REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
WSCD-25-023 FOR
SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH SERVICES
0
Waukee Community School District
560 SE University Ave., Waukee, IA
50263
P 515.987.5161
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP WSCD-25-023) - Invitation to Submit Proposal
for Superintendent Search Services
1. Background
As the third-largest School District in Iowa, Waukee Community School District
(Waukee CSD) serves more than 2,600 staff and more than 14,000 students
from Clive, Urbandale, Waukee, and West Des Moines. Waukee CSD is one of
Iowa’s fastest-growing School Districts with a diverse and expanding student and
staff population. The District is committed to exceptional educational
opportunities, operational excellence, and strong community partnerships.
Waukee CSD seeks qualified consultant partners to support a comprehensive
superintendent search that reflects the District’s values, culture, and long-term
strategic priorities.
2. Purpose of the RFP
Waukee CSD is soliciting proposals from experienced Respondents, search firms
or consultants specializing in superintendent and executive-level PK-12
education leadership recruitment. The Board may select a firm to conduct the
entire search, partner with District leadership through a hybrid search model, or
support specific phases of the search process.
2.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this RFP and the resulting contract, the following
terms shall mean:
“District” means Waukee Community School District (or Waukee CSD)
that is issuing the RFP and shall utilize and purchase the services of the
selected Respondent.
“Contract” means the Contractual Agreement(s) entered into with the
successful Respondent(s).
“Contractor” means the awarded Respondent(s) to provide the
contractual services agreed upon.
“Deliverable” means the completion of a milestone or accomplishment of
a task.
“General Terms and Conditions” means the General Terms and
Conditions for Services Contracts.
1
RFP WSCD-25-023
Waukee Community School District
560 SE University Ave., Waukee, IA
50263
P 515.987.5161
“Proposal” means the Respondent’s proposal submitted in response to
the RFP.
“Respondent” means the company, organization or other business entity
submitting a proposal in response to this RFP.
“Responsible Respondent” means a Respondent that has the capability
in all material respects to perform the scope of work and specifications of
the Contract. In determining whether a Respondent is a Responsible
Respondent, the District may consider various factors including, but not
limited to, the Respondent’s competence and qualifications to provide the
goods or services requested, the Respondent’s integrity and reliability, the
past performance of the Respondent and the best interest of the Agency
and the State.
“Responsive Proposal” means a Proposal that complies with the
material provisions of this RFP.
“RFP” means this Request for Proposals and any attachments, exhibits,
schedules or addenda hereto.
3. Proposal Format
Proposals must not exceed 10 pages, excluding consultant bios/resumes.
The Proposal shall be divided into two parts: (1) the Technical Proposal and (2)
the Cost Proposal. The Technical Proposal and the Cost Proposal shall be
labeled as such as separate files.
The files shall be labeled with the following information: RFP WSCD-25-023 –
Respondent Name –Technical Proposal and RFP WSCD-25-023 –
Respondent Name –Cost Proposal.
The Issuing Officer will review the proposals for compliance with the RFP
requirements. All answers provided to the questions asked in this RFP are
subject to verification. Misleading answers shall be grounds for disqualification at
any stage in the procurement process. Waukee CSD reserves the right to make a
written request for additional information from a prospective Respondent to assist
in understanding or clarifying a Proposal.
Proposals must be submitted by the deadline stated in this RFP. Late
submissions will not be considered.
2
RFP WSCD-25-023
Waukee Community School District
560 SE University Ave., Waukee, IA
50263
P 515.987.5161
4. Submission Instructions
Proposals should be submitted electronically to Issuing Officer:
Julie Janssen
Purchasing Specialist Waukee Community School District
Email: jjanssen@waukeeschools.org
Phone: 515-987-5161
Proposal Due Date: Proposals must be received no later than 12:00 PM CST
on December 30, 2025. Late submissions will not be considered. Proposals
should be signed by an authorized individual to bind the Respondent and shall be
valid for at least sixty (60) days.
Request for Proposal Schedule
Event Open
Question Submission Date
Event Close
Respondent Interview
Notice of Intent to Award issued
Board Notification and Approval
Contract Finalized and Signed
12/16/2025 12:00 PM
12/23/2025 12:00 PM
12/30/2026 12:00 PM
01/12/2026 6:00 PM
01/13/2026 12:00 PM
01/14/2026 6:00 PM
01/14/2026 7:00 PM
5. Notification of Intent to Award
After responses are evaluated, a Notification of Intent to Award (NOIA) and
evaluation tabulation will be sent via email of the Waukee CSD’s decision to all
Respondents.
After an award is made, a proposal evaluation summary will be sent to all
Respondents who submitted a proposal. Proposal results will not be given over
the telephone or prior to award. Proposals may be withdrawn any time prior to
the scheduled closing time for receipt of proposals; no proposal may be modified
or withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) calendar days thereafter.
6. Communications
All questions regarding this RFP must be submitted to Julie Janssen,
jjanssen@waukeeschools.org, by no later than December 23, 2025 12:00 PM
CST. All responses to questions will be made in writing to all Respondents on file
no later than December 23, 2025 6:00 PM. Once a consultant is selected, the
Board Chair and Chief Human Resources Officer will serve as the District’s
primary contacts.
3
RFP WSCD-25-023
Waukee Community School District
560 SE University Ave., Waukee, IA
50263
P 515.987.5161
7. Public Records and Requests for Confidential Treatment
Waukee CSD shall treat all information submitted by Respondent as public
records unless the Respondent properly identifies specific parts of the Proposal
be treated as confidential at the time of submitting the Proposal AND the
information is, in fact, deemed confidential under Iowa or other applicable law.
Waukee CSD’s release of public records is governed by Iowa Code Chapter 22.
Respondents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Chapter 22 before
submitting a proposal. Waukee CSD will copy and produce public records as
required to comply with Chapter 22 or other applicable laws.
8. Scope of Services– Proposal Requirements
Proposals must provide a clear, comprehensive description of the Respondent’s
work plan, approach, team, and associated costs. Any information provided in
the Technical Proposal is subject to consideration, evaluation, and scoring.
Respondents should describe their approach to identifying, recruiting, and
screening candidates aligned to Waukee CSD’s priorities and Iowa licensure
requirements in their executive summary.
8.1 Mandatory Requirements
All items listed in this section are Mandatory Specifications.
Respondent shall mark either “yes” or “no” to each specification in their
Proposals. By indicating “yes” a Respondent agrees that it shall comply
with that specification throughout the full term of the Contract, if the
Respondent is successful. The Respondent shall provide references
and/or supportive materials to verify the Respondent’s compliance with the
specification.
● At least five (5) years of experience in successful superintendent
searches.
● Previous experience within the State of Iowa for superintendent
searches.
● Three (3) superintendent search references within the last three (3)
years.
4
RFP WSCD-25-023
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
