27DAAEG2 - Due Diligence | Nationwide Central Repository

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is soliciting responses for access to a nationwide central repository of student degree, enrollment, and postsecondary education status information to fulfill state and federal data reporting requirements on post-secondary enrollment of Massachusetts public high school graduates, with responses due by June 22, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time. The National Student Clearinghouse is identified as the sole proprietor of this information; other qualified vendors may respond to demonstrate their ability to provide the same proprietary product or service.

DESE operates under Massachusetts' Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP), offering award preference to certified small businesses with 50 or fewer employees and gross revenues not exceeding $15 million if they meet best-value criteria and respond competitively. For contracts with estimated annual value of $250,000 or more averaged over contract life, vendors must commit a minimum of 1 percent of sales to certified diverse business enterprises under the Supplier Diversity Program.

The contract term runs from approval through June 30, 2031, with no renewal options. The contract is structured as a fee-for-service engagement; anticipated expenditures and maximum obligation amounts are to be determined. Funding derives from state appropriations and capital funds, subject to change prior to and during award. DESE reserves the right to award to a single vendor or multiple vendors as in the Commonwealth's best interest. Contract users include DESE, the Executive Office of Education, the Children's Trust Fund, the Department of Higher Education, and Early Education and Care, each executing separate contracts if engaging the awarded vendor.

All responses must be submitted through COMMBUYS at www.commbuys.com; email submissions are not accepted. Questions are due by June 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time. Vendors must register on COMMBUYS at no charge. Responses must include the General Information Form (Attachment B) with organizational and authorized signatory details, compliance certifications, and acknowledgment of Commonwealth standard terms including Enterprise Information Security Policies and Standards, Digital Accessibility Standards (WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA), Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) background checks for staff working with students or in educational settings, and intellectual property language establishing Commonwealth ownership of deliverables created under the contract.