About this opportunity
AI summaryThe South Dakota Department of Education seeks a qualified, nationally recognized vendor to serve as the statewide technical assistance and grant implementation management partner for the Teacher and School Leader grant across three project years. The selected contractor will support SD TAP implementation planning and expansion, continuous improvement, statewide monitoring systems, federal compliance, and performance reporting. Eligible bidders are onshore USA organizations with expertise in Grow Your Own and strategic staffing models. Interested vendors must submit proposals by November 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM CT via digital email or online submission, with written inquiries due by November 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM CT. Proposals will be evaluated based on cost and reliability (20 points), experience, qualifications, and approach (25 points), and record of past performance (10 points). The anticipated contract start date is January 2027.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- State of South Dakota Department of Education
- Solicitation No.
- 26RFP20465
Scope of work
- Serve as primary statewide technical assistance, implementation planning and management, and federal compliance partner
- Provide required in-kind match as required by the federal grant and submit match documentation
- Deliver SD TAP expansion and implementation support, including apprenticeship coaching and district onboarding
- Support mentor and journeyworker alignment and development, including design and facilitation of year-long structured professional development
- Facilitate workforce pathway development and educator recruitment strategies
- Coordinate with educator preparation partners, specifically Dakota State University
- Provide support for data systems, continuous improvement, fidelity reviews, communities of practice, and sustainability planning
- Provide project governance, grant management consultation, federal compliance assistance, and GPRA performance reporting
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Cost and Reliability | 20 |
| Experience, Qualifications, and Approach | 25 |
| Record of Past Performance | 10 |
Minimum qualifications
- Nationally recognized vendor who is a leader in Grow Your Own and strategic staffing models
- Not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded by any Federal department or agency
- Not in arrears upon any obligations to the State of South Dakota, or deemed irresponsible or unreliable
- Not refuse commercial relations with or boycott Israel if employing 5 or more employees on a contract of $100,000 or more
- Not owned or controlled by foreign parent entities or governments of China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or Venezuela
- No discrimination against firearm-related entities per Executive Order 2023-04
Documents to include with your response
- Completed and signed Request for Proposal Form
- One- or two-page Executive Summary
- Examples of Similar Work from three previous jobs including client contact information, dates, and descriptions
- Detailed Response including narrative assessment, point-by-point scope response, and options/alternatives
- Copy of most recent audited financial statements
- South Dakota Substitute W9 with handwritten signature (Exhibit B)
- Contractor Certification Relating to Prohibited Entity under SDCL 5-18D-12 (Exhibit C)
- Cost Proposal with line-item costs per deliverable
Key dates
- RFP Publication
- October 31, 2026
- Deadline for Submission of Written Inquiries
- November 6, 2026 by 5:00 PM CT
- Responses to Consultant Questions
- November 18, 2026
- Proposal Submission Deadline
- November 30, 2026 by 5:00 PM CT
- Oral proposals/discussions (if required)
- December 2026
- Anticipated Award /Contract Negotiation
- December 2026/January 2027
- Contract Start Date
- January 2027
How to submit
- Method
- Instructions
- Submit an electronic copy via email to Rochelle Kenzy at [email protected] with subject line RFP Proposal for RFP# 26RFP20465. Proposals must be page numbered, organized, and tabbed.
Contract details
- Term
- January 1, 2027 to September 30, 2029, with the State reserving the right to extend for one (1) year
- Place of performance
- Pierre, South Dakota / Statewide South Dakota
- Insurance and bonding
- Commercial General Liability of not less than $1,000,000.00 each occurrence (State of South Dakota named as additional insured); Business Automobile Liability of not less than $1,000,000.00 each accident; Workers Compensation as required by South Dakota law; Professional Liability or Miscellaneous Professional Liability of not less than $1,000,000.00.
- Funding
- Teacher and School Leader (TSL) federal grant