Promise Program Development & Implementation Consultant

The Connecticut Office of Higher Education is requesting proposals for a Promise Program development and implementation consultant under RFP #26091001, with proposals due November 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST. No set-aside or preference program applies; all vendors are eligible.

The consultant will provide technical assistance, stakeholder engagement, locally responsive program design, evaluation metrics, funding strategies, sustainability planning, and implementation support to municipalities and regional coalitions as OHE establishes up to eight new Promise Programs by January 1, 2031, with priority given to programs serving students in alliance districts. Minimum qualifications require demonstrated expertise in Promise Program development, strategic planning and program design, stakeholder engagement, funding and sustainability strategies, evaluation and reporting capabilities, and operational readiness to begin services on or near January 1, 2027.

The total funding available is up to $400,000 for one award, with a not-to-exceed contract cost based on available appropriated funds. The contract term runs through June 30, 2031, subject to funding and contracting authority. Place of performance is Connecticut, with service delivery coordinated through OHE in Hartford.

Proposals will be evaluated on five criteria weighted as follows: Consultant Experience, Qualifications, and Organizational Capacity (25 points); Approach to Promise Program Development & Implementation (30 points); Technical Assistance, Sustainability, and Knowledge Transfer (20 points); Project Management, Performance Monitoring, and Reporting (15 points); and Budget and Cost Proposal (10 points). Eligible proposers include individuals, firms, nonprofit organizations, institutions, or other entities with demonstrated expertise in Promise Program development or comparable place-based scholarship and student-success initiatives.

Proposals must follow a required 25-page outline (excluding attachments), use 12-point Times New Roman font with 1.5 line spacing, and include a cover sheet, table of contents, executive summary (maximum 2 pages), conflict of interest disclosure, and statement of assurances. Questions are due October 22, 2026, with answers released October 29, 2026. Contract start is anticipated January 1, 2027; anticipated proposer selection is November 23, 2026, with contract negotiations beginning November 30, 2026. Submit inquiries and proposals to Scott Ciecko at scott.ciecko@ct.gov or 860-947-1851.