Region 16 Education Service Center (Region 16 ESC) is soliciting proposals to select a qualified firm for Subject Matter Expert Consulting and Coaching Services. For purposes of this RFP and the resultant Agreement, Region 16 ESC is represented by the following individual for questions during the RFP process: Andrew Pickens, 806-677-5040, andrew.pickens@escl6.net. The representative will return answers/clarifications to all inquiries; inquiries and answers pertinent to all proposers will be copied to all.
Anticipated schedule and solicitation period: Request for Proposals released September 17, 2024. This is a continuous solicitation: vendors may submit a proposal from the opening date until 10/31/2028. Submissions will be evaluated continuously throughout the term. Region 16 ESC may, at its sole discretion, extend the solicitation via addendum. There is an early review opportunity with a submission deadline of October 8, 2024, 2:00 PM for the first Board meeting approval opportunity; proposals received after specific deadlines for Board opportunities will be returned unopened if late. All timely received proposals will be opened on October 8, 2024, at 2:00 PM for the first Board meeting approval opportunity; this is not a public opening.
Scope of services/responsibilities: Partner with subject matter experts (SMEs) who can serve as consultants or coaches to help with specific educational challenges, school improvement efforts, and professional coaching for staff or teams. Submissions may include, but are not limited to: academic coaching (literacy, math, science), instructional coaching (on-site or virtual), leadership coaching (principals, assistant principals, district leaders), curriculum consultation (development and alignment with standards), special education consultation, data-driven instructional consulting, school improvement planning, behavioral intervention consulting (including PBIS), college and career readiness programming, school climate consulting, bilingual/ESL program consulting, PLC facilitation, compliance consulting (special education, Title I, etc.), family and community engagement consulting, grant writing/resource acquisition, change management, program evaluation, conflict resolution and mediation, presentation materials and audience engagement, individual and group supports, higher-level thinking and problem solving development, and customer service training aligned to organizational culture. Consulting services specifically EXCLUDED from consideration due to statutory requirements are: accounting; architects; landscape architects; land surveying; medicine; optometry; professional engineering; real estate appraising; professional nursing; and professional services provided by a person lawfully engaged in interior design.
Contractor requirements: Vendor must have a proven track record of providing training to K-12 and other public organizations. Advanced degree in education or related work experience preferred. Demonstrated success working with adult learners, teachers, and consultants; experience delivering professional staff development/training; ability to facilitate work groups; excellent oral and written presentation skills; experience writing educational materials; and customer service training and support in developing instructional coaching material. Provide past performance indicators (PPI) and a list of five Texas public agency references (preferably school districts) where work was successfully accomplished in the past five years; provide three additional client references for services performed within the past three years.
Proposal content and format: Organizations interested should mail a proposal (no electronic submissions accepted for proposal delivery) of not more than five pages, clearly indicating which requirements the organization can meet. Required content includes: Title Page with vendor name and contact information and the requirements the organization can meet; Executive Summary providing an overview of proposal components identified by the requirements included; Product and Content Expertise (organization structure, experience, leadership); evidence of organizational capacity to meet requirements and deliver requested services; and clear knowledge and understanding of current training trends with successful outcomes. All responding bidders must submit specified documentation/forms with their proposal (see checklist) including: Bid Response Form, Debarment Form, Responding Contractor's Qualifications, Questionnaire, References, Felony Conviction Disclosure, Form 1295 Certificate of Interested Parties (if required), Texas Resident Information, Vendor Employment Certification, MWBE/HUB Certification (if applicable), EDGAR Vendor Certification, Antitrust Certification Statement, Chapter 2271 Verification, Criminal History and Background Check certifications, Chapter 2274 and Chapter 809 verifications, Conflict of Interest Questionnaire (CIQ), and other compliance certifications. The RFP includes detailed federal- and state-related certification and compliance items (EDGAR/Uniform Guidance, Clean Air Act/Federal Water Pollution Control Act requirements, debarment/suspension, Byrd Anti-Lobbying, procurement of recovered materials, contract work hours and safety standards, rights to inventions, profit negotiation requirements for federal purchases, etc.).
Insurance, bond, term, and evaluation criteria: Insurance requirements include general liability ($1,000,000), professional liability/errors and omissions ($100,000), workers compensation ($1,000,000), automobile liability (minimums noted), and a performance bond equal to 100% of the contract. Contract term: one year from contractor's start date with Region 16 ESC option to extend up to three additional 12-month periods (through 10/31/2028). Term may commence November 1, 2024, if awarded for initial term through October 31, 2025, with extensions possible by mutual agreement. Key decision criteria pursuant to Texas Education Code Section 44.031: purchase price (40%), vendor/goods reputation (15%), quality of goods/services (15%), extent to which goods/services meet Region 16 ESC needs (20%), vendor's past relationship with Region 16 ESC (5%), impact on compliance with historically underutilized business rules (5%). Region 16 ESC reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive formalities or irregularities. Subcontracting permitted only with written consent.
Other requirements and statements: Cost of proposal preparation will not be reimbursed. Offerors must disclose suspension or debarment status, felony convictions as required by Texas Education Code, and comply with criminal history and background check requirements for covered employees. The RFP contains statutory verification sections (chapters 2271, 2274, 809, SB 252 where applicable) and conflict-of-interest disclosures. By submitting a proposal, offerors agree to vendor violation and breach of contract terms and other certifications as noted in the RFP.
