Request for Proposals

 

The Maine Department of Education announces a Request for Proposals to develop and

coordinate the Maine State GEARUP “Teens with Dreams Summer Program.”  The

GEARUP “Teens with Dreams Summer Program” is an extension of the Maine

Department of Education’s GEARUP partnership with schools, which provides students that otherwise may not attend an institute of higher education with early college awareness activities, improved academic support, financial aid and application assistance, and scholarship opportunities.

 

 

Purpose

 

GEARUP is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to coordinate and administer academic and enrichment camps during the summer of 2004 for eligible students who have completed 7^th grade.  Summer camps will last five days at four different sites;  the University of Maine at Machias, the University of Southern Maine, the University of Maine at Presque Isle, and Colby College/University of Maine at Augusta.  The camps should:

 

1)      Provide stimulating learning opportunities for students;

2)      Develop and promote career and educational aspirations; and,

3)      Help students and their parents/guardians develop early awareness about the need to plan for college.

 

NOTE:  Camps will provide instruction in mathematics and English language arts.  Programs should fully expose students to the experience of living on a college campus.  Recreational activities should be included as part of the design. 

 

Use of Funds

 

Program funds are to be used to develop, administer, and coordinate four five-day summer programs for eligible students.  Facilities have been scheduled for the programs to occur at the following sites: 

 

University of Southern Maine – June 21-June 25, 2004

Colby College/University of Maine at Augusta – July 5-July 9, 2004

University of Maine at Presque Isle – July 19-July 23, 2004

University of Maine at Machias – August 2-August 6, 2004

 

Program Elements

 

1)   Plan program for GEARUP “Teens with Dreams Summer Program,” Monday through Friday, five-day, four-night programs for seventh grade students enrolled in GEARUP.

 

• Coordinate and facilitate agreement/contract with housing departments at campus locations to include, at a minimum, dormitory sleeping accommodations for students and staff, breakfast, lunch and dinner meals, snacks for both morning and afternoon activities, facilities for academic classroom exploration and enrichment activities, facilities for recreation and leisure activities.
• Coordinate with existing local GEARUP Staff to recruit and confirm student

participation at the most appropriate college camp site.

• Coordinate with each campus opportunities for students to interact with professional staff.

 

2)  Design and deliver an outcome-based program to students, which ensures educational opportunities in English language arts and mathematics, founded on evidenced-based reading and math or such program research to the extent that this research is available.

 

• Provide adequate and qualified staffing, which includes appropriate staff / student ratios 24 hours per day, to ensure quality opportunities for students and clear expectations for student conduct. 
• Provide management plan for staff supervision and evaluation.
• Provide professional development for staff to include communication protocols for health, safety and emergency preparedness.
• Provide materials and activities that promote personal growth, increased student aspirations, career exploration, increased physical activity and good nutrition.
• Provide a plan for coordination of activities for youth with Department of Education GEARUP, School Nutrition personnel, the Children’s Cabinet agencies, and other partners.
• Provide a plan for quantitative and qualitative assessment and evaluation to include:  student performance data and staff performance data.  Survey data should include the following program components; students’ and parents’ /guardians’ satisfaction with facilities, meals, recreational and classroom activities. 
• Provide transportation which will promote student participation and increased opportunities during the five-day program.
• Provide budget and demonstrate an effective budget monitoring process to include per campus accounting.

 

3)  Provide a local, independent evaluation of the program to be used for program quality improvement.

 

                       

Number of Awards:    Up to one (1) grant.

 

Duration of a Project:  GEARUP “Teens with Dreams Summer Program” will be planned and

provided beginning with the date of the contract signing and ending no later than October 1, 

2004.

 

Project Funding:  $85,000.00.

 

Eligible Applicants:

 

·        Local educational agencies (LEAs) applying in collaboration with a community-based organization (CBO), public agency, institution of higher education, or other non-profit organization.

·        Community-based organizations (CBOs) or other nonprofit organizations applying in collaboration with a local educational agency (LEA).

·         

Note:  Priority will be given to applications that engage and service parents/guardians and  demonstrate knowledge and experience of working with youth and their families.

 

Selection Criteria  (Total of 100 points)

 

·        Cover Sheet (0 points)

·        Abstract (0 points)

·        Proposal Narrative

·        Proposal Planning Process (5 points)

·        Project Objectives and Supporting Activities (30 points)

·        Administration and Staffing Plan (25 points)

·        Collaboration and Coordination (5 points)

·        Evaluation and Likelihood of Success (10 points)

·        Budget (25 points)

 

 

Deadline

 

Application deadline is May 28, 2004.

 

One original and three (3) copies of the proposal, sealed, must be clearly marked “Proposal:  GEARUP “Teens with Dreams” Summer Program” and delivered to the Division of Purchases, Burton Cross State Office Building, 4^th Floor, 9 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333 no later than 2:00 p.m. local time on Friday, May 28, 2004 at which time and place they will be opened.  Proposals received after the 2:00 p.m. deadline will be rejected, without exception. No faxed or e-mailed applications will be accepted.

 

State of Maine Agreement

 

Each successful applicant will be expected to enter into a standard State of Maine Agreement to Purchase Services, a copy of which is part of the Application Package.

 

Questions Regarding this RFP:

 

All questions must be submitted by e-mail with Letter of Intent to Apply to david.stockford@maine.gov

And received by May 7, 2004.   Answers to the questions received will be posted on the Maine State Gear Up page by May 14, 2004.  Go to http://www.maine.gov/education/speced/specserv.htm and follow the Maine State Gear Up link. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GEARUP “Teens with Dreams Summer Program”

 

 

2004 Reviewer Rating Form

 

Proposal Planning Process: (Total Possible Points - 5)

 

_____  (points awarded)  To what extent is the goal of the camp clearly stated, consistent with the objectives of the RFP and the program, and appropriate for priority student population?

 

_____  (points awarded)  Is the academic enrichment component an out-come based program, founded on evidence-based reading and math program research?

 

_____  (points awarded)  Will a local, independent evaluation of the program be administered and used for program improvement?

 

_____  (points awarded)  To what extent has the program been planned to make efficient and effective use of facilities, to accommodate both instruction and learning?

 

_____  (points awarded)  To what extent has the nutritional program been planned to ensure appropriate nutrition services and the use of federal assistance?

 

Project Objectives and Supporting Activities: (Total Possible Points – 30)

 

_____  (points awarded)  To what extent do the proposed activities align with the program activities and proposed student outcomes?

 

_____  (points awarded)  To what extent do the proposed activities provide opportunities for academic development, leisure/recreation activities, and individual and group learning?

 

_____  (points awarded)  To what extent is the daily schedule well paced and likely to lead to challenging and rewarding experiences?

 

_____  (points awarded)  To what extent are the resources of the host campus, both personnel and facilities, used to support the program?

 

Administration and Staffing Plan:  (Total Possible Points - 25)

 

_____  (points awarded)  Are key personnel identified with documented qualifications and completed background checks?

 

_____  (points awarded)  To what extent are roles and responsibilities of staff clearly articulated?

 

_____  (points awarded)  What is the adequacy of supervision of students?

 

_____  (points awarded)  What is the adequacy of supervision of staff?

 

_____  (points awarded)  Are expectations for student conduct communicated clearly to students and their families?

 

_____  (points awarded)  Are health, safety, and emergency preparedness plans adequate?

 

Collaboration and Coordination:  (Total Possible Points – 5)

 

_____  (points awarded)  To what extent will the program assist in establishing new partnerships or strengthen existing partnerships with community/education partners and programs, such as 21^st Century Community Learning Centers; as well as coalitions, such as Communities for Children & Youth, One ME, Healthy Maine Partnerships, and Healthy Communities/PATCH groups?

 

Evaluation and Likelihood of Success:  (Total Points Possible – 10)

 

______ (points awarded)  Is there a plan for quantitative and qualitative assessment and evaluation to include:  student performance data and staff performance data? 

 

______ (points awarded)  Does survey data include the following program components; students’ and parents’ /guardians’ satisfaction, facilities, meals, recreational and classroom activities?

 

Budget (Total Points Possible – 25)

 

______ (points awarded)  Are staffing responsibilities reasonable, and is compensation comparable to that paid by school administrative units or institutions of higher education? 

 

______ (points awarded)  Are appropriate resources allocated for student supports and activities?

 

______ (points awarded)  Are adequate resources allocated for student performance measures and program evaluation? 

 

______ (points awarded)  Does the budget plan allocate resources for professional development and staff support?

 

______ (points awarded)  Is there adequate fiscal management capacity?

 

______ (points awarded)  Low bid? (Maximum 10 points for lowest bid received.  Other bids will be calculated by dividing lowest cost proposal by the cost of the proposal being rated and multiplied by full points assigned.)