MPA 606 OE High Impact Tutoring: Recruitment, Training and Materials

The State of Rhode Island's Department of Education (RIDE) has issued an Open Enrollment (OE) Master Price Agreement (MPA) solicitation (OET23001756) to establish a qualified vendor list for high-impact tutoring services, specifically focusing on recruitment, training, and instructional materials. This procurement stems from recommendations by the Learning, Equity, & Accelerated Pathways (LEAP) Task Force, which identified high-impact tutoring as a critical strategy for accelerating student learning in response to COVID-19 educational disruptions. The solicitation seeks educational experts, practitioners, families, students, and community members to provide comprehensive tutoring services, with vendors expected to deliver recruitment strategies, professional training, and instructional materials designed to support student academic recovery. Proposals will be evaluated based on technical qualifications, expertise, and the ability to provide effective tutoring interventions. The solicitation is open from September 1, 2022, to January 1, 2025, with a vendor Q&A period running from September 7, 2022, through January 1, 2023. Vendors must submit their proposals electronically through the Ocean State Procures system, with selection based on a technical evaluation and subsequent project-specific mini-bid processes.

The solicitation includes specific requirements for Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) participation, mandating a minimum 10% participation of the total contract value for certified MBE/WBE firms. Vendors must submit an MBE Utilization Plan for each project award, which will be reviewed by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Opportunity. The contract has statewide applicability and can be utilized by various political subdivisions, including municipalities, higher education institutions, schools, and quasi-public agencies, as well as the legislative and judicial branches of Rhode Island government. Insurance requirements are stringent, requiring $1 million in liability coverage, workers compensation, automobile liability, and $2 million in professional liability coverage. A 1% contract administrative fee will be assessed on all purchases made through the MPA. While no specific total contract value is mentioned, the solicitation emphasizes that there is no guaranteed level of purchasing activity, and vendor selection will be at the sole discretion of the user agencies. The contract includes an option for a one-year renewal based on vendor performance and funding availability, providing potential long-term opportunities for selected vendors.