Strategic Planning for Yuma Unified High SchoolsFrom the February 4 issue of K-12Leads and Youth Service Markets Report
Announcement: Strategic Planning Services Due February 11, Yuma Elementary and Unified High School Districts, Arizona
Their Description:This solicitation is being done... on behalf of Yuma Elementary School District No. 1 and Yuma Union High School Consortium No. 70. The Consortium members are also members of the Yuma Educational Purchasing Association.... Any contract resulting from this solicitation shall be for the use of its members....
The purpose of this Request for Proposal is to solicit qualified firms who can provide Strategic Planning services for the Yuma Union High School District. The service provider will work with the District to develop a well researched strategic plan. The District has approximately 1,000 certified and classified staff members with an annual budget of $57M. The primary function of the District is to provide public education to approximately 10,000 students in grades 9 through 12....
It is the intent of the Consortium to award a multi-term contract. The contract period will be one (1) year from the date of award with the option to renew annually for up to four (4) additional years.... The Consortium intends to award a contract under this solicitation to a single vendor....
The Strategic Plan... should provide the following outcomes:
• The District should understand the model used to develop the plan and its implications.
• Understand thoroughly the research and how the data was collected.
• [R]eceive a strategic plan that can be efficiently executed and communicated.
• The plan must provide tangible results and... strategies, for benchmarked growth.
Questionnaire:
1. What is the basis of the strategic planning system you are offering?
2. How many firms have successfully used your plan?
a. What are their industries?
b. Approximately what size are their organizations?
3. Is your product turnkey?
4. How long does your process take?
5. Explain your collaborative approach to strategic planning.
6. Briefly explain how your process works using as many visual aids as is appropriate.
7. What short and long term support do you provide? Please provide... costs...
8. How do you deploy the plan?
9. What is the percent usage rate after 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, longer?
10. Provide a description of tangible results achieved by your prior customers.
11. Are there any negative effects on an organization that does not implement an established plan? If so describe them.
Evaluation Criteria... In Order Of Importance...
• Responsiveness of the offeror in clearly stating and understanding the scope of work, and in meeting the requirements of the specifications of this RFP. (25 pts)
• Consortium’s assessment of the offeror’s abilities to meet and satisfy the needs of the Consortium.... (25 pts.)
• Documented implementation of sustained training and support including the longevity of the firm’s existence. (15 pts)
• Qualifications of the offeror, financial and otherwise, to provide the Consortium with these services for the required period of time....(15 pts)
• Past performance history of the vendor. (15 pts)
• ....The award will not be based on price alone, nor will it be based solely upon the lowest fees submitted. (5 pts)My Thoughts: The RFP doesn’t come right out and say it, but the district seems open to firms that are focused more on business than education. Districts will come to pay something closer to the fees these firms have come to expect from the private sector than they have in the past, so it may be a market worth exploring. A small district is a great place to try out techniques developed for the private sector.
