27TALKT3 - Due Diligence | Strategic Planning and Communications for Reading Legislation

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is posting a due-diligence notice seeking best-value offers for strategic planning and communications services related to new reading legislation, with responses due August 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time. The Department has indicated intent to accept services from Watershed Advisers but is posting this notice to determine whether other qualified vendors can provide comparable or superior offers.

The scope encompasses development of a three-year strategic plan addressing K–3 literacy vision and goals, annual priorities sequenced to statutory deadlines, implementation chains across DESE program teams and regional supports, strategies for deploying state levers to shift educator practice, a data collection plan for student outcomes and adult actions, a detailed Year 1 operational roadmap, and final presentation and communications deliverables to DESE leadership and stakeholders. All digital deliverables must comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1 levels A and AA. Vendor staff or subcontractors working directly with students or in educational settings must complete Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) background checks before commencing work. All materials and deliverables developed using Commonwealth funds become DESE property unless otherwise specified.

The total project funding is $100,000, comprising $25,000 from DESE and $75,000 from a philanthropic gift, with DESE reserving the right to add additional funds if services expand within the same scope. The contract period runs from approval through June 30, 2031, with no renewal options. Interested vendors must submit documentation demonstrating qualifications and a scope of technical assistance comparable to or exceeding Watershed Advisers' proposed value via the COMMBUYS platform. Questions are due August 24, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. All bidders committing to the Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) and meeting best-value criteria will receive award preference. Supplier Diversity Program participation is mandatory at a minimum of 1 percent of contract sales, with higher commitments receiving additional evaluation points.