Evaluation committee recommends Village Virtual for GOAL learning management system; price proposals ranged from $240,000 to $256,000

Germantown Municipal School District procurement staff presented RFP FY2025-2 for a learning management system for the Germantown Online Academy For Learning (GOAL) at the Jan. 14 work session.

The RFP drew three responses: Imagine Learning ($256,000), Pearson Virtual Schools ($244,720), and Village Virtual ($240,000). Each bidder provided cost proposals for servicing a maximum of 80 full-time students for one year. An evaluation committee — with representatives from teaching, learning and assessment, finance, exceptional student education, and technology — used a weighted rubric that considered project plan; qualifications and licenses; firm expertise and personnel; scope and intent; and cost.

Procurement staff said Village Virtual received the highest total score and recommend it as the preferred provider. The district noted it currently uses Pearson and that this procurement would cover the next school year’s GOAL program. Board members asked whether the change represents a large cost increase; staff responded the Village Virtual price is actually slightly lower than the current arrangement and that GOAL staff reported no concerns about the transition. Staff also said references and vendor experience in nearby Tennessee jurisdictions were checked during evaluation.

Why it matters: selecting an LMS and curriculum partner affects online instruction, teacher staffing and training, and student experience in the GOAL program. The recommended contract would cover up to 80 full-time GOAL students for one year if approved.

What’s next: the recommendation was presented for board review and will proceed through procurement and contract-approval steps if the board moves to authorize contracting on a future agenda.