27TALAM1 | World Languages Advisory Team Facilitation & Framework Support

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is soliciting proposals to facilitate the World Languages Advisory Team and develop statewide implementation resources supporting the 2021 World Languages Curriculum Framework for FY2027–2028, with proposals due October 7, 2026. SBPP-registered (Small Business Purchasing Program) bidders receive award preference under Executive Order 523; qualified SBPP participants will be evaluated and awarded first, with non-SBPP bidders reviewed only if no qualified SBPP vendor is identified.

SBPP eligibility requires principal place of business in Massachusetts, at least one year in operation, 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees (or fewer than 26,000 combined hours per quarter), and gross revenues of $15 million or less based on a three-year average. Non-profit organizations must be registered with the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office and maintain 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

The scope encompasses facilitating approximately four virtual advisory meetings per year with roughly 30 members (2–3 hours each), analyzing proficiency data and stakeholder feedback, and developing a Best Practices Manual for Massachusetts World Language Programs, course outcome matrices, official Department guidance, implementation tools, and minimum three webinar slide decks. The tentative FY2027 meeting schedule includes sessions on December 4, 2026; January 29, 2027; March 26, 2027; and May 21, 2027, with draft materials due two weeks prior and meeting notes due one week after each session.

Required qualifications include demonstrated experience leading virtual focus groups and advisory teams of educators, commitment to elevating historically underserved student populations, current knowledge of second language acquisition and heritage language research, expertise with the 2021 MA World Languages Curriculum Framework and ACTFL standards, proficiency in educational data analysis for language assessments, and experience with diverse world language program settings. Preferred qualifications include familiarity with the 2023 Massachusetts Heritage Languages Research Study and the 2025 Heritage Languages Guidance and Best Practices Manual.

The contract value is $75,000 across two fiscal years: $25,000 for FY2027 and $50,000 for FY2028. Evaluation criteria include understanding of the scope (10 points), project plan feasibility (20 points, weighted ×2), quality of educational guidance samples (15 points), advisory-group facilitation work samples (15 points), data-analysis work samples (15 points), staff qualifications (5 points), references (5 points), and budget completeness (10 points). A five-point scale (Non-Responsive through Outstanding) applies to each criterion. Responses must be submitted through COMMBUYS and include a narrative response, project plan, work samples, staff qualifications with resumes, references, detailed budget with narrative, and completed Prompt Payment Discount Form. All deliverables must meet the Commonwealth's Digital Accessibility Standards (WCAG 2.1 levels A and AA) and conform to Enterprise Information Security Policies and Standards. DESE retains ownership of all deliverables created under the contract.