ESA+ Scholarship Family Support Services

The State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA) of North Carolina is requesting proposals for ESA+ Scholarship Family Support Services from a qualified nonprofit organization, with proposals due September 30, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. The awardee must be a North Carolina registered nonprofit organized under Chapter 55A of the North Carolina General Statutes and compliant with Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), with no State officers or employees serving on its board of directors.

The scope encompasses direct one-on-one parent and family assistance via phone, email, and online platforms; application assistance for scholarship eligibility; education on qualified scholarship expenses; and coordination with Authority staff for families interested in the Education Student Accounts (ESA+) Program serving students with disabilities. The vendor must collect and report on measurable outcomes and maintain appropriate data safeguarding procedures.

The initial contract term is two years with options for two additional two-year renewal periods at the Authority's sole discretion, subject to continued funding availability, and may be extended for up to 180 days in 90-day increments. Funding derives from the Opportunity Scholarship Grant Fund Reserve established pursuant to G.S. 115C-562.8(d)(1), with future funding contingent upon continued appropriations. The Authority anticipates award by October 14, 2026, with an effective date of November 1, 2026.

Evaluation criteria include overall cost, financial stability and resources, vendor experience and qualifications with significant expertise in serving families with children with disabilities, and technical capability with appropriate data safeguarding procedures. Vendors must submit two years of audited financial statements demonstrating superior financial stability. The Authority reserves the right to reject all proposals or award to multiple vendors if deemed advantageous to the State. Vendors are prohibited from engaging in communications during the evaluation period that could influence the procurement outcome.