26CISMB1 | Early Literacy Tutoring Evaluator | RFR

The contract for the evaluation of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Early Literacy Tutoring program is structured as a deliverables-based agreement with a maximum initial value of $500,000, potentially extending through two renewal periods of up to 12 months each, with a total ceiling of approximately $1.2 million. It requires an independent evaluator to support data collection, analysis, and reporting, including monthly memos, formative mid-year reports, and a comprehensive final evaluation, all adhering to DESE’s accessibility and privacy standards such as FERPA and the Massachusetts Fair Information Practices Act. The scope emphasizes data quality, security, and stakeholder engagement through regular meetings, webinars, and a secure data dashboard. The work is performed within Massachusetts, with performance beginning upon contract execution and concluding at a specified end date, typically aligned with fiscal years. The procurement process is governed by the Massachusetts Standard Contract Form, incorporating state-specific terms, the Commonwealth Terms and Conditions, and regulations under 801 CMR 21.00. The contract emphasizes compliance with the Commonwealth’s procurement hierarchy, supplier diversity requirements, and data security standards, including provisions for amendments, conflict disclosures, and ownership rights of deliverables. Bidders must submit a comprehensive proposal via COMMBUYS, including a narrative limited to 15 pages, a detailed deliverables-based budget, staffing resumes, work samples, references, and a completed Supplier Diversity Program Plan (SDP) in Excel. The evaluation will prioritize factors such as the SDP commitment, understanding of scope, experience, and value, with scoring based on an adjectival rating scale. The contract stipulates that all proposals and supporting documentation must be uploaded electronically by August 20, 2025, with no submissions accepted by email or mail, and emphasizes the importance of compliance with accessibility and legal standards throughout the performance period.