Austin ISD Neurodiversity Community School (NCS) - Innovation Partnership for 18+ Transition, Vocational, and Workforce Readiness Services

Austin Independent School District (AISD) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an Innovation Partnership to establish and operate the Neurodiversity Community School (NCS), a specialized 18+ transition program serving students with autism and related neurodivergent conditions in Travis County and Austin. AISD seeks proposals from non-profits, institutes of higher education, existing charter operators, and governmental entities to design and operate a school that bridges secondary education and workforce readiness through industry-specific vocational training in digital arts, creative technologies, and technical fields, combined with targeted instruction in social communication, self-advocacy, and independent living skills. The program must serve young adults ages 18-22+ through hands-on, community-integrated learning in a professional "community center" environment. Key deliverables include a comprehensive school proposal addressing school overview, educational program design, governance and operations structure, and detailed financial plans, along with required attachments including enrollment policies, discipline policies, organizational charts, board documents, leadership qualifications, recruitment and hiring plans, staff development plans, and after-school programming plans. Proposals must identify a proposed school location or facility acquisition strategy, project student enrollment, demonstrate leadership team qualifications, provide staffing plans, and submit a comprehensive operating budget with revenue and cost assumptions. The public advertisement period runs from January 23 through January 30, 2026; questions are due by 5:00 PM CST on January 28, 2026; and complete proposals must be submitted electronically via the AISD Bonfire Portal (https://austinisd.bonfirehub.com/portal/) by 2:00 PM CST on February 3, 2026. The AISD Board is scheduled to review and vote on applications on either February 26, 2026, or March 26, 2026. Evaluation criteria include alignment with AISD's mission to prepare students for college, career, and life; quality and comprehensiveness of the proposed educational and vocational model; organizational capacity and governance structure; financial sustainability and budget feasibility; and extent to which the proposal meets the specialized needs of neurodivergent young adults in transition.

AISD actively encourages participation from small, local, and minority- and women-owned firms and provides preference to such organizations when cost and quality are equal. Respondents designated as "Existing Partners" who have previously operated campuses must additionally provide evidence of track record, financial audits, and details of any management agreements with Education Service Providers or Charter Management Organizations. All applicants must submit extensive certifications and compliance documentation, including conflict of interest questionnaires, certificates of interested parties on forms prescribed by the Texas Ethics Commission, written verification of non-boycott of Israel, non-engagement with Iran or Sudan, debarment and suspension certifications, and federal compliance certifications if the resulting contract involves federal funding. Vendors must also complete Form W-9 and certify they do not have criminal histories or felony convictions that would render them ineligible. No specific pricing information or financial award values are specified in the RFP; instead, applicants must propose their own budgets based on projected enrollment and operational needs aligned with the specialized educational model. However, applicants should note that any resulting awarded contracts may be adopted by other Central Texas Purchasing Alliance member districts or other government entities under the same or better pricing and terms, and AISD reserves the right to make one or more awards if determined to be in the best interest of the District and its students.