School Apportionment System Modernization

The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is seeking consultants to modernize the School Apportionment Financial Systems (SAFS) into the School Apportionment System for Quality, Accountability, Transparency, and Calculations Hub (SASQUATCH), a critical system for allocating operating revenue across the state's public K-12 education system. The Request for Proposal (RFP No. 2026-12) is targeting consultants with experience developing financial systems and school district data collection platforms. The project involves three potential work sections: Data Collection and Review, Data Calculations and Estimations, and Data Reporting, with bidders able to propose solutions for one, two, or all three sections. Key deliverables include a modern system capable of handling complex financial calculations, enrollment reporting, budgeting, and data management for 295 school districts. The RFP was released on November 10, 2025, with a pre-bid conference scheduled for December 9, 2025, and proposals due by February 13, 2026. Evaluation criteria include both technical capabilities and cost factors, with demonstrations required to showcase system functionality using Tumwater School District's 2024-25 data.

The procurement offers preference points for veteran-owned and small businesses, with a 5% bid preference for each category. Bidders must be licensed to do business in Washington or provide intent to become licensed within 30 days of selection. The contract period is estimated from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, with potential extensions through June 30, 2031, based on performance and funding availability. The established financial estimate is $9 million, which includes three years of post-implementation maintenance and operations support. The system must meet WaTech security standards, comply with state and federal data protection regulations, and integrate with existing platforms like One Washington. Minimum qualifications include demonstrable experience developing at least one sizeable financial system and preference for consultants with specific experience in school district data collection, budget reporting, or funding distribution systems. Proposals that do not meet minimum qualifications will be rejected as non-responsive, and the lowest total evaluation price will receive the maximum cost points, with other bids receiving proportional scoring.