Educator Certification Solution

The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) has issued a Request for Information (RFI 2026-17) for an Educator Certification Solution, specifically targeting a cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) or vendor-managed platform to replace their existing on-premises Versa system. The procurement is focused on Leon County and seeks a comprehensive solution to support the Bureau of Educator Certification's operational processes, including applicant registration, document management, certification lookup, and background check integration. Key technical requirements include AI-powered front-end technology, Azure AD single sign-on, and the capability to process approximately 92,406 applications annually. The RFI is scheduled to be open from September 30, 2025, with responses due by November 6, 2025, at 4:00 PM EST. Vendors are expected to provide detailed information about their corporate history, solution descriptions, deployment methodologies, cost structures, and documentation processes, with the primary goal of assessing market capabilities and informing potential future competitive solicitations.

While the RFI does not specify explicit set-aside designations or vendor restrictions, it suggests a comprehensive evaluation of potential solutions across the market. The current system, implemented in fiscal year 2017-2018, is housed at the Northwest Regional Data Center and includes complex components such as FileNet for document management, an Interactive Voice Response system, and various ancillary licensing applications that will require careful integration considerations. The existing infrastructure suggests potential complexity in transition, which vendors will need to address in their responses. Although no specific budget range is provided, the scale of processing 92,406 applications annually implies a significant technological investment. The RFI is explicitly informational and will not directly result in a contract award, but will be used by FLDOE to understand market capabilities, assess potential solutions, and support future budget requests for a comprehensive educator certification platform.