30 E. Broad Street, Suite 2487 Columbus, Ohio 43215 Serve.ohio.gov

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Ohio Commission on Service and Volunteerism AmeriCorps Program Evaluation Training and Technical Assistance

OVERVIEW

ServeOhio seeks an evaluation consultant to build ServeOhio’s staff capacity in AmeriCorps’ Evidence Framework, strengthen processes for supporting subgrantees in their evaluation and evidence-building journeys, provide direct technical assistance to subgrantees, and deliver evaluation-focused training for program directors. All expenses, including travel to Columbus, Ohio for ServeOhio’s Winter Program Director meeting (1/28/27) – must be included in the proposal.

All materials developed, including instruments, reports, and visuals, shall be the exclusive property of ServeOhio and may not be used by or disseminated to others without the expressed consent of ServeOhio.

Implementation dates: October 15, 2026 to no later than May 31, 2027

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The successful evaluation consultant will develop and conduct evaluation activities for ServeOhio and our Ohio AmeriCorps subgrantees. Such services shall include, but are not limited to:

1. Assist ServeOhio staff with developing a comprehensive AmeriCorps-aligned evaluation support strategy that includes:

• Building staff knowledge and capacity to assign and validate Evidence Tiers according to the AmeriCorps Agency’s Evidence Framework.

• Designing processes for monitoring, coaching, and documenting subgrantee progress along their evidence-building journey.

• Ensuring all approaches align with ServeOhio’s organizational capacity and AmeriCorps federal requirements.

2. Provide targeted capacity-building for ServeOhio staff through collaborative working sessions focused on:

• Understanding and consistently applying Evidence Tier criteria.

• Reviewing and refining systems for tracking subgrantee evaluation activities, data quality, and evidence-building milestones.

• Developing tools, templates, and guidance documents that ServeOhio can use in ongoing support of programs.

3. Deliver 1:1 technical assistance to up to 10 Ohio AmeriCorps subgrantees, including:

• Support with evaluation planning, logic model refinement, study design, and data collection methods.

• Guidance on selecting or improving instruments, ensuring data quality, and building toward higher Evidence Tiers.

• Customized coaching that reflects each subgrantee’s evaluation capacity and project requirements.

4. Present a 2-3 hour session at ServeOhio’s Winter Program Director Meeting on January 28, 2027 in Columbus, Ohio focused on:

• Practical data collection strategies and evaluation planning best practices.

• Understanding AmeriCorps Evidence Tiers and how programs can strengthen their evidence over time.

• Tools and approaches programs can apply immediately within their current grant cycle.

BACKGROUND

About ServeOhio ServeOhio, Ohio’s Governor-appointed commission on service and volunteerism, strengthens Ohio communities through AmeriCorps and volunteer engagement. Through programs and initiatives funded and supported by ServeOhio, thousands of Ohioans of all ages engage in and are recognized for their service. Interested participants may learn more about ServeOhio at serve.ohio.gov.

About AmeriCorps AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 185,000 AmeriCorps Volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

AmeriCorps Evaluation Requirements and Resources AmeriCorps has certain requirements for evaluations of AmeriCorps grantees. Information on these requirements, as well as resources that AmeriCorps has developed for AmeriCorps grantees, are available at the link below.

https://www.americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/evaluation-resources

REQUIREMENTS

The evaluation consultant must demonstrate expertise in the following:

1. Expertise in performance measurement, logic model development, qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods, and data collection strategies;

2. Experience in designing measurement systems that are cost effective yet valid and reliable which can be continued after the contract ends:

3. Experience in collaboratively developing measurement tools and approaches and synthesizing various interests and perspectives, preferably within a state or federal agency; and

4. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with clients.

PROPOSAL SPECIFICATIONS

Your proposal should include:

1. A summary of your experience and capabilities related to performance measurement and evaluation;

2. Three references and a list of previous clients;

3. A statement of work for conducting the activities outlined in this RFP; and

4. A proposed budget (not to exceed $49,500) and timeline for planning and conducting the work specified in this proposal.

Proposals will be reviewed by ServeOhio staff. ServeOhio will consider all information provided in the proposal and may consider relevant information from other sources. The proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria (not in order of priority): cost effectiveness; completeness of proposal submission and details of work plan; past performance of work that is identical or similar to the scope of services identified; experience that demonstrates, to the expertise and ability of the evaluation consultant to provide the specified deliverables; and the capacity of the evaluation consultant to complete the responsibilities described within the required timeframe. ServeOhio reserves the right to conduct interviews of potential evaluation consultants.

https://serve.ohio.gov/ https://americorps.gov/ https://www.americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/evaluation-resources