VT AOE Seal of Global Leadership RFP Q&A 10-19-26.pdf

LEADERSHIP | SUPPORT | OVERSIGHT

(802) 828-1130 | education.vermont.gov

Issue Date: October 19, 2026

Contact: Meg Porcella, AOE.CPTeam@vermont.gov

RFP Questions and Responses Vermont Seal of Global Leadership

Funding and award structure

Q. Can VT AOE share the available budget for this scope of work?

A. Although we are unable to share the available budget, the project is funded by a significant multi-year congressional appropriation.

Q. What is the total budget, or a not-to-exceed amount, for the vendor contract? Does it include scholarship funds and seal purchase costs?

A. We are unable to share a total budget or a not-to-exceed amount. The proposal should include the scholarship fund, and the seal purchase costs for the duration of the agreement.

Q. What is the total funding available for this project, and is there an anticipated range or maximum for the contract(s) arising from this RFP?

A. Although we are unable to share the available budget, the project is funded by a significant multi-year congressional appropriation.

Q. Section 1.6. The RFP states funding is 'one-time' from a Congressional Community Project grant, but the contract period is 5 years (through 2032). What is the total budget allocation, how is it distributed across the 5-year period, and what sustainability funding or mechanisms are expected after Year 2?

A. Bidders should propose a budget based on what they calculate the cost to carry out the scope of work and identify in their budget how their cost estimate is developed. This project will be funded through the grant.

Q. Are bidders permitted to propose as a team, with one prime contractor and named subcontractors covering specific goal areas?

A. Yes. This is fine.

Q. May bidders intentionally propose to perform selected goal areas or workstreams rather than the complete scope? If multiple vendors are awarded different components, does AOE anticipate coordinating the work directly across those selected?

A. Bidders may submit a bid for selected goal areas. The coordination will depend on the bid review process. The agency would prefer bidders who submit on behalf of a team that is able to complete all deliverables.

Q. Section 1.1: The RFP references 'one or more companies' being awarded contracts. What is the anticipated number of vendors, and will separate

VT Seal of Global Leadership RFP Q&A Document (Issued: 10/08/2026) contracts be issued for curriculum development vs. implementation support vs. technology infrastructure, or is a single integrated vendor preferred?

A. This decision will depend on the results of the bid review process. The agency would prefer bidders who submit on behalf of a team that is able to complete all deliverables.

Q. Section 1.1. The RFP mentions the vendor will work “in partnership with the AOE and key stakeholders.” Can you identify any of the stakeholders or stakeholder groups/types?

A. The stakeholders are part of the Working Groups described in Section 2. Included in the stakeholder group will be the contractor selected for the Academic Excellence for All RFP.

Q. Will AOE accept bids for part of the scope, such as the framework, professional learning, and evaluation, with other components awarded to other vendors (§1.1, §3.6)?

A. Yes; however, the agency would prefer bidders who submit on behalf of a team that is able to complete all deliverables.

Timeline

Q. Several deliverables are dated before or shortly after the anticipated January 1, 2027 start date, including the November 2026 VASS session, the January 2027 virtual trainings, and the February 2027 portfolio system. How will these dates be adjusted?

A. Dates will be finalized during the contracting process.

Q. Given the January 1, 2027 start, which deliverables dated fall 2026 or January 2027 will AOE adjust?

A. Dates will be finalized during the contracting process.

Q. Sections 2.1.1 and 2.2.1. Section 2.1.1 specifies that the phase of “Working Group Convening and Project Mapping” is to occur in Winter 2027. Section 2.2.1 specifies “Fall 2026” as the start of the “Working Group Convening and Project Mapping” phase. Can you clarify the expected start date and duration dates for this phase?

A. The finalized dates of these phases will be determined during the contracting process.

Q. 2.2.3: The timeline for developing and delivering the curriculum for the Civics/American Government and Global Leadership courses (by March 31, 2027) is aggressive. Is AOE open to considering alternate timeline suggestions that still support a SY27-28 rollout?

A. Yes. Please include the suggested alternate timeline; however, the 9th grade curriculum will need to roll out to coincide with the implementation of Vermont’s new graduation requirements at the start of the 27-28 school year.

Q. Section 2.1 lists the Working Group Convening for Winter 2027, while Section 2.2.1 lists it for Fall 2026. Which is correct?

A. The timing of the execution of the contract will determine the final due dates of the scope of work.

https://www.vermontbusinessregistry.com/bidAttachments/76199/VT%20AOE%20Acad%20Excel%20for%20All%20RFP%2010-1-26.pdf https://www.vermontbusinessregistry.com/bidAttachments/76199/VT%20AOE%20Acad%20Excel%20for%20All%20RFP%2010-1-26.pdf

Q. If the contract start date is delayed, will the March 31, 2027 deadlines for the framework, website, and Phase 1 curriculum shift accordingly?

A. Yes. All dates will be finalized during the contract process.

Q. Can the Phase 1 curriculum be delivered in stages, for example, as unit drafts by March

2027 with final versions later?

A. Potentially. We recommend bidders use their experience and expertise to propose the best way to accomplish the scope of work.

Q. The contract period is five years, with most deliverables due by September 2029. What level of vendor activity does the AOE expect between 2029 and the 2031 final report?

A. There are no deliverables that extend beyond the period of performance of the grant, 09/30/2029.

Q. Is Essex High School's Global Leadership Program expected to take part, provide content, or be excluded as a bidder or partner?

A. There is no expectation for Essex High School’s Global Leadership Program to take part or provide content. There is no exclusion from being a bidder or partner.

Q. Is VT hoping to mirror the Seal of Global Leadership after any similar program(s) in other states?

A. Aspects of other states’ seals were taken into consideration when developing the proposal; however, the Agency does not plan to model any specific program.

Q. 2.2.1: Will the awarded vendor be responsible for recruiting and selecting members of the

Working Group, or will VT AOE recruit and select members of the Working Group?

A. The AOE will lead recruitment and selection of the working group members.

Q. 2.2.2: For Framework and Criteria Development, will the awarded vendor be responsible for recruiting and selecting members of the workgroup, or will VT AOE recruit and select members of the workgroup? Does VT intend for this workgroup to include the same members as the aforementioned “Working Group”?

A. The AOE will lead recruitment and selection of the working group members.

Q. Who is responsible for recruiting and compensating the teachers who participate in curriculum development and the regional training (stipends, substitutes, travel)?

A. The vendor is responsible for recruiting teachers. Also, paying teachers for their time, travel, or substitute coverage is NOT an allowable use of these funds.

Q. Section 2.2.2.3. The RFP requires creation of an 'AOE website displaying the Seal criteria, framework, and resources' live by March 31, 2027, with 'AOE retaining access in perpetuity.' Does the vendor develop and host the website, transfer it to AOE-controlled hosting, or provide content for AOE to host on existing systems?

A. The vendor will supply the resources and content for the AOE website; the AOE will manage all the webpages related to the Seal.

Q. Is the vendor expected to build and host the AOE website and curriculum repository, or to supply content for AOE-managed web pages?

A. The vendor will supply the resources and content for the AOE website; the AOE will manage all the webpages related to the Seal.

Q. Section 2.2.2.6. The RFP references alignment with Vermont's 'Personalized Learning Plan (PLP)' and 'Flexible Pathways.' What existing technology platforms or databases does the vendor need to integrate with for tracking participation and completion metrics (Section 2.2.2.8), and will the AOE provide API access or data-sharing agreements?

A. Currently, any technology platforms used for PLPs and Flexible Pathways are at the local level and would not involve AOE providing access. The Agency has a contract for the 2026-2027 school year to research current platforms within and outside Vermont, partner with Vermont practitioners, and ultimately recommend a statewide platform for future consideration. The state would likely not implement this platform statewide until after the seal launches.

Q. Section 2.2.2.7. Is the state open to a vendor developing curricula that include the use of existing openly licensed resources? Or is this not possible because it would conflict with the requirement in 2.2.3.7a that all content becomes the property of the state?

A. The state is open to the use of open-license materials; the property of the state will be any content specifically developed as part of the contract and will remain in the public domain.

Q. Section 2.2.2.7. Regarding the specification to “Develop an open, publicly accessible curriculum repository that will be maintained by the AOE.” Is there a specific open license you plan to use for the materials (e.g., Public Domain, CC BY, CC BY-NC, CC BY-NC-SA)?

A. All government materials are in the public domain.

Q. Section 2.2.3. Can you clarify the technical requirements of the curriculum development?

Should this include technical design, compatibility with a specific LMS or file type (e.g., SCORM)?

A. Currently, LMS platforms are held at the local level, with most using Google Classroom, and some using Canvas and Schoology. The materials would need to be platform-agnostic to allow for local implementation.

Q. 2.2.3: For the curriculum deliverables, does the AOE, have parameters in mind for the quantity or level of detail the curriculum materials should include? Are there specific parameters around what a “unit” includes or what/how many “sample resources” are included?

A. As stated in the scope of work: curriculum should be aligned to the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards and include common learning objectives/vocabulary, units, assessments (formative and summative), and sample resources aligned with AOE's co-created criteria for High- Quality Instructional Materials, AIR's Criteria for High-Quality Materials for Social https://www.socialstudies.org/system/files/2022/c3-framework-for-social-studies-rev0617.2.pdf https://www.socialstudies.org/system/files/2022/c3-framework-for-social-studies-rev0617.2.pdf https://education.vermont.gov/learning/curriculum-instruction/hqim https://education.vermont.gov/learning/curriculum-instruction/hqim https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/2024-01/23-23505_HQIM_for_SS_Final.pdf

Studies, and the content outlined in the scope of work. The scope of the course materials the vendor is able to provide should be outlined in the vendor proposal.

Q. 2.2.3: How many instructional days should each of the courses be designed for? And for how many instructional minutes per lesson?

A. The scope of the course materials the vendor can provide should be outlined in the vendor proposal.

Q. 2.2.3: For designing and planning an annual Statewide Capstone Showcase, will the awarded vendor only be responsible for vision and design of the agenda and content for the Showcase, or will the awarded vendor also be responsible for the event planning logistics of the Showcase (e.g. selecting and paying for a venue, set-up and physical materials, travel and lodging for event staff, food, etc.)? Is this a one-time planning service that AOE will implement annually, or should we assume full planning of the event for each of the contract years?

A. The vendor will be responsible for the vision, design, and some content. Most of the content will be provided by participants. The AOE will share event planning for the initial showcase for the duration of the agreement. The Agency will be responsible for the annual event thereafter.

Q. 2.2.3: For the design and implementation of a student documentation and portfolio system that integrates with existing Vermont education systems, what are the existing State or local platforms, data systems, authentication services, and/or technical standards with which bidders should plan to integrate? Does AOE expect the vendor to provide and host a new platform, configure an existing Vermont platform, or develop a solution that will be transferred to and operated by the State?

A. The vendor will coordinate with the AOE and local interest holders to determine which platforms would be best suited to host the platform.

Q. Section 2.2.3.5a. Regarding the discussion of a curated list of extended opportunities for students, can you confirm this would be developed through review of existing potential experiential learning opportunities, or is this also seeking ideas for opportunities that could be developed?

A. Extended opportunities should include a review of existing opportunities, but proposals that include additional opportunities to consider are welcomed.

Q. Section 2.2.3.6a. Regarding the reference to “two full-day sessions in three regions across Vermont,” can you confirm that this means six total day-long sessions, with the two day-long sessions being repeated in three different geographic areas?

A. Yes, two-day sessions repeated three times.

Q. Section 2.2.3.6d-f. Does the state have a preferred format, modality, or software for virtual training?

A. The State of Vermont and the Vermont Agency of Education use Microsoft Teams.

Q. Section 2.2.3.6d-f. Does the state have expectations or preferences regarding the duration of these trainings (e.g., 1 hour, half-day)?

A. The vendor should determine what duration of the trainings aligns most meaningfully with the content delivered.

Q. Section 2.2.4.9b. Can you provide a list of the language (or minimally the number of languages) that the communication plan should cover? The communication plan should cover the 5 most common languages in Vermont (Spanish, Nepali, Swahili, French, and Arabic)

Q. Which languages should bidders assume for translation of communication materials?

A. The communication plan should cover the 5 most common languages in Vermont

(Spanish, Nepali, Swahili, French, and Arabic)

A. Section 2.2.4.10a. Can you clarify what vendor responsibility is being requested or required to identify external funding sources? What types of funding is this targeting, what types of funding sources? Would any sources be off-limits per state requirements? Does this involve only identifying sources or does this involve ascertaining the viability of ongoing funding through these entities?

A. The Agency is requesting assistance in locating potential funding sources for the sustainability of the Seal. Types of funding could include foundations, other not-for-profit organizations, private donors, grant programs etc. The vendor would not be responsible for ascertaining the viability of ongoing funding.

Q. Section 2.2.4.11d. Regarding “readiness of the technology and documentation platform,” is it expected that the vendor would provide materials that would integrate into existing state or educator systems in use, or is it expected that the vendor is to create or host a platform?

A. The vendor will coordinate with the AOE and local interest holders to determine which platforms would be best suited to host the platform.

Q. Which existing Vermont systems must the portfolio platform integrate with? Will the vendor host it, or will AOE?

A. The vendor will coordinate with the AOE and local interest holders to determine which platforms would be best suited to host the platform.

Q. Which existing Vermont education systems must the student documentation and portfolio system integrate with? Does the AOE have a preferred platform, or is the vendor expected to procure or build one? Who is responsible for hosting and licensing costs after the contract ends?

A. The vendor will coordinate with the AOE and local interest holders to determine which platforms would be best suited to host the platform.

Q. Who disburses scholarship funds, and under what fiscal controls?

A. The scope is to “Establish clear eligibility criteria and award procedures for need-based student scholarships; manage the application, selection, and award processes; and provide guidance for sustaining scholarship opportunities and management practices beyond the expiration of grant funding.” The vendor will not be distributing scholarships.

Q. Should the bid include the scholarship funds themselves, or only the cost of administering the program? If the funds are included, is there an expected amount or number of awards?

A. The scope is to “Establish clear eligibility criteria and award procedures for need-based student scholarships; manage the application, selection, and award processes; and provide guidance for sustaining scholarship opportunities and management practices beyond the expiration of grant funding.” The vendor will not be distributing scholarships

Q. For Seal Purchase and Mailing (2027-2032), what volume of seals should bidders assume per year, and does this line extend beyond the five-year contract period?

A. Although difficult to say with any degree of certainty, if the Seal of Biliteracy numbers are an indicator, 18 seals were awarded the first year, 25 the second, 55 the third, 107 the 4th, and 181 the 5th. The line does not extend beyond the contract period.

Q. Is there existing curriculum to serve as a starting point, or should bidders plan to develop all five new courses? Could you provide a sample of the depth of unit/course development you are expecting? For example, are you expecting a scope and sequence or full daily lesson plans for each course?

A. As stated in the scope of work: curriculum should be aligned to the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards and include common learning objectives/vocabulary, units, assessments (formative and summative), and sample resources aligned with AOE's co-created criteria for High- Quality Instructional Materials, AIR's Criteria for High-Quality Materials for Social Studies, and the content outlined in the scope of work. The scope of the course materials the vendor is able to provide should be outlined in the vendor proposal.

Q. Does AOE want the final evaluation done by an independent third party, separate from the design vendor?

A. The Agency has no particular preference; however, if the evaluator is not an independent party, we may request that a particular framework be utilized.

Submission

Q. Section 4.8 asks for references from the last 12 months. May bidders include references from similar multi-year projects completed slightly outside that window?

A. Yes. This is fine.

https://www.socialstudies.org/system/files/2022/c3-framework-for-social-studies-rev0617.2.pdf https://www.socialstudies.org/system/files/2022/c3-framework-for-social-studies-rev0617.2.pdf https://education.vermont.gov/learning/curriculum-instruction/hqim https://education.vermont.gov/learning/curriculum-instruction/hqim

Q. Is there a page limit or preferred format for the Technical Response?

A. Please submit an email with a single, digitally searchable PDF attachment containing all components of the bid.