High Desert Education Service District Request for Quote

Statewide STEM Education Plan Implementation Support Contractor

Issued by High Desert Education Service District (HDESD) - Central Oregon STEM Hub

Project contact Tracy Willson-Scott, CO STEM Hub Coordinator, tracy.willson-scott@hdesd.org; 541-693-5775

Geography 13 STEM Hubs across the State of Oregon

Maximum Available Budget

$100,000.00

Proposals due November 20, 2026 by 5:00 PM Pacific Time

Submit PDF Proposal to

Tracy Willson-Scott: tracy.willson-scott@hdesd.org

Subject Line: “Statewide STEM Education Plan Implementation Project –[Firm Name].”

mailto:tracy.willson-scott@hdesd.org

1. Project Purpose & Summary

The High Desert Education Service District, in partnership with the STEM Hub Network, seeks a contractor to execute an accelerated 6-Month Foundation Phase to jumpstart implementation of the 2026-2032 Oregon STEM Education Plan. The Oregon STEM Investment Council, the Oregon Department of Education, and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission released Oregon's 2026-2032 STEM Education Plan in September 2026. Developed through collaboration with educators, STEM Hub leaders, industry representatives, higher education partners, community organizations, and state agencies, the plan provides a shared vision for strengthening STEM education statewide.

This condensed scope prioritizes establishing essential statewide governance, launching regular STEM Hub network facilitation, drafting the foundational shared measurement framework, and producing the initial 5-year implementation roadmap.

2. Core Contractor Tasks & Scope of Work

Task 1: Statewide Implementation Roadmap & Framework

● Develop the initial 5-Year Statewide Implementation Roadmap to operationalize core STEM Education Plan goals, milestones, and work sequencing.

● Draft foundational implementation templates and operational guidance documents for ODE and regional partners.

Task 2: Facilitation of Monthly STEM Hub Network Implementation

● Plan and facilitate monthly implementation meetings with STEM Hub Directors statewide.

● Attend and participate in Oregon STEM Investment Council quarterly meetings, presenting progress on the implementation plan.

● Establish regular cross-Hub communication channels and launch the initial Communities of Practice.

Task 3: Draft Shared Measurement Framework

● Collaborate with Oregon Department of Education (ODE), Higher Education Coordinating Committee (HECC), and other key partners to draft a statewide Shared Measurement Framework.

● Identify primary indicators aligned with STEM Education Plan goals to prepare Hubs for future data collection.

Task 4: Communication and Partner Engagement

● Create early messaging materials and a streamlined Communications Plan targeting

K-12, postsecondary, workforce, and tribal partners.

● Support STEM Hub leaders in parlaying information to various stakeholders and partners.

https://www.oregon.gov/ode/educator-resources/standards/STEM/Documents/STEM%20Education%20Plan-1.pdf

3. Required 6-Month Deliverables

Deliverable ID Deliverable Description Target Schedule

D0.1 Statewide 5-Year STEM Education Plan Implementation Roadmap (Initial Draft)

Month 1

D0.2 Draft Shared Measurement Framework & Primary Indicators

Month 2

D0.3 STEM Hub Network Facilitation Records & Meeting Summaries

Monthly (Months 1-6)

D0.4 Statewide STEM Communications Plan & Outreach Materials

Month 4

D0.5 Mid-Year Progress & Phase 2 Transition Report

Month 6

4. Definition of Success

HDESD will consider this project successful if, at close of this initial contract, the following are true:

● The STEM Hub Network can accurately identify the core primary indicators that need to be measured. A Shared Measurement Framework is documented and approved for data architecture setup.

● Each STEM Hub has the tools necessary to accurately communicate the STEM Education Plan to their community.

● There is a clear, actionable framework for what should be delivered regionally versus statewide, prioritizing local STEM Hub needs.

● Local partners in each STEM Hub recognize the value of the STEM Education Plan and support the work the regional STEM Hubs provide, as depicted in follow-up interviews and surveys

● STEM Hub Directors are actively participating in structured monthly implementation meetings.

● A clear, 5-Year Implementation Roadmap aligned to the 2026-2032 STEM Education

Plan finalized and ODE-approved.

● Included above.

● A clear baseline assessment of Hub capacity and professional learning needs is established.

Minimum Qualifications & Performance Outcomes Required Contractor Qualifications

● Demonstrated experience facilitating statewide/regional education networks and collective impact organizations.

● Strong expertise in STEM education ecosystems, shared measurement design, and continuous improvement methods.

● Familiarity with Oregon's K-12, postsecondary, workforce, and regional STEM Hub landscape.

● Ability to synthesize and build on existing research and planning work rather than restart it.

● Excellent written communication, with reports that are clear, practical, and accessible to a broad range of partners

● Ability to work with a team on a timeline to deliver on schedule.

● Familiarity with Oregon is preferred. Familiarity with working in urban and rural counties is preferred. Willingness and budgeted capacity to be physically present is preferred.

Proposal Requirements

Proposals may not exceed 12 pages, excluding resumes, work samples-include as a link or in LinkedIn profile, and references. Please send links to work samples and resumes. Submit one PDF containing the following:

1. Cover letter

○ Brief statement of interest and understanding of the project.

2. Qualifications

○ Firm or team overview, including relevant experience, team members, and resumes (resumes excluded from page limit).

○ One to three examples of comparable work.

○ Three client references, preferably public agencies or nonprofits, including contact information.

3. Proposed Methods - Organize your response around the seven tasks in Section 3. For each task, describe:

○ Your proposed approach and methods

○ Why your approach is appropriate

○ How it will achieve the required deliverables

4. Engagement Strategy - Describe your approach to identifying and engaging various partners including: K-12, postsecondary, workforce development, and other community members.

5. Project Management and Budget

○ Project schedule with key milestones

○ Meeting cadence with ODE staff and STEM Hub directors

○ Meeting cadence with High Desert Education Service District staff

6. Hourly rates, estimated hours by task, travel costs, and proposed invoicing schedule

7. AI Disclosure

○ If proposing the use of AI tools, identify the tools, describe how they will be used, and address the requirements outlined in Section 3.

Procurement and Contract Timeline

All dates below are drafts pending final approval from ODE

Date Milestone

October 19, 2026 RFQ Issued

November 2, 2026 Written questions due to Tracy Willson-Scott:

tracy.willson-scott@hdesd.org

November 6, 2026 Answers issued to all known recipients

November 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM PT Proposals due - late proposals will not be considered

December 4, 2026 Interviews, at HDESD’s discretion

December 7, 2026 Selection and notification

Within two weeks of selection and notification Contract execution and desired start

March 31, 2027 Draft implementation plan and roadmap

June 30, 2027 All deliverables complete

Maximum Contract Amount

The maximum contract amount for this solicitation is $100,000.00. Proposals must include all project costs, including consultant fees, travel, mileage, materials, and other expenses, within the not-to-exceed amount.

HDESD may negotiate the final scope, deliverables, and budget prior to contract execution, but the final contract amount will not exceed $100,000.00.

Funding is provided through the STEM Network Development Funds through the Oregon Department of Education. The selected contract will support HDESD’s required grant reporting, including participation and outcome data.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be scored out of 100 points. HDESD may, at its discretion, invite shortlisted respondents to interview; interviews inform but do not replace the scoring below.

Criterion What is evaluated Points

Technical qualifications

Demonstrated technical merit, feasibility, clarity of work samples and understanding of organizational needs.

Approach to methods and outreach Concrete, credible method for each of the seven tasks in Section 3.

Quality of proposed instruments and segmentation approach

Scope of work proposal and deliverables

Completeness against Section 3 and 4; quality of work samples; strength of the urban and rural delivery approach(s); realism of the schedule

Cost and value Reasonableness of hourly rates and hour estimates; value delivered relative to cost; budget within or close to the not-to-exceed amount

Professional capacity Communication, organization, attention to detail; facilitation strength; demonstrated ability to deliver on a timeline

Submission Instructions and General Conditions

● Submit one PDF via email to tracy.willson-scott@hdesd.org by the stated deadline.

Subject line: “Statewide STEM Education Plan Implementation Project –[Firm Name].”

Responses received after the deadline will not be considered.

● Direct all questions in writing to the project contact. Do not contact advisory committee members, HDESD staff, or partner organizations regarding this solicitation.

● HDESD reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to request clarifications, and to negotiate the final scope and budget with the selected contractor.

● HDESD is not liable for any costs incurred in preparing a response.

● All data, instruments, analysis, and reports produced under this contract are the property of High Desert ESD and High Desert ESD grants ODE irrevocable, non-exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free license to use, to reproduce, to prepare derivative works based upon, to distribute, to perform and to display the Work Products, to authorize others to do the same on ODEs and High Desert ESD’s behalf, and to sublicense the Work Product to other entities without restriction. The contractor may reference the Work Products as a work sample with HDESD’s written approval.

High Desert Education Service District

Procurement and Contract Timeline

Maximum Contract Amount