Inclusionary Practices Technical Assistance Network Expansion

The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) intends to award a sole source contract to WestEd for the Inclusionary Practices Technical Assistance Network (IPTN) Expansion project. The contract will focus on expanding and mobilizing the IPTN, which is composed of state Technical Assistance (TA) Providers and State Education Agency (SEA) Leaders, with a specific objective of improving inclusion rates for Black students with Individual Education Programs (IEP) and students with IEPs who have Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Key deliverables include operating the IPTN design team, supporting technical assistance activities, establishing an IPTN advisory, and developing network infrastructure such as a website, communication tools, and guidance documents. The contractor will be expected to increase Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) placement rates for targeted student populations within one year. The contract is scheduled to cover the period from July 2025 through June 30, 2026, with potential renewal options for fiscal years 2026-2027 and 2027-2028. The proposal due date is June 20, 2025, and the opportunity applies to multiple jurisdictions across Washington state, including counties such as Franklin, Grant, Chelan, and Yakima.

WestEd was selected as the sole source contractor due to their specialized expertise in Universal Design for Learning, addressing disproportionality, and systems change through implementation and improvement science. The contract will be funded through a budget proviso from the 2024 Washington Legislative session, specifically targeting investments in professional development and technical assistance. The total contract value is $236,500, with potential for renewal in subsequent fiscal years. While no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations were explicitly mentioned, the contract requires significant technical capability in educational systems, disability inclusion, and technical assistance network development. The procurement appears to be focused on a highly specialized service that requires deep understanding of educational equity, implementation science, and support for students with individualized education needs. WestEd's selection suggests a preference for organizations with demonstrated experience in educational research, technical assistance, and systemic improvement strategies for special education inclusion.