INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP & COACHING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SERIES

Memorandum from Purchasing Department
Letter of Instruction for RFP #251-27-124
To: Prospective Parties
Thank you for your interest in the Wake County Public School System. Please review the
following instructions prior to submitting your proposal.
* Prior to submitting and executing the proposal, please make sure you read and
understand the terms and conditions referenced. All proposals are subject to the
terms and conditions outlined herein. All responses will be controlled by such terms
and conditions and the submission of other terms and conditions, price lists, catalogs,
and/or other documents as part of an offeror's response will be waived and have no
effect either on this Request For Proposals or on any contract that may be awarded
resulting from this solicitation. The attachment of any other terms and conditions by
the Offeror may be grounds for rejection of that proposal. Offeror specifically agrees
to the conditions set forth in the above paragraph by signature to the proposal.
* Please read carefully the section titled CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROHIBITED
COMMUNICATIONS DURING THE RFP PROCESS. All questions should be directed to
bids-pgooding@wcpss.net.
* Offerors are cautioned that this is a request for offers, not a request to contract, and
WCPSS reserves the unqualified right to reject any and all offers when such rejection
is deemed to be in the best interest of WCPSS.
* In submitting a proposal, the Offeror agrees not to use the results there from as part
of any news release or commercial advertising.
* Submit one (1) signed, original response via electronic Vendor Portal (eVP) by the specified
time and date of opening. Vendor shall bear all risk for late electronic submission due to
unintended or unanticipated delay, including but not limited to internet issues, network
issues, or local power outages. Inability by WCPSS to open the Vendor's files may result in
the offer(s) being rejected as non-responsive.
* Questions or issues related to using the eVP Ariba Sourcing Tool can be directed to the North
Carolina eProcurement Help Desk at 888-211-7440, Option 2. Help Desk representatives are
available Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST.
* Offerors are cautioned that responses will be deemed nonresponsive if they do not include
all required information and submittals as requested.
* WCPSS publicly advertises proposal solicitations on the following sites: NC eVP,
https://evp.nc.gov/ and WCPSS Purchasing http://www.wcpss.net/domain/101. Please
review these sites for updates and amendments during the proposal time frame.
* WCPSS intends to award a one-year contract pursuant to this RFP. WCPSS reserves the right
to renew the award for two additional one-year terms at the same cost at the discretion of the
district and based on available funding.
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Request for Proposal #251-27-124
INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP & COACHING PROFESSIONAL
LEARNING SERIES
1551 Rock Quarry Rd - Bldg. F
Raleigh, NC 27610 Contract Type: Agency Specific Term Contract
Refer ALL Inquiries to: Petra Gooding
Telephone No: 919-588-3456 DUE DATE: June 19, 2026 @ 2:00 pm
E-Mail: bids-pgooding@wcpss.net Using Agency Name: WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
NOTICE TO VENDORS
Electronic proposals, subject to the conditions made a part hereof, will be received until 2:00 p.m. on the day of opening
and then opened, for furnishing and delivering the commodity as described herein. Refer to proposal submittal below
for information regarding delivery. Proposals submitted via email or non-sealed in response to this Request for Proposal
will not be accepted. Proposals are subject to rejection unless submitted on this form.
EXECUTION
In compliance with this Request for Proposal, and subject to all the conditions herein, the undersigned offers and agrees
to furnish and deliver any or all items upon which prices are proposed, at the prices set opposite each item within the
time specified herein. By executing this proposal, I certify that this proposal is submitted competitively and without
collusion.
Failure to execute/sign this page prior to submittal shall render bid invalid. Late proposals are not acceptable.
VENDOR: FEDERAL ID OR SOCIAL SECURITY NO.
STREET ADDRESS: P.O. BOX: ZIP:
CITY & STATE & ZIP: TELEPHONE NUMBER: TOLL FREE TEL. NO
(800)
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS ADDRESS IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE
TYPE OR PRINT NAME & TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING: FAX NUMBER:
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE: DATE: E-MAIL:
Offer valid for 60 days from date of proposal opening unless otherwise stated here: ____ days
PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL
Submit one (1) signed, original executed proposal response via eVP (emails not accepted).
Late bids, regardless of cause, will not be opened or considered, and will be automatically disqualified from further
consideration. Vendor shall bear the sole risk of late submission due to unintended or unanticipated delay. It is the Vendors'
sole responsibility to ensure its proposal has been received as described in this RFP by the specified time and date of opening.
Failure to submit a proposal in strict accordance with instructions provided shall constitute sufficient cause to reject a Vendor's
proposal(s). Solicitation responses are subject to Sealed Bidding requirements.
Vendors' proposals for this procurement must be submitted through electronic Vendor Portal (eVP). For training on how to
use eVP to view solicitations, submit questions, develop responses, upload documents, and submit offers to the district,
Vendors should go to the following site: https://eprocurement.nc.gov/training/vendor-training.
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RFP SCHEDULE
The table below shows the intended schedule for this RFP. WCPSS will make every effort to adhere to this schedule.
Event Responsibility Date and Time
Issue RFP WCPSS 6-8-26
Submit written questions to: Vendor 6-10-26 by 2:00 pm ET
bids-pgooding@wcpss.net
(Reference RFP # in the subject line)
Provide Responses to Questions WCPSS 6-12-26 by end-of-business
Submit Proposals Vendor 6-19-26 @ 2:00 PM ET
Public Live Bid Opening WCPSS/Vendor 6-19-26 @ 2:00 PM ET
(vendor attendance is not required)
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/211174
670938884?p=LzsiH043jjSaH8kxK8
Meeting ID: 211 174 670 938 884
Passcode: J6HM32qu
PROPOSAL QUESTIONS
Upon review of the RFP documents, Vendors may have questions to clarify or interpret the RFP in order to
submit the best proposal possible. To accommodate the Proposal Questions process, Vendors shall submit any
such questions, in written form by the above due date. WCPSS will not respond to questions via telephone or
telephone message(s). Written questions must be emailed to bids-pgooding@wcpss.net by the date and time
specified above. Vendors should enter "RFP #251-27-124 Questions" as the subject for the email. Questions
submittals should include a reference to the applicable RFP section and be submitted in a format shown below:
Reference Vendor Question
RFP Section, Page Number Vendor question ...?
Questions received prior to the submission deadline date, WCPSS' response, and any additional terms deemed
necessary by WCPSS will be posted in the form of an addendum to the Interactive Purchasing System (IPS),
http://www.ips.state.nc.us and WCPSS Purchasing website http://www.wcpss.net/domain/101, and shall
become an Addendum to this RFP. No information, instruction or advice provided orally or informally by any
WCPSS personnel, whether made in response to a question or otherwise in connection with this RFP, shall be
considered authoritative or binding. Vendors shall rely only on written material contained in an Addendum
to this RFP.
PROPOSAL EVALUATION
All proposals will be evaluated by representatives of WCPSS. WCPSS may, at its sole discretion, ask for additional
information and/or elect to conduct interviews with finalists to clarify information provided in the proposals.
The services that are the subject of this RFQ/P are not required to be bid under North Carolina law, and none of the
statutory requirements regarding public bidding apply to this RFQ/P. This document, and not those statutes, will
govern the selection process.
WCPSS shall not be required to award the contract to the lowest proposed compensation; nor shall WCPSS have
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any obligation to explain its decision to recommend or not to recommend any particular vendor or to invite or
exclude any particular vendor from consideration at any stage of the process. Instead of recommending that
contracts be awarded to one or more vendors who presented proposals, WCPSS may, at its sole discretion, reject
the proposals and repeat the process, enter into direct contract negotiations with one or more vendors (possibly
including vendors who have not previously submitted proposals) or take any other action WCPSS deems advisable
under all the circumstances.
WCPSS is expected to make any final selection(s) based upon any factors or considerations WCPSS deems relevant.
Factors often considered include qualifications, relevant experience, fee, and ability to perform work in a timely
manner. WCPSS retains sole discretion to award the contract to the vendor(s) it believes will best serve the
interests of WCPSS and may consider any factors, documents, or information it deems relevant in making that
determination. WCPSS shall not have any obligation to explain its decision to select or not select any individual
vendors or to invite or exclude any individual vendors from consideration at any stage of the process. The decision
of WCPSS to accept or reject any proposals and to award contract(s) to any one or more vendor(s) shall be final and
not subject to further review.
Vendors are subject to immediate disqualification at any stage of the selection process for any of the following:
* The submission of false or misleading information in the vendor's proposal.
* Any efforts to dissuade or discourage other vendors from submitting proposals.
* Any efforts to influence, dictate, or change the terms of another vendor's proposal.
* Any form of bid collusion or bid rigging.
METHOD OF AWARD
All qualified proposals will be evaluated, and awards will be made to the Vendor(s) meeting the RFP requirements
and achieving the highest and best final evaluation which is best for WCPSS. Vendors SHALL not be considered
who are not approved or authorized by The State of North Carolina to do business with The State of North
Carolina. WCPSS reserves the right to waive any minor informality or technicality in proposals received.
IMPORTANT: CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS DURING EVALUATION
During the evaluation period-from the date proposals are opened through the date the contract is awarded-
each Vendor submitting a proposal (including its representatives, sub-contractors and/or suppliers) is prohibited
from having any communications with any person inside or outside of WCPSS regarding this solicitation. All
communication should be directed in written form to the WCPSS contact indicated on pages 1, 2, and 3.
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PURPOSE
The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to design and
facilitate a comprehensive professional learning series focused on strengthening instructional leadership,
instructional coaching, and high-quality teaching practices across schools.
The district seeks a partner that can provide a combination of:
Professional learning
Actionable strategic instructional leadership outcomes
Coaching and feedback structures
Walkthrough and observation support
Learning labs and classroom-based experiences
Research-based instructional leadership strategies
The selected vendor will support principals, assistant principals and school-based instructional coaches in building
coherent instructional systems that strengthen standards-aligned instruction, instructional quality, teacher
feedback, and student engagement. The district is specifically seeking professional learning that is practical, job-
embedded, research-based, and aligned to current district initiatives and school-based practices.
DISTRICT BACKGROUND
The Strategic Instructional Leadership and Coaching Professional Learning Series for principals, assistant principals
and instructional coaches is designed to align directly with key tenets of the WCPSS Strategic Plan through a focus
on strengthening the instructional core, building leadership capacity, and improving outcomes for all students.
Strategic Plan Alignment
High-Quality Instructional Core
Strengthening standards-aligned instruction
Increasing student engagement and rigor
Aligning curriculum, instruction, assessment, and intervention
Establishing consistent instructional expectations across schools
Professional Learning Communities and Collaborative Practice
Building effective PLC structures
Facilitating collaborative data conversations
Using student work and formative assessment to guide instructional decisions
Developing collective efficacy among teachers and leaders
Data-Informed Leadership and Continuous Improvement
Conducting instructional and student performance data analysis
Connecting walkthrough evidence to student outcomes
Identifying instructional trends and support needs
Using feedback cycles to monitor implementation and impact
Equity-Focused Instructional Leadership
Promoting equitable access to high-quality instruction
Supporting culturally responsive teaching practices
Examining instructional experiences through an equity lens
Ensuring support structures meet the needs of diverse learners
Leadership Development and Coaching Capacity
Strengthening instructional leadership practices for principals and coaches
Developing high-impact coaching and feedback strategies
Building coherent systems of support across schools and departments
Creating sustainable structures for ongoing professional growth
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The overall goal of the series is to strengthen leadership coherence, improve instructional practices, and build
aligned systems of support that positively impact teaching and student learning across the district.
For background purposes, WCPSS is currently the largest school district in North Carolina and the 15th largest in
the United States. There are currently more than 200 schools in the district, serving a population of
approximately 161,000 students and 20,000 staff. Wake County covers 854 square miles. Additional information
about the school system can be accessed via the internet site (www.wcpss.net).
PROJECT BACKGROUND
WCPSS seeks to strengthen strategic instructional coherence and leadership capacity across schools through
aligned professional learning experiences that:
Building common instructional language
Improving instructional quality
Strengthening coaching and feedback systems
Enhancing walkthrough and observation practices
Promoting aligned instructional expectations across departments and schools
The district desires continuity with existing successful school-based practices, former instructional leadership and
coaching professional learning and seeks a vendor that values alignment, coherence, and sustainability rather
than isolated initiatives.
The district seeks professional learning that complements and strengthens current work already occurring within
schools while creating greater alignment across:
Departments
School leadership teams
Instructional coaching structures
Professional learning systems
PROJECT GOALS & DESIRED OUTCOMES
Desired Outcomes
Alignment & Coherence
Establishing common instructional language across schools and departments
Strengthening alignment between district priorities and school implementation
Supporting continuity with successful instructional leadership practices currently occurring in schools
Instructional Leadership Capacity
Strengthening principals' and instructional coaches' ability to identify and support high-quality instruction
Developing actionable walkthrough and observation practices
Improving instructional feedback quality and coaching conversations
High-Quality Instruction
Strengthening standards-aligned instructional practices
Increasing the use of high-impact instructional strategies
Improving student engagement and instructional responsiveness
Coaching & Feedback Systems
Building leaders' capacity to provide practical, timely, and actionable instructional feedback
Strengthening instructional coaching structures aligned to district priorities
Developing systems for coaching labs and observation-based learning
Research-Based Practice
Deepening understanding and implementation of:
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John Hattie's research
High-impact instructional strategies
30-second feedback protocols
Research and evidence-based coaching practices
ALIGNMENT TO WCPSS STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
The professional learning series should align to and support the following district priorities:
WCPSS Learning Model Alignment Focus
See Me Student well-being, resilience, responsive instructional leadership
Challenge Me Standards-aligned instruction, rigorous learning targets, instructional clarity
Engage Me High-impact instructional strategies, student engagement, active learning
Know Me Feedback systems, responsive instruction, instructional data use
Alignment to Instructional Levers
Lever 1 - Standards-Driven Instruction
Professional learning should support:
Standards-aligned learning targets
Crafting and using learning targets
Alignment of instruction
Assessment alignment
Instructional clarity
Data-informed instructional practices
Lever 2 - High-Impact Instructional Strategies
Professional learning should support:
Student engagement
Instructional delivery
Distributed summarizing
Writing across disciplines
High-impact instructional strategies
Kagan strategies (preferred)
Lever 3 - Student Well-Being & Resilience
Professional learning should support:
Classroom environments that promote belonging and engagement
Student-centered instructional practices
Instructional approaches that support resilience and relationship-building
SCOPE OF WORK
The selected vendor will provide a comprehensive professional learning series that includes:
* A total of: Seven (7) Half-Day Face-to-Face Professional Learning Sessions
* Target Audience:
o Principals
o Assistant Principals (optional if district determines)
o School-Based Instructional Coaches
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WCPSS intends to award a one-year contract pursuant to this RFP. WCPSS reserves the right to renew the award
for two additional one-year terms at the same cost at the discretion of the district and based on available funding.
REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMPONENTS
The proposal should address professional learning and implementation support in the following areas:
A. Standards-Aligned Instruction
Including:
Standards-aligned learning targets
Instructional alignment
Instructional clarity
Alignment of assignments and instruction
B. Feedback & Coaching Practices
Including:
30-second feedback
Value-add feedback
Value-add coaching
Covert and overt responses
Instructional coaching practices
Practical walkthrough feedback systems
C. High-Impact Instructional Strategies
Including:
John Hattie's research
Eleven (11) high-impact instructional strategies
Student engagement practices
Distributed summarizing
Teaching studies
Opportunities for instructional observation and reflection
D. Coaching & Feedback Labs
Professional learning should include opportunities for:
Learning labs
Classroom visits
Observation cycles
Coaching labs
Reflective instructional walkthroughs
COACHING LAB DOMAINS
The district seeks coaching and feedback labs organized around the following domains:
Domain Description
Pattern Recognition Identifying instructional trends and indicators of instructional
quality
Retrieval Fluency Strengthening understanding and application of instructional
practices
Feedback & Coaching Skills Providing actionable feedback and facilitating instructional growth
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CONTINUITY & ALIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS
The district strongly values continuity and coherence.
Proposals should demonstrate how the vendor will:
Build upon existing school and district practices
Avoid initiative overload
Align language and implementation structures across schools
Partner collaboratively with district leadership
Create sustainable systems and practices
The district seeks a partner that emphasizes:
Alignment over fragmentation
Coherence over isolated initiatives
Capacity-building over dependency
DELIVERABLES
The selected vendor will provide:
Seven half-day professional learning sessions
Learning lab structures
Observation/walkthrough tools
Coaching lab protocols
Feedback frameworks
Session materials and resources
Implementation support recommendations
Suggested sustainability structures
Alignment recommendations connected to district instructional levers
VENDOR QUALIFICATIONS
* VENDOR shall be licensed (when applicable) and approved to do business in the State of North
Carolina.
* Insurance requirements referenced within as well as any Federal, State and Local requirements shall be
required and maintained.
* Vendor will be disqualified for consideration if they are listed on either the State of North Carolina
debarred vendor registry, or the Federal Government debarred vendor registry.
(Federal Government)
https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/searchRecords/searchResults.jsf
(State of North Carolina)
https://ncadmin.nc.gov/documents/nc-debarred-vendors
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PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Required WCPSS forms
* Signed, original execution page (page 2)
* Completed attachments A & B (pages 17 & 18)
2. Cover Letter, Including:
Organization overview
Statement of interest
Primary contact information
3. Organizational Background
Relevant experience
Experience supporting school districts
Expertise in instructional leadership and coaching
4. Proposed Approach
Professional learning philosophy
Facilitation structures
Alignment to WCPSS priorities
Coaching and implementation approach
Sustainability planning
5. Proposed Scope & Sequence
Provide a draft outline for:
Seven half-day sessions
Coaching labs
Learning labs
Walkthrough support
6. Experience & References
Relevant district examples
References from previous clients
Evidence of impact
7. Cost Proposal
Session costs
Materials
Travel expenses (if applicable)
Optional implementation support costs
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