Comprehensive External Audit Services for the Division of Specialized Support Services
| Location: | Maryland |
|---|---|
| Posted: | Feb 17, 2026 |
| Due: | Mar 13, 2026 |
| Agency: | Montgomery County Public Schools |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Solicitation No: | 4603.1 |
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
Open Solicitation
| Bid/RFP Number: 4603.1 | |
| Solicitation Title |
Comprehensive External Audit Services for the Division of Specialized Support Services |
| Due Date & Time |
03/13/2026 02:00 PM
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| Contract Type |
RFP |
| Buyer E-mail | |
| Description |
Montgomery County Public Schools is soliciting proposals from qualified vendors to provide comprehensive external audit services for the Division of Specialized Support Services (DSSS). The division is newly established and comprises ten interrelated departments that provide a continuum of supports to meet the academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and developmental needs of students.
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| eMaryland Marketplace link | |
Attachment Preview
Division of Financial Management
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Department of Procurement, Suite 3100
45 West Gude Drive
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Request for Proposal #4603.1
Comprehensive External Audit Services for the Division of Specialized Support Services
1.0 INTENT
Montgomery County Public Schools is soliciting proposals from qualified vendors to provide comprehensive
external audit services for the Division of Specialized Support Services (DSSS). The division is newly
established and comprises ten interrelated departments that provide a continuum of supports to meet the
academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and developmental needs of students. The departments housed within
DSSS include:
1. Department of Special Education
2. Department of Special Education Compliance
3. Central Placement Unit
4. Department of Special Education Prekindergarten and Services
5. Department of Special Education Systems and Management
6. Department of School Counseling Services
7. Department of Psychological Services
8. Department of Student Engagement, Behavioral Health and Academics
9. Department of Student Support and Attendance Services
To ensure the division is structured for long-term impact, high-quality service delivery, and operational
effectiveness, DSSS is seeking to partner with one qualified organization to conduct an external audit of the
division. The purpose of the audit is to provide a comprehensive review and analysis of:
● Organizational Structure – Assessing the alignment, reporting mechanisms, and configuration of
departments to determine optimal operational efficiency.
● Systems and Processes – Evaluating workflows, coordination across departments, and procedures to
ensure effective service delivery and accountability.
● Staffing and Capacity – Reviewing staffing models, roles, and workloads to assess adequacy, expertise
alignment, and areas requiring enhancement.
● Data Sharing and Documentation – Analyzing current data systems, interdepartmental sharing
protocols, documentation practices, and compliance with state and federal regulations.
● Service Quality and Equity – Measuring the effectiveness, consistency, and equity of services provided
to students and families across all departments.
The selected firm will be expected to conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses, including stakeholder
interviews, document reviews, and data analysis. The final deliverable will include a comprehensive audit report
with findings, strengths, gaps, and a set of actionable recommendations to strengthen the structure, coherence,
and effectiveness of the Division of Specialized Support Services.
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RFP 4603.1
2.0 INTRODUCTION
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is the 15th largest school system in the United States, and the
largest in the state of Maryland. During the 2025–2026 school year, MCPS served more than 160,000 students
from 157 countries speaking 150 languages. With a Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Operating Budget of approximately
$3.62 billion, MCPS employs more than 25,500 employees. Among the 211 schools that MCPS operates, 45
are National Blue-Ribbon schools. Six MCPS high schools rank in the top 200 of The Washington Post’s 2015
High School Challenge, and all 25 MCPS high schools appear on this list, which only includes the top 11 percent
of high schools in the country. MCPS has one of the highest graduation rates among the nation’s largest school
districts, according to an Education Week report. In 2010, MCPS was the recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige
National Quality Award, the highest presidential honor given to American organizations for performance
excellence. The student demographics of MCPS in 2025-2026 are as follows:
Hispanic/Latino: 34.6%
White: 23.9%
Black or African American: 21.6%
Asian: 13.7%
Two or more races: ≤ 5.3%
American Indian or Alaskan Native: ≤0.2%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: ≤0.1%
In alignment with our strategic priorities, MCPS believes that each and every student matters; outcomes should
not be predictable by race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status; equity demands the elimination of all gaps; and
creating and maximizing future opportunities for students and staff is necessary. Therefore, MCPS holds high
expectations for all students and staff; distributes resources as necessary to provide extra supports and
interventions so all students can achieve; identifies and eliminates any institutional barriers to students’ success;
and ensures that equitable practices are used in all classrooms and workplace.
MCPS also believes that we must engage every student, every day; learning is achieved by cultivating curiosity
and encouraging determination, focus, and hard work; and adult learning and engagement are key to student
learning. Therefore, MCPS encourages and support critical thinking, problem solving, active questioning, and
risk taking to continuously improve; stimulate discovery by engaging students in relevant and rigorous
academic, social, and emotional learning experiences; and challenge ourselves to analyze and reflect upon
evidence to improve our practices.
3.0 SCOPE OF SERVICES
3.1 Proposals should address the entire scope of services. Requirements include:
The selected vendor will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive audit of the Division
of Specialized Support Services. The audit will assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and
alignment of the division’s current structure, operations, and services. Scope of services
includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Organizational Structure Review
(i) Evaluate current organizational framework, reporting lines, and departmental
alignment.
(ii) Identify structural gaps, overlaps, and opportunities for realignment.
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RFP 4603.1
(b) Systems and Operational Processes Analysis
(i) Assess key workflows, internal coordination, and service delivery models.
(ii) Recommend areas for streamlining operations and improving cross-functional
collaboration.
(c) Staffing and Resource Allocation Assessment
(i) Analyze current staffing models, roles, workloads, and capacities.
(ii) Provide recommendations to strengthen organizational capacity and support
strategic goals.
(d) Data Sharing and Documentation Review
(i) Examine data systems, protocols, and documentation practices for compliance
and efficiency.
(ii) Identify gaps in data flow, integrity, and accessibility.
(e) Service Quality and Program Effectiveness Evaluation
(i) Evaluate the quality and consistency of services provided to students and
families.
(ii) Assess program impact, stakeholder satisfaction, and fidelity of
implementation.
(f) Equity and Access Analysis
(i) Review equity in service access and outcomes across student subgroups.
(ii) Provide data-informed recommendations to reduce disparities.
(g) Stakeholder Engagement
(i) Conduct interviews, focus groups, or surveys with key stakeholders.
(ii) Incorporate stakeholder voice into analysis and final recommendations.
(h) Final Report and Recommendations
(i) Provide a comprehensive report including findings, strengths, areas for
improvement, and prioritized, actionable recommendations.
(ii) Present findings to district leadership and other designated stakeholders.
3.2 Technical Requirements and Vendor Experience
The selected vendor must demonstrate the technical capacity to manage a large-scale audit within a public-
school K-12 system, ensuring that all data collection, storage, and analysis processes adhere to federal and state
confidentiality laws, including FERPA. The vendor should be proficient in the use of secure systems and digital
platforms that support the efficient collection and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data. This
includes the ability to produce user-friendly data visualizations, such as dashboards, charts, and summary
infographics, to clearly convey findings to a range of audiences.
Firms that have previously audited or evaluated complex divisions focused on student support services,
including special education, mental health, counseling, and compliance-related operations are encouraged to
response.
The vendor should have a strong track record of working collaboratively with district leaders, school-based
staff, and community stakeholders, including students and families. Experience facilitating focus groups,
conducting stakeholder interviews, and synthesizing diverse perspectives into coherent recommendations is
essential. The ability to manage politically and culturally sensitive conversations with discretion and respect is
critical to the success of this engagement.
Page 4 of 12
RFP 4603.1
Project staff must have relevant professional training and expertise in fields such as educational leadership,
organizational development, special education, behavioral health, compliance monitoring, or public
administration. The vendor should demonstrate the capacity to complete complex engagements on time and
within scope, and should provide at least three references from similar projects within the past five years.
Lastly, vendors with a commitment to advancing equity—particularly those who have experience working to
address disproportionality, access gaps, or service disparities—are strongly encouraged to apply. Their ability
to bring an equity lens to all components of the audit will be considered an asset in the selection process.
3.3 Timeline for Implementation and Key Staff
The vendor’s proposal shall propose a plan and schedule for implementation. The proposal shall provide a
general timeline and sequence of experiences that will be available for participating students.
In addition, the proposal shall identify key staff members on the project team, describe each team member’s
relevant experience and describe the role he or she would play in the project. Such key staff shall not be
substituted with other personnel or reassigned to another project without MCPS’ prior approval.
3.4 Data Privacy and Security
As specified in more detail in the MCPS General Contract Articles and elsewhere in this RFP, the vendor will
comply with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances applicable to this project, including
but not limited to the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), 20 U.S.C. §
1232g, and its implementing regulations (34 C.F.R. part 99), the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
(“COPPA”), 15 U.S.C. § 6501-6505, and its implementing regulations (16 C.F.R. § 312, et seq.), the Protection
of Pupil Rights Amendment, (“PPRA”) 20 U.S.C, § 1232(h) and its implementing regulations (34 C.F.R. § 98.1
et seq.), the Maryland Student Privacy Act of 2015, Md. Ed. Code Ann., §4-131, Code of Maryland Regulations
(COMAR) 13A.08, as well as applicable Board of Education policies and MCPS regulations, including but not
limited to MCPS Regulation AFA-RA, Research and Other Data Collection Activities in Montgomery County
Public Schools, MCPS Regulation JOA-RA, Student Records, and MCPS Regulation JFF-RA, Federal
Requirements for Use of Protected Student Information.
3.5. Performance)
It is the intention to award to the most favorable respondent(s) based on the evaluation criteria in Section 12.0.
However, the Montgomery County Board of Education reserves the right to make awards according to the best
interest of MCPS.
In determining the qualifications of an offeror, MCPS will consider the offeror’s record and performance of
any prior contracts with MCPS, federal departments or agencies, or other public bodies, including but not
limited to the offeror’s record in completing large scale audits within a public K-12 school system. MCPS
expressly reserves the right to reject the proposal of any offeror if the investigation discloses that the offeror,
in the opinion of MCPS, has not properly performed such prior contracts or has habitually and without just
cause neglected the payment of bills or has otherwise disregarded its obligations to subcontractors or
employees.
MCPS may conduct any necessary investigation to determine the ability of the offeror to perform the work,
and the offeror shall furnish to MCPS all such information and data requested, such as information about its
reputation, past performance, business and financial capability and other factors that demonstrate that the
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RFP 4603.1
provider is capable of satisfying MCPS’ needs and requirements for a specific contract. MCPS reserves the
right to reject any proposal if the evidence submitted by the offeror or investigation of such offeror fails to
satisfy MCPS that such offeror is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the contract and to complete
all requirements contemplated therein. Consideration will be given to any previous performance with MCPS
as to the quality and the acceptability of bidder’s services.
All offerors submitting a proposal shall include evidence that they maintain a permanent place of business.
Copies of any appropriate licenses necessary to perform this work shall be submitted with each proposal.
Offerors also shall demonstrate that they have adequate staff to perform the required services. Use of
subcontractor(s) and/or third-party providers, if any, must be specifically identified within the proposal.
Subcontractor and/or third-party provider roles shall be clearly expressed. MCPS reserves the right to accept
or reject use of proposed subcontractor(s) and/or third-party provider(s).
MCPS reserves the right to add or delete Contractors throughout the contract term should MCPS
determine, in its sole discretion, that there be a need for additional services not available from the
awarded Contractors.
4.0 CONTRACT TERM
The initial term of contract shall be one (1) year as stipulated on the RFP. The contract may not begin until one
day after approval by the MCPS Board of Education and will conclude as stated under the contract term. MCPS
reserves the right to extend this contract at existing prices, terms and conditions for up to three additional terms
for one (1) year each. Written notice indicating MCPS’ intention to pursue the extension of the contract will be
issued to the successful vendor 90 days prior to the expiration of the original contract. The vendor shall have
ten (10) days from the date of notification to return the notice acknowledging its intent to accept or reject the
extension.
Once all responses are evaluated, MCPS staff may make a recommendation to the MCPS Board of Education
to extend the contract or decide to rebid. If the contract is extended by the MCPS Board of Education, a contract
amendment will be issued.
5.0 PRICE
Provide a firm fixed price proposal and fee structure to include hourly rates as applicable.
6.0 CONTRACT TERMINATION
MCPS reserves the right to cancel the contract in whole or in part at any time in accordance with
Article 12 of the MCPS General Contract Articles. MCPS also reserves the right to cancel the contract
with a Respondent for failure to comply or failure to fulfill the terms of this contract in accordance
with Article 13 of the MCPS General Contract Articles.
7.0 REFERENCES
All offerors shall include a list of a minimum of five references who use the vendors services and can attest to
the firm’s quality of work; and, if possible, shall include school districts of comparable size to MCPS that have
utilized the respondents’ services. Include names of client, contact person, email address and phone number of
all references. Also, as an attachment, offerors shall include al list of all current school district clients.
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
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