Smarter Balanced Issues Request for Proposals for Field Test Scoring and Item Calibration Services
Santa Clara, CA, May 18, 2026 — Today, Smarter Balanced, a member-led assessment consortium serving students in mathematics and English language arts in grades 3-12, released a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking organizations to support field test scoring, item calibration, and educator data review meetings for its assessment system. The effort aims to ensure the accuracy, validity, and reliability of field test data used to inform item quality decisions and support the ongoing development of the Smarter Balanced assessment item pool.
The RFP seeks to identify one or more organizations capable of providing comprehensive scoring, item calibration, and data review services for field test items embedded in the Smarter Balanced summative assessments in English language arts/literacy and mathematics. This work includes the full lifecycle of field test scoring operations, including machine scoring of items using answer keys and rubrics; hand scoring (or option for automated scoring) of constructed-response and performance task items; facilitation of annual range-finding and scoring validation activities; item calibration and psychometric analysis; and operational support for the Smarter Balanced Data Review process.
Suppliers will be responsible for securely receiving, scoring, and returning item-level and student-level score data through an Amazon Web Services-hosted environment (preferred method), ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with Smarter Balanced data specifications and scoring rubrics. The RFP also emphasizes the use of automated scoring options where appropriate to increase scoring efficiency and consistency while maintaining rigorous quality controls.
This effort builds on the Smarter Balanced commitment to high-quality, standards-aligned assessment practices. It responds to the growing needs of member states and jurisdictions to maintain a robust and accurate item pool that ensures valid and reliable reporting of summative assessment scores. The work will adhere to rigorous quality-control processes, Smarter Balanced scoring rubrics and specifications, FERPA requirements, and strict test security protocols to ensure the reliability and integrity of all deliverables.
Selected organizations will have the opportunity to collaborate with Smarter Balanced to support the scoring and psychometric validation of field test items across a multi-state assessment system, contributing to the development of high-quality resources that directly support teaching and learning nationwide.
The RFP is now available to the public via the University of California Public Bid website (RFP 003982-May2026 UCSC Field Test Scoring). Please see the overview document for additional information.
Responses are due by Friday, June 26, 2026 at 5 p.m. Pacific time. A notification of award is anticipated in late July 2026, with project onboarding expected in August 2026.
For more information or questions, please contact Rita Bruce, Procurement and Supply Chain Services, at llbruce@ucsc.edu.
About Smarter Balanced
Smarter Balanced is a member-led consortium providing the most comprehensive and innovative standards-aligned system that supports teaching and learning and improves local and statewide systems. Our dynamic system of educational tools — developed in collaboration with our members and educators — gives teachers integrated lessons, activities, and methods of gauging progress, along with interim and summative assessments that provide actionable data as students progress toward college- and career-readiness. www.smarterbalanced.org
Media Contact: Kimberly Blanchard, Director of External Affairs Programs | kimberly.blanchard@smarterbalanced.org | (831) 316-2549
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