Project Information

Bid Title

Comprehensive External Audit Services for the Division of Specialized Support Services

Issuing Agency

Montgomery County Public Schools

Location

Maryland

Published Date

Feb 17, 2026

Closing Date

Mar 13, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

4603.1

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

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
Contract Type	RFP
Buyer E-mail	Angela_S_Mcintosh-davis@mcpsmd.org
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. RFP 4603.1 DSSS Audit FINAL 2.17.26.pdf 02/17/2026
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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.

Page 2 of 12

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.

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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.

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541211Offices of Certified Public Accountants
• NAICS 541219Other Accounting Services
• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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