Description
The State of North Dakota’s Department of Commerce is seeking a firm‑fixed‑price contractor to conduct a comprehensive student retention study. The contractor will design and execute mixed‑methods research (surveys, focus groups, interviews) targeting recent high‑school graduates, current college students, alumni, parents, educators, and employers to identify why graduates stay in or leave North Dakota. Deliverables include a research methodology, survey instruments, mock‑up dashboards, an interim report (Feb 2027), a final report (June 2027), and a long‑term monitoring framework. The work must be completed within an approximately nine‑month base period, with two optional one‑year renewals and a possible six‑month extension.