RFP for School District Visioning & Stakeholder Engagement Professional Service

The Chester, Deep River, Essex, Region No. 4, and Supervision District Committee Boards of Education are seeking qualified educational consulting firms to facilitate a comprehensive District Visioning and Stakeholder Engagement process beginning in June 2026, with contract award anticipated by June 15, 2026. The engagement, funded through a budget of $40,000 to $50,000, will involve four distinct phases: convening visioning sessions and building momentum, conducting a comprehensive needs assessment, developing strategic vision and options for educational facilities and governance, and delivering a final report with public presentation. The consultant must lead community engagement across multiple towns in Connecticut, synthesize feedback from diverse stakeholders, analyze educational models including energy efficiency and next-generation learning environments, and produce actionable strategic recommendations aligned with community aspirations. Proposals must be submitted in hard copy by 2:30 PM on May 27, 2026, to the Office of the Superintendent of Schools in Deep River, including one original and one copy in a sealed envelope marked with solicitation number R4202026; digital submissions are not accepted for full proposals, though digital signatures are permitted. The evaluation process is trade-off based, emphasizing overall qualifications, experience in educational projects, proposal quality, reference responses, interview performance, and adherence to requirements, with cost considered but not determinative—the District explicitly reserves the right to select a higher-priced proposal if it offers superior value. Required attachments include Exhibits A through E, covering fee schedules, non-collusion certifications, and disclosures of pending litigation; proposers must certify compliance with state and federal laws, disclose any conflicts of interest including familial relationships with board members, and name the Boards as additional insureds on insurance policies. Performance will occur across the District’s communities, with all deliverables due by the end of the 2026–2027 school year, invoiced on a milestone-based, Net-30 basis without designated payment systems or contracting officer representatives identified. No formal FAR clauses, CAGE or UEI registration, or socioeconomic certifications are required, and while the contract structure is service-based with an all-inclusive fee model, no FOB terms or physical delivery logistics apply. Proposers must submit resumes of key personnel, organizational structure details, and subcontracting disclosures, with failure to disclose litigation or conflicts potentially leading to disqualification.