Grand Rapids, MI – The Michigan Center for Adult College Success today released a Request for Proposals seeking qualified vendors to support the implementation, evaluation and scaling of interventions to support adult persistence and completion rates, strategies that were developed through a human-centered design (HCD) process.
The Center facilitated a human-centered design process at four institutions in Michigan in 2023 and 2024 to develop system change interventions that would increase adult learner persistence and completion rates. In 2025, The Center supported implementation of pilots for these system changes at one community college and one public university in Michigan. Recently, The Center completed a third-party evaluation at one of the institutions that demonstrated a 11 percentage point increase in persistence rate and determined the impact to be significantly positive enough to support the work to scale the effort. In 2026, The Center is looking to continue to support these two institutions in scaling the interventions to achieve a broader impact for adult learners and further evaluate such projects at other higher education institutions.
The Center will partner with the selected vendor to provide hands-on assistance and documentation for the two institutions scaling these interventions, assist in evaluating impact at two other institutions, and work with The Center’s contracted research partner.
Key components of the Solicitation for Bids include:
- Experience in working with institutions on similar interventions
- Experience working with the institutions listed in the RFP is a bonus
- Understanding of data privacy and compliance
- Understanding of the HCD process and interventions being implemented
- Examples of past work
- Feasibility of timeline and cost-effectiveness
Submission Deadline: 5:00 p.m. ET on January 28, 2026
Maximum Project Budget: No more than $100,000
The Center will evaluate proposals based on experience working on with higher ed institutions on similar interventions, understanding of the HCD process, proposed technical approach, and feasibility of the proposed timeline. Experience working with the institutions listed in the Solicitation of Bids is a bonus, but not necessary.
A vendor will be selected no later than February 2, 2026, with contract execution completed by February 9, 2026.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit proposals electronically to:
Jeremy Hendges
Director, Michigan Center for Adult College Success
For additional information or questions, potential bidders may contact Hendges at 517-303-6026.
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About The Michigan Center for Adult College Success
The Michigan Center for Adult College Success is the state’s primary resource to improve the enrollment and completion of postsecondary education by adults. As an initiative of TalentFirst, our goal is to meet the statewide need for a skilled workforce. The Center collects research, shares best practices, funds innovative pilots and provides technical assistance. We partner with a wide range of educators, business leaders and policy makers toward our shared goal of helping more adults get the credentials they need to reach their full potential, so our state can thrive. Learn more: https://info.talentfirst.net/mcacs
About TalentFirst
TalentFirst is a premiere alliance of West Michigan CEOs who are joined by HR leaders, educators, workforce leaders, and policymakers to collaborate on an unmatched scale for the benefit of all who live and work in the region. As a data-driven organization, TalentFirst provides practical, proven resources, strategies, tactics, advocacy and accountability to improve the recruitment, development and retention of talent in West Michigan. Learn more at http://www.talentfirst.net/