JONES COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL 
Student Learning/Assessment Software Package – English Language Learners
Grades 7-12
 
Overview
Jones County School District (JCSD) is located in Jones County MS.  11 campuses - 6 elementary, 3 middle/high schools, 1 career and technical center, and 1 alternative school with 1 Central Office for the district.  The district has approximately 8600 students. The overall accountability rating for the school district is an “A”. 
 
1. Goal & Purpose of RFP:   [Strategic Plan Goal II: Improve Student Achievement through a Rigorous and Relevant Curriculum; Objective A: Implementation of MS College and Career State Standards and High Stakes Assessments; Objective B: Using data analysis to drive instruction for individual students; Objective C: Implement, review and expand K-12 curricular programs]
 
Purpose of RFP:  The district is requesting proposals/quotes for a software package that will: diagnose ELL students’ strengths and weaknesses; provide a learning pathway based on students’ diagnostic assessments; provide data in easy to read teacher reports.
The district desires a product that uses a specific learning path to help struggling English learners become strong and fluent readers with a specific focus on Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.  
 
2. Proposal Requirements and Project Scope for:
Northeast Jones Middle/High School, South Jones Middle/High School and West Jones Middle/High School;  This product will be accessed by an unlimited number of ELL and Gen. Ed. teachers and approximately 175 ELL students.
 
3. Service Specifications and Provisions:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
Program that provides a software package for diagnosing and prescribing student learning paths for ELL students in grades 7-12. 
Program that provides a software package for guiding EL teachers with lesson planning
Program is a systematical and sequential program that teaches students to read and builds on those reading skills to close learning gaps
Program has user friendly dashboard for educators, staff, students, and parents/guardians that is appealing and easy to navigate, specifically pinpointing deficits of skills for intervention within the student’s learning path
Program that tracks effectiveness of strategies and has reporting/graphing capabilities for progress monitoring
Program has graphics and content appropriate for teaching older students at a lower learning level
Program includes training opportunities and resources for educators for better understanding of the reading process within the program
Program must have the capability to link and sync with ClassLink and OneRoster 
 
4. Pricing/quotes:
Pricing should include all campus locations and total number of EL students within the EL program. These services shall be provided to the Jones County School District during the 2024-2025 school year. Upon satisfactory evaluation of the provided services, services may be extended to include services during the 2025-2026 school term.
 
5. Schedule of RFP events are as follows: a. RFP Released 08/09/2024 b. Proposal Due Date: 08/23/2024 by 9 am
 
6. RFP Submission requirements: Email a copy of the RFP response by 08/23/2024 by 9 am to the following address: [email protected], Missy Bufkin, Director of Federal Programs or submit through centralauctionhouse.com
 
All questions, comments and requests for clarifications must be in writing to Missy Bufkin.  The School District reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to determine appropriate and adequate responses to the written comments, questions and requests for clarification.
 
7. Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Contract Award
Applicants must comply with all applicable licensing and certification requirements specific to the proposed services, be registered through the site of sam.gov, and agree to the terms/agreement and any addendum set forth by the school district’s school board attorney.
 
8.  Acceptance of Proposals
 
The JCSD reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to waive proposal irregularities, which does not affect the price of the proposal, give one party an advantage or benefit over other parties, or adversely impact the interest of JCSD.  In order for a proposal to be accepted, a vendor must comply with the following:
 
*address service specifications in the exact order stated in the Service Specifications section (These will be reviewed with a rubric and rated by the district leadership team to determine the awarding vendor.)
*a cost amount must be submitted by the vendor in a firm fixed price
*the proposal must be signed
 
 
9.  Rejection of Proposals
The JCSD reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to negotiate with the best-proposed offering vendor, to award a contract to other than the low offering vendor, or not to make award if it is determined to be in the best interest of the JCSD. 
 
 
10.  Disposition of Proposals All submitted proposals become the property of the JCSD and will not be returned to the offering vendor. 
 
 
11.  Special Terms/Conditions
 
Subject to Appropriation
Funds for the bid/project are subject to federal/state appropriations and ability of the district’s Federal Program’s Application to accommodate this expense.  
 
Equal Opportunity Employer
The JCSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and therefore prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, physical handicap, disability, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.  The vendor/contractor shall be an equal opportunity employer and shall neither discriminate nor permit discrimination in its operations or employment practices against any person or group of persons on the ground of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, or sex in any manner prohibited by law. 
 
Termination for Convenience
In the event the vendor is unable to provide the contracted services and mutually acceptable alternatives cannot be arranged, the contract can be terminated with written notification by either party.  The JCSD shall give written notice of the termination to the vendor specifying the part of the contract terminated and when termination becomes effective.  The Vendor shall incur no further obligations in connection with the terminated work and on the date set in the notice of termination the vendor will stop work to the extent specified.  The vendor must still complete the work not terminated by the notice of termination and incur obligations as are necessary to do so.  
 
 
 
12. Contact Information
 
Missy Bufkin, Director of Federal Programs
Jones County School District
5204 Hwy 11 North
Ellisville, MS  39437 (601)649-5201
E-Mail: [email protected]
 
Thank you for your time and consideration of this proposal.