27-012 RFP K-12 SCIENCE ADOPTION

HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

For

K-12 SCIENCE ADOPTION

RFP NUMBER 27-012

For all questions about this RFP contact via email:

L. Renee Langston CPPB, Issuing Officer

PH. - 478-988-6211 ext. 4

FAX - 478-988-6212

EMAIL -

RELEASED ON:

September 4, 2026

DUE ON:

September 25, 2026; 2:00 P.M. Eastern Time

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Purpose of Procurement

The Houston County School District, hereafter referred to as the "District," is requesting proposals for K-12 science curricular materials and resources.

1.2 Proposal Certification

The Houston County School District certifies the use of competitive sealed bidding will not be practical or advantageous to the District in completing the acquisition described in this RFP. Competitive sealed proposals will be submitted in response to this RFP. All proposals submitted pursuant to this request will be made in accordance with the provisions of this RFP.

Schedule of Events

This Request for Proposals will be governed by the following schedule:

1.4 Restrictions on Communications with Staff

All questions about this RFP shall be submitted in the following format:

Company Name

1. Question

Citation of relevant section of the RFP

2. Question

Citation of relevant section of the RFP

Questions shall be directed in writing to the Issuing Officer:

From the issue date of this RFP until a Vendor is selected and the selection is announced, Offerors are not allowed to communicate for any reason with any District staff except through the Issuing Officer named herein, or during the Offeror's conference, or as provided by existing work agreement(s). The District reserves the right to reject the proposal of any Offeror violating this provision. All questions concerning this RFP shall be submitted in writing (fax or email may be used) to the Issuing Officer. No questions other than written will be accepted. No response other than written will be binding upon the District. Questions and answers will be posted to the HCSD website as they are received. Website address is .

1.5 Definition of Terms

Board - Houston County School District

Contractor - Respondent to this Request for Proposal

District - Houston County School District

HCSD - Houston County School District

OCGA - Official Code of Georgia Annotated (State Statute)

Offeror - Respondent to this Request for Proposal

RFP - Request for Proposal

Vendor - Respondent to this Request for Proposal

1.6 Contract Term

Code section 20-2-506 of the laws of the State of Georgia as of this date and as may be amended apply to this agreement.

1.7 Background

For information on the Houston County School District please go to .

1.8 Submission Expenses

The District shall not be liable for any expenses incurred by the Offeror in responding to this RFP. This shall include expenses incurred by the Offeror to conduct product demonstrations at the District site.

1.9 Right to Purchase

HCSD reserves the right to purchase from any source to include existing or future state or federal contracts, cooperatives or from any submitted proposals.

2.0 MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

This section identifies all mandatory requirements, which must be addressed in the proposal before further consideration will be given. Each response must reference the item number it is in reference to (i.e., 2.1.a, 2.1.b, etc.).

Project Objective

The purpose of this RFP is to identify high-quality science curricular materials and resources for students in kindergarten through grade 12. The District seeks resources that support strong, standards-aligned science instruction across elementary, middle, and high school courses. This is a six-year adoption beginning in FY28 (adoption yearly term July 1-June 30).

2.1 Scope of Work - Mandatory Requirements

Offerors are not required to provide K-12 materials as a single comprehensive solution. The District may make one award for elementary grades K-5, one award for middle school grades 6-8, and multiple subject-specific awards at the high school level. High school course areas will be considered independently, and Offerors may submit proposals for one or more course areas. The District may award multiple categories to the same vendor when advantageous to the District.

2.1.1 Type One: Elementary Science Materials (Grades K-5). Materials must be aligned to the Georgia Standards of Excellence for science and reflect the level of rigor expected by those standards.

2.1.1.1 Materials can be physical or online/digital or bundled as both physical and online/digital materials.

2.1.2 Type Two: Middle School Science Materials (Grades 6-8). Materials must be aligned to the Georgia Standards of Excellence for science and reflect the level of rigor expected by those standards.

2.1.2.1 Materials can be physical or online/digital or bundled as both physical and online/digital materials.

2.1.2.2 Materials for each grade, 6-8, must be separate, not integrated, in their alignment to the Georgia Standards of Excellence for science.

2.1.3 Type Three: High School Science Materials. Offerors may submit course-specific proposals for one or more of the following courses. Each course will be considered independently, and a vendor is not required to provide materials for every course listed. Offerors may also submit a combined proposal covering multiple high school courses.

2.1.3.1 Biology

2.1.3.1.1 Materials can be physical or online/digital or bundled as both physical and online/digital materials.

2.1.3.2 Chemistry

2.1.3.2.1 Materials can be physical or online/digital or bundled as both physical and online/digital materials.

2.1.3.3 Environmental Science

2.1.3.3.1 Materials can be physical or online/digital or bundled as both physical and online/digital materials.

2.1.3.4 Forensic Science

2.1.3.4.1 Materials can be physical or online/digital or bundled as both physical and online/digital materials.

2.1.3.5 Physical Science

2.1.3.5.1 Materials can be physical or online/digital or bundled as both physical and online/digital materials.

2.1.3.6 Physics

2.1.3.6.1 Materials can be physical or online/digital or bundled as both physical and online/digital materials.

2.1.3.7 Anatomy and Physiology

2.1.3.7.1 Materials can be physical or online/digital or bundled as both physical and online/digital materials.

2.1.3.8 AP Biology

2.1.3.8.1 Materials can be physical or online/digital or bundled as both physical and online/digital materials.

2.1.3.9 AP Chemistry

2.1.3.9.1 Materials can be physical or online/digital or bundled as both physical and online/digital materials.

2.1.3.10 AP Environmental Science

2.1.3.10.1 Materials can be physical or online/digital or bundled as both physical and online/digital materials.

2.1.3.11 AP Physics 1 & 2

2.1.3.11.1 Materials can be physical or online/digital or bundled as both physical and online/digital materials.

2.1.3.12 AP Physics C

2.1.3.12.1 Materials can be physical or online/digital or bundled as both physical and online/digital materials

2.2 Curriculum Design Requests - These items are not required but will be included in the

evaluation of the materials.

2.2.1 Science Content and Emphasis

Progression of standards across grade-levels/courses is clearly identified.

Provide a copy of a standard alignment guide indicating text alignment to the Georgia Standards of Excellence for science.

Materials are designed so that students attain 3-dimensional disciplinary core science ideas, science and engineering practices, and cross cutting concepts to master the science standards.

The entire instructional sequence aligns with the goal of students making sense of a phenomenon or designing a solution to a problem. Student learning is driven by the phenomenon; students have direct experience or observations of the phenomenon. Prior knowledge is connected to new understandings as students work to figure out a relevant phenomenon.

Materials align to one or more of the science and engineering practices from the standards. Students have direct experience using and applying the practices as they explain a phenomenon. The practices are integrated with crosscutting concepts and disciplinary core ideas.

Materials align to one or more of the crosscutting concepts from the standards. While utilizing this resource, students have direct experience using and applying the concepts as they explain a phenomenon. The concepts are integrated with science and engineering practices and disciplinary core ideas.

Materials shall include texts and resources aligned to varying reading levels to promote equitable access to scientific concepts and practices. Literacy supports shall enhance students' ability to obtain, evaluate, and communicate information while engaging in sensemaking and the integration of disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts.

Materials are directly aligned to the grade level expectations of the standards. Student understanding of the disciplinary core ideas is built through explanation of a phenomenon. Science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts are integrated simultaneously with the core ideas.

The program is based on strategies to promote and support teacher clarity. The materials provide guidance and information to help teachers engage students in three-dimensional science learning. The materials are accessible to a variety of teaching experience. This resource supports the development of three-dimensional science teaching practices. The materials are designed such that teachers are active facilitators in student-centered science instruction.

2.2.2 Access, Equity, and Student Support

Materials should be thoughtfully designed to support all students, including special populations (e.g., English language learners, Early Intervention Program, students with disabilities, gifted/talented, and Advanced Placement Program) in accessing and meeting the Georgia K-12 Science Standards (or College Board as appropriate).

Materials should provide appropriate levels and types of scaffolding, differentiation, intervention, and support for a broad range of learners.

Materials shall include intentional language scaffolds and supports that promote access for all learners, including English Learners and students with disabilities.

Materials provide opportunities for bilingual resources where appropriate and support the development and application of scientific vocabulary aligned to grade-level expectations.

Vocabulary acquisition should be embedded within meaningful science contexts to ensure students can accurately use and communicate discipline-specific terminology while engaging in three-dimensional learning experiences.

Materials are visually balanced, age-appropriate, and accessible to student learners.

2.2.3 Assessment Requirements

Assessment items located in the assessment resources should be directly aligned to the Georgia K-12 science standards (or College Board as appropriate).

Diagnostic, formative, and summative assessments support teachers in differentiating instruction to meet the needs of individuals and groups of students.

Assessments monitor student growth over time with prediction of performance on end-of-level assessments.

Ability to customize, edit, share, and lock assessments at the district, school, and teacher levels.

Assessment reports are accessible at the district, school, and teacher levels.

Within a full assessment task, the science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas are assessed.

Assessment prompts are varied in format. The majority of assessment items require students to apply at least two of the three dimensions from the standards.

The Vendor shall provide all assessments in both digital and hard copy formats. Assessments shall remain accessible and fully functional for the duration of the adoption.

Digital Resources and Technology Requirements

Robust and dynamic digital materials/tools engage students in meaningful learning experiences using innovative online content and visual representations to enhance or extend classroom instructional practices.

User-friendly access and navigation for all users, including compatibility with Single Sign-On (SSO) systems. Both teachers of record and support teachers assigned to a group of students shall have full access to all digital and print instructional resources for the duration of the contractual agreement.

All digital/electronic/online resources and tools meet all federal and state student data privacy requirements.

Parent/home connection is designed to support student learning. Parent/home connection resources are available in multiple languages.

The vendor will update support based on District feedback.

All print materials are also available digitally throughout the contractual agreement for the instructional resource.

Single Sign-On and rostering capabilities

Canvas Learning Management System integration, if available

Identify all technology requirements and supported browsers/devices

Identify any third-party privacy vetting/certifications held (e.g. 1EdTech TrustEd Apps, iKeepSafe)

State compliance with federal and state privacy laws and clearance for users under 13

Detail your technical support including guaranteed response times, hours of operation, contact methods, escalation procedures, and whether teachers can contact your support team directly.

2.2.5 Training, Professional Learning, and Support

Vendor has knowledgeable and capable curriculum deployment and implementation specialists who will guide our district employees through the implementation process throughout the contractual agreement for the instructional resource. It is expected that HCSD will be assigned a dedicated individual or team to guide HCSD through the deployment and implementation process.

The Vendor shall provide comprehensive initial and ongoing professional learning through both virtual and face-to-face delivery models. Services will include on-site training, digital learning sessions, webinars, training-of-trainers modules, and refresher sessions as necessary to ensure district level coordinators and teachers are equipped for effective implementation and sustained capacity building.

Vendor has knowledgeable client support staff (application manager) who are available to provide immediate assistance to district and school level personnel with accessibility throughout the contractual agreement for the instructional resource.

Access to digital and physical materials, for professional development throughout the contractual agreement for the instructional resource.

The Vendor shall provide district-level access to comprehensive reporting tools, including detailed resource usage reports. Reports shall allow district administrators and coordinators to monitor access, utilization, and engagement data to inform instructional planning, professional learning, and program effectiveness.

2.3 Company Background and Experience

Offeror will describe their background, relevant experience, and qualifications, including, but not limited to the following:

Company Structure

The Offeror will include in the proposal the legal form of their business organization, the state in which incorporated (if a corporation), the types of business ventures in which the organization is involved, the office location that will be the point of contact, and a chart of the organization structure, including the reporting relationships, as they relate to this RFP.

Experience

The Offeror must include the total number of full consecutive years' experience as current business.

Each Offeror shall submit a minimum of three (3) references. Preferred are references from other school systems in Georgia. HCSD reserves the right to solicit references from businesses that have had a recent working relationship with the Offeror. These references may be used to evaluate the responsibility level.

The references must include:

name of contact person

title of contact person

phone number of contact person

3.0 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION EVALUATION

3.1 Process for Submitting Proposals

3.1.1 Preparation of Proposal

Each proposal should be prepared simply and economically, avoiding the use of elaborate promotional materials beyond those sufficient to provide a complete presentation. If supplemental materials are a necessary part of the technical proposal, the Offeror should reference these materials in the technical proposal, identifying the document, and citing the appropriate section and page(s) to be reviewed.

3.1.2 Packaging of Proposal

The Offeror's proposal in response to this RFP must be divided into two appropriately labeled and sealed packages - a Technical Submission and a Financial Proposal.

Include original and two (2) copies of technical submission and one (1) copy of the financial proposal. One (1) USB flash drive with all documents technical and financial.

Do not include cost information in the technical submission.

The contents of each package will include:

Technical Submission

Proposal Certification (Attachment A)

Immigration and Security Form (Attachment B)

Certificate Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility (Attachment C)

Technical Proposal, addressing all requirements in Section 2.0

Do not include cost information in the Technical Proposal

Financial Proposal

The Offeror must use the Financial Proposal Form provided as a part of this RFP.

Mark the outside of shipping package as follows:

Name of Company

Phone Number and Point of Contact for Company

RFP # 27-012

Due no later than September 25, 2026; 2:00 P.M. Eastern Time

3.1.3 Submission of Proposals

Proposals must be submitted to:

HCSD - Purchasing Dept.

L. Renee Langston, CPPB

200 Jerry Barker Drive

Warner Robins, Georgia 31088

Mail, hand delivery, or put in drop box located in front of building at above address. Any proposal received after the due date and time will not be evaluated. Faxed or Emailed proposals will not be accepted.

3.2 Evaluation Process

The evaluation of proposals received on or before the due date and time will be conducted in the following phases.

3.2.1 Administrative Review

The proposals will be reviewed by the Issuing Officer for the following administrative requirements:

Submitted by deadline

Separately sealed Technical Submission and Financial Proposal

All required documents have been submitted

Technical Submission does not include any information from the Financial Proposal

All documents requiring an original signature have been signed and are included

3.2.2 Proposal Evaluation

Proposals that pass the Mandatory Requirements Review will be reviewed by the Technical Evaluation Team for quality and completeness. Proposals may be evaluated separately by elementary, middle school, and each high school course category offered.

The following are the maximum possible points of each category:

Description Points Possible

Qualifications and Experience 10

Technical Requirements 40

Cost 50

Total Possible Points 100

3.2.3 Samples

The District reserves the right to request samples from the Offerors upon request for evaluation.

3.2.4 Financial Proposal Evaluation

Offerors shall use only the Financial Proposal Form provided with the RFP.

3.2.5 Identification of Apparent Successful Offeror

The resulting Financial Proposal scores will be combined with the Technical Proposal score for each category or course proposed. The Offeror(s) with the highest combined technical and financial score in each category or course will be identified as the apparent successful Offeror(s).

The apparent successful Offeror(s) will be presented to the Board of Education for approval at a Board meeting, if required by policy. Once approved, an award summary will be posted to the

3.3 Rejection of Proposals/Cancellation of RFP

The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive any irregularity or informality in a proposal, and to accept or reject any item or combination of items, when to do so would be to the advantage of the District. It is also within the right of the District to reject proposals that do not contain all elements and information requested in this document. The District reserves the right to cancel this RFP at any time. The District will not be liable for any cost/losses incurred by the Offerors throughout this process.

4.0 TERMS CONDITIONS

4.1 RFP Amendments

The District reserves the right to amend this RFP prior to the proposal due date. All amendments and additional information will be posted to the HCSD Purchasing website, located at: . Offerors are encouraged to check this website frequently.

4.2 Proposal Withdrawal

A submitted proposal may be withdrawn prior to the due date by a written request to the Issuing Officer. A request to withdraw a proposal shall be signed by an authorized individual.

4.3 Cost for Preparing Proposals

The cost for developing the proposal is the sole responsibility of the Offeror. The District will not provide reimbursement for such costs.

4.4 Conflict of Interest

If an Offeror has any existing client relationship that involves the Houston County School District, the Offeror must disclose each relationship.

4.5 Compliance with Laws

The Vendor will comply with all State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations.

4.6 All merchandise shall be subject to inspection after arrival at District site location. In the case any items are found to be defective or otherwise not in conformity with specifications, the District has the right to reject such items and return them at Vendor's expense.

4.7 HCSD shall make payment for goods and services within thirty (30) days upon receipt, inspection and acceptance by HCSD personnel and receipt of invoice unless a prior agreement is made. Payment may be made by check or by credit card. If an additional fee will be added to the invoice for use of a VISA credit card, it must be noted on the Financial Proposal. Invoices should be addressed and mailed to Accounts Payable Department, PO BOX 1850, Perry, GA 31069.

Attachment A

PROPOSAL CERTIFICATION

I certify that I have read and understand the terms and conditions herein except as stated below. I further state that I am and/or my company is capable, able to, and will provide the requested products and/or service described herein. I am the owner or agent of the company stated below and am authorized and empowered to contract. By my signature on this RFP, I/we guarantee and certify that all items included in my bid meet or exceed specifications.

I certify that this quotation is made without prior understanding, agreement, or connection with any corporation, firm or person submitting a quotation for the same materials, supplies, equipment, or services and is in all respects fair and without collusion or fraud. I understand collusive bidding is a violation of State and Federal Law and can result in fines, prison sentences, and civil damage awards. I agree to abide by all conditions of the quotation and certify that I am authorized to sign this quotation for the Vendor.

SUBMITTED BY_________________________________________ DATE _______________

TITLE____________________________________EMAIL: ____________________________

COMPANY NAME____________________________________________________________

ADDRESS________________________________CITY______________ST_____ZIP_______

TELEPHONE NUMBER_______________________FAX NUMBER_____________________

COMPANY WEBSITE _________________________

SIGNATURE _________________________________________________________________

Attachment B

Contractor Affidavit under O.C.G.A. 13-10-91(b)(1)

By executing this affidavit, the undersigned contractor verifies its compliance with O.C.G.A. 13-10-91, stating affirmatively that the individual, firm or corporation which is engaged in the physical performance of services on behalf of Houston County School District has registered with, is authorized to use and uses the federal work authorization program commonly known as E-Verify, or any subsequent replacement program, in accordance with the applicable provisions and deadlines established in O.C.G.A. 13-10-91. Furthermore, the undersigned contractor will continue to use the federal work authorization program throughout the contract period and the undersigned contractor will contract for the physical performance of services in satisfaction of such contract only with subcontractors who present an affidavit to the contractor with the information required by O.C.G.A. 13-10-91(b). Contractor hereby attests that its federal work authorization user identification number and date of authorization are as follows:

_________________________________ ______________________________________

Federal Work Authorization User Identification Number Date of Authorization

_________________________________ ______________________________________ Name of Contractor Name of Project

_________________________________

Name of Public Employer

I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on ______, ___, 202__ in ____________________(city), ______(state).

__________________________________________ Signature of Authorized Officer or Agent

__________________________________________

Printed Name and Title of Authorized Officer or Agent

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN BEFORE ME

ON THIS THE ______ DAY OF ______________,202__.

_________________________________

NOTARY PUBLIC

My Commission Expires:

_________________________________

Attachment C

Certificate Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility

The Houston County School District is a recipient of Federal monies. As such we require that participating vendors not be debarred, suspended, ineligible or excluded from doing business with the Federal government or any agency thereof.

The prospective participant certifies, by submission of the proposal, that neither it, nor its principals, is presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or excluded from participation in this transaction by any Federal department or agency.

Organization Name

Name(s) and Title(s) of Authorized Representative(s)

Signature(s) Date

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL FORM

RFP 27-012

COST PROPOSAL

Offerors may submit pricing for any one or more item types and, for high school, for any one or more individual course areas.

If bundling, clearly denote that. If not bundling, clearly denote costs for physical materials and digital materials separately.

Note: Quantities are estimated. Actual quantities will be generated as we move closer to FY28.

Do you accept VISA as a method of payment for the services proposed? _______________

If yes and you charge a fee for acceptance, what is the fee? _______________

Billing Details: ______________________________________________________________________

SUBMITTED BY_________________________________________ DATE _____________________

PRINTED NAME ____________________________________________________________________

TITLE______________________________________________________________________________

COMPANY NAME___________________________________________________________________

COMPANY ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

PHONE ________________________________ FAX _______________________________________

EMAIL ADDRESS ___________________________________________________________________

WEB ADDRESS _____________________________________________________________________

SIGNATURE ________________________________________________________________________