Data Management and External Evaluation Services for Gear Up Tennessee - UPDATED

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Data Management and External Evaluation Services for GEAR UP Tennessee, a federally funded initiative focused on increasing postsecondary readiness and success. The procurement seeks a comprehensive contractor to implement a data management system and provide external evaluation services for a seven-year program serving approximately 9,000 unique students across ten high schools and eighteen feeder middle schools. The project will target two student cohorts beginning in 7th grade - the high school graduating classes of 2030 and 2031 - with priority given to seniors in years 2-7 of the program. Key deliverables include developing a robust data management system, conducting external program evaluations, and supporting the initiative's educational objectives. Evaluation criteria will emphasize qualifications of the lead evaluator, expertise in education research, ability to facilitate data utilization, quality of work products, and cost-effectiveness. The RFP was released on October 15, 2025, with proposals due by November 24, 2025, and an anticipated contract start date in early 2026. Contractors will be selected through a competitive RFP process with careful review of submitted proposals.

While no specific set-aside designations were explicitly mentioned in the document, the contract will be funded primarily through a federal GEAR UP grant, with 97% of funds allocated to program activities and 3% dedicated to scholarships. The payment structure will be based on the total number of students served each program year, with annual allocations varying by student cohort and grade level. Compensation will include annual service fees and potential custom development services. The state of Tennessee provides additional educational support through programs like TN Promise, which offers tuition-free technical and community college education, complementing the GEAR UP TN initiative. The total contract value will likely be substantial given the seven-year commitment and the number of students served, though specific budget ranges were not detailed in the provided documentation. The successful contractor will need to demonstrate significant capabilities in education data management, program evaluation, and the ability to support comprehensive student success strategies across multiple school districts.