IRFP 20260500-02- School Board Ethics and Budget Training

STATE OF ALASKA
INFORMAL REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS (IRFP)
SCHOOL BOARD ETHICS AND BUDGET TRAINING
IRFP 20260500-02
ISSUED 10/16/2026
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT (DEED) IS SEEKING PROPOSALS FROM
QUALIFIED VENDORS TO DESIGN AND DELIVER COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING MODULES ON SCHOOL BOARD
ETHICS AND MUNICIPAL/DISTRICT BUDGETING FOR ALASKA SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.
ISSUED BY: PRIMARY CONTACT:
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DISNEY RAMOS
DEVELOPMENT PROCUREMENT OFFICER
DIVISION OF INNOVATION AND EDUCATION EED.PROCUREMENT@ALASKA.GOV
EXCELLENCE
(907) 269-3484
OFFERORS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO RETURN THIS FORM.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: IF YOU RECEIVED THIS SOLICITATION FROM THE STATE OF ALASKA'S "ONLINE PUBLIC NOTICE"
WEB SITE, YOU MUST REGISTER WITH THE PROCUREMENT OFFICER LISTED IN THIS DOCUMENT TO RECEIVE
NOTIFICATION OF SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS. FAILURE TO CONTACT THE PROCUREMENT OFFICER MAY RESULT
IN THE REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION & INSTRUCTIONS ................................................................................................ 3
SEC. 1.01 PURPOSE OF THE IRFP ........................................................................................................................................................ 3
SEC. 1.02 BUDGET .............................................................................................................................................................................. 3
SEC. 1.03 DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS ............................................................................................................................. 3
SEC. 1.04 PRIOR EXPERIENCE ............................................................................................................................................................. 3
SEC. 1.05 REQUIRED REVIEW ............................................................................................................................................................. 4
SEC. 1.06 QUESTIONS PRIOR TO DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS ......................................................................................... 4
SEC. 1.07 RETURN INSTRUCTIONS ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
SEC. 1.08 PROPOSAL CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
SEC. 1.09 ASSISTANCE TO OFFERORS WITH A DISABILITY .................................................................................................................. 5
SEC. 1.10 AMENDMENTS TO PROPOSALS .......................................................................................................................................... 5
SEC. 1.11 AMENDMENTS TO THE IRFP ............................................................................................................................................... 6
SEC. 1.12 IRFP SCHEDULE ................................................................................................................................................................... 6
SEC. 1.13 ALTERNATE PROPOSALS ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
SECTION 2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION...................................................................................................... 7
SEC. 2.01 BACKGROUND INFORMATION ............................................................................................................................................ 7
SECTION 3. SCOPE OF WORK & CONTRACT INFORMATION ............................................................................. 8
SEC. 3.01 SCOPE OF WORK ................................................................................................................................................................ 8
SEC. 3.02 CONTRACT TERM AND WORK SCHEDULE ......................................................................................................................... 10
SEC. 3.03 DELIVERABLES .................................................................................................................................................................. 10
SEC. 3.04 CONTRACT TYPE ............................................................................................................................................................... 11
SEC. 3.05 PROPOSED PAYMENT PROCEDURES ................................................................................................................................. 11
SEC. 3.06 CONTRACT PAYMENT ....................................................................................................................................................... 11
SEC. 3.07 LOCATION OF WORK ........................................................................................................................................................ 11
SEC. 3.08 SUBCONTRACTORS ........................................................................................................................................................... 12
SEC. 3.09 JOINT VENTURES .............................................................................................................................................................. 12
SEC. 3.10 RIGHT TO INSPECT PLACE OF BUSINESS ........................................................................................................................... 12
SEC. 3.11 CONTRACT PERSONNEL .................................................................................................................................................... 12
SEC. 3.12 CONTRACT CHANGES - UNANTICIPATED AMENDMENTS ................................................................................................. 13
SEC. 3.13 NONDISCLOSURE AND CONFIDENTIALITY ........................................................................................................................ 13
SEC. 3.14 INDEMNIFICATION ........................................................................................................................................................... 14
SEC. 3.15 INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................................ 14
SEC. 3.16 TERMINATION FOR DEFAULT ........................................................................................................................................... 14
SECTION 4. PROPOSAL FORMAT AND CONTENT ........................................................................................... 16
SEC. 4.01 PROPOSAL FORMAT AND CONTENT ................................................................................................................................. 16
SEC. 4.02 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................ 16
SEC. 4.03 UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROJECT .................................................................................................................................. 16
SEC. 4.04 METHODOLOGY USED FOR THE PROJECT ........................................................................................................................ 16
SEC. 4.05 MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE PROJECT .......................................................................................................................... 16
SEC. 4.06 EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS .................................................................................................................................. 16
SEC. 4.07 COST PROPOSAL ............................................................................................................................................................... 17
SEC. 4.08 EVALUATION CRITERIA ..................................................................................................................................................... 17
SECTION 5. EVALUATION CRITERIA AND CONTRACTOR SELECTION ............................................................... 18
SEC. 5.01 UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROJECT (150 POINTS) ............................................................................................................ 18
SEC. 5.02 METHODOLOGY USED FOR THE PROJECT (100 POINTS) ................................................................................................... 18
SEC. 5.03 MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE PROJECT (100 POINTS) .................................................................................................... 18
SEC. 5.04 EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS (150 POINTS) ............................................................................................................ 18
SEC. 5.05 CONTRACT COST (400 POINTS/40%) ................................................................................................................................ 19
SEC. 5.06 ALASKA OFFEROR PREFERENCE (100 POINTS/10%) .......................................................................................................... 19
SECTION 6. GENERAL PROCESS INFORMATION ............................................................................................. 20
SEC. 6.01 ALASKA BUSINESS LICENSE AND OTHER REQUIRED LICENSES .......................................................................................... 20
SEC. 6.02 SITE INSPECTION .............................................................................................................................................................. 20
SEC. 6.03 CLARIFICATION OF OFFERS ............................................................................................................................................... 20
SEC. 6.04 DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFERORS ......................................................................................................................................... 21
SEC. 6.05 EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS ........................................................................................................................................... 21
SEC. 6.06 CONTRACT NEGOTIATION ................................................................................................................................................ 21
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SEC. 6.07 FAILURE TO NEGOTIATE ................................................................................................................................................... 21
SEC. 6.08 OFFEROR NOTIFICATION OF SELECTION ........................................................................................................................... 22
SEC. 6.09 PROTEST ........................................................................................................................................................................... 22
SEC. 6.10 APPLICATION OF PREFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................ 23
SEC. 6.11 ALASKA BIDDER PREFERENCE ........................................................................................................................................... 23
SEC. 6.12 ALASKA VETERAN PREFERENCE ........................................................................................................................................ 24
SEC. 6.13 ALASKA MILITARY SKILLS PROGRAM PREFERENCE ........................................................................................................... 24
SEC. 6.14 ALASKA OFFEROR PREFERENCE ........................................................................................................................................ 25
SEC. 6.15 FORMULA USED TO CONVERT COST TO POINTS .............................................................................................................. 25
SEC. 6.16 EXAMPLES: CONVERTING COST TO POINTS & APPLYING PREFERENCES .......................................................................... 25
SECTION 7. GENERAL LEGAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................. 27
SEC. 7.01 STANDARD CONTRACT PROVISIONS ................................................................................................................................. 27
SEC. 7.02 QUALIFIED OFFERORS ...................................................................................................................................................... 27
SEC. 7.03 PROPOSAL AS PART OF THE CONTRACT ........................................................................................................................... 27
SEC. 7.04 ADDITONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS ............................................................................................................................. 27
SEC. 7.05 HUMAN TRAFFICKING ...................................................................................................................................................... 27
SEC. 7.06 RIGHT OF REJECTION ........................................................................................................................................................ 28
SEC. 7.07 STATE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR PREPARATION COSTS ....................................................................................................... 28
SEC. 7.08 DISCLOSURE OF PROPOSAL CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................ 28
SEC. 7.09 ASSIGNMENTS .................................................................................................................................................................. 29
SEC. 7.10 DISPUTES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 29
SEC. 7.11 SEVERABILITY ................................................................................................................................................................... 29
SEC. 7.12 SUPPLEMENTAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS ...................................................................................................................... 29
SEC. 7.13 FEDERALLY IMPOSED TARRIFFS ........................................................................................................................................ 30
SECTION 8. ATTACHMENTS .......................................................................................................................... 31
SEC. 8.01 ATTACHMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................. 31
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION & INSTRUCTIONS
SEC. 1.01 PURPOSE OF THE IRFP
The Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to design
and deliver comprehensive training modules on school board ethics and municipal/district budgeting for Alaska
school board members.
SEC. 1.02 BUDGET
Department of Education and Early Development, Division of Innovation and Education Excellence, estimates a
budget of between $75,000 and $100,000 for completion of this project. Proposals priced at less than $75,000 or
more than $100,000 will be considered non-responsive and rejected.
Approval or continuation of a contract resulting from this IRFP is contingent upon legislative appropriation.
SEC. 1.03 DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS
Proposals must be received no later than 3:00PM prevailing Alaska Standard Time on October 30, 2026. Late
proposals or amendments will be disqualified and not opened or accepted for evaluation.
SEC. 1.04 PRIOR EXPERIENCE
In order for offers to be considered responsive offerors must meet these minimum prior experience requirements:
* The contractor must have at least five years of experience providing training or professional learning to
Alaska school boards. Experience with charter school Academic Policy Committees and advisory school
boards may be described in addition to this required experience.
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* The contractor must include legal counsel, either as an employee or an identified subcontractor, to review
all course content for legal accuracy before submission to DEED. Legal counsel must be licensed to practice
law in Alaska and have demonstrated experience with Alaska school district law.
An offeror's failure to meet these minimum prior experience requirements will cause their proposal to be
considered non-responsive and rejected.
SEC. 1.05 REQUIRED REVIEW
Offerors should carefully review this solicitation for defects and questionable or objectionable material.
Comments concerning defects and questionable or objectionable material should be made in writing and received
by the procurement officer at least ten days before the deadline for receipt of proposals. This will allow time for
the issuance of any necessary amendments. It will also help prevent the opening of a defective proposal and
exposure of offeror's proposals upon which award could not be made.
SEC. 1.06 QUESTIONS PRIOR TO DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS
All questions must be in writing and directed to the procurement officer at eed.procurement@alaska.gov.
Two types of questions generally arise. One may be answered by directing the questioner to a specific section of
the IRFP. Other questions may be more complex and may require a written amendment to the IRFP. The
procurement officer will make that decision. Questions are due no later than 3:00PM prevailing Alaska Standard
Time on October 23, 2026.
EMAIL ADDRESS: eed.procurement@alaska.gov
PROCUREMENT OFFICER: Disney Ramos - PHONE (907) 269-3484 - TDD 1-800-770-8973
SEC. 1.07 RETURN INSTRUCTIONS
Proposals must be submitted via email. The technical proposal and cost proposal must be saved as separate PDF
documents and emailed to eed.procurement@alaska.gov as separate, clearly labeled attachments, such as
"Vendor A - Technical Proposal.pdf" and "Vendor A - Cost Proposal.pdf". The email must contain the RFP number
in the subject line, IRFP 20260500-02.
The maximum size of a single email (including all text and attachments) that can be received by the state is 20mb
(megabytes). If the email containing the proposal exceeds this size, the proposal must be sent in multiple emails
that are each less than 20 megabytes, and each email must comply with the requirements described above.
Please note that email transmission is not instantaneous. When emailing your proposal, the state recommends
sending it with enough time to ensure the email is delivered by the deadline for receipt of proposals.
It is the offeror's responsibility to contact the issuing agency at (907) 269-3484 to confirm that the proposal has
been received. The state is not responsible for unreadable, corrupt, or missing attachments.
SEC. 1.08 PROPOSAL CONTENTS
The following information must be included in all proposals.
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(a) AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
All proposals must be signed by an individual authorized to bind the offeror to the provisions of the IRFP.
Proposals must remain open and valid for at least 90-days from the date set as the deadline for receipt of
proposals.
(b) OFFEROR'S CERTIFICATION
By signature on the proposal, offerors certify that they comply with the following:
A. the laws of the State of Alaska;
B. the applicable portion of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964;
C. the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and the regulations issued thereunder by the federal
government;
D. the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the regulations issued thereunder by the federal
government;
E. all terms and conditions set out in this IRFP;
F. a condition that the proposal submitted was independently arrived at, without collusion, under penalty
of perjury; and
G. that the offers will remain open and valid for at least 90 days.
If any offeror fails to comply with [a] through [g] of this paragraph, the state reserves the right to disregard the
proposal, terminate the contract, or consider the contractor in default.
(c) VENDOR TAX ID
A valid Vendor Tax ID must be submitted to the issuing office with the proposal or within five days of the state's
request.
(d) CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Each proposal shall include a statement indicating whether or not the firm or any individuals working on the
contract has a possible conflict of interest (e.g., currently employed by the State of Alaska or formerly employed
by the State of Alaska within the past two years) and, if so, the nature of that conflict. The procurement officer
reserves the right to consider a proposal non-responsive and reject it or cancel the award if any interest
disclosed from any source could either give the appearance of a conflict or cause speculation as to the
objectivity of the contract to be performed by the offeror.
SEC. 1.09 ASSISTANCE TO OFFERORS WITH A DISABILITY
Offerors with a disability may receive accommodation regarding the means of communicating this IRFP or
participating in the procurement process. For more information, contact the procurement officer no later than
ten days prior to the deadline for receipt of proposals.
SEC. 1.10 AMENDMENTS TO PROPOSALS
Amendments to or withdrawals of proposals will only be allowed if acceptable requests are received prior to the
deadline that is set for receipt of proposals. No amendments or withdrawals will be accepted after the deadline
unless they are in response to the state's request in accordance with 2 AAC 12.290.
Page 5 of 31 Rev. 8.13.2024

SEC. 1.11 AMENDMENTS TO THE IRFP
If an amendment is issued, it will be provided to all who were notified of the IRFP and to those who have registered
with the procurement officer after receiving the IRFP from the State of Alaska Online Public Notice website.
SEC. 1.12 IRFP SCHEDULE
The IRFP schedule set out herein represents the State of Alaska's best estimate of the schedule that will be
followed. If a component of this schedule, such as the deadline for receipt of proposals, is delayed, the rest of the
schedule may be shifted accordingly. All times are Alaska Time.
* Issue IRFP 10/16/2026
* Deadline for Questions 10/23/2026
* Deadline for Receipt of Proposals 10/30/2026
* Proposal Evaluation Committee complete evaluation by 11/6/2026
* State of Alaska issues Notice of Award 11/6/2026
(Must use if procurement is over $50,000 and include protest rights under 2 AAC 12.695)
* State of Alaska issues contract 11/17/2026
* Contract start UPON FINAL SIGNATURE
This IRFP does not, by itself, obligate the state. The state's obligation will commence when the contract is
approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Education and Early Development, or the Commissioner's
designee. Upon written notice to the contractor, the state may set a different starting date for the contract. The
state will not be responsible for any work done by the contractor, even work done in good faith, if it occurs prior
to the contract start date set by the state.
SEC. 1.13 ALTERNATE PROPOSALS
Offerors may only submit one proposal for evaluation.
In accordance with 2 AAC 12.830 alternate proposals (proposals that offer something different than what is
asked for) will be rejected.
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SECTION 2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
SEC. 2.01 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
During the 34th Session of the Alaska Legislature, AS 14.07.020(a), AS 14.08.041(g), and AS 14.12.045 were
amended to require that school board ethics and budgeting training be made available to school districts so local
school board members can complete the required training within the first 30 days of taking office.
Under Alaska Statutes AS 14.08.041(g) (applicable to Regional Educational Attendance Area school boards) and
AS 14.12.045 (applicable to borough and city school districts statewide), newly elected or appointed school board
members must complete structured training in board governance, ethical standards, and public-school finance.
To ensure state-level statutory compliance and support consistent, effective governance across all Alaska school
districts, the selected vendor will develop accessible, high-quality professional development coursework tailored
specifically to Alaska's legal, fiscal, and operational frameworks.
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SECTION 3. SCOPE OF WORK & CONTRACT INFORMATION
SEC. 3.01 SCOPE OF WORK
The contractor shall develop content for asynchronous ethics and budgeting training for Alaska school board
members, including regional school board members. The training will be housed in the department online
eLearning platform. A supplemental companion document covering the information covered in the training will
be part of the training package created for use with school boards. The training must use plain language and
realistic Alaska school board scenarios. At a minimum, the course must cover the following topics:
Ethics Section (2 hours)
1. Ethical conduct and conflicts of interest
Financial and personal interests, required disclosures, and participation in decisions after a
o
conflict is identified;
Nepotism and decisions involving relatives, including employment, supervision, and contracts;
o
Gifts and improper use of a board position or district resources;
o
Interactions with vendors and potential contractors, including involvement in district purchasing
o
decisions; and
When and how a member should seek guidance before acting.
o
2. Board roles and responsibilities
The distinction between board governance and district administration and management;
o
The authority of the board as a whole and the limits of an individual member's authority to
o
direct staff or speak or act on behalf of the board;
A member's responsibilities when serving on a board committee; and
o
Appropriate interactions with district staff, fellow board members, students, families, and the
o
public, including how to refer complaints and concerns about individual students through
district processes.
3. Meetings and board decisions
Alaska Open Meetings Act requirements, including notice, quorum, voting, abstention, and
o
recusal;
How meeting requirements apply to special meetings, committees, work sessions, community
o
events, informal gatherings, and communications by email, text, or other electronic means;
The distinction between requirements under Alaska law and local board policy and procedures
o
under Robert's Rules of Order, where adopted; and
Public records responsibilities for board-related emails, texts, messages, and social media
o
communications, including communications made using personal accounts or devices.
4. Executive sessions and protected information
When an executive session is permitted, the procedures for entering and conducting one, and
o
limits on discussion and action;
The difference between information discussed in executive session, confidential information,
o
and information protected by attorney-client privilege; and
A member's responsibilities for protecting student and personnel information, board materials,
o
and legal advice during and after board service
Page 8 of 31 Rev. 8.13.2024

Budget Section (2 hours)
1. School Board Fiscal Governance
Roles and responsibilities of the school board, superintendent, and district administration in the
o
budgeting process.
The board's responsibility for adopting and overseeing the district budget.
o
Appropriate financial oversight, including the distinction between governance and day-to-day
o
financial management.
Questions board members should consider when reviewing budgets, budget amendments,
o
financial reports, and significant financial decisions.
2. Alaska Public School Funding
Overview of Alaska's public school funding framework and applicable requirements of AS 14.17
o
and related statutes and regulations.
Basic components of the foundation funding formula and how enrollment and student
o
characteristics affect district revenue.
Required local contribution and additional local contribution, as applicable.
o
Overview of federal Impact Aid, including how Impact Aid is treated within Alaska's school
o
funding formula and the calculation and application of deductible Impact Aid.
Overview of federal, state, local, and other restricted and unrestricted funding sources.
o
3. District Budget Development and Approval
The annual district budget development cycle and the respective roles of the administration and
o
school board.
Revenue and expenditure forecasting.
o
Development and use of budget assumptions.
o
Requirements for a balanced budget.
o
Board adoption of the district budget and subsequent budget revisions.
o
DEED budget submission, review, approval, and rejection requirements, including applicable
o
timelines.
Consequences associated with failure to submit an approvable budget.
o
4. Understanding School District Financial Information
Fundamentals of governmental and fund accounting necessary for school board financial
o
oversight.
Operating funds, special revenue funds, capital project funds, and other commonly used district
o
funds.
Revenues, expenditures, transfers, and other financing sources and uses.
o
Budget-to-actual financial reporting.
o
Fund balance, including committed, assigned, restricted, and unassigned fund balance, as
o
applicable.
Encumbrances, reserves, and other financial concepts commonly encountered by school boards.
o
Relationship between the district's budget and annual audited financial statements.
o
5. Financial Sustainability and Risk
Multi-year financial planning and forecasting.
o
Enrollment changes and their effect on revenues and expenditures.
o
Page 9 of 31 Rev. 8.13.2024

Fixed, variable, and discretionary expenditures.
o
Personnel costs and other significant expenditure commitments.
o
Use of fund balance and identification of structural budget deficits.
o
Financial indicators that may signal emerging fiscal concerns.
o
Considerations associated with grants, restricted funding, and temporary or one-time funding.
o
The proposal must include:
1. A description of the contractor's Alaska school board training experience, including the years in which
services were provided, topics covered, and types of boards served;
2. Examples of training materials or courses the contractor has developed, including an example designed
for asynchronous learning, if available;
3. The names, roles, and qualifications of the individuals who will develop the course content;
4. The name and qualifications of the legal counsel who will review the course content, and whether that
person is an employee or subcontractor; and
5. A description of the contractor's experience preparing content for an eLearning platform or working
with a separate course development vendor.
Project timeline
* Contract Award: November 15, 2026
* Project kickoff meeting: December 1, 2026
* Provide a draft of training for DEED feedback: March 1, 2027
* Final eLearning content due: March 15, 2027
* Provide a draft of supplemental guidance for DEED feedback: April 15,2027
* Final supplemental guidance due June 1, 2027
* Monthly meetings starting in December 2026, additional meetings scheduled as needed.
SEC. 3.02 CONTRACT TERM AND WORK SCHEDULE
The length of the contract will be from the date of award, approximately November 2026, until completion,
approximately June 30, 2027.
Unless otherwise provided in this IRFP, the State and the successful offeror/contractor agree: (1) that any
extension of the contract excluding any exercised renewal options, will be considered as a month-to-month
extension, and all other terms and conditions shall remain in full force and effect and (2) the procurement officer
will provide written notice to the contractor of the intent to cancel such month-to-month extension at least 30
days before the desired date of cancellation. A month-to-month extension may only be executed by the
procurement officer via a written contract amendment.
SEC. 3.03 DELIVERABLES
The contractor shall organize the ethics and budgeting content into an asynchronous course that school board
members can complete independently. The course must include realistic scenarios, questions with explanations,
and a brief knowledge check. Its content must identify the applicable Alaska legal authority for each legal
requirement and distinguish legal requirements from recommended practices.
Page 10 of 31 Rev. 8.13.2024