School Choice Program Management System (FY26-FY31)

Agency:	State Government of Tennessee
State:	Tennessee
Type of Government:	State & Local
NAICS Category:	541611 - Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Posted Date:	Oct 30, 2025
Due Date:	Dec 19, 2025
Solicitation No:	RFP 33101-26013FAS5
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09-18-25 RFP

STATE OF TENNESSEE

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

FOR

SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

(FY2026-FY2031)

RFP # 33101-26013FAS5

RFP CONTENTS

SECTIONS:

INTRODUCTION

RFP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL CONTRACTING INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS

EVALUATION & CONTRACT AWARD

ATTACHMENTS:

6.1. Response Statement of Certifications & Assurances

6.2. Technical Response & Evaluation Guide

6.3. Cost Proposal & Scoring Guide

6.4. Reference Questionnaire

6.5. Score Summary Matrix

6.6. Pro Forma Contract

09-18-25 RFP

INTRODUCTION

The State of Tennessee, Department of Education, hereinafter referred to as “the State,” issues this

Request for Proposals (RFP) to define minimum contract requirements; solicit responses; detail response

requirements; and, outline the State’s process for evaluating responses and selecting a contractor to

provide the needed goods or services.

Through this RFP, the State seeks to procure necessary goods or services at the most favorable,

competitive prices and to give ALL qualified respondents, including those that are owned by minorities,

women, service-disabled veterans, persons with disabilities and small business enterprises, an

opportunity to do business with the state as contractors, subcontractors or suppliers.

1.1. Statement of Procurement Purpose

The State is seeking to procure a Tennessee School Choice Program Management System (“System”), a

secure, electronic System for interactive applications, fiscal management, and payments that includes but

is not limited to the following capabilities: acceptance and denial of applications, enrollment confirmation

with schools, pre-approval of funds, disbursement of funds, and monitoring of funds. This System will be

utilized by families, schools, and State staff to process applications and shall provide a fiscal

management and payment system for the Education Savings Account (ESA) program, the Individualized

Education Account (IEA) program, and the Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) program (collectively,

the “School Choice Programs”).

• In 2019, the Tennessee General Assembly passed the Tennessee Education Savings Account Pilot

Program, codified at Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-2601 et seq., and the State Board of Education (SBE)

subsequently approved SBE Rule 0520-01-16 for spending of ESA funds. Pursuant to Tenn. Code

Ann. §§ 49-6-2603, 2607 the State is required to oversee the implementation of the school and

parent application approvals and monitor the expenditure of funds for the ESA program.

• The IEA program is a school choice initiative established for eligible K-12 students with qualifying

disabilities. This IEA program supports Tennessee families by providing funds for approved

education expenses tailored to meet each student's unique learning needs. These funds can be

used for various purposes such as scholarships to attend certain non-public schools, participation in

umbrella home school programs, or participation in independent home-schooling. To qualify for the

IEA program, students must meet specific eligibility criteria established and guided by state law

(Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-10-1401 et seq.; SBE Rule 0520-01-11).

• In 2025, the Tennessee General Assembly passed the Education Freedom Scholarship Act,

codified in Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-3501 et seq. Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6- 3504, the

State is required to oversee the implementation of the school and parent application approvals and

monitor the expenditure of funds for the EFS program.

The comprehensive System shall include all parts of the School Choice Programs, including allowing

application information to stay with the student records to effectively organize and report data, tracking

the use of funds by schools and parents, and empowering the State to report and monitor funds for

compliance. The System will also allow a comprehensive review of programs, help schools and parents,

reduce the risk of non-compliance, and improve the outcome of students in the School Choice Programs.

The System will be user-friendly, flexible, and fully customizable, with the ability to respond to changing

mandates and satisfy reporting obligations for the School Choice Programs. It must also be entirely web-

based, requiring no application-specific software to be downloaded by users and being accessible from

any major web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc.) from a tablet, mobile, or computer

(including Mac or PC) to ensure users have readily available access to the System. The System must

also include multiple languages and have password-protected account access for families and password-

protected account access for State staff to access all data. The System must also allow for uploads and a

customizable application process.

RFP # 33101-26013FAS5

Page 1 of 37

09-18-25 RFP

The System will be utilized by up to 700 schools, up to 70,000 students, and approximately 100 State

staff with the ability to expand to accommodate more users in response to legislative changes.

For the purposes of this RFP, the definitions in the Pro Forma Contract shall apply.

The estimated maximum liability is $9,750,000.00 for the Contract Term of sixty-four (64) months. The

Contractor shall complete implementation of the System, including completion of all key project phases

and associated deliverables by May 1, 2026, unless otherwise agreed to by the State.

1.2. Scope of Service, Contract Period, & Required Terms and Conditions

The RFP Attachment 6.6., Pro Forma Contract details the State’s requirements:

 Scope of Services and Deliverables (Section A);

 Contract Period (Section B);

 Payment Terms (Section C);

 Standard Terms and Conditions (Section D); and,

 Special Terms and Conditions (Section E).

The pro forma contract substantially represents the contract document that the successful Respondent

must sign.

1.3. Nondiscrimination

No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to

discrimination in the performance of a Contract pursuant to this RFP or in the employment practices of the

Contractor on the grounds of handicap or disability, age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin,

or any other classification protected by federal, Tennessee state constitutional, or statutory law. The

Contractor pursuant to this RFP shall, upon request, show proof of such nondiscrimination and shall post

in conspicuous places, available to all employees and applicants, notices of nondiscrimination.

1.4. RFP Communications

1.4.1. The State has assigned the following RFP identification number that must be referenced in all

communications regarding this RFP:

RFP # 33101-26013FAS5

1.4.2. Unauthorized contact about this RFP with employees or officials of the State of Tennessee

except as detailed below may result in disqualification from consideration under this

procurement process.

1.4.2.1. Prospective Respondents must direct communications concerning this RFP to the

following person designated as the Solicitation Coordinator:

Genell Jordan | Sourcing Specialist

Central Procurement Office

Tennessee Tower, 3rd Floor

312 Rosa L. Parks Ave.

Nashville, TN 37243

(615) 532-7202

Genell.Jordan@tn.gov

1.4.2.2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Prospective Respondents may alternatively contact:

RFP # 33101-26013FAS5

Page 2 of 37

09-18-25 RFP

the following individual designated by the State to coordinate compliance with the

nondiscrimination requirements of the State of Tennessee, Title VI of the Civil

Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and associated

federal regulations:

Helen Crowley

Central Procurement Office

Department of General Services WRS

312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue

Tennessee Tower, 3rd Floor

Nashville, TN 37243-1102

(615) 741-3836

Helen.Crowley@tn.gov

1.4.3. Only the State’s official, written responses and communications with Respondents are binding

with regard to this RFP. Oral communications between a State official and one or more

Respondents are unofficial and non-binding.

1.4.4. Potential Respondents must ensure that the State receives all written questions and comments,

including questions and requests for clarification, no later than the Written Questions &

Comments Deadline detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.

1.4.5.

Respondents must assume the risk of the method of dispatching any communication or response

to the State. The State assumes no responsibility for delays or delivery failures resulting from the

Respondent’s method of dispatch. Actual or digital “postmarking” of a communication or

response to the State by a specified deadline is not a substitute for the State’s actual receipt of a

communication or response. It is encouraged for Respondents to submit bids digitally.

1.4.6. The State will convey all official responses and communications related to this RFP to the

prospective Respondents from whom the State has received a Notice of Intent to Respond (refer

to RFP Section 1.8).

1.4.7.

The State reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, the method of conveying official,

written responses and communications related to this RFP. Such written communications may

be transmitted by mail, hand-delivery, facsimile, electronic mail, Internet posting, or any other

means deemed reasonable by the State. For internet posting, please refer to the following

website: https://www.tn.gov/generalservices/procurement/central-procurement-office--cpo-

/supplier-information/request-for-proposals--rfp--opportunities1.html.

1.4.8. The State reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, the appropriateness and

adequacy of responses to written comments, questions, and requests related to this RFP. The

State’s official, written responses will constitute an amendment of this RFP.

1.4.9.

Any data or factual information provided by the State (in this RFP, an RFP amendment or any

other communication relating to this RFP) is for informational purposes only. The State will make

reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of such data or information, however it is the

Respondent’s obligation to independently verify any data or information provided by the State.

The State expressly disclaims the accuracy or adequacy of any information or data that it

provides to prospective Respondents.

1.5. Assistance to Respondents With a Handicap or Disability

Prospective Respondents with a handicap or disability may receive accommodation relating to the

communication of this RFP and participating in the RFP process. Prospective Respondents may contact

the Solicitation Coordinator to request such reasonable accommodation no later than the Disability

Accommodation Request Deadline detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.

RFP # 33101-26013FAS5

Page 3 of 37

09-18-25 RFP

1.6. Respondent Required Review & Waiver of Objections

1.6.1.

Each prospective Respondent must carefully review this RFP, including but not limited to,

attachments, the RFP Attachment 6.6., Pro Forma Contract, and any amendments, for questions,

comments, defects, objections, or any other matter requiring clarification or correction (collectively

called “questions and comments”).

1.6.2. Any prospective Respondent having questions and comments concerning this RFP must provide

them in writing to the State no later than the Written Questions & Comments Deadline detailed in

the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.

1.6.3. Protests based on any objection to the RFP shall be considered waived and invalid if the

objection has not been brought to the attention of the State, in writing, by the Written Questions &

Comments Deadline.

1.7. Pre-Response Conference

A Pre-response Conference will be held at the time and date detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of

Events. Pre-response Conference attendance is not mandatory, and prospective Respondents may be

limited to a maximum number of attendees depending upon overall attendance and space limitations.

The conference will be held at:

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Meeting ID: 249 763 916 209 3

Passcode: s5rG9iT9

Dial in by phone

+1 629-209-4396,,948959170# United States, Triune

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Phone conference ID: 948 959 170#

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Tenant key: stateoftn@m.webex.com

Video ID: 117 099 709 1

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The purpose of the conference is to discuss the RFP scope of goods or services. The State will entertain

questions, however prospective Respondents must understand that the State’s oral response to any

question at the Pre-response Conference shall be unofficial and non-binding. Prospective Respondents

must submit all questions, comments, or other concerns regarding the RFP in writing prior to the Written

Questions & Comments Deadline date detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events. The State will

send the official response to these questions and comments to prospective Respondents from whom the

State has received a Notice of Intent to respond as indicated in RFP Section 1.8 and on the date detailed

in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.

1.8. Notice of Intent to Respond

Before the Notice of Intent to Respond Deadline detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events,

prospective Respondents should submit to the Solicitation Coordinator a Notice of Intent to Respond (in

the form of a simple e-mail or other written communication). Such notice should include the following

information:

RFP # 33101-26013FAS5

Page 4 of 37

This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.

Document ID & Hyperlink:	RFP 33101-26013FAS5 Solicitation Notice
Event Start - Response Due:	10/30/2025 12/19/2025
Event Name:	School Choice Program Management System (FY26-FY31)
Last Updated:

School Choice Program Management System (FY26-FY31)

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