26RFICISKT3 | K-3 Integrated Curriculum| RFI

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to explore the development and distribution of a comprehensive, integrated curriculum for grades K-3 in English Language Arts (ELA)/Literacy, science, and social studies. This initiative aims to create a multi-disciplinary curriculum structured around three instructional strands—foundational reading skills; comprehension, writing, and vocabulary; and science and social studies content—spanning 130 to 160 instructional days per school year. The curricular materials envisioned include detailed teacher guidebooks, unit plans, student workbooks, assessments, daily lesson plans, decodable texts, primary source readers, caregiver communication letters, and professional learning resources. The scope allows for either customization of high-quality existing materials or ground-up development, with a phased field testing and iterative review process culminating in a public release targeted for 2028. DESE requires alignment with Massachusetts educational standards, evidence-based instructional practices, culturally sustaining pedagogy, universal design for learning principles, and accommodations for diverse learners, with rigorous multi-round approval procedures tied to deliverables-based payments. As a non-binding market research tool, this RFI does not define contract terms, pricing, or evaluation criteria, nor does it contain formal FAR clauses or representations typically found in federal solicitations. The anticipated contract would be administered from DESE’s offices in Everett, Massachusetts, with development milestones stretching from mid-2026 through late 2028. Vendors are expected to assign key personnel, such as a lead learning designer, and collaborate closely with DESE subject matter experts and educators for field testing and feedback. DESE retains full ownership of all developed curriculum materials while allowing negotiation of licensing rights for distribution beyond Massachusetts. The project also involves coordination with third-party providers for digital platform integration and print production. Submission of responses is limited to digital uploads via the state procurement portal COMMBUYS within the specified deadline. This RFI serves primarily to gather innovative ideas and vendor insights to inform future solicitations rather than to award any contract at this stage.