RIDE Pre-K Assessment System

The Rhode Island Department of Education is soliciting a comprehensive early childhood assessment system to evaluate and support the development of children enrolled in the state’s pre-K program, spanning from birth through Grade 3. The system must deliver both formative and summative assessments aligned with Rhode Island’s Early Learning and Developmental Standards and K–3 Core Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics, utilizing nationally recognized, valid, and reliable tools that include objective measures beyond teacher observations. Vendors are required to provide a mobile- and web-based data entry platform integrated with the state’s RISES (Salesforce) system, enabling secure data segregation, federal compliance reporting, and detailed analytics for tracking child progress and educator effectiveness. The solution must include ongoing technical support, professional development training for educators—structured around 10 hours per cohort across eight cohorts over a three-year base term—and robust mechanisms for system maintenance, uptime, and help desk response. Submissions must be completed through the Ocean State Procures™ portal by the deadline of June 15, 2026, and include a technical narrative limited to 10–20 pages, a completed Cost Proposal Sheet using per-child and hourly training rate calculations based on an estimated 3,000 students and 80 training hours, an attestation regarding conflict of interest under penalty of perjury, and a participation plan for state-certified minority, women, or disability-owned business enterprises. Proposals will be evaluated through a trade-off process, not lowest price technically acceptable, with technical merit comprising 70 points and cost accounting for 30 points, plus up to 6 bonus points for ISBE participation. To advance to cost evaluation, a technical proposal must achieve a minimum score of 60 out of 70, serving as a mandatory gate. Technical evaluation focuses on vendor capability and qualifications, work plan quality, system maintenance and support capabilities, and understanding of Rhode Island’s specific educational context. Cost proposals will be scored based on competitiveness of per-child and training rate structures. All submissions must be self-contained, with no external links permitted, and must include resumes of key personnel. Performance will be delivered statewide across all 16 participating communities, with acceptance determined by the Rhode Island Department of Education upon verification of system alignment, functionality, data integration, and compliance with federal and state standards. No formal contract type, contracting officer details, or payment instructions are specified, but vendors must comply with state certification requirements for socioeconomic participation and submit all documentation electronically via the designated portal without physical