MPA-490 OE Private/Claims Investigation Svcs & Investigative Svcs - Title IX

The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), the Office of Institutional Equity at Rhode Island College (RIC), and the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) are jointly conducting an Open Enrollment solicitation for MPA-490, seeking qualified individuals or firms to provide private and claims investigation services. The procurement is specifically focused on supporting investigatory processes related to educator misconduct reports, human resource investigations, and institutional equity matters aligned with nondiscrimination and Title IX compliance. Vendors must submit electronic proposals through Ocean State Procures before the December 29, 2028 deadline at 2:00 PM EST, with the initial contract period anticipated to begin around March 1, 2026, and lasting three years. Evaluation of vendors will occur through a mini-bid process, considering factors such as price, expertise, and availability, with no guaranteed purchasing volume. Required proposal components include a Vendor Certification Questionnaire, MBE Participation Acknowledgment Form, and specific insurance coverages including $1,000,000 general liability, workers compensation, automobile liability, and $5,000,000 cybersecurity/privacy insurance.

The solicitation encourages participation from Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE), and Veteran Business Enterprises (VBE), with a requirement that at least one quote in the mini-bid process come from a certified vendor if available. The Master Price Agreement potentially allows utilization by all state agencies across Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, as well as political subdivisions including cities, towns, schools, and quasi-public agencies. Vendors will be subject to a 0.33% contract administrative fee on eligible payments, and all proposals remain irrevocable for 180 days following opening. While no specific award value or budget range is explicitly stated, the broad applicability of the contract suggests significant potential for multiple agencies to leverage the established vendor pool. The State reserves the right to make single or multiple awards or reject all bids at its discretion, providing flexibility in the procurement process and vendor selection.