Evaluation Services - RI Psychologists for Caregiving Youth

The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (RIDE) is requesting proposals for evaluation services supporting the Psychologists for Caregiving Youth initiative, with proposals due July 15, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EDT under RFP 26006768. MBE, WBE, and Disability Business Enterprise participation earns up to 6 bonus points in evaluation; MBE and WBE subcontractors must be certified by the Division of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion MBE Compliance Office at bid submission.

The evaluator will track Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) measures across selected Local Education Agencies, monitor state-level metrics, support implementation across five priority districts (Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, West Warwick, Central Falls) plus 16 charter and state schools, and provide continuous quality improvement feedback. The initiative aims to increase school psychologists by 20 percent (38 new hires), implement trauma-informed Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports reaching 90 percent of approximately 12,000 students, and expand supports for caregiving youth through professional development and supervision. All expansions must supplement rather than supplant existing LEA or state funding.

Technical proposals must not exceed six pages and address staff qualifications, vendor capability and capacity (with three client references), evaluation design, performance monitoring, data collection processes, GPRA experience, and results presentation timeline. Technical proposals must score a minimum of 55 points out of 70 to advance to cost evaluation; proposals scoring 60 or higher are eligible for cost evaluation worth up to 30 points, for a total possible score of 100 points plus the 6 ISBE bonus points. The four-year contract commences approximately September 2026 and extends through December 31, 2029, with potential 12-month renewal based on performance and funding availability. Funding derives from the United States Department of Education's School Based Mental Health Services Program.

Awardees must maintain professional liability insurance of $2 million per occurrence and $2 million annual aggregate, plus general liability, workers compensation, and automobile liability coverage. Rhode Island will withhold 0.33% contract administrative fee from invoices. Questions are due June 29, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. Vendors must be registered in Ocean State Procures, comply with Rhode Island General Conditions of Purchase, and submit supplemental bidder attestation forms and ISBE participation forms; foreign corporations require Secretary of State certification prior to award.