Active SLED Opportunity · MASSACHUSETTS · CITY OF CAMBRIDGE

    Course Instructors Program for DHSP FY27

    Issued by City of Cambridge
    cityIFBCity of CambridgeSol. 279622
    Open · 17d remaining
    DAYS TO CLOSE
    17
    due Jul 30, 2026
    PUBLISHED
    Jul 9, 2026
    Posting date
    JURISDICTION
    City of
    city
    NAICS CODE
    611699
    AI-classified industry

    AI Summary

    City of Cambridge seeks qualified instructors for after-school courses in chess, cooking, STEAM, fitness, and more for FY27. Classes run Sept 2026 to June 2027 at multiple community schools. Bids due July 30, 2026.

    Opportunity details

    Solicitation No.
    279622
    Type / RFx
    IFB
    Status
    open
    Level
    city
    Published Date
    July 9, 2026
    Due Date
    July 30, 2026
    NAICS Code
    611699AI guide
    Jurisdiction
    City of Cambridge
    Agency
    City of Cambridge

    Description

    The City of Cambridge would like to invite you to submit a bid for Course Instructors Program for DHSP FY27. If submitting electronically, Bids are to be submitted through the Procurement Portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/cambridgema. Bids are to be submitted no later than 11:00 am on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

    Background

    Cambridge Community Schools is seeking course instructors for the courses for after school programming September 28, 2026-June 17, 2027.:

    Project Details

    • Reference ID: COC-IFB-FY27-31058
    • Department: Department of Human Services (DHSP)
    • Department Head: Ellen Semonoff (Assistant City Manager)

    Important Dates

    • Questions Due: 2026-07-16T15:00:00.000Z

    Evaluation Criteria

    • Overview

      Cambridge Community Schools is seeking course instructors for the following courses for after school programming September 28, 2026-June 17, 2027.:

      • Chess Course Instruction
      • Cooking & Healthy Eating Instruction
      • Culturally Ethnic Cooking Instruction
      • STEAM Through Film, Animation, & Media Arts Instruction
      • Multi-Faceted Physical Fitness Instruction
      • Nature Exploration Science Instruction
      • Parkour Course Instruction
      • Specialized Science Instruction (S.T.E.A.M) & Music Instruction
      • STEM and Creative Learning Instruction
    • Specifications for all Courses
      • Class session dates will be weekly beginning September 28, 2026, to June 17, 2027 .
      • Classes are 1 hour in length.
      • Timeframe of classes is 2:00pm – 6:00pm
      • Vendor will bill as an hourly rate for each class. Bills will be submitted on a monthly basis.
      • The potential vendor must have the ability to adapt to the Community Schools’ schedule for vacations, no school days, early release days and school cancellations due to inclement weather.
      • The potential vendor shall adhere to Community Schools’ best practices and collaborate with director and CS staff around expectations and behavior guidelines for students.
      • The potential vendor shall ensure all instructors and substitutes are qualified and CORI/SORI certified.
      • The potential vendor must have a pool of qualified instructors to ensure all classes are covered in the event of an instructor absence.
      • The City of Cambridge reserves the right to cancel any class due to under enrollment at any site.
    • Chess Course Instruction

      Community Schools would like potential vendor to provide instruction at a minimum of 2 – maximum of 6 of the following sites to be determined by Community Schools:                      

        1. Amigos Community School                            15 Upton
        2. Cambridgeport Community School              89 Elm Street
        3. Fletcher Maynard Community School          225 Windsor Street
        4. Graham & Parks Community School            44 Linnaean Street
        5. Haggerty Community School                        110 Cushing Street
        6. ML King Community School                          102 Putnam Avenue
        7. Morse Community School                             50 Granite Street
        8. Peabody Community School                         70 Rindge Avenue
        9. Tobin Community School                               181 Vassal Lane

      Service Required

      • The potential vendor will provide skilled instructors to teach original, interactive chess curriculum using modern instructional practices. Instruction should foster a fun, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that promotes student engagement and presents chess concepts in a clear and accessible manner.
      • Vendor will provide all necessary equipment for each child to participate in the class to include chess boards and pieces for full class participation (full size boards and enough boards for up to 8 pairs). 
      • Curriculum should be age appropriate and designed for success in an after-school setting, be inclusive for all students to be able to participate and ensure consistent presentation of material.
      • Instructors must have experience with elementary school age group and working within a diverse student population.
      • Vendor must be flexible and adapt to facilities’ available space. 

      Specifics

      Each site will conduct 1 or 2 hours of instruction per day, per week.

      Size of class will be determined by Community Schools with a minimum of 10 children and a maximum of 20 children dependent on age group.

    • Cooking & Healthy Eating Instruction

      Community Schools would like potential vendor to provide instruction at a minimum of 4 – maximum of 9 of the following sites to be determined by Community Schools:           

        1. Amigos Community School                            15 Upton
        2. Cambridgeport Community School              89 Elm Street
        3. Fletcher Maynard Community School          225 Windsor Street
        4. Graham & Parks Community School            44 Linnaean Street
        5. Haggerty Community School                        110 Cushing Street
        6. ML King Community School                          102 Putnam Avenue
        7. Morse Community School                             50 Granite Street
        8. Peabody Community School                         70 Rindge Avenue
        9. Tobin Community School                               181 Vassal Lane

      Service Required

      • The potential vendor will provide skilled instructors to teach cooking in a positive, engaging, fun environment that is easy to comprehend.   Instructors will provide only healthy menu items, using fresh ingredients provided by instructors. 
      • Vendor will provide all necessary equipment for each child to participate in the class including utensils, ingredients and cooking or baking equipment.
      • Curriculum should be age appropriate and designed for success in an after-school setting, be inclusive for all students to be able to participate and ensure consistent presentation of material.
      • Instructors must have experience with elementary school age groups and working within a diverse student population.
      • Vendor must be flexible and adapt to facility’s available space. 

      Specifics

      Each site will conduct 2 or 3 hours of instruction per day, per week.

      Size of class will be determined by Community Schools not to exceed 20 children.

    • Culturally Ethnic Cooking Instruction

      Community Schools would like potential vendor to provide instruction at a minimum of 4 – maximum of 9 of the following sites to be determined by Community Schools:

        1. Amigos Community School                            15 Upton
        2. Cambridgeport Community School              89 Elm Street
        3. Fletcher Maynard Community School          225 Windsor Street
        4. Graham & Parks Community School            44 Linnaean Street
        5. Haggerty Community School                        110 Cushing Street
        6. ML King Community School                          102 Putnam Avenue
        7. Morse Community School                             50 Granite Street
        8. Peabody Community School                         70 Rindge Avenue
        9. Tobin Community School                               181 Vassal Lane

      Service Required

      • The potential vendor will provide skilled instructors to teach cooking in a positive, engaging, fun environment that is easy to comprehend.  
      • Instructors will provide ethnic recipes, cooking instruction and prep from cultures around the world.
      • Vendor will provide all necessary equipment including food items for each child to participate in the class. 
      • Curriculum should be age appropriate and designed for success in an after-school setting, be inclusive for all students to be able to participate and ensure consistent presentation of material.
      • Instructors must have experience with elementary school age groups and working within a diverse student population.
      • Vendor must be flexible and adapt to facility’s available space. 

      Specifics

      Each site will conduct 2 or 3 hours of instruction per day, per week.

      Size of class will be determined by Community Schools not to exceed 20 children.

    • STEAM Through Film, Animation, & Media Arts Instruction

      Community Schools would like potential vendor to provide instruction at a minimum of 4 – maximum of 9 of the following sites:               

        1. Amigos Community School                            15 Upton
        2. Cambridgeport Community School              89 Elm Street
        3. Fletcher Maynard Community School          225 Windsor Street
        4. Graham & Parks Community School            44 Linnaean Street
        5. Haggerty Community School                        110 Cushing Street
        6. ML King Community School                          102 Putnam Avenue
        7. Morse Community School                             50 Granite Street
        8. Peabody Community School                         70 Rindge Avenue
        9. Tobin Community School                               181 Vassal Lane

      Service Required

      • The potential vendor will provide skilled instructors to teach Film, Animation,& Media Arts using audio equipment, cameras, editing software in a positive, engaging, fun environment that is easy to comprehend and create original videos.
      • Using technology to explore film making to include historical research, critical thinking's skills, writing, art and engineering.
      • Vendor will provide all necessary equipment for each child to participate in the class (cameras, software). 
      • Curriculum should be age appropriate and designed for success in an after-school setting, be inclusive for all students to be able to participate and ensure consistent presentation of material.
      • Instructors must have experience with elementary school age groups and working within a diverse student population.
      • Vendors must be flexible and adapt to facility’s available space. 

      Specifics

      Each site will conduct 2 or 3 hours of instruction per day, per week.

      Size of class will be determined by Community Schools with an average of 12 students with maximum of 20.

    • Multi-Faceted Physical Fitness Instruction

      Community Schools would like potential vendor to provide instruction at a minimum of 6 to a maximum of 9 of the following sites to be determined by Community Schools:                

        1. Amigos Community School                            15 Upton
        2. Cambridgeport Community School              89 Elm Street
        3. Fletcher Maynard Community School          225 Windsor Street
        4. Graham & Parks Community School            44 Linnaean Street
        5. Haggerty Community School                        110 Cushing Street
        6. ML King Community School                          102 Putnam Avenue
        7. Morse Community School                             50 Granite Street
        8. Peabody Community School                         70 Rindge Avenue
        9. Tobin Community School                               181 Vassal Lane

      Service Required

      • The potential vendor will provide skilled instructors in Non-Competitive sports and games to include gymnastics, martial arts, soccer and cooperative play in an engaging, fun environment that is easy to comprehend.  
      • Vendor will provide all necessary equipment for each child to participate in the class. 
      • Curriculum should be age appropriate and designed for success in an after-school setting, be inclusive for all students to be able to participate and ensure consistent presentation of material.
      • Instructors must have experience with elementary school age group and working within a diverse student population.
      • Vendor must be flexible and adapt to facility’s available space.

      Specifics

      Each site will conduct 2 or 3 hours of instruction per day, per week.

      Size of class will be determined by Community Schools with a minimum of 12 children and a maximum of 20 children dependent on age group.

    • Nature Exploration Science Instruction

      Community Schools would like potential vendor to provide instruction at a minimum of 4 to a maximum of 9 of the following sites to be determined by Community Schools:

        1. Amigos Community School                            15 Upton
        2. Cambridgeport Community School              89 Elm Street
        3. Fletcher Maynard Community School          225 Windsor Street
        4. Graham & Parks Community School            44 Linnaean Street
        5. Haggerty Community School                        110 Cushing Street
        6. ML King Community School                          102 Putnam Avenue
        7. Morse Community School                             50 Granite Street
        8. Peabody Community School                         70 Rindge Avenue
        9. Tobin Community School                               181 Vassal Lane

      Service Required

      • The potential vendor will provide skilled instructors in nature exploration of the outdoors through themed games, crafts, and songs in an engaging, fun environment that is easy to comprehend.  
      • Vendor will provide all necessary equipment for each child to participate in the class. 
      • Curriculum should be age appropriate and designed for success in an after-school setting, be inclusive for all students to be able to participate and ensure consistent presentation of material.
      • Instructors must have experience with elementary school age group and working within a diverse student population.
      • Vendor must be flexible and adapt to facility’s available space. 

      Specifics

      Each site will conduct 1 or 2 hours of instruction per day, per week.

      Size of class will be determined by Community Schools with a minimum of 12 children and a maximum of 20 children dependent on age group.

    • Parkour Course Instruction

      Community Schools would like potential vendor to provide instruction at a minimum of 3, maximum of 9 of the following sites to be determined by Community Schools:                    

        1. Amigos Community School                            15 Upton
        2. Cambridgeport Community School              89 Elm Street
        3. Fletcher Maynard Community School          225 Windsor Street
        4. Graham & Parks Community School            44 Linnaean Street
        5. Haggerty Community School                        110 Cushing Street
        6. ML King Community School                          102 Putnam Avenue
        7. Morse Community School                             50 Granite Street
        8. Peabody Community School                         70 Rindge Avenue
        9. Tobin Community School                               181 Vassal Lane

      Service Required

      • The potential vendor will provide skilled instructors to provide instruction in Parkour Instruction in an engaging environment that is easy to comprehend.  
      • Instructors will provide safe instruction through an environment involving running, jumping, climbing and other acrobatic maneuvers over obstacles.
      • Vendor will provide all necessary equipment for each child to participate in the class. 
      • Curriculum should be age appropriate and designed for success in an after-school setting, be inclusive for all students to be able to participate and ensure consistent presentation of material.
      • Instructors must have experience with elementary school age group and working within a diverse student population.
      • Vendor must be flexible and adapt to the space the program can provide. 

      Specifics

      Each site will conduct 1 or 2 hours of instruction per day, per week.

      Size of class will be determined by Community Schools’ with a minimum of 10 children and a maximum of 20 children dependent on age group.

    • Specialized Science Instruction (S.T.E.A.M) & Music Instruction

      Community Schools would like potential vendor to provide instruction a minimum of 3, maximum of 9 of the following sites to be determined by Community Schools:

        1. Amigos Community School                            15 Upton
        2. Cambridgeport Community School              89 Elm Street
        3. Fletcher Maynard Community School          225 Windsor Street
        4. Graham & Parks Community School            44 Linnaean Street
        5. Haggerty Community School                        110 Cushing Street
        6. ML King Community School                          102 Putnam Avenue
        7. Morse Community School                             50 Granite Street
        8. Peabody Community School                         70 Rindge Avenue
        9. Tobin Community School                               181 Vassal Lane

      Service Required

      • The potential vendor will provide skilled instructors to provide instruction in music composition, technology, and engineering, to teach children the many facets of science using hands on experimentation in an engaging environment that is easy to comprehend while also providing take home materials to continue the learning at home.
      • Vendor will provide all necessary equipment for each child to participate in the class (including chrome books and/or laptops, music equipment). 
      • Curriculum should be age appropriate and designed for success in an after-school setting, be inclusive for all students to be able to participate and ensure consistent presentation of material.
      • Instructors must have experience with elementary school age group and working within a diverse student population.
      • Vendor must be flexible and adapt to facility’s available space. 

      Specifics

      Each site will conduct 1 - 2 hours of instruction per day, per week.

      Size of class will be determined by Community Schools with a minimum of 12 children and a maximum of 20 children dependent on age group.

    • STEM and Creative Learning Instruction

      Community Schools would like potential vendor to provide instruction at a minimum of 2, maximum of 4 of the following sites to be determined by Community Schools:

        1. Amigos Community School                            15 Upton
        2. Cambridgeport Community School              89 Elm Street
        3. Fletcher Maynard Community School          225 Windsor Street
        4. Graham & Parks Community School            44 Linnaean Street
        5. Haggerty Community School                        110 Cushing Street
        6. ML King Community School                          102 Putnam Avenue
        7. Morse Community School                             50 Granite Street
        8. Peabody Community School                         70 Rindge Avenue
        9. Tobin Community School                               181 Vassal Lane

      Service Required

      • The potential vendor will provide skilled instructors to provide instruction in technology education, Lego engineering, & entrepreneurship in an engaging environment that is easy to comprehend.  
      • Vendor will provide all necessary equipment (Chrome Books or Laptops, Legos) for each child to participate in the class. 
      • Curriculum should be age appropriate and designed for success in an after-school setting, be inclusive for all students to be able to participate and ensure consistent presentation of material.
      • Instructors must have experience with elementary school age group and working within a diverse student population.
      • Vendor must be flexible and adapt to facility’s available space. 

      Specifics

      Each site will conduct 1 or 2 hours of instruction per day, per week.

      Size of class will be determined by Community Schools with a minimum of 10 children and a maximum of 20 children dependent on age group.

    Submission Requirements

    • BIDDERS INFORMATION
    • My business is a: (required)

      Please select one

    • Please insert the requested information: (required)

      If a corporation, include the State in which you are incorporated in.

      If a partnership, include the names of partners.

      If an individual, include relevant information.

    • Bidder's Federal ID#:
    • Authorized representative information: (required)

      Please include the name, title, telephone and email address of the authorized representative

    • This bid includes addenda numbered:
    • Debarment or Suspension (required)

      The Vendor/Contractor certifies that it has not been and currently is not debarred or suspended by any federal, state, or municipal governmental agency under G. L. c. 29, § 29F or other applicable law, nor will it contract with a debarred or suspended subcontractor on any public contract.

    • Certificate of Good Standing or Certificate of Registration (required)

      The Awarded Vendor must comply with the City’s request for a current Certificate of Good Standing or current Certificate of Registration from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office.  Foreign Corporations not registered in the Commonwealth must comply with the City’s request for the Certificate of Good Standing from the state of incorporation.

    • QUALITY REQUIREMENTS

      An unchecked response, a failure to respond, or a failure to meet to any of the following Quality Requirements will result in a rejection of your bid. Please check each of the following Quality Requirements as confirmations. 

    • Quality Requirement 1 (required)

      The potential bidder must have the ability to adapt to the Community School schedule for vacations, no school days, early release days and school cancellations due to inclement weather

    • Quality Requirement 2 (required)

      Size of class will be determined by Community Schools with a minimum of 10 children and a maximum of 20 children dependent on age group. The potential bidder will provide skilled instructors to teach these classes in a positive, engaging fun environment. 

    • Quality Requirement 3 (required)

      Bidder will provide all the necessary equipment for each child to participate in the classes.

    • Quality Requirement 4 (required)

      Curriculum should be age appropriate and designed for success in an after-school setting, be inclusive for all students to be able to participate and ensure consistent presentation of material.

    • Quality Requirement 5 (required)

      Instructors must have experience with elementary school age groups and working within a diverse student population

    • Quality Requirement 6 (required)

      Bidder must be flexible and adapt to facility's available space.

    • Quality Requirement 7 (required)

      The potential bidder shall adhere to Commnity Schools best practices and collaborate with the director and CS staff around expectations and behavior guideline for students.

    • Quality Requirement 8 (required)

      The potential bidder must have a pool of qualified instructors to ensure all classes are covered in the event of an instructor absence. 

    • Quality Requirement 9 (required)

      The potential bidder shall ensure all instructors including substitutes are qualified and CORI/SORI certified.

    • Quality Requirement 10 (required)

      Bidder will bill as an hourly rate for each class. Bills will be submitted on a monthly basis.

    • REFERENCES

      Bidders shall submit a list of three references for which the bidder has supplied similar services. References shall include contact information including contact name, addresses and telephone numbers for each to inquire as to their satisfaction with the bidders’ product and service. In addition, the City reserves the right to use itself as a reference, to contact references not listed and to otherwise perform its own due diligence when making a responsibility determination. A bid may be rejected on the basis of one or more references reporting less than excellent past performance.

    • Reference 1 (required)

      Include contact name, address and telephone #

    • Reference 2 (required)

      Include contact name, address and telephone #

    • Reference 3 (required)

      Include contact name, address and telephone #

    • City of Cambridge Standard Compliance Forms
    • Please Upload the Signed Standard Compliance Forms (required)

      Please electronically sign and upload the following documents using this URL: https://cambridgema.na4.adobesign.com/public/esignWidget?wid=CBFCIBAA3AAABLblqZhCD4UnZSN3XyfqZi9ZxGyvlhSnIlYThymiofiiHN4CtIXU4t2tYM27cVaMk7bVx6AI* 

    • Non Collusion Statement (required)

      Bidder certifies that this bid is made without collusion with any other person, firm or corporation making any other bid or who otherwise would make a bid. 

    • Is this contract/solicitation for a commodity or service? (required)
    • Enter commodity: (required)

      Example: Office Supplies

    • Enter service(s): (required)

      Example: Janitorial Services

    Key dates

    1. July 9, 2026Published
    2. July 30, 2026Responses Due

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