Massachusetts COMMBUYS #BD-27-1088-RGT01-RGT01-134017

Massachusetts RFI for a statewide college learner re-engagement initiative

Massachusetts is seeking market input to shape a possible statewide program that helps residents return to college and earn credentials. - Government buyer: Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE); no sub-agency or office is identified. The opportunity is an RFI, not an award or commitment to procure. - Purpose and population: DHE estimates about 766,000 Massachusetts residents have at least three college credits, have not enrolled for three consecutive semesters, and do not have an associate degree. The proposed initiative would support reengagement, enrollment, persistence, credential completion, and transition to work. - Potential FY27 initiative: A one-year standalone project is described to engage students from up to six new public higher education institutions. The broader initiative is expected to involve all 28 public undergraduate-serving institutions. Student participation would be voluntary. - Requested capabilities: Outreach and messaging, a student-facing technology platform, analytics and data integration, vendor-staffed coaching, institutional coordination, implementation and training, ongoing support, accessibility, privacy, cybersecurity, reporting, workforce alignment, and pricing information. The selected provider is expected to staff the project directly and may use subcontractors. - Funding and pricing: Funding is not secured and must cover the full project, including technology, integrations, outreach, data, coaching, and related resources. The FAQ references an approximately $2 million annual planning budget; the potential project is described as fixed-cost, with no outcome-based compensation. - OEMs and vendors: No OEMs or named vendors are identified. The notice discusses a prospective vendor generically; a previously engaged vendor mentioned in an attachment is excluded from the summary as directed by the source notice. - Line items: The RFI lists one unit of specialized educational services for vendor advice and analysis. Separately, the attachment describes a potential learner re-engagement initiative, without specifying a quantity or part number. - Classification: UNSPSC 861300, specialized educational services.

Description

This re-posted RFI seeks vendor advice and analysis to help the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education develop a potential future solicitation for a statewide Education to Workforce Marketplace (E2WM). The requested information concerns solutions to support outreach, reengagement, enrollment, persistence, credential completion, and workforce transition for Massachusetts residents with college credits but no credential. Vendors may provide information on technology, coaching, analytics, institutional partnerships, implementation, and pricing; the RFI does not commit the Commonwealth to a future procurement. Responses are due October 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET, and the source notes that answers to bidder questions are available in the attachments.

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