Research and Evaluation of ND School Improvement

The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) is seeking a contractor to provide comprehensive research and evaluation services for the North Dakota Fostering Improvement Results for School Transformation (ND FIRST) initiative through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP). The selected vendor will be responsible for conducting state-level evaluations of the school improvement process, collaborative partnership agreements, and implementation strategies over a three-year period from November 2025 to September 2028. Key deliverables include leading comprehensive evaluations, collecting perceptual data, identifying best practices, and developing an additional section of the School Renewal Guide. Offerors must demonstrate 5-10 years of experience working with state education agencies and implementing improvement science. The proposal will be evaluated on a 100-point scale, with 80 points allocated to the technical proposal (60 points for Scope of Work and 20 points for Experience and Qualifications) and 20 points for the cost proposal. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the State Procurement Online system by October 13, 2025, with an anticipated contract start date of November 5, 2025.

The RFP does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The total estimated budget for the project is up to $300,000, with annual allocations of up to $100,000 per year. The state reserves the right to negotiate terms and may request best and final offers from qualified offerors. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the contractor will be expected to work closely with NDDPI to develop evaluation measures, review funded programs, and support second-cycle Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) schools. The project aims to provide critical support for ongoing school improvement efforts, with the selected contractor playing a pivotal role in analyzing and enhancing educational transformation strategies across North Dakota. Potential respondents should carefully review the full RFP document to understand the comprehensive scope of work and specific requirements for this important educational research and evaluation contract.