RFA for a Sponsoring Organization for the REN for the Willamette Valley and the South Coast

The State of Oregon Department of Education is issuing a Request for Grant Applications (RFA #S-58100-00016687) to procure Sponsoring Organizations to serve as Regional Educator Networks (RENs) for two distinct regions: the Willamette Valley and the South Coast, for the 2026-2027 fiscal year (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027). The procuring agency is seeking organizations to facilitate regional collaboration among school districts, education service districts, early learning providers, postsecondary institutions, and community partners to strengthen professional learning and support systems for educators. The primary deliverables and key objectives include recruiting and maintaining a Coordinating Body membership meeting statutory requirements under ORS 342.943, convening Member Organizations to identify regional needs, developing and submitting a four-year Regional Plan by April 1, 2029, providing technical assistance to Member Organizations, managing quarterly and annual reporting requirements, serving as Fiscal Agent for grant fund distribution, and maintaining a publicly available website documenting Coordinating Body membership, selection processes, and meeting minutes. Required qualifications for applicants include demonstrated experience in educator development and regional coordination, capacity to leverage partnerships, ability to identify and address equity disparities, experience strengthening evidence-based instructional practices, and proven success in improving student outcomes through cross-district partnerships. Evaluation criteria are organized into four categories totaling 100 points: Sponsoring Organization Capacity and Readiness (48 points), Commitment to Equity (14 points), Regional Partnerships and Capacity (32 points), and Fiscal Management (6 points), with applicants required to submit thirteen narrative responses with word limits ranging from 500 to 600 words demonstrating specific examples, measurable evidence of impact, and disaggregated data. Key dates include a pre-application conference on April 27, 2026, at 9:30 AM Pacific Time, a deadline for questions and clarifications by May 1, 2026, at 3:00 PM, with responses issued by approximately May 8, 2026, and a final application submission deadline of May 22, 2026, at 3:00 PM through OregonBuys, with award notices anticipated by June 19, 2026.

Eligible applicants include school districts, education service districts, nonprofit organizations, postsecondary institutions, federally-recognized Native American tribes, or consortiums of these entities, with no specified set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are referenced in this RFA, as this represents new procurement for the 2026-2027 program year. The Sponsoring Organizations will receive differentiated funding based on region and program scope, with the South Coast REN eligible for up to $200,000 in Capacity Funds plus $424,427 in Formula Funds, and the Willamette Valley REN eligible for up to $400,000 in Capacity Funds plus $2,254,750 in Formula Funds, for a combined total award value of approximately $3.53 million across both regions. Additionally, each organization may receive up to $50,000 in start-up funds between agreement execution and June 30, 2026, for hiring a REN Coordinator and establishing a Coordinating Body. Capacity Funds are restricted to supporting Sponsoring Organization staffing and operational costs limited to 2.5 FTE staff positions, with allowable indirect costs capped at 10 percent of the grant, while Formula Funds support educator professional learning implementation, including stipends for educators, software and hardware directly related to approved plans, qualifying event food, and educator travel for professional learning activities. Applicants must complete and submit the Applicant Information and Certification Sheet, fillable application form, and Capacity Budget Worksheet, with compliance required regarding insurance requirements including Workers' Compensation, Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate), Automobile Liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), Professional Liability ($2,000,000 per claim/$4,000,000 aggregate), and Directors and Officers Liability ($1,000,000), with the State named as Additional Insured on applicable policies.