Comprehensive Literacy State Development

The Tennessee Department of Education has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant program, seeking qualified contractors to provide direct support to 60 selected Local Education Agencies (LEAs), Public Charter Schools, and State Special Schools over a five-year period. Contractors will be required to deliver 20 direct support days annually, facilitate and analyze Instructional Practice Guide (IPG) and High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) Implementation Framework data collection three times per year, create three asynchronous learning modules annually, maintain attendance records, and attend bi-weekly contractor meetings. The evaluation process will involve a two-phase technical review, with respondents needing to achieve a minimum combined score of 80 points from technical response attachments to be considered for contract award. The RFQ was posted on July 16, 2025, with a technical response deadline of September 3, 2025, and an anticipated contract start date in October 2025. Contractors must demonstrate experience supporting state agencies and educational institutions in implementing high-quality instructional materials, creating individual support plans, collecting classroom walkthrough data, and supporting educational entities in using that data to improve student outcomes.

The solicitation allows for multiple fee-for-service contracts, with LEAs, Public Charter Schools, and State Special Schools having the option to contract directly with awarded contractors. Each selected educational institution will receive $80,000 annually to contract for these support services. While the RFQ does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises, it provides comprehensive contact information for potential vendors, including Genell Jordan at the Central Procurement Office (phone: 615-532-7202, email: Genell.Jordan@tn.gov). The procurement documents are available for download from the state's procurement website, with vendors advised to carefully locate the specific Solicitation Identification Number 33101-25070FAF5. The contract opportunity represents a significant opportunity for service providers with expertise in educational support, data analysis, and instructional improvement to engage with the Tennessee Department of Education in enhancing literacy development across the state's educational institutions.