ECMC Foundation is requesting qualifications from potential partners to conduct an evaluation of the Foundation’s $20 million CTE Leadership Collaborative (LC) Initiative. The goal of the evaluation is to document the elements, learnings, and impacts of the LC at the individual, fellowship, initiative, and field levels

In 2018, ECMC Foundation launched the LC to bring together diverse perspectives and equip postsecondary career and technical education leaders with the tools, resources and skills needed to advance the field. By 2025, we estimate that more than 500 ECMC Foundation Fellows across six fellowship programs will be working to improve postsecondary CTE by addressing field-level research gaps, incorporating evidence-based approaches to student success, deepening related media coverage, improving campus-specific data use, integrating company hiring practices, advancing state-wide policies, and more. ECMC Foundation serves as the connective tissue to ensure collaboration across programs, including hosting convening and networking events and offering funding opportunities to inspire collaboration and innovation. 

Any institution, organization or consultant with demonstrated knowledge of postsecondary education or leadership development is eligible to submit qualifications. Read more details about the project, including budget, timeline and deliverables, in the full RFQ.

Read the RFQ

Submit your qualifications by December 9, 2022.

To expand our pool of qualified applicants and honor their time, we have structured this opportunity as a two-step process. Currently, we invite interested parties to submit relevant qualifications to carry out this project. A team from the Foundation will evaluate all submitted proposals to determine which institution, organization, or consultant will be invited to submit a full proposal or scope of work. For more details about our process, please see the Key Dates and Timeline section in the RFQ.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the applicant need to have expertise in career and technical education?
The CTE Leadership Collaborative combines professional development, postsecondary CTE content, higher education, a focus on equity, and communities of practice to support individuals in building professional capacity to lead the postsecondary CTE field. 

How does the application process work?
Currently, we invite interested parties to submit relevant qualifications to carry out this project. A team from the Foundation will evaluate all submitted proposals to determine which institution, organization, or consultant will be invited to submit a full proposal or scope of work.

Are current and former CTE Leadership Collaborative grantees and ECMC Foundation Fellows eligible to apply for this opportunity?
Unfortunately, CTE Leadership Collaborative grantees and ECMC Foundation Fellows are ineligible for this opportunity. However, current and/or former ECMC Foundation grantees, partners, and/or contractors are welcome to apply.

Are independent consultants eligible to apply?
Yes, consultants are eligible to submit a proposal. Any institution, organization, or consultant with a demonstrated knowledge and commitment to equitable postsecondary outcomes and experience in measurement and evaluation is eligible to submit a proposal.

What is the budget range for the evaluation?
We are estimating approximately $400,000 for the evaluation. The RFQ submission does not require a scope of work and budget. This will be requested for those applicants who are invited to submit a full proposal.

What is the anticipated duration of the evaluation?
We aim to begin this project in early 2023 and conclude the evaluation by mid-2026.

Are contractors or sub-awardees of CTE Leadership Collaborative grantees eligible to apply for this opportunity?
Unfortunately, contractors or sub-awardees currently or previously evaluating a CTE Leadership Collaborative fellowship are not eligible for this opportunity.

Will you reach out to clients submitted via the relevant experience application portion?
We will only potentially connect with past clients of applicants in the second phase of our evaluator search. We will never reach out to a past client without notifying the applicant.

What types of materials should be included in the relevant experience application portion?Examples of past work that demonstrate considerable alignment with the eligibility ad selection criteria would suffice. Higher education experience, equity-centered social sector evaluation experience, technical evaluation capacity, and funder collaboration are all referenced in the criteria.