27IMESK1 | English Learners with Disabilities Guidance and Resource Revision | RFR

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is soliciting responses to RFR 27IMESK1 for revision of English Learners with Disabilities (ELSwD) guidance, with responses due November 20, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern through COMMBUYS. Registered Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) participants that meet best-value criteria receive award preference, and non-SBPP bidders are evaluated only if no SBPP bidder meets those criteria. SBPP eligibility requires a principal place of business in Massachusetts, at least one year in business, 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees (or fewer than 26,000 combined hours per quarter), and gross revenues of $15 million or less on a three-year average. Bidders must also complete an SDP Plan Form committing a minimum of one percent of contract sales to Supplier Diversity Program partners, and that plan carries at least 25 percent of total evaluation points.

DESE seeks an experienced vendor to update and revise existing ELSwD guidance to align with federal and state laws, including the Protect Education Equity Act, and with findings from a recently completed ELSwD research project. Initial deliverables include an outline, three iterative drafts incorporating feedback from DESE staff and an ELSwD advisory group, a final guidance document with presentation materials, and communication and dissemination plans. The optional renewal covers revising priority resources, including IEP forms, notices, quick reference guides, and ESL toolkit materials. Final deliverables must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA, and DESE required language also cites Level A. Vendors developing or modifying software must conform to EOTSS Enterprise Information Security Policies. Staff with direct, unmonitored contact with children, work in educational settings, or work at DESE offices are subject to CORI background checks, which must clear before contract execution.

The initial maximum obligation is $200,000 through June 30, 2027, with an optional renewal of up to $100,000 from July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2028, for a total contract value of $300,000. Funding is entirely federal (Federal Program Code FH027X2649). The contract is deliverables-based and fee-for-service, with overhead and administrative costs included in proposed compensation. Funds do not carry over between fiscal years. DESE may award to a single or multiple vendors, and the contract serves DESE use only. Bid prices must remain valid for a minimum of 90 days. Bidders must agree to Electronic Funds Transfer and the Prompt Payment Discount initiative unless they show undue burden.

Evaluation uses a 100-point scorecard. Understanding of scope and project constraints carries 20 points. Racial equity lens, and key staff expertise in complex SEA public documents for underserved student groups, each carry 15 points. Evidence-based ELSwD instructional practice carries 15 points. Massachusetts policy knowledge, and communication and dissemination planning, carry 10 points each. Stakeholder engagement, budget completeness, and supporting materials each carry 5 points.

Questions are due November 13, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern through COMMBUYS. No pre-bid conference is scheduled. The contract manager is Samantha Kodak, Language Acquisition Support Lead, at samantha.k.kodak@mass.gov or 781-338-3561.