Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBERN)

The RFP and other documents will be posted to the NYSED website .

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (OBEWL) is seeking proposals to operate eight (8) Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBERN) technical assistance support centers in the State, this includes seven (7) Regional RBERN technical assistance support centers and one (1) Statewide RBERN. The RBERN Network will work collaboratively with OBEWL staff to provide technical assistance and professional development to schools and districts to improve instructional practices and educational outcomes of students who are English Language Learners (ELLs).

Eligible bidders include Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs). Regional RBERN bidders must be located in the RBERN region for which they are bidding. Statewide RBERN bidders may be situated anywhere in New York State (see Attachment A for a list of regions). Each Regional RBERN technical assistance support center will be known as The NYSED (Region) RBERN at (Name of BOCES/IHE). The Statewide RBERN will be known as The NYSED Statewide RBERN at (Name of BOCES/IHE).

Such technical assistance may be in-person or remote, as appropriate. When appropriate, Regional RBERNs may, with OBEWL approval, open satellite offices to serve the needs of larger or significantly dense regions.

NYSED will award eight (8) contracts as a result of this RFP. Six (6) of the Regional RBERN contracts will be awarded in the following regions of New York State (see Attachment A): West, Mid-West, Mid-State, Hudson Valley, Capital District, Long Island, and one (1) of the Regional RBERN contracts will be awarded in New York City. NYSED will award one (1) Statewide RBERN contract, which may be located in any region of New York State. Eligible bidders can only bid for one (1) Regional RBERN award but may bid on both a regional award and the Statewide RBERN award but must submit separate proposals. Each contract resulting from this RFP will be for a term anticipated to begin on July 1, 2025, and end on June 30, 2030.

Subcontracting will be limited to thirty percent (30%) of the total contract budget. NYSED reserves the right to approve all subcontractors. Subcontracting is defined as non-employee direct, personal services and related incidental expenses, including travel.

Bidders are required to comply with NYSED’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) participation goals for this RFP through one of three methods. Compliance methods are discussed in detail in the Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Participation Goals section below.