Regional Educational Laboratory Program: 2027 – 2031 Cycle

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the U.S. Department of Education (Department) for market research regarding the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Program, 2027-2031 Cycle. The Department is seeking to determine marketplace interest and capability for awarding approximately 10 firm-fixed-price contracts (with cost-reimbursable travel) for 60-month periods to serve as RELs for specific regions. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals but an invitation for potential offerors to express interest and provide information on their relevant knowledge, skills, and capabilities to help finalize the acquisition strategy.

The REL Program aims to assist practitioners and policymakers in improving learner outcomes by supporting the generation and use of research and evidence-based practices. Key activities include:

• Conducting applied research and development.
• Designing and implementing training, coaching, and technical support (TCTS) activities to build capacity for data use.
• Disseminating scientifically valid research and evidence-based practices.
• Coordinating activities with other Department technical assistance entities.

REL personnel must include researchers with scholarly expertise in relevant content areas and methodologies, as well as practitioners with significant teaching and professional development experience. Offerors must demonstrate the ability to frame research questions, lead applied research, ensure methodological rigor, and engage stakeholders.

• Planned contract type: Firm Fixed Price with Cost-Reimbursable Travel.

• Period of Performance: Approximately 60 months per REL.

• Funding: Base year funded at award; out-year funding added annually based on approved work plans and budgets.

• This RFI requests capability statements, not proposals.

• Responses should address specific questions provided in the RFI regarding the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) and draft budget template, including clarity, missing information, and suggestions for improvement.

• Specific questions focus on the clarity of the PWS for pricing, the budget template, and the appropriateness of the proposed escalation rate.

• Responses are due by January 8, 2026, 10:00 AM Eastern Time.

• Eligible offerors include research organizations, institutions, agencies, institutions of higher education, partnerships, or individuals with demonstrated ability.

• The NAICS code is 541720.

• Respondents must state their entity size status (large or small) and socioeconomic categories.

• All information is preliminary and subject to change.

• No payment will be made for information provided.

• The Government is not obligated to award a contract.

• Responses should be no longer than 10 pages (single-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins).

• Submit responses via email to Jana.Knapp@ed.gov, with cc to Katie.Opper@ed.gov and Joseph.gibbs@ed.gov.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

The U.S. Department of Education intends to award ten 60-month contracts for Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs). The primary goal of each REL is to support education stakeholders within their assigned region in using data and evidence to improve educational outcomes from early childhood to adulthood. This involves conducting applied research, providing training and technical support, and disseminating research findings.

The scope of work is divided into six main tasks:

• Task 1: REL Management and Reporting: Includes kickoff meetings, regular communication with IES, attending program meetings, establishing and convening a Governing Board, submitting Annual Work Plans, preparing Monthly Progress Reports, complying with personnel security requirements, and participating in program evaluations.
• Task 2: Coordination and Collaboration: Requires coordination with regional Comprehensive Centers, other technical assistance providers, and IES investments to avoid duplication and refer stakeholders to appropriate resources.
• Task 3: Working in Partnership with Stakeholders: Involves needs-sensing, developing and maintaining partnerships with key stakeholders (including State Educational Agencies), and co-developing logic models and measurement plans.
• Task 4: Training, Coaching, and Technical Support (TCTS): Focuses on identifying, developing, and implementing TCTS projects co-developed with partners to build capacity in research and data use. This includes training, coaching, and technical support activities, as well as an "Ask an Expert" service.
• Task 5: Applied Research and Peer Reviewed Research-Based Development Projects: Entails conducting original applied research, developing toolkits based on WWC Practice Guides, designing and testing new interventions, developing tools to support research processes, and conducting assessments of research study quality.
• Task 6: Dissemination: Covers developing website content, creating engaging dissemination materials (videos, infographics, fact sheets), hosting events, maintaining a newsletter, contributing to the REL Program blog and LinkedIn, and developing supporting communications and branding materials.

Performance will be measured at both the activity and REL level, focusing on short-term outcomes (knowledge and capacity improvement) and medium-term outcomes (planned use of data and research). Specific targets are provided for Years 1-5, with expectations for improvement over the contract life.

• Period of Performance: One 12-month base period followed by four 12-month option periods, totaling five years. The anticipated start date is January 1, 2027.

• Place of Performance: Entirely at the contractor's place(s) of business. No access to ED facilities will be provided.

• Contract Type: Hybrid contract with firm fixed price for activities and cost-reimbursable for travel expenses.

• Governing Board: Each REL must establish and convene a Governing Board comprising chief State school officers and other regional stakeholders to set the regional agenda.

• Rural Areas: At least 25% of REL funds must be used to support work in rural areas.

• Quality Standards: All REL work must conform to high standards of quality, integrity, and accuracy, and be objective, secular, neutral, and non-ideological.

• Reporting: Regular reporting is required, including monthly progress reports, annual work plans, and specific deliverables for each task.

• Security: Personnel security clearances (no-risk, low-risk, or moderate-risk) are required, along with cybersecurity and records management training.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides a template for bidders to create a Base Year Firm Fixed-Price (FFP) Budget. It outlines various tasks and subtasks, requiring bidders to use costs from a "Pricing Menu" and specify quantities to calculate total costs for each item. It also includes sections for other direct costs, indirect costs, and travel, culminating in a Grand Total.

• Tasks and Subtasks: Detailed breakdown of activities required, categorized under main tasks (e.g., Kickoff Call, Communication, Workplan, Reporting, Partnership Development, TCTS Activities, Task 5 Activities, Website Changes, Dissemination Materials).
• Cost Calculation: Requires input of "Cost (From Pricing Menu)" and "Quantity" to derive "Total Cost (Unit Cost X Quantity)".
• Schedule: Specifies the month/year for certain tasks.
• Budget Categories: Includes Labor, Other Direct Costs (Consultants, Subcontractors, Outside Services), Indirect Costs, and Travel.
• Pricing Menu Reference: Directs bidders to use costs from the "Pricing Menu" sheets for specific tasks.

This template is crucial for bidders to develop their cost proposals. It dictates the structure and components required for the Base Year FFP Budget, ensuring consistency in how costs are presented and calculated based on the provided pricing menu and task requirements. Bidders must accurately populate this template to reflect their proposed pricing for the opportunity.