Grant Writing Implementation Providers

The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) issued Request for Information NDERFI260510 on May 19, 2026, seeking qualified providers to assist in writing and implementing grant projects aligned with four strategic priorities: accelerating student achievement, growing the educator pipeline, equipping learners for the workforce, and providing exceptional service, with specific focus on assessment development, pre-apprenticeship, and teacher apprenticeship expansion. The procurement encompasses two distinct service categories—grant writing management and implementation support—with vendors permitted to respond to either or both categories. Deliverables for grant writing services include hourly-based consulting support for grant development, while implementation services require detailed cost sheets covering grant-funded activities (hourly or deliverables-based), reporting, compliance, monitoring, and evaluation activities. Required qualifications include demonstrated capacity and experience with federal, state, and private grant projects, a comprehensive corporate overview addressing vendor ability and character, a detailed scope of work specific to the selected service area, and completed Forms A and B with vendor contact and cost information. Responses are due electronically to nde.procurement@nebraska.gov by June 1, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. CST, with opening scheduled for 3:00 p.m. CST the same day. Written questions must be submitted by May 22, 2026, with responses posted by May 27, 2026, and evaluation of submissions will occur from June 1-4, 2026, with results published on June 5, 2026.

The RFI does not specify set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or restrict participation to particular organization types, indicating the opportunity is open to qualified providers broadly. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the documentation. The NDE has prioritized vendor flexibility regarding upfront costs for grant writing services, seeking partners willing to engage at no initial cost while cost structures for implementation services remain subject to vendor proposals and negotiation. Proprietary information must be submitted separately in sealed packages meeting Nebraska's statutory definition of trade secrets or competitive information, with all non-proprietary information becoming public property upon opening. No guaranteed contract award is specified, and the state retains discretion regarding subsequent Request for Proposal issuance or contract awards; however, selected vendors will be considered for future discretionary funding applications for NDE grant projects. Specific budget ranges or award values are not provided in the RFI documentation at this stage.