Description

Project Overview
The attitudes, skills, and knowledge of the National Geographic Society’s Explorer Mindset illustrate core strengths and capabilities National Geographic Explorers apply to their work, and can help educators and learners of all ages identify, learn about, and act to solve the world’s most pressing problems. The NGS Education and Community Engagement division designs and runs a number of different programs and offerings meant to foster the attitudes, skills, and knowledge of the Explorer Mindset in Explorers, educators, youth, and learners of all ages. 

Through this work, we aim to learn more about the Explorer Mindset and the related knowledge, skills and attitudes documented in peer-reviewed literature across multiple disciplines. Our objective is to understand how our audiences cultivate an Explorer Mindset in themselves and others. First, we hope to document examples from our existing audiences, learning from their experiences and perspectives. Second, we hope to learn from the salient and up-to-date research. Both will inform the best ways to measure the attitudes, knowledge, and behavioral shifts of the Explorer Mindset, ultimately contributing to our mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. 

Project Goals
The goals of this research include but are not limited to:

• Compiling research on each of the Explorer Mindset attributes (Attitudes including Curiosity, Responsibility, Courage, and Purpose; Skills such as Problem-Solving, Communication, Observation, and collaboration; and Knowledge: Of Geographic Perspectives, of Human and Natural Systems, and of Interconnections), pulling from interdisciplinary peer-reviewed and white paper research Post-COVID, that illustrates how the attributes connect with illuminating and protecting both human and natural systems.
• Documenting the impact of the Explorer Mindset in select audience members and ECE program alumni in case studies.
• Drafting recommendations for measuring and evaluating the Explorer Mindset attributes in ECE audiences across ECE programs and offerings, taking into consideration programmatic audiences, calendars, logistics, ages, and needs.
• Conducting a landscape analysis to identify similar learning philosophies and determine areas of overlap, as well as how the Explorer Mindset may be unique among them.
• Developing a report that consolidates findings and includes recommendations for the National Geographic Society on how we could be most effective in this space — recommendations could directly inform the further development of ECE offerings and resources. 
  Presenting findings to National Geographic Society staff via a series of virtual meetings. 

To reach these goals, the National Geographic Society is now accepting bids in response to this Request for Proposal.

Scope of Work
The National Geographic Society is seeking proposals from individuals or organizations with demonstrated expertise in developing and designing educational research supporting measurement and evaluation for educator and learner attitudes, skills, and knowledge. 

The scope of this project includes: 

• Collaborating with staff from the National Geographic Society
• Interviewing ECE staff and select audience members on learnings to date
• Conducting a literature review to summarize research findings connected to the EM attributes, largely drawing from post-COVID research.
• Conducting a landscape analysis of similar learning philosophies
• Compiling comprehensive and actionable recommendations for measuring and evaluating the EM across ECE offerings and programs, including research methodologies and metrics
• Producing up to 4 case studies of the impact of EM in select Explorers, educators, and youth, including public-facing summaries of the case studies for the NGS website
• Update with preliminary findings based on initial research by end of August 2026, a draft full report and case studies by November 2026 and final report by December 2026, including written findings and a PowerPoint presentation that includes recommendations
• Presenting findings and recommendations and answering questions for various groups of National Geographic Society staff and key stakeholders, up to five virtual presentations.  
• Individual or organization should demonstrate the ability to integrate the knowledge of designing survey and interview questions that are culturally relevant to a global audience

Target Deliverable Schedule

  Due Date                                       Deliverable
August 28, 2026                            Update with Preliminary Findings 

November 30, 2026                      Draft Report including Drafted Case Studies

December 18, 2026                       Final Report

By January 31, 2027                      Presentations

Work should conclude by December 18, 2026, with a draft report provided by November 30, 2026. Please include a detailed schedule of work and deliverables that would allow you to meet this completion date. 

Background on National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society (NGS) is a mission-driven, non-profit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. For more than 130 years, we have funded the best and brightest individuals dedicated to scientific discovery who also teach us about the world and inspire us to take action to protect it. Our diverse, global community of National Geographic Explorers are leading a new age of exploration in support of our mission.

We deeply value the importance of planetary stewardship and the urgent need to protect our planet. Of equal importance is our belief that when people learn about our world and have an emotional connection to it, they’ll take action to protect it.

Our Education and Community Engagement portfolio sits at the nexus of our mission to illuminate and protect: it is where education meets exploration. We offer a host of products and services that help to extend the impact that Explorers want to have in the world as well as to cultivate an Explorer Mindset in young people and educators. We take an intentional, interdisciplinary and globally inclusive approach to our work, centering our efforts on the work National Geographic Explorers do in the field and around the world.  When we teach people about real-world Explorers, and offer immersive experiences that build skills, we not only inspire them to explore a new world of possibilities, but we create the enabling conditions for change.

Such opportunities include, but are not limited to:

• Externships
• Explorer Classroom
• Education Website and Open Education Resources
• Grosvenor Teacher Fellowships
• MapMaker
• MOE (Museum of Exploration)
• Slingshot Challenge 

Our audience reach for these products and services is intentionally broad and inclusive. We engage formal and informal educators in K-12, higher education communities, as well as informal and community based educators in nature centers, museums, libraries and other spaces. In addition to educators, we see our target audiences as adult and career learners, as well as youth ages 13-25.

We achieve impact by infusing core practices and approaches into our work including design and innovation; geography and place-based learning; career-connected learning and skill building; multidirectional learning; and scaling for impact.

For more than a century, National Geographic has given grants to scientists, educators, and storytellers doing work around the globe to illuminate and protect our world. These Explorers are infinitely curious people who represent diverse backgrounds and fields of work, and are united by a shared mindset that shapes how they approach their work. The Explorer Mindset is a way of thinking, being and acting in the world. It is a set of attributes, shared values, and commitments that define what it means to be a National Geographic Explorer –-- it also applies to the explorer within us all, encouraging us to be curious, responsible, and bold as we learn, discover, and share. 

Everything we do at the National Geographic Society – from the people and programs we fund to the educational resources, experiences and content we create, and the stories we tell – aim to inspire the Explorer in everyone. 

Requirements

Evaluation Criteria
The National Geographic Society will evaluate bidders and proposals based on the following:

• Previous experience/past performance history
• Samples and/or case studies from previous projects of a similar scope and scale
• Projected costs and budget
• Experience and technical capabilities designing evaluation studies for large, trusted brands
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive practices
• Demonstrated commitment to conservation and environmental sustainability
• Expertise and experience working with global audiences across different cultural backgrounds, specifically within a variety of educational settings.
• Preferred ability to conduct interviews and produce case studies in Spanish, and work in Latin American contexts

Submission Requirements
Bidders must adhere to the following guidelines to be considered:

Only bidders who meet all criteria in the evaluation section should submit a proposal

• Proposals must be sent in by June 18th, 2026  to choffman@ngs.org 
• Include samples with your proposal, which demonstrate the breadth and diversity of your work
• Include the proposed team composition and bios with your proposal
• Provide a proposed schedule and budget with your proposal

RFP Principles

Bidder Responsibility—RFP participating suppliers are expected to be thoroughly familiar with all specifications and requirements for this RFP.  Failure or omission to examine any relevant form, article, site or document will not relieve suppliers from any obligation regarding this Request for Proposal unless supplier has raised a written objection.  Objections NGS considers excessive or affecting vital terms may reduce or eliminate your prospects for award.  If at any time NGS discovers deviations in the response that are not identified as instructed, the suppliers will be subject to disqualification from consideration or cancellation of contract.

“No Surprises”—the suppliers will implement no changes in prices, or interpretations of contract terms, without the express, advance concurrence, and consent of NGS.  

Suppliers’ Representations to NGS, whether verbal or written, will be relied upon by NGS in its evaluation of the suppliers as a potential supplier.  By submitting a proposal in response to this RFP, the supplier represents that their organization is fully experienced and properly qualified to perform such services as described in the RFP, and that it is properly licensed, equipped, organized, and financed to perform such services, and the supplier will be relied upon by NGS as material factors that will be considered in the decision making process.  

Response Content—In order to enable direct comparison of responses, all must be submitted in strict conformity to the items listed herein.  Failure to adhere to all requirements may result in the supplier information being disqualified as non-responsive.

Contract Award will be made following the issuance of the RFP and following the evaluation of proposed responses.  Award will be made to the responsive, responsible bidder, whose offer conforms to the RFP and is most advantageous to NGS, evaluating quality, services, price and other factors.

This RFP is not a Contract or an offer to enter into a contract, and NGS does not intend to be legally bound to any recipient of this RFP with respect to the potential transactions herein.  Unless and until a written purchase order or other definitive written agreement is delivered and signed by both parties, NGS does not intend to be legally bound.  NGS may discontinue discussion regarding the potential transactions described in this RFP at any time, without notice and for its convenience without liability or obligation to any recipient of this RFP.  

NGS Reserves the Right to negotiate or refuse to negotiate with any supplier responding to this RFP.  In addition, NGS may enter negotiations with more than one prospective supplier simultaneously, and may contact with any prospective supplier without notification to any other suppliers. 

NGS is Not Responsible for Costs incurred by bidder in responding to this RFP, including but not limited to, preparation of the written RFP response, interviews, travel or other related costs.

Confidentiality—The bidder agrees that all information contained in this RFP as well as all non-public information about NGS and National Geographic Partners  that it obtains in the course of the performance of its services should it be awarded a contract shall be kept strictly confidential. This RFP must not be copied, circulated, or forwarded to any third party for evaluation without the written consent from National Geographic Society.   NGS will not consider any bids submitted by suppliers who violate this confidentiality statement.  

All proposals, including pricing and sample contracts submitted by the supplier will be kept strictly confidential by NGS.

Unauthorized Contact—Except as provided herein, should bidder contact or solicit any trustee, officer or employee of NGS or NGP with regard to this RFP, it may be barred from further consideration in NGS’s sole discretion.

Insurance Requirements 
Supplier will carry and maintain comprehensive insurance policies as follows:

Commercial General Liability Insurance.  Requirements: occurrence rather than claims-made coverage with minimum limits as follows: 
$1,000,000 each occurrence, combined single limit. 
$2,000,000 general aggregate (including a per location or per project endorsement) 
$2,000,000 aggregate; products, completed operations
$1,000,000 personal and advertising injury, each occurrence
$10,000 medical payments 
Workers' Compensation Insurance. Requirements: workers’ compensation coverage meeting statutory limits and coverages as required by state or states of operation; employers’ liability coverage for bodily injury in the amount of $500,000 each accident, $500,000 disease (each employee) $500,000 disease policy limit.  
Umbrella/Excess Liability Insurance.  Requirements: follows form (i.e., coverages and exclusions reflect those of the primary insurance policies); minimum coverage $5,000,000 for each occurrence and $5,000,000 annual aggregate. 
Automobile Liability Insurance.  Requirements: owned, non-owned, and hired-car coverage; with minimum limit of liability $1,000,000 each accident; bodily injury and property damage. 
These insurance policies must be maintained with insurance carriers rated by A.M. Best as A- or better.  Supplier will maintain coverage throughout the Term and will endeavor to give NGS Legal Notice thirty (30) days before a material change in policy coverage. 

The General Liability, Auto Liability, and Excess/Umbrella Liability must include NGS, its subsidiaries, licensees, partners, directors, and officers, agents and employees as additional insureds. Coverage must apply on a primary and noncontributory basis for ongoing and completed operations. The General Liability, Workers Compensation Policies, Auto Liability, and Installation Floater coverages must include a waiver of subrogation in favor of NGS, its trustees, directors, officers, employees, servants, agents, and the Supplier. 

Certificates of insurance will be provided within thirty (30) days of execution of the agreement, completed by its insurance broker/representative.  The Certificate Holder will be National Geographic Society, 1145 17th Street, NW, Washington DC 20036.  An acceptable certificate must be received before services and/or products can be accepted.

As an independent contractor, Supplier is required to pay at its own expense for the insurance that it is required to maintain under this Agreement.

Supplier waives rights against NGS and NGS’s Indemnitees (as defined in the Indemnification section) and assigns for recovery of damages to the extent these damages are covered by insurance that the Supplier is required to maintain under the terms in this section.