Request for Contract Proposals

Contract, Not Federal Grant: Contract will be partially supported through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to the Kennedy Center. Although the contract will not constitute a Federal grant or award subject to the reporting and auditing provisions of OMB Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments and Non-Profit Organizations, the expenditure of Federal monies still will be subject to all other applicable Federal guidelines and OMB Circulars. The Kennedy Center requires that the contractor adhere to such guidelines while providing services hereunder.


Contractor Eligibility Requirements

1. 
   Commercial, for-profit entities, non-United States entities and individuals are not eligible and will not be considered.
   
2. 
   Contractor must have at least three (3) years of experience operating an arts education program.
   
3. 
   Contractor must demonstrate past practice or experience in working with or providing services to children or youth with disabilities, ages 3 to 22, between pre-kindergarten and grade 12.
   
4. 
   Contractor must demonstrate the capacity to identify children and youth with disabilities, pre-kindergarten–grade 12, to participate in the programs. Contractors with at least (3) years of experience working with youth with disabilities preferred.
   
5. 
   Contractor must demonstrate that it has the resources, staff, and capacity to manage and execute the proposed program within the designated timeline.
   
6. 
   Contractor must comply with any state, local, and, if applicable, school district requirements regarding criminal background checks for program employees, contractors, and volunteers.
   
7. 
   Contractors must: (a) conduct or be prepared to conduct upon request or need, the proposed program in spaces that are physically accessible to individuals with disabilities and (b) be able and prepared to provide, appropriate accommodations and effective communication upon request during all stages of the VSA Arts Connect All–Workshop/Residency program.
   

Contract Proposal Deadline

1. 
   Proposal Submission Deadline: July 31, 2013, at 11:59 PM EDT
   
2. 
   Notification: Selected recipients will be notified on a rolling basis or by September 15, 2013.
   

How to Submit a Contract Proposal
Contractor may submit only one VSA Arts Connect All–Workshop/Residency program proposal for consideration. It is permissible for other organizations to name the Contractor as partner or collaborator in a separately submitted proposal.

1. 
   Proposals must be prepared using the Proposal Form attached with this RFP. Proposals must:
   

• 
  Be submitted as a Microsoft Word document
  
• 
  Use 11 point type
  
• 
  NOT exceed 5 pages (excluding the required attachment)
  
• 
  Be well-written and error-free
  

2. 
   Proposals must be submitted by email by the submission deadline. Completed proposals must be emailed to [e-mail].
   
3. 
   Proposals received after the proposal submission deadline will not be considered. The Kennedy Center is not responsible for any delays in transmission of proposals via email.
   
4. 
   Materials and information submitted in connection with the proposal process will not be returned, will be treated confidentially, and will not be shared.
   

Questions
Please direct questions about this RFP to:

Stephanie Litvak

VSA and Accessibility Office

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Washington, DC 20566

Tel: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]
Review Criteria
Proposals will be reviewed utilizing the contractor’s:

1. 
   Strength, based on:
   

1. 
   Past practice and experience providing quality arts education programs.
   
2. 
   Demonstrated ability to identify and engage children and youth, pre-kindergarten–grade 12.
   
3. 
   Quality and clarity of the program goals and design.
   
4. 
   Capacity to manage and execute the program.
   
5. 
   Appropriateness of the budget and the resources involved.
   
6. 
   Qualifications of the personnel involved.
   

2. 
   Merit of the proposed program, including the:
   

1. 
   Alignment of the program to the core components of VSA Arts Connect All–Workshop/Residency for Students with Disabilities program.
   
2. 
   Depth of experience and practical skill-building opportunities for program participants.
   
3. 
   Number of students with disabilities, pre-kindergarten–grade 12, served and per capita cost.
   
4. 
   Potential of program to demonstrate likelihood of long-term impact and sustainability.
   

*Please note that organizations without specific programming for students with disabilities, but with evidence of organizational strength in the area of accessibility or inclusive programming will be evaluated on a case by case basis.