Grant Evaluation Services for NSF EARTh Center Project

Central Carolina Community College is requesting proposals for external grant evaluation services to assess the NSF-funded Environmental and Natural Resource Technology (EARTh) Center project, with proposals due September 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET and questions due September 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST under RFP 86-2027-004.

The vendor must be registered as a North Carolina vendor in good standing and complete Secretary of State registration within 10 business days of award. No subcontracting is permitted without prior written state approval. All work must be performed within the contiguous United States.

The scope encompasses development of an evaluation plan, data collection through surveys and interviews, participation in monthly executive check-ins and advisory board meetings, and preparation of annual NSF reports. The vendor must assess progress and impact across five core areas: curriculum resource development, national workforce readiness, student learning and articulation, program visibility and dissemination, and faculty development. Deliverables include participation in three mandatory annual in-person events—one trip to Washington DC, one to a national conference, and one to an EARTh Center professional development event. The evaluation period runs October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2031.

The contract is structured as fixed-price with a maximum commitment of 500 hours per year. All costs—labor, overhead, travel, lodging, and meals for mandatory events—are fully burdened within the fixed quarterly billing rate. Pricing must be submitted for each contract year and optional renewal years. The base term is five years with options to renew for two additional one-year terms, not to exceed seven years total.

The vendor must provide background check documentation, financial stability certification, three customer references, and resumes for all key personnel, including the lead evaluator. The project is subject to federal compliance requirements including debarment certifications, record retention for three years, lobbying activity disclosures, and restrictions on telecommunications equipment. Contract award is anticipated October 16, 2026.