Agenda Item
b. RFP 26-736 Special Education Comprehensive Audit (Not to Exceed $176,700)
Summary: Presented by: Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education award RFP 26-736 to LinkIt! dba Magnolia Consulting Group as the most responsive vendor to conduct a comprehensive Special Education Program Audit. Approval will authorize the Superintendent or designee to enter into an agreement with the vendor in accordance with District procurement procedures as the most responsive and responsible bidder for more than $100,000, but not to exceed the total contract amount of $176,700.
Why: The Special Education Program Audit will provide the District with an independent, comprehensive review of special education programs, services, procedures, and compliance practices. The audit will assess the effectiveness of current systems, identify strengths and opportunities for improvement, evaluate alignment with federal and state requirements, and provide actionable recommendations to enhance service delivery and student outcomes. Findings from the audit will inform strategic planning, support continuous improvement efforts, strengthen accountability measures, and ensure the District is well-positioned to meet the needs of students with disabilities while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Details: The request for proposal for RFP 26-736 was issued on May 7, 2026, with a response deadline on June 17, 2026. The approved DCSD RFP process was followed. Thirteen (13) vendors responded with eleven (11) vendors deemed responsive to the requirements of the solicitation. RFP 26-736 was posted to IonWave on May 7, 2026 and advertised in the Champion Newspaper on May 7, 2026, and May 14, 2026. Additionally, electronic notification was sent to 241 vendors from the DCSD Vendor Bid List, sent to 641 vendors through the State of GA Procurement Registry and electronic notification was sent to 1,115 vendors through IonWave. Vendors were evaluated based on their demonstrated expertise in special education program audits, experience with comparable school districts, knowledge of federal and state special education requirements, qualifications of proposed staff, ability to provide an independent and comprehensive review, stakeholder engagement methodology, capacity to deliver actionable recommendations, project timeline, and overall value to the District. The vendor selected is LinkIt! dba Magnolia Consulting Group.
Financial impact: General budget: 100.2213.53000.00011.734.2061.8010.904.0000. Not to exceed $176,700.
Contact: Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services, 678-676-1079
Dr. Erin Broyard Baptiste, Interim Executive Director of Exceptional Education, Division of Student Services, 678-676-1814
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
Special Education Comprehensive Audit
Final Evaluation Form - RFP No. 26-736
EVALUATION
FIRM'S RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE
FIRM'S OVERVIEW/COMPANY PROFILE
PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES TOTAL EVALUATION SCORE EVALUATION RANKING
SCOPE OF SERVICES COST OF SERVICES
Special Education Comprehensive Audit
RFP 26-736
APPLICANTS POINTS AVAILABLE 100 175 100 50 75 500
1. American Institutes for Research Score 100 175 100 50 48 473 4th
2. Bailey Education Group, LLC Score 100 168 88 50 26 432 10th
3. Curriculum Management Systems,
Inc. Score 92 175 100 50 40 457 7th
4. Forvis Mazars, LLP Score 96 175 80 50 48 449 9th
5. Gibson Consulting Group, Inc. Score 100 175 96 30 75 476 3rd
6. Lean Frog Business Solutions, Inc. Score 100 175 92 50 39 456 8th
7. LinkIt! Score 96 175 96 50 67 484 1st
8. Plante & Moran PLLC Score 84 175 96 10 60 425 11th
9. Public Consulting Group LLC Score 100 175 96 50 60 481 2nd
10. TNTP Score 100 175 92 50 45 462 6th
11. WestEd Score 100 161 92 50 66 469 5th
12. ABG SPED Consulting, LLC
13. Ellsworth Healthcare Staffing LLC
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