Promise Program Development & Implementation Consultant

The Connecticut Office of Higher Education is seeking a qualified consultant under solicitation 26091001 to support a statewide initiative to establish eight new Promise Programs by January 1, 2031, with a priority focus on students in alliance districts. A Promise Program is defined as a scholarship initiative that integrates financial assistance with comprehensive supports, including mentoring, peer networks, and internships, to improve postsecondary enrollment and completion. The selected consultant will provide technical assistance on program design, stakeholder engagement, funding strategies, and sustainability planning, while developing scalable frameworks, practical tools, and evaluation metrics to track student success. Additionally, the consultant is responsible for preparing progress reports to satisfy the agency's annual legislative reporting requirements in accordance with Substitute Bill No. 380. The total funding available for this engagement is up to 400,000 dollars. Proposals are subject to a two-level review process, beginning with a technical review of minimum submission requirements followed by a weighted scoring evaluation based on project management, performance monitoring, and cost-effectiveness. The top three ranking proposals will be submitted to the Commissioner for final award. Applicants must adhere to strict submission guidelines, including a 25-page limit and specific formatting requirements, with a deadline of November 16, 2026. Required documentation includes a Statement of Assurances, a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement, and an Ethics and Confidentiality Affidavit.