Michigan Department of Education
Competitive Contract
RFP-CB-313R3200169
Michigan School Reform Office
National Board Certification and Support
CONTRACT ANNOUNCED………BY: ……………………….………….
STATE CONTACT………..…….…
PROPOSALS DUE…………………
AT: ………………………..………… / 4/26/2013
Michigan Department of Education
John A. Hannah Building
608 W. Allegan St.
Lansing, MI 48909
Deborah Clemmons
(517) 241-4185
5/17/2013 @3:00pm
Michigan Department of Education
MDE-Procurement
c/o Chad Bassett
608 W. Allegan St.
Lansing, MI 48909
CONTRACT ANNOUNCEMENT
Michigan School Reform Office: National Board Certification and Support
Contract : National Board Certification and Support
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is offering a competitive contract opportunity for qualified intermediate school districts/regional educational service agencies, universities, professional associations and organizations, support organizations, or a consortium of one or more of these groups, complying with all terms and conditions described in this document.
Mark all documents Michigan School Reform Office: National Board Certification and Support
Mail or deliver all proposals and accessory documents to:
Michigan Department of Education
State School Reform/Redesign Office
Deborah Clemmons
608 W. Allegan St.
Lansing, MI 48909
Proposals must be manually signed on this MDE form in the space provided below
Submit seven (7) printed copies and one (1) electronic copy, in PDF format, on CD. Please clearly mark the original copy as “ORIGINAL” on the cover
I have read the terms and conditions of this contract and submit for consideration the attached proposal and exhibits.
I acknowledge that there is no conflict of interest, as defined by Section 5.8, unless otherwise expressly disclosed by attachment to this page.
Company Name / Company Telephone NumberCompany Address / Company Fax Number
City, State, Zip Code
Authorized Signer’s Full Name and Title / Authorized Signature Date
Michigan School Reform Office
Table of Contents
1.0 Proposal Overview
1.1 Scope of Services Sought
1.2 School Reform Office Goals
1.3 Contract Award
1.4 Definitions
1.5 Statutory Authorization
1.6 Scope of Work and Budget
2.0 Applicant Instructions
2.1 Contract Inquiries
2.2 How To Respond
2.3 Calendar of Events
3.0 Contract Deliverables
4.0 Proposal Evaluation
4.1 Minimal Qualifications
4.2 Proposal Checklist
4.3 Selection Criteria
4.4 State Rights in Evaluating Proposal
5.0 Terms and Conditions
5.1 Alteration of Application
5.2 Rejection of Proposal
5.3 Incurring Costs
5.4 Confidentiality of Proposal
5.5 Applicant Conduct
5.6 Applicant Responsibilities
5.7 Applicant Staff
5.8 Conflict of Interest
5.9 Lobbying for Contract s and Cooperative Agreements
5.10 Insurance
5.11 Indemnification
5.12 Tax Exempt
5.13 Audit Requirements
5.14 Audit of Pricing and Billing Procedures
5.15 Access to Records and Financial Statements
5.16 State and Federal Monitoring Visits
5.17 Cancellation
5.18 Joint Proposals
5.19 Designation of Subcontractors
5.20 Certification Regarding Nondiscrimination
5.21 Assurance Concerning Materials Developed
5.22 Section 511 of the U.S. DOE Appropriation Act of 1990
5.23 Contract Award
5.24 Non-Exclusive
5.25 Compliance with Contract Program Requirement
5.26 Governing Law
Appendix A Selection Criteria Rubric
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Michigan School Reform Office: National Board Certification and Support
1.0 Proposal Overview
1.1 Scope of Services Sought
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is requesting proposals for a comprehensive National Board Certification program that includes candidate support. The program must provide the following:
· Manage the application process, registration, reimbursement and/or payment to National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) for National Board Certification Candidates and Take One! Candidates for the School Reform Office
· Assist candidates through on-going professional support including, but not limited to, a summer Jump Start program, group meetings, and one-on-one guidance
· Connect candidates locally and statewide
· Provide digital resources for candidates and
· Ensure that candidates have the tools needed to complete National Board Certification or Take One!
1.2 School Reform Office Mission and Goals
The School Reform Office was established to advance dramatic improvement in the Priority Schools (the lowest achieving 5% schools) by assisting schools in developing and implementing effective school redesign plans. This mission addresses a broader vision – that every student in Michigan will have a quality education that prepares them for career and college success. In order to address this mission and vision, the School Reform Office created a set of operational goals in 2011. These goals and practices are identified below:
1. Establish the State School Reform Office, policies, and procedures.
2. Coordinate reform efforts for Priority schools across the Michigan Department of Education to ensure thorough integration of activities and monitoring of Priority schools.
3. Strengthen teacher effectiveness in Priority schools.
4. Develop policies and strategies to support effective school leaders in Priority schools, including principals and teacher leaders.
5. Identify, advocate, and recommend policies that ensure reallocation academic and financial resources to support in Priority schools.
6. Coordinate the establishment of the Education Achievement Authority (EAA) as a statewide school district to support Priority schools.
1.3 Contract Award
This contract award will be 100% state funded as a part of the funding for the School Reform Office activities within the general fund for operational efforts of the Michigan Department of Education.
1.4 Definitions
State: State of Michigan
ISD: Intermediate School District
MDE: Michigan Department of Education
SRO: State School Reform/Redesign Office
RESA: Regional Educational Service Agency
RFP: Request for Proposal
Applicant: Organization or individual submitting a proposal
Contract: Successful applicant awarded the Contract
LEA: Local Education Agency
EAA: Education Achievement Authority
1.5 Statutory Authorization
Section MCL 380.1280c of the Revised School Code Act authorized the State of Michigan to establish the State School Reform/Redesign Office for the purpose of turning around the state’s lowest performing schools.
1.6 Scope of Work and Budget
The National Board Certification support purchased by the School Reform Office shall run through June 30, 2016, with the majority of support being provided by June 30, 2014. Candidates will be participating in the Literacy: Reading-Language Arts / Early and Middle Childhood certification program. The School Reform Office will pay up to $2,500 for each full certification candidate and up to $395 for each Take One! candidate in a single cycle, with the candidate covering the processing charge. The remaining funds will be used for support services. Support services will include the following:
o Work closely with the School Reform Office to set up an application and selection process that targets elementary Priority Schools in Michigan.
o Setup a payment process to ensure that candidates are reimbursed and/or NBPTS is paid on time
o Host a summer 2013 Jump Start program for all candidates, with a purpose of reviewing the National Board Certification process, acquainting candidates with the support available, and helping candidates get a “jumpstart” on their portfolios
o Provide one-on-one guidance to each candidate
o Provide interactive, web-based support
o Connect candidates locally and statewide
o Provide digital resources for candidates
The contract amount of $270,000 includes the National Board Certification or Take One! fee for approximately 75 candidates in their first year, and support for those candidates. Remaining funds will be used to pay fees and support for candidates retaking entries or assessments in their second or third year.
2.0 Applicant Instructions
2.1 Contract Inquiries
All inquiries concerning this contract, including but not limited to, requests for clarifications, questions, and any changes to the contract , shall be e-mailed with the subject line reading “National Board Certification and Support”, citing the contract title, Page, Section, and Paragraph and submitted to the following Point of Contact:
Deborah Clemmons
School Reform Officer
Michigan Department of Education
State School Reform/Redesign Office
Subject: “SRO National Board Certification and Support”
Applicants are encouraged to submit questions via email; however, the State assumes no liability for assuring accurate/complete email transmission/receipt and is not responsible to acknowledge receipt.
Inquiries must be received by the State’s Point of Contact (see above) no later than the conclusion of the Applicant Inquiry period (see Calendar of Events). Inquiries received later than the conclusion of the Applicant Inquiry Period shall not be considered properly submitted and will not be considered.
The State intends to issue official responses to properly submitted inquiries on or before the date specified in the Calendar of Events, however, this date may be subject to change at the State’s discretion. The State may also consolidate and/or paraphrase questions for efficiency and clarity. The State may, at its discretion, amend this contract on its own initiative or in response to issues raised by inquiries, as it deems appropriate. Oral statements, representations, clarifications, or modifications concerning the contract shall not be binding upon the State. The State will make publicly available all inquiries and responses, upon request.
2.2 How to Respond
The cover page of this contract document contains specific instructions as to where and to whom your response should be addressed, the number of copies needed, and due date and cut off time, along with other important instructions.
2.3 Calendar of Events
The following table provides the Calendar of Events for this contract:
EVENT DATE TIME
Contract announcement 04/26/13 4:00 p.m. (EST)
Applicant inquiry begins 04/29/13 8:00 a.m. (EST)
Final date for application submission/receipt 05/17/13 3:00 p.m. (EST)
Final award selection 05/30/13 TBA
3.0 Project Deliverables
A comprehensive program that includes:
o The candidate application and selection process, as well as the processing of National Board Certification and Take One! candidate fees
o The option for applicants to choose between National Board Certification and the Take One! program
o A support program that includes one-on-one guidance; interactive, web-based support; networking of candidates locally and statewide; digital resources; and a summer 2013 Jump Start program for candidates
4.0 Proposal Evaluation
4.1 Minimal Qualifications
The applicant must show clear evidence of meeting the following conditions:
1. Demonstrated knowledge of the National Board Certification process, and the ability to successfully support National Board Certification or Take One! Candidates.
2. The applicant has the capacity to create and conduct a successful program for 75-100 candidates.
4.2 Proposal Checklist
The proposal must include the following:
1. A description of the applicants experience in providing services required, including discussion of previous related work. Please include vitas of staff.
2. A narrative describing how each of the contract deliverables will be accomplished.
3. A management, staffing, and budget plan for the internal management of the contract work that will ensure accomplishment of the deliverables.
4. An organization chart indicating staff (by name), task responsibilities, and timeline.
4.3 Selection Criteria
A panel will review the proposal and award points based on the level of competence (superior, high, and average, limited) in the following areas:
1. Applicant Experience with National Board Certification Programs
2. Applicant Plan
3. Contract Deliverable Component #1
4. Contract Deliverable Component #2
5. Contract Deliverable Component #3
6. Management, Staffing, Organizational Chart
7. Budget Plan
8. Overall RFP
A total of 100 points is possible. Refer to Appendix A for complete Selection Criteria Rubric.
4.4 State Rights in Evaluating Proposal
The State reserves the right to:
1. Consider any source of information in evaluating proposals,
2. Omit any planned step if, in the State’s view, the step is not needed,
3. At its sole discretion, reject any and all proposals at any time,
4. Open discussions with the second highest scoring applicant, if the State is unable to reach an agreement on award terms with the highest scoring applicant.
4.5 Budget
A panel will review the proposal and award points based on the level of competence (superior, high, average, and limited). The budget of $270,000 should include fees and support for 75-100 candidates in the first year. A portion of the contract should be reserved to cover fees and support for candidates retaking entries or assessments in their second or third year.
5.0 Terms and Conditions
5.1 Alteration of Application
The original application document is on file with the Michigan Department of Education. Any alteration to this application or any file associated with the application is prohibited. Any such changes may result in a proposal being rejected.
5.2 Rejection of Proposal
MDE reserves the right to reject any or all proposals that are not responsive to the RFP, are outside of the fiscal constraint, or are not in the best interest of MDE.
5.3 Incurring Costs
There is no express or implied obligation of MDE to reimburse any individual or firm for any costs incurred in preparing or submitting responses; for providing additional information when requested by MDE; or for participating in any applicant conference, technical assistance meeting, interview, or negotiation.
5.4 Confidentiality of Proposal
A proposal must remain confidential until the effective date of any resulting award as a result of this RFP. An applicant’s disclosure or distribution of proposals, other than to the MDE, will be grounds for disqualification.
5.5 Applicant Conduct
During the application window (the date from release of the RFP to final award), applicants are not permitted to contact any MDE employee or members of the State Board of Education regarding the Contract unless written permission is given by the State Point of Contact identified within this document. No gratuities of any kind will be accepted, including meals, gifts, and trips, except as provided as a reference site visitation during finalist evaluations, if needed. Violation of these conditions will constitute immediate disqualification.
5.6 Applicant Responsibilities
The applicant shall be solely responsible for meeting all requirements, terms, and conditions specified in this RFP, its proposal, and any resulting award, regardless of whether or not it proposes to use any subcontract or.
5.7 Applicant Staff
MDE may conduct reference and background checks on the applicant, assigned workers, or subcontractors. MDE reserves the right to reject the applicant, assigned workers, or subcontract or as a result of such reference and background checks.
5.8 Conflict of Interest
All applicants must disclose the name of any officer, director, or agent who is also employed by or represents the MDE. All applicants must disclose the name of any employee or representative who owns, directly or indirectly, any interest in the applicant’s business or any of its branches.