S4054 Scope of Work and Cost Instructions.docx

Scope of Work and Rate Instructions

Scope of Work A. Agency Background

1. The Nevada State Public Charter School Authority (SPCSA) is an independent state agency responsible for authorizing, overseeing, and supporting Nevada’s public charter schools.

2. In addition to serving as the state’s largest charter school authorizer, the SPCSA also functions as a Local Education Agency (LEA), accepting and passing through federal and state funding, for more than 90 charter school campuses serving approximately 70,000 students statewide.

3. The SPCSA currently operates through four primary functional teams: Finance and Operations, Authorizing, School Support, and Oversight and Monitoring, and each team is comprised of multiple units.

B. Project Purpose

1. To evaluate agency practices as a charter school authorizer against the nationally recognized Principles & Standards for Quality Charter School Authorizing and submit reports identifying the SPCSA’s ratings, areas of strength, areas to improve, and suggestions for improvement actions.

2. Include comparative information on the SPCSA’s ratings compared to other authorizers to provide context and benchmarking.

C. Project Background

1. Over the past decade, the SPCSA has experienced significant growth in the size of its charter school portfolio, the number of teams under its umbrella, and the scope of its responsibilities. As a result of this growth, authorizing activities have increased substantially. A recent audit conducted by the Legislative Counsel Bureau identified areas of need.

2. The SPCSA’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan identifies excellence through improvement as a core value, defining this as establishing clear, high expectations, constantly seek growth for ourselves, and fostering improvement for our schools.

D. Project Goals

1. Identify targeted areas to improve.

2. Identify specific areas of strength.

3. Gain an understanding of how the SPCSA’s performance compares to other authorizers.

E. Budget Information

1. The total not-to-exceed amount for this project is $38,000.

F. Project Timeline

1. The project must be completed by June 30, 2027. Earlier completion is ideal, and vendors should include a timeline in their proposal. Additional evaluations may be requested throughout the duration of the contract with amendments agreed upon to add scope and authority.

G. Ideal Proposals

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the charter school landscape in Nevada.

2. Demonstrate, with examples and data, the vendor’s ability to provide sustainable, scalable solutions that consider the realities of the organization and stakeholders and can be readily implemented and maintained over time.

3. Maximize available funding by providing services, templates, resources, or additional features above and beyond the requirements of this Scope of Work.

H. Project Requirements

1. Conduct thorough research and assess the agency's current practices in accordance with the Principles & Standards for Quality Charter School Authorizing. This includes reviewing the LCB audit report.

2. Identify strengths, gaps, challenges, redundancies, inefficiencies, and related areas of opportunity.

3. Provide contextual ratings demonstrating how the SPCSA compares to other evaluated authorizers.

4. Provide practical and actionable recommendations to support targeted improvements.

I. Presentations

1. The agency may request vendors present or participate in a question/answer period.

2. Vendors will be provided sufficient time to prepare.

J. Deliverables

1. Evaluation, reports, and recommendations focusing on the following areas:

a. Agency Commitment & Capacity

i. Planning & Commitment to Excellence

ii. Human Resources

iii. Financial Resources

b. Application Process & Decision Making

i. Proposal information, questions, and guidance

ii. Fair, transparent, quality-focused procedures

iii. Rigorous Approval Criteria

iv. Rigorous Decision Making

c. Performance Contracting

i. Contract term, negotiations, and execution

ii. Rights & Responsibilities

iii. Performance Standards

d. Ongoing Oversight & Evaluation

i. Ready to Open

ii. Performance Evaluation and Compliance Monitoring

iii. Respecting School Autonomy

iv. Protecting Student Rights

v. Intervention

e. Revocation & Renewal Decision Making

i. Revocation

ii. Cumulative Report & Renewal Application

iii. Fair, transparent process

iv. Renewal decisions based on merit and inclusive evidence

v. Closure

K. Required Vendor Qualifications

1. Knowledge of the Principles & Standards for Quality Charter School Authorizing.

2. Experience applying the Principles & Standards for Quality Charter School Authorizing to evaluating charter school authorizers and providing impactful and actionable recommendations for improvement.

3. Demonstrated understanding of the charter school landscape in Nevada.

4. Experience working with Nevada state agencies.

L. Response Guidance

1. Cover Letter

a. Brief introduction of the firm and interest in the project.

b. Primary contact information.

2. Firm Qualifications and Experience

a. Overview of the organization and its services.

b. Relevant experience.

c. Experience working with public agencies, educational organizations, local education agencies (LEAs), charter school authorizers, or other governmental entities.

d. Description of similar projects completed within the last five years.

3. Project Team

a. Identification of the project lead and key personnel.

b. Description of each team member's role and relevant experience.

c. Resumes or biographies of key personnel.

4. Project Understanding and Approach

a. Demonstrated understanding of the SPCSA's needs and project goals.

b. Proposed approach for conducting the assessment.

c. Approach to developing deliverables.

5. Work Plan and Timeline

a. Detailed project work plan.

b. Major tasks, milestones, and deliverables.

c. Proposed project timeline, including anticipated completion dates.

6. Deliverables

a. Description of all proposed deliverables.

b. Examples of final products or reports, if available.

7. Project Budget

a. Detailed budget and cost proposal.

b. Hourly rates for project personnel, if applicable.

c. Description of all anticipated expenses.

d. Total not-to-exceed project cost.

8. Additional Information

a. Any value-added services, tools, templates, or resources that would benefit the SPCSA.

b. Description of any assumptions, limitations, or requirements necessary for successful project completion.

Cost Schedule This is a deliverable-based contract where payment is made based on fixed costs per deliverable. Payment will be made after the completion of the deliverable and agency acceptance of the deliverable. The SPCSA is open to making payments upon submission and acceptance of sub-deliverables. The Cost Schedule should be submitted as a separate document.

S4054