SBE: Illinois Educator Preparation Profile (IEPP) Technical Expert

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is seeking a technical expert to assist in developing and refining the Illinois Educator Preparation Profile (IEPP), a comprehensive evaluation system for educator preparation programs. The project aims to expand the current IEPP from focusing solely on teacher preparation to include principal preparation, administrative preparation, and school support personnel preparation programs. The selected vendor will serve on the Core Planning Team and lead advisory group meetings, with key deliverables including creating scoring guides, reauthorization guides, and user manuals for various educator preparation programs. The procurement involves conducting stakeholder surveys, focus groups, and analyses to improve data collection systems and develop new survey methodologies. The contract will run from the date of agency execution to June 30, 2028, with an evaluation process totaling 530 points: 400 points for technical requirements, 80 points for Commitment to Diversity, and 50 points for pricing. The RFP was posted on August 8, 2025, with proposals due by September 9, 2025, and an anticipated contract execution in October 2025.

The procurement is not specifically set aside for small businesses and appears open to qualified vendors with expertise in educational data analysis and system development. The project involves extensive data handling and requires strict compliance with federal and state regulations, including FERPA, ISSRA, and SOPPA. Vendors must demonstrate robust data security capabilities, including encryption protocols and access controls. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the project suggests a significant investment in improving educator preparation program evaluation. The procurement emphasizes diversity and inclusion, with 80 of the 530 total evaluation points dedicated to the Commitment to Diversity criteria. Vendors must provide detailed documentation about their diversity practices, including subcontracting with women, minority, and disabled-owned businesses, DEI spending, and workforce diversity. The project will require close collaboration with ISBE staff, educational institutions, and various stakeholder groups to develop and pilot new data collection and reporting systems for educator preparation programs.