Technical Advisory Committee

The Arkansas Department of Education is seeking a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) contractor through solicitation S000000382, with proposals due January 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM Central Time. The selected contractor will provide specialized technical expertise and guidance related to public school student assessment and accountability issues, with a contract start date of May 1, 2025 for an initial three-year term, potentially extending to seven years. Key requirements include demonstrating membership in at least three major national education organizations for a minimum of five years, and having at least 10 years of experience managing state/consortium level Technical Advisory Committees, with four years of specific Arkansas experience. The contractor must organize three annual face-to-face meetings in Little Rock and up to four virtual conference calls, with deliverables including supporting research studies on the ATLAS K3 literacy screener and preparing approximately two white papers annually. The evaluation will be comprehensive, with 700 technical points allocated across Experience (30%), Solution (20%), Risk (20%), and Interview (30%), and an additional 300 points for cost considerations.

The solicitation appears open to qualified contractors without significant set-aside restrictions, though the RFP includes provisions for minority and women-owned business participation with space for Arkansas certification numbers. Contractors must complete multiple compliance certifications, including those related to boycotts, illegal immigrants, and scrutinized companies. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the pricing sheet requires a detailed seven-year cost breakdown, suggesting the contract has substantial financial scope. Contractors must provide both redacted and non-redacted proposal copies and are expected to cover all associated costs, including travel, meeting space, AV equipment, and meals for approximately 25 participants. The contract follows standard Arkansas state procurement guidelines, with potential legislative review for contracts exceeding certain financial thresholds and mandatory payment through ACH direct deposit or state-authorized VISA procurement cards.