Staffing and Management of Alternative Program with ABA Nashua School Districit-SAU 42

Location:	New Hampshire
Posted:	May 14, 2026
Due:	Jun 1, 2026
Agency:	City of Nashua
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Request for Proposals

Staffing and Management of Alternative Program with ABA

Nashua School District – SAU 42

Proposals (written and electronic) must be submitted no later than 2:00 p.m. on

Monday, June 1, 2026.

Proposals will be opened at the SAU 42 Central Office, 141 Ledge Street, Nashua, New

Hampshire. The contents of all proposals will be open to inspection by interested parties, either

at the time of opening or by appointment thereafter.

I. Introduction

The Nashua School District (SAU 42) is seeking proposals from Board Certified Behavior

Analysts (BCBAs) or specialized ABA agencies to develop and implement a comprehensive

alternative educational program and individual support framework for students with

Level 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder. This programming must prioritize students with limited

verbal communication and high-intensity behavioral support needs using evidence-based

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The goal is to staff and manage a full-day alternative

educational program for students in upper elementary, middle, and high school grades, using

ABA principles to provide specially-designed instruction and related services in accordance with

student IEPs. This program serves around 15 Nashua students at a time, providing a higher

level of behavioral support and adult supervision for students than is typically provided in an In-

District Intensive Needs self-contained classroom. As such, interested parties must have a

demonstrated capacity for staffing and managing special education programs with ten or more

certified full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. Program evaluation and definitions of success for

the selected provider will be based on inputs (e.g., hiring, retention, and attendance of qualified

staff; fidelity of implementation with appropriate curricula and ABA practices), outputs (e.g.,

reliable, consistent delivery of instruction and services), and outcomes (e.g., student progress;

IEP Goals met).

This initiative aligns with the district’s Mission “...to provide personalized educational

opportunities and cultivate the skills and perspectives necessary for meaningful contributions to

the community”.

II. Background Information

The Nashua School District serves approximately 9,700 students and 2,100 Special education

students across 18 schools, including 12 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 2 high schools,

and specialized programs for early childhood and students with unique learning needs. The

district employs over 2,000 staff and is committed to equity, inclusion, and academic and social-

emotional success for all students.

III. Scope of Work

The District seeks a provider to design and manage a program that includes:

● Staffing & Supervision: Supervision and management of a comprehensive staffing plan

including one or more FTE Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), one or more FTE

Special Education Teacher, multiple FTEs Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and

specialized training for district paraprofessionals on ABA principles.

○ Staffing evaluation; classroom evaluations;

○ Program evaluation including risk assessment, SWOT, ongoing staff

certifications, curriculum, behavioral supports and interventions centered on

positive behavioral supports and parent engagement

● Data Systems: Establishment of rigorous daily data collection, systems and graphing

(e.g., frequency, duration, ABC data) to monitor progress and adjust interventions in

real-time.

● Specially-Designed Instruction: Implementation of research-based instructional

strategies, using appropriate curricula and resources, to individualize teaching

approaches based on student IEPs.

○ Community Living and Functional Curriculum with a focus on independence, skill

acquisition and communication

○ Program Outreach to include student exposure to community living opportunities,

field trips, and educational experiences [increasing stakeholder support and local

opportunities for student growth]

● Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA): Conduct comprehensive FBAs and develop

data-driven Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) for high-needs students.

● Communication Programming: Implementation of Functional Communication Training

(FCT) and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems (e.g., PECS,

speech-generating devices) within an ABA framework.

● Direct Instruction: Utilization of Discrete Trial Training (DTT) and Natural Environment

Training (NET) to build foundational verbal operant and life skills.

● Crisis Intervention: Development & implementation of safe, proactive behavioral de-

escalation protocols and staff training in approved physical management techniques.

● Extended School Year (ESY): Provision of ESY instruction and services for all eligible

students in the program, with ESY typically running from early July through early August.

● Fiscal Accountability: Maintenance of accurate, timely records of staff attendance,

service delivery, and program costs, to be provided monthly for invoicing in accordance

with documentation requirements for NSD’s Finance Department and the New

Hampshire Education Department (NHED).

Deliverables:

● Recruitment, hiring, training, management, and retention of all program staff.

● Robust daily attendance, high level of professionalism, and strong work habits for all

program staff as demonstrated through daily attendance logs and periodic program

observations.

● Regular, valid evidence of individual student progress and outcomes, as demonstrated

through monthly individual progress reports with graphed behavioral and skill acquisition

data, or similar data gathering and analytical methodologies.

● Accurate, timely monthly invoices with backup documentation, presented in a format

which is compatible with the requirements of NSD’s Finance Department and NHED’s

Bureau of Special Education Support (e.g., NHSEIS reimbursement system).

● Exemplary planning, communication, and program implementation to ensure student

safety at all times and maintain a supportive learning environment to meet the individual

needs of every student.

IV. Timeline

Start Date: August 24, 2026

End Date: August 13, 2027

Phased deliverables and milestones will be agreed upon with the selected provider.

V. General Requirements

All vendors must respond in writing and address each requirement within the RFP. Submissions

should be thorough and address how your approach meets the goals of staffing and managing a

full-day alternative educational program for students in upper elementary, middle, and high

school grades, using ABA principles to provide specially-designed instruction and related

services in accordance with student IEPs.

Late proposals will not be considered. All costs related to submission preparation are the

responsibility of the applicant.

VI. Submittal Requirements

Refer to the original RFP structure for full submittal formatting and content expectations.

Include:

● Cover Letter

● Acceptance of Conditions

● Company/Individual Background

● Qualifications and References (specifically in SEB, mental health, education, etc.)

● Technical Proposal

● Firm Resources

● Financial and Litigation Status

● Other Supporting Information

● Cost Proposal (with lump sum, detailed budget, and rates for additional services)

VII. Evaluation Criteria

● Demonstrated expertise in the staffing and management of ABA-based programs in

schools.

● Demonstrated capacity to recruit, train, and manage ten or more certified staff in a

program setting, including the capacity to hire and retain certified special education

teachers. Please provide staff retention data for similar past projects if available and/or

provide a description of your approach to meet this criterion.

● Experience managing communication and relationships with multiple stakeholders

including District and school leaders, families, and other agencies or contractors.

● Extensive knowledge and expertise of special education law and the IEP Team process.

● Strength of proposed approach and alignment with district needs

● Feasibility of implementation plan and timeline

● Quality of references and record of success in similar districts

● Cost-effectiveness and clarity of pricing

VIII. Submission Details

Proposals Due: Monday, June 1, 2026 by 2:00 p.m.

Submit to:

Dr. Mario Andrade

Superintendent

Nashua School District – SAU 42

141 Ledge Street

Nashua, NH 03060

Email: andradem@nashua.edu

Include two (2) hard copies and one (1) electronic copy (USB drive or email).

IX. Additional Terms

All general terms, including conflict of interest, insurance, bid protest procedure, and compliance

with applicable laws and district policies, remain as stated in the original RFP document.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Bid Title:	Staffing and Management of Alternative Program with ABA Nashua School Districit-SAU 42
Category:	School
Status:	Open