The council of chief state school officers (CCSSO) is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the district of columbia, the department of defense educa

The New Mexico Public Education Department is soliciting proposals for membership and services from the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) under a sole-source determination, with proposals due August 23, 2026. The procurement is restricted to CCSSO as the sole capable source.

The scope covers three educational collaboratives: the Chief Academic Officer/Chief Talent Officer (CAO/CTO) Collaborative with three memberships, the Systems to Elevate Excellent Teaching (SEET) Collaborative with one membership, and the School Leadership Development and Supports (SLDS) Collaborative with one membership. These collaboratives provide infrastructure, staff support, meeting logistics, and leadership development for senior cabinet-level education officials. Services support state policy development in educator effectiveness, teaching workforce recruitment and retention, and school leadership strategies, with access to professional learning communities and multi-state research capabilities.

The contract value is $234,548 before tax. The contract term extends from execution through June 30, 2027. The sole-source determination concludes that CCSSO alone meets the PED's requirement that the provider maintain membership of all fifty state education chief officers and U.S. territories, a capability necessary for federal policymaking participation and maintaining competitive educational leadership across states.

The sole-source determination was posted July 23, 2026 and requires a thirty-day posting period without protest before final approval by the State Purchasing Agent.