Saturday LEAD (Learning, Enrichment, Achievement, Development)

The City of St. Petersburg is conducting a Request for Proposal (RFP-25-308) for the Saturday LEAD (Learning, Enrichment, Achievement, Development) program, seeking a qualified vendor to design and deliver an academic enrichment academy for rising 8th through 11th grade students in targeted St. Petersburg schools. The primary objective is to interrupt academic slide and promote student growth through innovative, tech-enabled, and student-centered strategies, with a strong emphasis on parent engagement and regular communication about student progress. Proposers must work collaboratively with the Pinellas County Schools Office of Strategic Partnerships to determine school sites and identify participating students. The evaluation will be points-based, with 58% of points allocated to vendor experience, qualifications, program design, and past performance, and criteria including program design, parent engagement, innovation, curriculum strategy, and data use. The RFP was released on October 2, 2025, with a pre-proposal meeting scheduled for October 9, 2025, and proposals due by November 4, 2025, at 3:00 pm. Vendors must conduct Level 2 background screenings for employees and demonstrate expertise in working with school systems.

The procurement includes set-aside points for local small businesses, minority-owned, and women-owned business enterprises, with 2% allocated for each classification. Proposers must indicate their status as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Minority Owned Business Enterprise (MBE), or Women Owned Business Enterprise (WBE). The contract is valued at $95,000, with potential implementation spanning one to two academic years, depending on the vendor's proposed plan. Vendors must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including $1 million in commercial general liability and abuse/molestation coverage, and comply with city policies on non-discrimination, environmentally preferable purchasing, and health considerations. Allowable expenses include staff salaries, benefits, operating expenses, academic support materials, technology tools, enrichment activities, transportation assistance, and student engagement resources. The successful vendor will be expected to demonstrate strong collaboration with Pinellas County Schools, use multiple data sources for real-time program adaptation, and provide a curriculum aligned with learning standards.