9210-26-R-RFIN-00003

Alcorn State University's Office of Economic Development & Community Engagement issued Request for Proposal (RFP) #5556 for the Building Readiness and Advancing Valuable Education and Skills in Innovation, Technology, and AI (BRAVES-ITA) Program Services, targeting implementation within Adams County, Mississippi. The procurement seeks a vendor to deliver comprehensive educational and skills development programming focused on innovation, technology, and artificial intelligence for the university's regional engagement initiatives. The RFP requires vendors to demonstrate extensive experience in educational program development, community partnerships, and capacity to execute proposed activities across Southwest Mississippi. Evaluation criteria included vendor qualifications, proposed staffing structure, community engagement strategies, sustainability planning, and cost-effectiveness. The proposal submission deadline was November 7, 2025, with an initial evaluation conducted on October 28, 2025, by a four-member committee from Alcorn State University. Key deliverables include developing educational programming, establishing community partnerships, and creating long-term sustainable innovation and technology training pathways.

Two vendors submitted proposals for this opportunity: (B)STEM Academy and Monochrome Consulting. The evaluation committee ultimately selected (B)STEM Academy, who received a total score of 64.75 and proposed a budget of $663,000.00. While no specific set-aside designations were explicitly mentioned, the procurement appeared open to qualified educational and consulting organizations with demonstrated regional expertise. Monochrome Consulting was eliminated from consideration due to an excessive proposed budget of $3,154,000.00 and insufficient evidence of relevant experience. The contract award recommendations emphasized the selected vendor's ability to support the university's vision for regional impact, with particular attention to qualified staffing, competitive pricing, and established local community connections. The total project budget appears to be within the $663,000.00 range proposed by the recommended vendor, suggesting this as the anticipated investment for the BRAVES-ITA program services.