About this opportunity
AI summaryThe buyer seeks a vendor to provide comprehensive special education services, instructional materials, and adaptive technology for students with disabilities in Houston, Texas. The selected contractor must supply core and supplemental materials, alternative instructional technology, and related software, while delivering interactive professional development and training to teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators through online and face-to-face formats. Eligibility is restricted to onshore United States vendors, and performance of the work will take place onsite. Interested vendors can submit proposals digitally via email or online for a one-year contract term. The buyer will hold a pre-bid conference on November 11, 2026, and all inquiries must arrive no later than November 13, 2026.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- Houston Independent School District
Scope of work
- Core and supplemental instructional materials supporting students with disabilities accessing general or alternate curricula
- Alternative instructional technology aligned to essential knowledge and skills supporting participation in general education
- Training for teachers, paraprofessionals, and campus/district administrators on core and supplemental instructional technology and materials
- Interactive, research-based professional development supporting grade K-12 teachers and district personnel
- Special education adaptive technology modifying traditional instructional supports for special needs students
- Instructional technology supporting universal design for learning, social skills, and social or emotional learning
- Workbooks, manipulatives, and products building reading, writing, math, communication, life, and organizational skills
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| The purchase price | 40% |
| The reputation of the Vendor and of the Vendor’s goods and/or services | 5% |
| The quality of the Vendor’s goods and/or services | 5% |
| The extent to which the goods and/or services meet the District's needs | 15% |
| The Vendor’s past relationship with the District | 5% |
| The impact on the ability of the District to comply with laws and rules relating to historically underutilized businesses | Not specified |
| The total long-term cost to the District to acquire the Vendor’s goods and/or services | Not specified |
| For a contract for goods and services, other than goods and services related to telecommunications and information services, building construction and maintenance, or instructional materials, whether the vendor or the vendor's ultimate pare… | Not specified |
| Any other relevant factor specifically listed in the request for bids or proposals | 0% |
Minimum qualifications
- Criminal history background check compliance for covered employees under Texas Education Code sections 22.085 and 22.0834
- Completed TEA Pre-Employment or Pre-Service Affidavit for educational entities for applicable service providers
- Fingerprinting registration for employees with direct contact with students
Documents to include with your response
- 27-10-28 VENDOR FORM: Execution of Offer
- 27-10-28 VENDOR FORM: Attachment B - HUB Participation Report
- 27-10-28 VENDOR FORM: Reference Survey
- 27-10-28 VENDOR FORM: Texas Student Data Privacy Agreement (TX-SDPA)
- 27-10-28 VENDOR FORM: Certificate of Insurance
- 27-10-28 VENDOR FORM: HB 1295 – Certificate of Interested Parties
- 27-10-28 VENDOR FORM: IRS FORM W-9 (Rev. 2024)
- 27-10-28 VENDOR FORM: Conflict of Interest (Form CIQ)
- 27-10-28 VENDOR FORM: Criminal History Background Check
- 27-10-28 Appendix B – Price Schedule (Required)
Key dates
- Release RFP
- Friday, November 6, 2026
- Pre-proposal Conference
- Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. (CST)
- Last date for questions
- Friday, November 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (CST)
- Proposals Due
- Monday, December 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (CST)
- Evaluation Period
- Wednesday, December 9, 2026 – Wednesday, December 16, 2026
- Board Meeting Date
- Thursday, February 11, 2027 (Subject to Change)
How to submit
- Method
- Electronic via the agency portal
- Instructions
- Submitted electronically through HISD electronic bidding portal (IonWave at houstonisd.ionwave.net). Emailed or faxed proposals will not be accepted. Excel workbooks must be uploaded unencrypted.
Contract details
- Place of performance
- Houston, TX
- Insurance and bonding
- Certificate of Liability Insurance (ACORD Form) and Insurance Verification Form signed by insurance agent/broker displaying types of coverage and limits required by HISD Risk Management.