Solicitation+Amendement+3.pdf

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SOLICITATION AMENDMENT

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Solicitation Amendment Reviewed 6/2022

Amendment #3

10/9/2025

Solicitation Number: VCSU-2025-0015-AA Title: North Dakota Network for Personalized Learning Deadline for Receipt of Bids: October 15, 2025 at 2:00pm Solicitation Issue Date: October 1, 2025

Option 2- Respond to questions or requests for clarification. It is recommended that you organize questions received in the order of the solicitation sections.

Section 1, Subsection 1.10 Questions and Clarifications established a Deadline for Submission of Questions and Requests for Clarification. The responses, including any necessary amendments, are as follows:

Questions related to Section Insert name of document and # and Title of Section or Subsection

1. Question: Is there a target or maximum budget range that has been allocated for this work? We want to ensure our proposal aligns with your expectations.

Response: This question was clarified through Solicitation Amendment #2 – Section 2, Subsection 2.3 was added to the RFP.

No amendment necessary.

2. Question: Given that organizations can submit proposals for individual deliverables, full categories, or across multiple categories, how will you evaluate and compare budgets across such varied scopes of work?

Response: This question was clarified through Solicitation Amendment #2. Section 10 of the RFP was amended.

3. Question: Does it make sense for us to include AI-related approaches in this proposal or not?

Response: This question was clarified through Solicitation Amendment #2. Section 9, Subsection 9.4 of the RFP was amended to include requirements for Innovation & Impact, which includes a statement on innovative resources and technologies as they relate to the offerors proposal.

4. Question: The RFP indicates the scope of work covers 2025–2027, but the initial contract is only Nov

1, 2025 – June 30, 2026. Should offerors propose for the full scope or only through June 2026?

Response: Offerors may choose their approach. Consistent with procurement guidelines, VCSU can only contract for the period beginning November 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Proposals may (a) include a comprehensive multi-year plan and budget that demonstrates responsiveness to the broader 2025–2027 scope, but also need to be itemized and focus on deliverables achievable within the initial contract term. Proposals will be evaluated on the clarity and feasibility of deliverables through June 30, 2026, with the option for VCSU to reissue proposals beginning July 1, 2026 to assess ongoing needs and goals.

Valley City State University

Reviewed 6/2022

5. Question: Section 3.2 – should the contractor include a timeline for 2025–2027 or only those deliverables through June 30, 2026?

Response: Proposals must include a timeline that clearly identifies deliverables through June 30, 2026, in alignment with the initial contract term. Offerors may include a broader timeline through 2027 for context and continuity, but evaluation will focus on the November 2025–June 2026 period.

6. Question: Research requirements – is evaluation still expected?

Response: Yes. Research and Analytics remain integral to the Scope of Work. Offerors must describe how they will support VCSU’s role as intermediary by conducting statistical analysis, focus group research, and literature reviews, and by translating findings into actionable recommendations for state and district practices. These expectations are detailed in Section 3, Subsection 3.2 (Research and Analytics).

7. Question: Submission method – email vs. SPO Online vs. mail?

Response: Proposals may be submitted by mail, in person, or electronically through the State Procurement Office Online (SPO Online) system as outlined in Section 9.2 of the RFP. The reference in the cover letter to email submission was in error; email is not an approved submission method. The official methods are SPO Online or mail/delivery to the Procurement Officer (Jessica Gortmaker).

Amendment: Cover Letter is amended as follows: Paragraph 4, the word “email” is removed.

See above response for submittal instructions.

8. Question: Is the $240,000 budget for 2025–2027 or for the Nov 2025–June 2026 contract?

Response: The $240,000 budget applies to the initial contract period (November 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). Allocation of funds across categories (Vision/System Shifts, Leadership, Teaching & Learning, Partnerships, and Policy) will be determined at VCSU’s discretion, based on proposals received.

9. Question: Is there a budget template or required level of detail?

Response: No required template is provided. Offerors are encouraged to submit a detailed and descriptive cost proposal (see Section 9.5) that includes itemization such as direct and indirect costs, travel, hours, and overhead. VCSU intentionally left the format open to allow offerors to demonstrate authenticity, flexibility, and alignment with proposed deliverables.

10. Question: Will the vendor presentations (week of October 20) be in person or virtual? How much notice will be given?

Response: Presentations will be scheduled at the discretion of VCSU, and can be conducted virtually.

Please see Section 10, Subsection 10.8 for additional information. If VCSU determines presentations are necessary, selected vendors will receive advance notice and instructions from VCSU regarding format and expectations.

11. Question: How many districts will participate in the initiative and evaluation?

Response: Participation will depend on the number of districts that can be recruited during the contract period. Offerors should describe strategies for supporting variable levels of participation.

12. Question: How many educators/leaders/others are expected to participate in coaching and learning opportunities?

Response: Numbers will be determined by recruitment. Offerors should provide scalable models for engaging educators, leaders, and stakeholders at multiple levels.

Valley City State University

Reviewed 6/2022

13. Question: Should evaluation focus on implementation of inputs or initiative outcomes?

Response: Both. Evaluation should address both the efficacy of professional learning and other inputs, as well as outcomes of the initiative. Offerors should propose approaches that balance implementation measures with outcome analysis.

14. Question: Is there a theory of action for the new phase (similar to WestEd 2024)?

Response: VCSU has not established a formal updated theory of action at this time. Offerors are encouraged to reference the Intermediary Contract and Success Criteria (Attachment D) as guiding documents and propose how their own frameworks, logic models, or theory-of-action approaches could be applied to support implementation, evaluation, and scaling of the initiative.

15. Question: Across what grade levels will the initiative be implemented?

Response: The initiative applies to PK–20 learners and educators statewide.

16. Question: Can the vendor presentations starting on October 20th be conducted virtually?

Response: Presentations will be scheduled at the discretion of VCSU, and can be conducted virtually.

Please see Section 10, Subsection 10.8 for additional information. If VCSU determines presentations are necessary, selected vendors will receive advance notice and instructions from VCSU regarding format and expectations.

17. Question: Are client reference letters required for submission?

Response: client See Section 9, Subsection 9.4, Experience and Qualifications - References. “Provide three (3) reference letters from clients for whom similar work was completed. The reference letter must include the name of a contact person, address, email, and telephone number.

VCSU may contact references provided for verification and to obtain additional information. Evaluation may be impacted if VCSU is unable to contact the reference or the reference does not provide the requested information timely.”

Bidders are instructed to acknowledge receipt of and compliance with this amendment by acknowledgment in the RFP (Section 1, Subsection 1.10 and Section 9, Subsection 9.4).

Questions regarding this amendment must be submitted in writing to the Procurement Officer.

Jessica Gortmaker Procurement Officer Email: jessica.gortmaker@vcsu.edu

Amendment #3