Notice of Proposed Sole Source Procurement - TeachTown Curriculum Program for Special Education

The Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) is publishing a Notice of Proposed Sole Source Procurement for the TeachTown Curriculum Program for Special Education, a K-12 comprehensive curriculum designed to support students with significant cognitive disabilities. This procurement is being conducted without engaging in a standard competitive bidding process under Utah's Procurement Code, with a response deadline of April 24, 2026. The SLCSD seeks to procure a specialized instructional program that includes curriculum instruction in English Language Arts, mathematics, history, science, preschool, transition skills, and social-emotional development, all aligned to the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Essential Elements, which serve as alternate academic achievement standards for students with significant cognitive disabilities in Utah. Key deliverables and objectives include DLM alignment across all content areas, embedded three-tiered differentiation within each subject, an integrated student data collection system connected to instruction, artificial intelligence-supported Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goal development, and extended school year programming that ensures continuity between prior and subsequent learning. The requested contract term is five years with five renewal options. Interested vendors must submit detailed documentation demonstrating that they can provide a comparable or better procurement item meeting or exceeding specifications, including evidence of other competing sources, documentation of comparable or equivalent products, and any cost comparison analyses if transitional costs are a factor in the justification.

The SLCSD has justified this sole source award under Section A (Only One Source) of Utah's procurement code, asserting that TeachTown, operated by Jigsaw Learning LLC and located in Woburn, Massachusetts (Federal Tax ID 30-0796510), is the only program meeting all identified specifications due to its comprehensive K-12 scope, specific DLM alignment, integrated data collection capabilities, and AI-supported IEP functionality. The district conducted market research reviewing alternative programs including IXL, Positive Action, and Let's Go Learn, determining that none provided equivalent comprehensive coverage across all required content areas and features. The estimated contract value is $234,600 for Year 1, with approximately $71,500 annually for Years 2-5, plus freight costs of $6,000 for Year 1 and approximately $1,800 annually thereafter, bringing the total five-year estimated cost to approximately $619,100 before renewal options. Any vendors interested in contesting this sole source designation must provide complete responses to all required information, including the name of the contesting person, detailed explanation of the challenge with supporting documentation, proof of capability to provide comparable or better products meeting specifications, and cost comparisons where applicable. No set-aside designations or restrictions specific to disadvantaged enterprises are referenced in this procurement notice, though all vendors must meet the technical specifications and qualifications outlined in the SLCSD's justification documentation.