NDNAEU

The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction is issuing a Notice of Intent for a noncompetitive purchase related to the North Dakota Native American Essential Understandings (NDNAEU) Statewide Initiative. The procurement seeks to continue Phase IX of an ongoing program aimed at eliminating the achievement gap between Native and non-Native students in the state. The primary contractor is Compass, Partners in Learning from Rapid City, South Dakota, who will provide comprehensive educational support services including 25 on-site work days, 11 virtual and preparation days, and resource and website development. Vendors interested in providing equivalent commodities or services may submit written responses electronically to the State Procurement Office Online system by December 1, 2025, at 5 PM Central Time. The submission is limited to a maximum of five clearly labeled documents, and interested parties can contact Procurement Officer Julie Crispell at jcrispell@nd.gov or 701-328-2735 for clarification. The evaluation criteria appear to be based on demonstrated past success, with the previous phases of the initiative showing significant improvements in Native American student outcomes, including raising graduation rates from 52% to 83%.

The procurement does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The incumbent vendor is Compass, Partners in Learning (formerly Technology & Innovation in Education), with whom the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction has an established partnership. The total contract value is $150,000, broken down as follows: $100,000 for 25 on-site work days, $22,000 for 11 virtual and preparation days, and $28,000 for resource, tool, and website development. The noncompetitive procurement is justified by the vendor's proven track record of improving educational outcomes for Native American students, particularly in reading and math proficiency as measured by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. While the document does not specify integration requirements with existing infrastructure or technology, it suggests a continuation of an ongoing collaborative approach to addressing educational disparities in the state.