Request for Proposals: External Evaluation of a Sports-Based Youth Development Program
2 days ago
Chicago
Job DescriptionSalary: Request for Proposals: External Evaluation of a Sports-Based Youth Development Program Request for Proposals Issued: May 6, 2026 Deadline for Submission of Proposals: May 20, 2026 Questions and Proposals must be submitted via email to: STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE All information within this RFP, regardless of the communication form, is given in absolute confidence and may not be disclosed without written permission by Coach Across America, Inc. This RFP and the information contained and referred to therein, whether verbally communicated or in written form, include confidential information about Coach Across America, which is provided for proposal purposes only. Your firm shall regard and preserve as confidential this RFP and all non-public information related to the operations of Coach Across America and its affiliated organizations that may be obtained from any source as a result of this RFP process. Coach Across America is an equal opportunity employer and a federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a), and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws. Table of Contents I. Background 3 II. Scope of the Study 3 2.1 Evaluation Objectives 3 III. Study Methodology 4 3.1 Study Data Collection Plan 4 3.2 Ethical Considerations 4 IV. Expected Timelines and Deliverables 5 V. Selection Criteria 7 VI. Financial Proposal, Compensation, & Schedule of Payment 7 VII. How to Apply 8 I. Background Coach Across America is a national service program that uses youth-based sports as a platform to re-energize economically vulnerable communities. The program's theory of change posits that trained sports coaches are among the most effective role models in the lives of young people. Trained coaches can teach skills that lead to increases in physical activity and positive decision-making. Our evidence-based model, called sports-based youth development (SBYD), combines sports coaching and mentoring with positive youth development methodology to address some of the most persistent epidemics facing youth in urban communities across the United States. To achieve the intended impact, the Coach Program focuses on four key areas: (1) Engaging community-based organizations as host sites; (2) Recruiting adults from the local community to serve as AmeriCorps Coach-Mentors (ACM); (3) Training ACMs and their Host Site Supervisors in Sports-Based Youth Development (SBYD); and (4) Conducting SBYD activities that lead to healthier behaviors among youth and a service ethic among coaches. Through recruiting and training a national "coach force" composed entirely of ACMs, Coach Across America is able to expand access to recreational opportunities for youth and provide group and one-on-one mentoring to foster non-cognitive skills that lead to healthy decision making. The service role of ACMs produces significant contributions to existing efforts because the AmeriCorps service model of recruitment, training, programmatic support, service activities, and alumni support are excellent tools to empower ACMs with the social capital necessary to empower their community. II. Scope of the Study 2.1 Evaluation Objectives This mixed-methods study is being conducted in the second year of a 3-year AmeriCorps grant cycle for the Coach Across Americas Coach program. Through the use of qualitative and quantitative methods, the study aims to assess both program effectiveness and implementation, with the following specific objectives: • To examine the effects of participation in Program activities on youth outcomes, including social and emotional learning., • To assess coaches perceived impacts of the Program, including the quality of their relationships with youth., • To document program determinants, including barriers and facilitators to implementation. III. Study Methodology 3.1 Study Data Collection Plan We envision using a mixed-methods evaluation design that would include a combination of existing data collected through routine M&E processes and primary data through new, evaluation-specific data collection activities. We anticipate collecting data from coaches, youth participants, and host site partners. The consultant will analyze and report on all quantitative and qualitative data in collaboration with the Coach Across Americas RM&E team. All data collection activities will be conducted by Coach Across Americas staff. Raw, deidentified data will be provided to the consultant for analysis. All primary data collected during the study must facilitate disaggregation by gender, race/ethnicity, and age. The study data collection plan includes estimates for the number of focus group discussions (FDGs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) to be conducted. The study data collection plan will be further revised at the commencement of the project. All secondary data, such as reports, past studies, and quantitative data, will be provided by Coach Across America. 3.2 Ethical Considerations The evaluation activities are expected to require IRB approval. The selected evaluator must demonstrate the capacity to obtain approval from an accredited Institutional Review Board. IV. Expected Timelines and Deliverables The study team will produce the following deliverables: Description of Activities and Expected Deliverables Timeline Confirm and develop research protocol and data collection tools, which include: • Description of the Program and context relevant to the Study using the literature review and desk research., • Study objectives, scope, and key study questions, • Description of the methodology, including design, data collection methods, sampling strategy, and data sources, • Data analysis and reporting plan, • Caveats and limitations of the study, • Risks and mitigation plan, • Ethical considerations, including details on consent and data privacy Data collection training: Data collection: Final Study Report including the following elements: • Executive summary, • Background description of the Program and context relevant to the Study using literature review and third party data., • Scope and focus of the study, • Overview of the study methodology and data collection methods, • Findings aligned to each of the key study questions, • Specific caveats or methodological limitations of the evaluation, • Conclusions outlining implications of the findings or learnings, • Recommendations, • Appendices (additional tables, descriptive statistics, notes, etc.), • Data and analyses, including all encrypted raw data, databases, and analysis outputs 2-page Impact Brief, including the following elements: • Brief summary of the project, • Objectives of the research, • Methodology of the study, including sample, tools description, and field work, • Key findings, • Recommendations A consolidated set of feedback from key stakeholders will be provided by Coach Across America within one week of the submission of the draft report. The final report will incorporate feedback from Coach Across America. April-May 2027 Final presentation on the study report to the Coach Across America leadership and key staff • An oral PowerPoint presentation on the key findings from the study June 2027 V. Selection Criteria To be considered, the study team members together must possess experience in: • Designing and conducting evaluations using a mixed methods design., • Conducting studies and program evaluations in the field of sport-based youth development and/or mentoring, • Leading studies and program evaluations using community-engaged and -participatory approaches, • Strong written and verbal skills in communicating technical and/ or complex findings to non-specialist audiences (especially report writing and presentation skills), • A track record of open, collaborative working with clients., • The ability to prepare, submit, and receive approval from an Institutional Review Board., • A strong track record of working flexibly to accommodate changes as the project is implemented. VI. Financial Proposal, Compensation, & Schedule of Payment Financial Proposal: Coach Across America seeks value for money in its work. This does not necessarily mean "lowest cost," but quality of the service and reasonableness of the proposed costs. Proposals shall include personnel allocation (roles/number of days/daily rates), as well as any other applicable costs. Compensation: The compensation will be based on the deliverables from the Evaluation Consultant. The total amount for the study, including personnel and expenses, will not exceed $55,000.00. VII. How to Apply Coach Across America seeks proposals from interested evaluator(s), who should clearly indicate their background experience and knowledge of the subject area, how they meet the required skills and experience, and their availability. Selection of the evaluator(s) will be done by Coach Across America and will be based on the strength of the qualifications provided by potential candidates through their: • Letter of interest/cover letter, • Technical Proposal Summary (3 pages Max.) requiring: 1) Overview of relevant experience, and 2) proposed methodological approaches, including, for example, measures, • Sample size for Qualitative Data collection, 2) Analysis Strategy, and 3) Timeframe., • CV for each evaluator, • Example of a previous evaluation report with a similar scope of work, • Cost estimate Potential evaluator(s) can work remotely. Submission should include a letter of interest/cover letter, CV, sample evaluation report, and cost estimate. The response from the suppliers should be returned as a signed form or on official letterhead. The deadline to submit an expression of interest is the close of business on May 20, 2026. All submissions should be sent to Nate LeJeune ().