JAG Student Conference Management

The South Dakota Department of Education's Division of College, Career, and Student Success is seeking a qualified consultant to plan and manage the 2026 Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) Career Development Conference. The procurement is a professional services contract focused on coordinating a comprehensive conference for over 300 middle and high school students. Key deliverables include venue selection, logistics management, content delivery, programming coordination, meal planning, registration processes, and post-event reporting. Proposals will be evaluated using a 100-point scoring system with points allocated across critical categories: cost and reliability (25 points), experience and qualifications (25 points), resources (20 points), past performance (10 points), and project management capabilities (10 points). The RFP was posted on June 20, 2025, with a proposal submission deadline of July 25, 2025, and an anticipated contract award in August 2025. The initial contract period will run from September 2025 to April 2026, with potential for up to four additional one-year renewals. Interested consultants must submit an electronic proposal with detailed information about similar past work, financial statements, and complete specific certification forms.

The contract opportunity does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Consultants must complete a Contractor Certification form required by South Dakota Executive Order 2023-02, which prohibits business relationships with entities owned or controlled by foreign nationals from specific countries (China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Cuba, and Venezuela). While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the conference management suggests a significant contract value. Consultants must provide proof of qualifications, demonstrate experience in large-scale student conference management, and comply with state regulations. The State reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and may negotiate terms with the highest-ranked consultant. Potential vendors must also complete a Substitute W-9 form for taxpayer identification and provide banking information for potential electronic payments. Inappropriate contacts with state employees during the solicitation process could result in suspension or exclusion from the procurement.