DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

GENERAL SERVICES DIVISION

STATE PROCUREMENT BUREAU

http://gsd.mt.gov/

STEVE BULLOCK MITCHELL BUILDING, ROOM 165

GOVERNOR STATE OF MONTANA PO BOX 200135

(406) 444-2575 HELENA, MONTANA 59620-0135

(406) 444-2529 FAX

TTY Users-Dial 711

April 1, 2015

To: All Interested Vendors

Re: Request for Information

The State of Montana, Office of Public Instruction is requesting information regarding instructional consulting firms providing on-site professional development and support to early childhood centers that are part of the Montana Preschool Development Grant. The number of on-site days per month will be based on the number of eligible classrooms at each early childhood center. The professional development and support will be focused on the implementation of the Montana Early Learning Standards and Montana Program Standards. The State of Montana invites all interested parties to submit a written response to this Request for Information (RFI).

This RFI is being sought strictly for the purpose of gaining knowledge of services and supplies available with an estimate of their corresponding costs and should not be construed as intent, commitment, or promise to acquire services, supplies, or solutions offered. No contract will result from any response to this RFI.

Information submitted in response to this RFI will become the property of the State of Montana.

The State of Montana will not pay for any information herein requested nor is it liable for any cost incurred by the vendor.

RFI responses must be received prior to April 17, 2015 at the following address:

Procurement Officer: Carol Monroe

Address: 1227 11th Avenue, Helena, MT 59601-2501

Telephone Number: 406-444-4404

Fax Number:

E-mail Address:

Procedural, administrative, technical or contractual questions and answers may be directed to the procurement officer listed above between April 1 through April 10, 2015 by 5:00 pm MST. Responses will be sent by 5 pm MST on April 14, 2015

We appreciate your response to this request.


1.0 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

· The purpose of the consulting firms will be to provide professional development to early childhood centers that are part of the Montana Preschool Development Grant (MPDG). This support will be provided on-site so many days per month, which will be based on the number of eligible classrooms at each early childhood center. The professional development and support will be focused on the implementation of the Montana Early Learning Standards and Montana Program Standards, and will support the work of the Office of Public Instruction and the Department of Health and Human Services, which is listed in 2.0.

2.0 The Montana Preschool Development Grant PROJECT DESCRIPTION

3.0 RFI RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS

The State is asking all interested parties to submit a response containing the following information:

ü Your interest in providing the services/supplies.

ü Submit a one-page resume of each consultant that would be working with the MPDG. Include his or her experience in working with early childhood centers.

ü Provide a two page document of the firm’s expertise with early childhood content (i.e. curriculum, assessments, and instruction) and specifically the Montana Early Learning Standards. Include any state or federal early childhood projects the firm has been involved with and evidence that the firm improved outcomes for children.

ü Provide a one page document of the firm’s expertise with coaching teachers and evidence that the firm has improved teacher instruction.

ü Provide a one page document of the firm’s experience with development of curricular resources and provide a link to a website for examples, or include ONE example on a jump drive.

ü Submit a brief list of expenses and total costs by year, up to four year. Provide a daily rate for each consultant’s on-site support days.

ü From your past experience, has the State identified all the major components necessary to complete this project? If not, please provide information on other necessary components.

ü Please provide a list of potential problems/risks that the State may encounter during this project. Please provide any ideas or suggestions about how such problems/risks should be addressed in a solicitation.

ü Your best estimated price range to provide the services/supplies as stated herein, lowest estimate to highest estimate.