAST DATE TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS: 3:00 p.m., Pacific Time (PT) on September 30, 2025

ESTIMATED CONTRACT PERIOD: August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2026. Amendments extending the period of performance, if any, shall be at the sole discretion of OSPI.

CONSULTANT ELIGIBILITY: This solicitation is open to those Consultants who satisfy the minimum qualifications stated herein and that are available for work in Washington State.

SUBMIT PROPOSAL TO: contracts@k12.wa.us

All communications concerning this RFQ must be directed only to the RFQ Coordinator via email to contracts@k12.wa.us. Any other communication will be considered unofficial and non-binding on OSPI. Consultants are to rely on written statements issued by the RFQ Coordinator.

Communication directed to parties other than the RFQ Coordinator may result in disqualification of the Consultant.

This RFQ is available at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) website and at the Department of Enterprise Services, Washington Electronic Business Solution (WEBS)

Procurement website. All RFQ amendments and/or Consultant questions and OSPI answers will be posted to these sites. All interested Consultants must be registered with WEBS under the following commodity codes in order to receive automatic notifications: 924-05: Advisory

Services, Educational; 924-18: Educational Services, Alternative; 924-19: Educational Research

Services; 924-71: School Operation and Management Services; 924-74: Special Education.

Request for Qualifications No. 2025-26

Continuous Improvement Partners mailto:contracts@k12.wa.us mailto:contracts@k12.wa.us https://www.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/contracting-ospi/competitive-procurements https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/

RFQ No. 2025-26 Page 2 of 74

Rev. 09/24

Table of Contents

Section A. INTRODUCTION

A.1. DEFINITIONS

A.2. PURPOSE OF REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

A.3. BACKGROUND

A.4. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF WORK

A.5. BIDDER QUALIFICATIONS

A.6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

A.7. FUNDING

A.8. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

Section B. GENERAL INFORMATION FOR BIDDERS

B.1. RFQ COORDINATOR

B.2. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

B.3. ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES

B.4. PRE-BID CONFERENCE

B.5. COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

B.6. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION/PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

B.7. ADDENDUMS AND AMENDMENTS TO THE RFQ

B.8. SMALL BUSINESS, MINORITY & WOMEN’S BUSINESS ENTERPRISES (MWBE),

AND VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS PARTICIPATION

B.9. ETHICS, POLICIES, & LAW

B.10. ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

B.11. RESPONSIVENESS

B.12. MOST FAVORABLE TERMS

B.13. CONTRACT AND GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

B.14. COSTS TO PROPOSE

B.15. NO OBLIGATION TO CONTRACT

B.16. REJECTION OF PROPOSALS

B.17. COMMITMENT OF FUNDS

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B.18. STATEWIDE VENDOR PAYMENT REGISTRATION

B.19. WASHINGTON STATE BUSINESS REGISTRATION

B.20. INSURANCE COVERAGE

Section C. PROPOSAL CONTENTS

C.1. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

C.2. PROPOSAL OVERVIEW

C.3. LETTER OF SUBMITTAL (MANDATORY)

C.4. MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL

Section D. EVALUATION AND AWARD

D.1. EVALUATION PROCEDURE

D.2. EVALUATION WEIGHTING AND SCORING

D.3. SCORING PREFERENCES

D.4. REFERENCE CHECKS

D.5. ORAL INTERVIEW & PERFORMANCE TASK

D.6. SELECTION OF APPARENT SUCCESSFUL BIDDER

D.7. NOTIFICATION TO BIDDERS

D.8. DEBRIEFING OF UNSUCCESSFUL BIDDERS

D.9. PROTEST PROCEDURE

D.10. ADDITIONAL AWARDS

Section E. RFQ EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A

EXHIBIT B

EXHIBIT C

EXHIBIT D

EXHIBIT E

EXHIBIT F

EXHIBIT G

EXHIBIT H

RFQ No. 2025-26 Page 4 of 74

Section A. INTRODUCTION

OSPI, and its contractors and subcontractors, must not discriminate in any programs or services based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, marital status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, and must comply with state and federal nondiscrimination laws, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the

Americans with Disabilities Act, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director at 360-725-6162/TTY: 360-

664-3631; or P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200; or equity@k12.wa.us.

This section describes the purpose of the RFQ and provides information about this procurement, including the potential scope of the opportunity and requirements.

A.1. DEFINITIONS

Definitions for the purposes of this RFQ include:

Agency or OSPI – The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction; the entity issuing this RFQ.

Alternative Schools – Alternative Schools include Washington State School for the Blind, Washington School for the Deaf, Alternative Schools, Reengagement Schools, Alternative

Learning Experience (ALE), and Institutional Education Schools. Alternative Schools are schools and programs that are designed to serve students whose educational, behavioral, and/or medical needs cannot be adequately addressed in a traditional school setting. ALE is public education where some or all the instruction is delivered outside of a regular classroom schedule. Institutional Education is the provision of K-12 basic education services to incarcerated and previously incarcerated youth. Reengagement Schools provide education and services to older youth, ages 16-21, who have dropped out of school or not expected to graduate from high school by the age of 21.

Amendment – A unilateral change to the Solicitation that is issued by OSPI at its sole discretion and posted on WEBS and OSPI’s website.

Apparent Successful Bidder (ASB) – A Bidder submitting a response to this Solicitation that is evaluated and is identified and announced by OSPI as providing the best value to the

Agency. Upon execution of a Contract, the ASB is referred to as the successful Bidder or the

Contractor.

Bid – An offer, proposal, or quote for goods or services submitted in response to this RFQ.

mailto:equity@k12.wa.us

RFQ No. 2025-26 Page 5 of 74

Bidder – Individual organization, public or private agency submitting a proposal to attain a contract with OSPI. For purposes of this Solicitation, the terms Bidder, Consultant, and Vendor are interchangeable.

Competitive Solicitation – A documented formal process providing an equal and open opportunity to Bidders or Consultants culminating in a selection based on predetermined criteria.

Complaint – A process that may be followed by a Consultant prior to the deadline for bid submission to alert OSPI of certain types of asserted deficiencies in the Solicitation.

Consultant – Individual organization, public or private agency submitting a proposal to attain a contract with OSPI. For purposes of this Solicitation, the terms Bidder, Consultant, and Vendor

Continuous Improvement Partner – Continuous Improvement Partners (CIPs or Partners) are contractors who align with and extend OSSI’s strategy to create the conditions for continuous school improvement systems in districts and schools identified for support. Partners provide direct services to assigned districts with schools in collaboration with OSSI and educational service districts, by creating, implementing, and sustaining networks and partnerships that leverage expertise and resources to increase equitable supports within continuous school improvement systems.

Coordinated Support Team – (CST) A team composed of Continuous Improvement Partners, partners from the educational service district, and partners from OSPI that jointly support a district and its schools for continuous school improvement.

Contractor – Individual or company whose proposal has been accepted by OSPI and is awarded a fully executed, written contract.

Data Inquiry – A process that engages continuous learning and understanding through a repetition cycle of questioning, measuring, analyzing, and evaluating data to support continuous improvement. Examples of frameworks that support a data inquiry process include but are not limited to cycles of inquiry models such as Plan-Do-Study-Act, Data-Driven

Dialogue, and Improvement Science.

Debriefing – A short meeting an unsuccessful Bidder may request with the Coordinator following the announcement of the Apparent Successful Bidder for the purpose of receiving information regarding the review and evaluation of that Bidder’s Response.

Educational Equity – Each child receives what they need to develop to their full social, emotional, and academic potential. OSPI Equity Statement https://ospi.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/about-agency

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Educational Service District (ESD) – A regional agency that provides cooperative and informational services to local school districts, assists OSPI and State Board of Education (SBE) in the performance of their respective statutory or constitutional duties, and provides services to school districts to assure equal educational opportunities.

English Language Arts (ELA) – The study and improvement that aims at developing the individual’s comprehension and capacity for use of written and oral language.

English Learners (EL) – See Multilingual Learners (ML)

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) – An act emphasizes equal access to education and establishes high standards and accountability. The law authorizes federally funded education programs that are administered by the states. In 2002, Congress amended

ESEA and reauthorized it as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB).

Equity – The act of developing, strengthening, and supporting procedural and outcome fairness in systems, procedures, and resource distribution mechanisms to create equitable (not equal) opportunity for all people. Equity is distinct from equality which refers to everyone having the same treatment without accounting for differing needs or circumstances. Equity has a focus on eliminating barriers that have prevented the full participation of historically and currently oppressed groups. Washington State Glossary for Inclusive & Equitable Workplaces |

Office of Financial Management

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) – The reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary

Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) and replacement of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB).

ESSA emphasizes high standards for graduation, maintaining accountability to lowest-performing schools, empowering state and local decision-makers, preserving annual assessments, and providing high-quality preschool.

Evidence-Based Interventions - The definition of “evidence-based” in ESEA section 8101(21) includes levels of evidence from which interventions may be selected:

• Strong evidence from at least one well-designed and well-implemented experimental study;

• Moderate evidence from at least one well-designed and well-implemented quasi-experimental study;

• Promising evidence from at least one well-designed and well-implemented correlational study with statistical controls for selection bias

Fiscal Year – In Washington State, a 12-month period extending from July 1 of one calendar year to June 30 of the next calendar year.

https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/workforce-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/statewide-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-council/deib-glossary/o https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/workforce-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/statewide-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-council/deib-glossary/o

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Identified Schools – Schools identified as eligible for School Improvement Supports in Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 3 Plus, and Required Action Districts (RAD).

Multilingual Learners (ML) – Students who speak a language other than English and are developing English proficiency. This term is often used in place of “English Learner” to emphasize the multilingual skills students already have rather than a perceived deficit.

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) –Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a framework for enhancing the adoption and implementation of a continuum of evidence-based practices to achieve important outcomes for all students. Components include: 1) team-driven shared leadership; 2) data-based decision making; 3) family, student, and community engagement; 4) continuum of supports; and 5) evidence-based practices. Implementation of the MTSS framework in continuous improvement includes: developing a culture for learning through high expectations and corresponding beliefs, supports in meeting those expectations, and relational trust through growth in a safe environment; engaging staff through the collaborative inquiry process and action research that supports improved student and adult learning; using data that informs decisions to meet the behavioral/social emotional, attendance and achievement needs of students; aligning systems and resources to meet the social emotional/behavioral, attendance, and achievement needs of students; and, implementing an action planning process that aligns to systemic goals to foster a culture for learning.

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) – The primary agency charged with overseeing K-12 public education in Washington State.

Office of System and School Improvement (OSSI)– The division within OSPI issuing this RFQ.

Office of System and School Improvement supports the development and implementation of continuous school improvement systems at state, regional and local levels, specifically for districts with schools identified for improvement under Washington state’s federally approved

ESSA plan and through the required action district program defined under state statute

(28A.657 RCW).

Proposal – A formal offer submitted in response to this RFQ.

Proprietary Information – Information such as patents, technological information or other related information that the Bidder or Consultant does not want released or shared with the public.

Protest – A process that may be followed by a Bidder after the announcement of the Apparent

Successful Bidder to alert OSPI to certain types of alleged errors in the evaluation of the

Solicitation.

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) – Formal procurement document in which services needed are identified, and Consultants are invited to provide their qualifications to provide the services.

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Required Action District (RAD) – Required action district program administration is a statutory obligation of OSPI and the State Board of Education (28A.657 RCW). The intent of the policy is to identify “persistently lowest achieving schools” and create a “partnership between the state and local district to target funds and assistance to turn around the identified school(s).” The process for identifying required action districts (responsibility of OSPI) and designating required action districts (a responsibility of the State Board of Education) is described in rule (180-017 WAC and 392-503 WAC). Required action districts are designated for a three-year core cycle during which time they develop and implement required action plans to improve student outcomes at the identified school(s).

RCW – The Revised Code of Washington.

Responsible Bidder – An individual, organization, public or private agency, or other entity that has demonstrated the capability to meet all the requirements of the Solicitation and meets the elements of responsibility. (See RCW 39.26.160 (2))

Responsive Bidder – An individual, organization, public or private agency, or other entity who has submitted a Bid that fully conforms in all material respects to the Solicitation and all its requirements, in both form and substance.

RFQ Coordinator – An individual or designee who is employed by OSPI and who is responsible for conducting this Solicitation.

Solicitation – A formal process providing an equal and open opportunity for Bidders culminating in a selection based upon predetermined criteria.

State Board of Education (SBE) – The agency that provides advocacy and strategic oversight of public education and promotes achievement of the Basic Education Act goals of RCW

28A.150.210.

Subcontractor – An individual or other entity contracted by a Consultant to perform part of the services or to provide goods under the Contract resulting from this Solicitation. Subcontractors, if allowed, are subject to the advance approval of OSPI.

Vendor – Individual organization, public or private agency submitting a proposal to attain a contract with OSPI. For purposes of this Solicitation, the terms Bidder, Consultant, and Vendor

Washington School Improvement Framework (WSIF) – The WSIF is the framework for school accountability in Washington state. Each school is measured on the WSIF across up to nine measures. Scores are disaggregated across student groups (race/ethnicity as well as special populations such as English learners or eligibility for free/reduced price lunch).

Measures include proficiency and growth on English Language Arts and Math, graduation rate, http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=28A.150.210 http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=28A.150.210

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English Learner progress, regular attendance, 9th graders on track, and dual credit/advanced course taking. The overall student score for each school as well as scores by individual student groups drive identification for supports.

Washington State K-12 Learning Standards – As required by state law, OSPI develops the state's learning standards (RCW 28A.655.070) and oversees the assessment of the learning standards for state and federal accountability purposes. The learning standards also incorporate the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics.

WEBS – Washington’s Electronic Business Solution, the Consultant notification system found at

Washington Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) Procurement website and maintained by the

Washington State Department of Enterprise Services. Consultants are encouraged to register with WEBS to receive automatic notifications about this and other procurements.

A.2. PURPOSE OF REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

The purpose of this Competitive Solicitation is to receive competitive bids to evaluate and, as appropriate, award a Contract for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to procure goods and/or services as set forth herein. Pursuant to Washington’s Procurement Code for Goods and Services, RCW chap. 39.26, state agency purchases of goods and services must be based on a competitive solicitation.

Therefore, OSPI is initiating this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit proposals from

Consultants who are highly qualified educational specialists with expertise in continuous school improvement systems to act as Continuous Improvement Partners (Partners). Continuous school improvement systems are characterized by a focus on: strong leadership, data inquiry, core instructional practices, implementing multi-tiered systems of support and elevating anti-racist practice and identifying, providing, and growing equitable systems of supports within learning communities. Partners will offer support and services to identified district and school staff on behalf of students under the specification and direction of the Office System and School

Improvement (OSSI). Partners will be deployed to work with OSSI, assigned educational service districts and assigned school districts with schools identified for improvement in order to facilitate the development and implementation of continuous school improvement systems to eliminate equity gaps and improve student outcomes in schools identified for improvement.

A.3. BACKGROUND

Led by Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI is the primary agency charged with overseeing public

K–12 education in Washington state. Working with the state's two hundred ninety-five (295) public school districts, eight (8) state-tribal education compact schools, and public charter schools, OSPI allocates funding and provides tools, resources, and technical assistance so every student in Washington is provided a high-quality public education.

http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=28A.150.210

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The Office of System and School Improvement (OSSI) supports the development and implementation of continuous school improvement systems at state, regional and local levels, specifically for districts with schools identified for improvement under Washington state’s federally approved Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan and through the required action district program defined under state statute (28A.657 RCW).

Schools Identified for Improvement:

OSSI works to create the conditions in which schools identified for improvement can develop and implement high-quality school improvement plans that will eliminate equity gaps and improve overall student outcomes as measured through the Washington School Improvement

Framework (WSIF). Districts and identified schools use continuous school improvement systems to accomplish this. These systems are characterized by a focus on: strong leadership, data inquiry, core instructional practices, implementing multi-tiered systems of support, anti-racist practice and identifying, providing, and growing equitable systems of supports within learning communities.

Identification for Support—Washington uses two threshold scores to identify tiered supports status for schools as described in ESSA:

a. The first applies to all schools with a WISF Composite School Score, and it is equal to the lowest performing five percent of schools based on the All Students student group.

This is called the All Schools Threshold.

b. The second applies to Title I schools with a WSIF Composite School Score, and it is equal to the lowest performing five percent of Title I schools based on the All Students student group. This is called the Title I Threshold.

Table 1 shows how both thresholds are used to identify schools. Note: Identification in a WSIF cycle has a compounding effect on identification in the subsequent cycle.

Table 1. Paths to Identification

Status Possible Path to Identification

Tier 3 Plus Schools identified as Tier 3 for two or more consecutive WSIF identification cycles.

Tier 3: Comprehensive Schools with the “All Students” student group below the Title I

Threshold (5% of Title I schools with the fewest WSIF Combined

Score points) or below the All Schools Threshold (5% of all schools with the fewest WSIF Combined Score points).

Tier 3: Graduation Schools where the WSIF 4-year cohort graduation rate was below

66.7%.

Tier 3: Compounded Title I schools identified as Tier 1 or Tier 2 schools for two or more consecutive WSIF cycles, and Tier 3 schools identified for two or more consecutive cycles who are not Title I and/or whose All

Students student group scored above the Title I Threshold and below the All Students Threshold.

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Status Possible Path to Identification

Tier 2: Targeted 3+ Schools with three or more student groups with a WSIF Combined

Score below the Title I Threshold or the All Schools Threshold.

Tier 2: Targeted EL Schools where the percentage of multilingual students attaining the ELP benchmark is in the lowest 5% of all schools with an ELP rate.

Tier 1: Targeted 1–2 Schools with one or two student groups with a WSIF Combined

Score below the Title I Threshold or the All Schools Threshold.

Foundational Schools that are not identified for support in Tier 3 Plus, Tier 3, Tier

2, or Tier 1.

Schools identified as eligible for Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, or Tier 3 Plus supports may access OSSI supports sometimes including: grant funding, direct CIP supports, professional development opportunities, toolkits, and other resources provided through various OSPI divisions and partners.

Schools not identified for Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, or Tier 3 Plus supports may access foundational supports provided through professional learning, toolkits, and other resources provided through various OSPI divisions and partners.

Regional School Improvement Networks:

In addition to resourcing identified schools, OSSI has built a regional infrastructure for continuous school improvement activities through Washington’s nine educational service districts (ESDs). The purpose of this regional infrastructure is to provide schools identified for supports with highly coordinated regional networks to support the development and implementation of continuous school improvement systems. ESDs assign a school improvement lead which coordinates efforts and provides data and auxiliary supports to schools and districts for the development and implementation of school improvement plans.

A.4. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF WORK

A.4.i. Objective:

Continuous Improvement Partners (Partners) are contractors who align with and extend OSSI’s strategy to create, implement and sustain networks and partnerships that leverage resources to create a coordinated improvement systems in districts with schools identified for improvement supports and build capacity for engagement in cycles of data inquiry that inform and guide ongoing continuous improvement within Washington state’s public K-12 education system. Partners provide direct services to districts with schools identified for support, in collaboration with OSSI, other divisions within OSPI, and educational service districts, to

RFQ No. 2025-26 Page 12 of 74 increase equitable supports and reduce opportunity gaps within continuous school improvement systems.

A.4.i. Scope of Work:

Partners apply expertise in K-12 public education, data inquiry and analysis, executive coaching, and systems-level change management, as they engage in the following activities:

• Partner with and provide technical assistance to assigned school districts serving a significant number of schools identified for support under the Washington School

Improvement Framework (WSIF).

o Conduct an annual review and provide feedback on the development and implementation of the LEA Consolidated Accountability Plan (L-CAP), and o Support the successful implementation of school improvement activities through alignment of the L-CAP and school improvement plans to reduce equity gaps and improve student academic and social emotional outcomes.

• Facilitate the development and implementation of continuous school improvement systems at the district and building levels which includes each of the essential elements of improvement identified by OSSI:

o Identification, provision, and growth of equitable supports within learning communities o Elevation of anti-racist practices o Development of strong leadership at all levels o Use of data inquiry / improvement science principles o Focus on improving core instructional practices o Implementation of multi-tiered systems of support

• Support continuous improvement by partnering with districts and schools identified for WSIF supports in Tier 3 and Tier 3 Plus to successfully develop, implement, evaluate, and revise high quality, actionable school improvement plans that elevate anti-racist practices in service to all students and particularly those student groups within their districts and schools furthest from educational justice. School improvement plans meeting these criteria and federal requirements are characterized by:

o Development in partnership with Stakeholders and informed by all indicators in the state’s accountability system, including student performance against long term goals.

o Prioritized needs identified through a data inquiry process and the school’s comprehensive needs assessment.

o Identification of resource inequities to be addressed in the plan.

o Development of specific, measurable, and attainable high-leverage goals that address specific gaps in achievement for student groups within the school building o Implementation of evidence-based interventions. Evidence Based

Interventions https://ospi.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/2024-03/evidence-based-practices-guidance-document.pdf https://ospi.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/2024-03/evidence-based-practices-guidance-document.pdf

RFQ No. 2025-26 Page 13 of 74 o Distributed and articulated roles and responsibilities for elements of the school improvement plan for regular progress monitoring and intentional cycles of inquiry.

o Ongoing data-informed adjustments to the plan.

o Planning for scale, spread, and sustainability of effective practices, behaviors, and systems.

o Approval by the school, LEA, and local school board. WAC 180-16-220 o Provide official review and feedback of School Improvement Plans at a minimum of three times a year – beginning, middle and end of year - to district personnel responsible for school improvement oversight and leadership teams for those buildings identified for Tier 3 and Tier 3 Plus supports as required in Washington state’s Every Student Succeeds Act plan.

• Develop capacity for district and school leaders to identify and grow conditions that support the implementation of continuous improvement systems in schools and districts.

• Collaborate and partner with improvement leads at ESDs and other Partners assigned to districts in the same region to build and sustain regional continual school improvement systems.

• Partner with OSSI staff as requested to provide content or strategy supports aligned with specific OSSI programming related to improving student outcomes as measured on the WSIF.

• Apply expert knowledge, skills and abilities relative to the implementation of continuous improvement systems: Continuous Improvement Frameworks; Data

Inquiry; Multi-Tiered System of Supports; Executive Coaching; Adult Learning;

Student/Family Engagement.

• Participate in assigned professional learning events, as requested by OSSI.

• Participate in regular OSSI-specified meetings, in collaboration with other partners, ESD leads, OSSI staff, and/or personnel from identified schools or districts.

• Participate in programmatic evaluation efforts led by OSSI staff as requested.

• Provide required documentation accurately summarizing the content and context of meetings with district and school leaders.

• Submit a performance summary for evaluation and additional performance information upon request by OSSI leadership.

OSPI is seeking multiple Partners and anticipates awarding approximately twenty-two

(22) contracts as a result of this procurement.

A.4.ii. Accessibility & Branding Requirements:

All documents, videos, audio records, presentations, or other deliverables required under the resulting Contract shall be produced in format, compliant with the Americans With Disabilities

Act and follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, OSPI’s formatting standard specified in Exhibit F – OSPI Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance: Graphics and Colors, https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=180-16-220 https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FWAI%2FWCAG20%2Fglance%2F&data=05%7C01%7CKyla.Moore%40k12.wa.us%7C4c53a335863c445d09bc08db3238b3f4%7Cb2fe5ccf10a546feae45a0267412af7a%7C0%7C0%7C638158991340595668%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=KNSDQlR7%2FYlBS7GoEYJjc1CAOiW9mrh2r%2FvibGbynCk%3D&reserved=0

RFQ No. 2025-26 Page 14 of 74

OSPI’s Brand Use Policy, OSPI’s Style Guide, and OSPI’s Videography Style Guide, which are hereby incorporated by this reference. For narrative or documentary style videos required under the Contract, the final product and all raw footage shall be mailed to the OSPI Communication and Digital Media office on a hard drive furnished by the contractor. In the event that the deliverables are not compliant, OSPI may require Contractor to promptly make modifications that will make the deliverables compliant. Additionally, OSPI shall have the right to modify or copy the deliverables in order to make them accessible and/or compliant.

A.5. BIDDER QUALIFICATIONS

This RFQ is open to individuals and organizations. Organizations wishing to apply must ensure the project team structure is clearly outlined with an organizational chart indicating lines of authority for all staff, personnel, and subcontractors, involved in performance of this potential contract (section C (2)(A)), and provide documentation and assurance that each person proposing to work in the capacity of a continuous improvement partner meets the minimum qualifications listed below.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Licensed to do business in the State of Washington. If not licensed, provide a written intent to become licensed in Washington within thirty (30) calendar days of being selected as the Apparent Successful Bidder.

• Master’s and/or doctorate degree in education or a related field.

• Proof of past or present K-12 teaching and/or administrative certification. A copy of past or present K-12 teaching and/or administrative certification is required.

• Ability to travel to and within the region of assignment, and to attend all required activities both virtually and in-person.

• At least five (5) years of experience working in an educational leadership role at the state, educational service district, district, or school level (including leadership coaching or development), the majority of which has occurred in the past seven years.

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite, especially Microsoft Word, Excel and

PowerPoint

• Proficiency using and facilitating virtual meeting programs, such as Zoom.

Consultants, including all staff, personnel, and/or subcontractors proposing to work as a continuous improvement partner, who do not meet these minimum qualifications will be rejected as non-responsive and will not receive further consideration. Any proposal that is rejected as non-responsive will not be evaluated or scored.

https://www.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/public/communications/pubdocs/Agency-Brand-Use-Policy.pdf https://www.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/public/communications/pubdocs/StyleGuide.pdf https://www.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/public/communications/pubdocs/OSPI-Videography-Guidelines.pdf

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Desirable Qualifications:

Highly qualified applicants will meet and demonstrate the following:

• Multi-year experience leading and/or coaching district and school leadership in systemic improvement processes (i.e., improvement and/or implementation science), specifically focused on initiatives involving anti-racism, closing equity gaps, and/or improving student outcomes in both social-emotional and academic contexts.

• Competence in interpreting and using student, school, district and state-level data to inform decisions and continuous school improvement efforts through data inquiry.

• Experience implementing research-informed multi-tiered systems of support to address student academic and non-academic needs at building and district levels.

• Demonstrated knowledge of K-12 learning standards, and formative, interim, and summative assessment delivery to measure student’s proficiency and growth to inform instructional practice and tiered supports.

• Demonstrated knowledge of school district structures, including but not limited to operations, teaching and learning, budgeting, collective bargaining agreements, and school improvement.

• Multi-year experience providing engaging and effective professional learning opportunities to large and small groups of educators, both in person and through virtual platforms (e.g. Zoom, Canvas, WebEx, etc.)

• Multi-year experience in the following areas:

o building inclusive education systems to close equity gaps for student groups identified in the WSIF;

o data use, visualization and modeling to inform equitable supports within continuous school improvement systems and school improvement plans;

o executive-level coaching; and o alternative or reengagement programs.

A.6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance of any contract resulting from this RFQ is tentatively scheduled to begin on or about August 1, 2025, and end on or about July 31, 2026. Amendments extending the period of performance, if any, shall be at the sole discretion of OSPI.

As such, OSPI reserves the right to amend to extend the contract for three (3) additional contract years through 2026-27, 2027-28 and 2028-29. Decision to amend shall be based on sustained satisfactory performance as decided by the Contract Manager, successful completion of project objectives, and availability of funding. If OSPI provides a renewal notice to the Contractor, the

Contractor shall be obligated to enter into a contract with the same fiscal obligations as the previous Contract year, provided that OSPI and Contractor shall negotiate any revision of additional services or goals beyond those encompassed in the previous Contract.

RFQ No. 2025-26 Page 16 of 74

Additional services that are appropriate to the scope of this RFQ, as determined by OSPI, may be added to the resulting contract by a written amendment mutually agreed to and executed by both parties.

A.7. FUNDING

The successful Contractors resulting from this RFQ will be compensated eighty-five dollars ($85) per hour for this work.

In addition to compensation for services, Contractors shall also be reimbursed for mileage, meals, lodging, and other travel-related expenses incurred within Washington State in accordance with Washington State travel regulations established by the Office of Financial

Management while conducting business under this contract and as directed by OSSI. Out-of-state consultants awarded a contract will be responsible for the cost of travel to Washington to fulfill the duties of their contract.

Total compensation will vary depending on the number of days Partners provide services to districts. Contracts will be offered with a suggested minimum one hundred eighty (180) and maximum of two hundred twenty (220) days of service delivery for the 2025-26 contract period.

Any contract awarded as a result of this procurement is contingent upon the availability of funding.

One hundred percent (100%) of the funds for the payment of this Contract are provided by state dollars.

A.8. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

OSPI complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Consultants may contact the RFQ

Coordinator to receive this RFQ in an alternative format.

http://www.ofm.wa.gov/policy/10.htm

RFQ No. 2025-26 Page 17 of 74

Section B. GENERAL INFORMATION FOR BIDDERS

This section describes the procurement timeline and includes useful information for Bidders such as procurement procedure and state requirements.

B.1. RFQ COORDINATOR

The RFQ Coordinator is the sole point of contact in OSPI for this procurement. All communication between the Consultant and OSPI upon receipt of this RFQ shall be with the

RFQ Coordinator, as follows:

Contact Information

Name: Kyla Moore

Address:

600 Washington Street South

PO Box 47200

Olympia, WA 98504-7200

Email Address: contracts@k12.wa.us

B.2. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Any questions or communications concerning this RFQ must be directed only to the RFQ

Coordinator noted in Section B.1. Questions and/or inquiries must be sent via email and should include the RFQ number. Consultants are to rely on written statements issued by the RFQ

Coordinator. Communication directed to parties other than the RFQ Coordinator will be considered unofficial and non-binding on OSPI, and may result in disqualification of the

Consultant. Answers or other applicable addenda will be posted to OSPI and WEBS in accordance with the schedule in Section B.3.

Bidders are encouraged to make any inquiry regarding the Competitive Solicitation as early in the process as possible to allow OSPI to consider and, if warranted, respond to the inquiry. If a

Bidder does not notify the Procurement Coordinator of an issue, exception, addition, or omission, such matter may be considered to be waived by the bidder for protest purposes.

mailto:contracts@k12.wa.us

RFQ No. 2025-26 Page 18 of 74

B.3. ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES

Action Date

OSPI issues RFQ March 13, 2025

Question and Answer period

Q&A will be updated as needed throughout the RFQ posting period.

March 13, 2025, until RFQ is filled or closes September 30, 2025

OSPI hosts Pre-bid Conference Webinar 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. PT, March 27, OSPI posts Question and Answer Addendum or

Amendment resulting from Pre-Bid Conference (if necessary)

March 27, 2025

Last date for questions regarding RFQ September 15, 2025*

Complaints due April 4, 2025

OSPI posts final Question and Answer Addendum or

Amendment (if necessary) September 17, 2025*

Proposals due to be considered for initial round of evaluation and contract start date of August 1, 2025 3:00 p.m. PT, April 7, 2025

OSPI conducts evaluation of initial round of written proposals

As received through April 18, 2025

(or as proposals are received after initial screening)

OSPI conducts oral interviews with initial round finalists

As received, through May 8, 2025

(or as proposals pass written evaluation cut scores)

OSPI announces “Apparent Successful Bidders” and sends notification to unsuccessful Bidder(s)

May 15, 2025

(or as proposals are received and evaluated after initial screening)

OSPI conducts debriefing conferences (if requested) As requested, per debriefing instructions

Contract negotiation begins

May 15, 2025

(or as proposals are awarded after initial screening)

Anticipated contract start date August 1, 2025

Final due date for proposals 3:00 p.m. PT, September 30, 2025*

OSPI reserves the right to revise the above schedule.

*Dates subject to change at whatever point all positions are filled

RFQ No. 2025-26 Page 19 of 74

B.4. PRE-BID CONFERENCE

A pre-bid conference is scheduled to be held on March 27, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. PT. The pre-bid conference will be held virtually on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89292025608

All prospective Consultants should attend; however, attendance is not mandatory. Written questions may be submitted in advance to the RFQ Coordinator. OSPI shall be bound only to written answers to questions. Any oral responses given at the pre-bid conference shall be considered unofficial until OSPI releases a written copy of the questions and answers from the pre-bid conference. A copy of the questions and answers in the form of an Addendum will be published on the OSPI website and released on WEBS under the commodity code(s) listed on the cover page of this RFP within five (5) business days of the pre-bid conference.

Assistance for disabled, blind, or hearing-impaired persons who wish to attend the pre-bid conference is available with prior arrangement by contacting the Procurement Coordinator.

OSPI has the right to cancel or stop the pre-bid conference if no interested bidders join within thirty (30) minutes of the start.

B.5. COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

The complaint process is available to Consultants interested in this RFQ. The complaint process allows Consultants to focus on the Solicitation requirements and evaluation process and raise issues with these processes early enough in the process to allow OSPI to correct a problem before proposals are submitted and time expended on evaluations.

A Consultant may submit a complaint based on any of the following:

• The Solicitation unnecessarily restricts competition;

• The Solicitation evaluation or scoring process is unfair or flawed; or

• The Solicitation requirements are inadequate or insufficient to prepare a proposal.

Consultants may submit complaints up to five (5) business days prior to the proposal due date noted in the Estimated Schedule of Procurement Activities. However, Consultants are encouraged to submit complaints as soon as possible so OSPI can rectify the issue(s) early in the process. Complaints must be submitted to the RFQ Coordinator. In order to be considered a valid complaint, the complaint must meet the following requirements:

• Must be in writing.

• Should clearly articulate the basis for the complaint.

• Should include a proposed remedy.

Complaints not received by the deadline noted in the Estimated Schedule of Procurement

Activities will not be reviewed by OSPI. Failure by the Bidder to raise a complaint at this stage may waive its right for later consideration.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89292025608 https://www.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/contracting-ospi/competitive-procurements

RFQ No. 2025-26 Page 20 of 74

The OSPI Contracts Administrator or an employee delegated by the Contracts Administrator will review valid complaints and respond to the submitter in writing. OSPI will consider all complaints but is not required to adopt a complaint, in part or in full. OSPI’s response to the complaint is final and not subject to administrative appeal. The response, and any changes to the RFQ, will be posted as an amendment to WEBS prior to the proposal due date. Any complaint addressed during the complaint process cannot be raised during the protest process.

B.6. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION/PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

Your entire response to this RFQ is a public record and will be disclosed consistent with the

Public Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW. Bid submissions and evaluations are temporarily exempt from public disclosure until announcement of the ASB(s).

B.8.i. CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS

For the purposes of this RFQ, do not include confidential or proprietary information unless specifically requested by OSPI.

If OSPI requests confidential or proprietary information, you must clearly print the word

“Confidential” on the lower right-hand corner of each page containing the confidential or proprietary information.

B.8.ii. PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS

If a public records request seeks your proposal and the proposal contains pages clearly marked “Confidential”, OSPI will take the following steps:

i. We will notify you. We will identify the requestor and the date that OSPI will disclose the requested records.

ii. We will give you an opportunity to seek a court order to stop OSPI from disclosing the records.

iii. We will not evaluate or defend your claim of confidentiality. We will not withhold or redact your documents without a court order.

If you have any questions, refer to the OSPI Public Records Office.

B.7. ADDENDUMS AND AMENDMENTS TO THE RFQ

In the event it becomes necessary to revise any part of this RFQ, an addendum or an amendment will be published on the OSPI website. For this purpose, the published Consultant questions and Agency answers, and any other pertinent information, shall be considered an addendum to the RFQ. Additionally, all addenda referred to above will be released on WEBS under the commodity code(s) listed on the cover page of this RFQ. Only consultants who have properly registered in WEBS will receive automatic notification of amendments or other correspondence http://www.k12.wa.us/publicrecordsrequest/

RFQ No. 2025-26 Page 21 of 74 pertaining to this RFQ. For those not registered in WEBS, it will be the responsibility of interested

Consultants to check the website periodically for addenda and amendments to the RFQ.

B.8. SMALL BUSINESS, MINORITY & WOMEN’S BUSINESS ENTERPRISES

(MWBE), AND VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS PARTICIPATION

In accordance with the legislative findings and policies set forth in chapter 39.19 RCW, the State of Washington encourages participation in all of its contracts by firms certified by the Office of

Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE). Participation may be either on a direct basis in response to this RFQ or on a subcontractor basis. For more information on certification, contact the Washington Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises. However, no preference points will be included in the evaluation of proposals, no minimum level of MWBE participation shall be required as a condition for receiving an award, and proposals will not be rejected or considered non-responsive on that basis.

43.60A.200 encourages the participation of Veteran and Service Member Owned Businesses certified by the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs RCW 43.60A.195. For more information on certification, contact Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs.

Additionally, per Department of Enterprise policy, agencies are encouraged to buy from in-state small business, including microbusinesses and minibusinesses.

Vendors who meet criteria set forth in chapter 39.19 RCW, should indicate status on the Contract

Intake Form.

B.9. ETHICS, POLICIES, & LAW

This RFQ, the evaluation of proposals, and any resulting contract shall be made in conformance with applicable Washington State laws and Policies.

Specific restrictions apply to contracting with current or former state employees pursuant to

RCW 42.52. Bidders should familiarize themselves with the requirements prior to submitting a proposal. Bidders shall indicate on their Contract Intake Form any current or former state employees who are employed by, or subcontracted with, Bidder.

B.10. ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

Proposals must provide ninety (90) business days for acceptance by OSPI from the due date for receipt of proposals. OSPI may accept such bid, with or without further negotiation, at any time within such period.

https://des.wa.gov/services/contracting-purchasing/doing-business-state/webs-registration-search-tips http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=39.19 http://omwbe.wa.gov/ http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=43.60A.195 https://www.dva.wa.gov/veterans-their-families/veteran-owned-businesses http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=39.19

RFQ No. 2025-26 Page 22 of 74

B.11. RESPONSIVENESS

All proposals will be reviewed by the RFQ Coordinator to determine compliance with administrative and minimum requirements and instructions specified in this RFQ, i.e., does the bid include each of the required bid submittals, are the submittals complete, signed, and legible.

OSPI may…