| |
Request for Qualifications and Proposal (RFQP)
Purpose of the Engagement and Background
BYU–Idaho Student Activities is seeking qualifications from experienced independent contractors to provide specialized cheerleading, stunt, tumbling, choreography, dunk team stunts, collegiate mascot-related stunt programs, and athlete development instruction for the BYU–Idaho Hype Squad.
The selected contractor will provide technical consulting and instructional services to support student skill development, stunt safety, and performance readiness. The Hype Squad is a student-led organization that promotes school spirit through participation in athletic events, university celebrations, community engagement, and other campus activities.
This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is intended to identify qualified individuals or businesses capable of providing specialized cheer, stunt, tumbling, choreography, and athlete development consulting services. The selected respondent will be required to meet the University’s requirements for engagement as an independent contractor before entering into an Independent Contractor Agreement.
The University is seeking specialized technical expertise that complements the student-led Hype Squad program. This engagement is intended to procure specialized consulting services and is not intended to establish an employment relationship. The selected respondent will provide professional consulting and instructional services based upon their specialized education, certifications, experience, and established coaching or consulting practice.
________________________________________
RFQP Schedule
The following schedule is provided for planning purposes. BYU–Idaho reserves the right to modify these dates as necessary.
Submission Deadline: August 6, 2026
Submit Qualifications and/or Questions To: Jeorgette Requiron requironj@byui.edu
Anticipated Selection: August 13, 2026
Anticipated Contract Start: August 19, 2026
________________________________________
Scope of Services
The selected Contractor will provide the following specialized consulting and instructional services.
The services are outcome-based and focused on supporting participant preparation, safety, skill development, and performance readiness for the Hype Squad. Services, preparations, and outcomes may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Technical Instruction
• Provide technical, safety, and choreography instructions in proper techniques for stunting, tumbling, basing, flying, spotting, transitions, partner stunts, pyramids, basket tosses, dunk team stunts, and collegiate mascot-related stunt programs, and other cheer-related skills.
• Evaluate participant skill levels and recommend appropriate skill progressions based on demonstrated abilities for Hype Squad members and team at large.
• Provide technical instruction, feedback, and skill development for participants.
Safety & Risk Management
• Conduct instruction using recognized collegiate cheerleading safety standards and industry best practices.
• Provide guidance on proper spotting techniques, stunt progression, including warm-ups and injury prevention routines and guidelines.
• Recommend modifications or discontinuation of skills or activities that present an unreasonable safety risk or exceed participants’ demonstrated abilities.
Performance Preparation
• Provide instruction, as needed, to student leads in warm-up, stretching, conditioning, flexibility, and performance readiness.
• Recommend conditioning activities appropriate for bases, flyers, back spots, tumblers, dunk team and mascot-related stunt programs.
• Provide technical instruction to prepare participants for performances at athletic events, university programs, and other approved activities.
Consulting Services
• Provide recommendations regarding athlete development, stunt progression, and program safety.
• Participate in skill evaluations or team assessments upon request.
• Submit a brief written summary of observations and recommendations at the conclusion of the contract term, if requested by the University.
• Provide consultations and recommendations regarding performance routines, and technical aspects of Hype Squad performances, consistent with university standards and guidelines.
• Provide professional recommendations regarding stunt design, choreography, performance development, mascot-related stunt activities, and dunk-team stunt activities consistent with University standards and participant safety requirements.
• At the University’s request, the Contractor may provide technical evaluations of participant skills and abilities and may offer recommendations regarding team placement, stunt assignments, or skill progression. Final decisions regarding participant selection, team membership, and program administration shall remain solely with the University.
The Contractor shall perform all services as an independent contractor and shall determine the methods and means of providing the contracted services, subject to the performance expectations, safety requirements, and scheduling mutually agreed upon by the parties. As an independent contractor, the university will provide a parking pass and access to our guest internet. The independent contractor will be responsible for all other systems, tools, personal equipment, and resources including but not limited to computer devices, telephones and other communications services required to perform the services. As needed space can be scheduled to perform the required services, but a dedicated personal space will not be provided.
________________________________________
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
• Previous experience of coaching, cheerleading, tumbling, gymnastics, or stunt training.
• Demonstrated knowledge of collegiate-level cheerleading stunts, tumbling techniques, and skill progressions.
• Experience teaching proper stunt progression and spotting techniques.
• Strong communication, leadership, and instructional skills.
• Ability to work effectively with college-aged students.
• A background check may be required at the university’s discretion.
Desired Qualifications
• Collegiate cheerleading, dunk team stunts, and/or mascot-type experiences.
• Experience coaching or training collegiate cheer, dunk teams, and mascot-related stunt programs.
• Current CPR, First Aid certification, with knowledge of injury prevention, safe conditioning, warm-up practices, and appropriate referral protocols.
• Familiarity with recognized cheer safety standards and best practices.
• Experience coaching partner stunts, pyramids, basket tosses, and advanced tumbling skills.
Independent Contractor Qualifications
• Operate an independently established coaching, consulting, or instructional practice providing specialized cheer, stunt, tumbling, or athlete development services.
• Provide similar services to schools, colleges, athletic organizations, or other clients.
o Respondents may be required to disclose other professional commitments or potential conflicts of interest that could affect their ability to perform the requested services.
• Maintain any applicable professional certifications, licenses, or business registrations relevant to the services offered.
• Are responsible for their own taxes, business expenses, insurance, and other obligations associated with operating an independent business.
• Have the ability to provide the requested services while maintaining other professional engagements.
________________________________________
Estimated Service Schedule
The University currently anticipates that consulting services will generally occur during Hype Squad practices, currently scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings (subject to change), as well as during selected athletic events, university programs, and community appearances. Contractor’s participation in practices, events, or consultations will be based on mutually agreed dates, times, and service needs, and this RFQP does not guarantee any minimum number of hours or assignments.
The anticipated contract term is one academic year, with the option to renew by mutual agreement of the parties, subject to university needs and services provided.
The selected Contractor will coordinate with the University’s designated representative to establish a mutually agreeable service schedule. Specific dates, times, and locations of services will be communicated in advance and may be adjusted as needed throughout the contract term.
The schedule provided in this RFQ is intended for planning purposes only and does not guarantee a minimum number of hours, assignments, or compensation.
Anticipated Contract Term: August 19, 2026, through April 30, 2027
________________________________________
Proposal Requirements
Interested contractors should submit:
• Letter of interest
• Resume or coaching biography
• Description of relevant coaching experience
• Three professional references
• List of certifications
• Proposed pricing methodology to meet the services requirements outlined.
• Proof of insurance (or ability to obtain prior to contract award)
Incomplete submissions may be considered non-responsive.
________________________________________
Independent Contractor Information
The following information will assist the University in evaluating the respondent’s qualifications, availability, and suitability for engagement as an independent contractor.
• A brief description of your current coaching, consulting, or business practice.
• A list of current or recent clients for whom you provide similar services (excluding confidential information).
• For each current or recent engagement, indicate whether the services are provided as an independent contractor, employee, business owner, or volunteer.
• Approximately what percentage of your professional time or consulting practice would this engagement with BYU–Idaho represent during the contract term?
• A description of how you anticipate scheduling services for BYU–Idaho while meeting your other professional commitments.
• Disclosure of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that could affect your ability to perform the services described in this RFQP.
• Describe the specialized expertise, certifications, or experience that distinguish your services and demonstrate the value of engaging you as an independent contractor for these specialized services.
• Describe your coaching or consulting business, including the types of services you regularly provide.
• Identify any professional memberships, certifications, or business registrations relevant to your consulting practice.________________________________________
Contract Award & Independent Contractor Requirements
The selected respondent will be required to enter into BYU–Idaho’s Independent Contractor Agreement. Contractor selection is contingent upon successful contract negotiations, satisfaction of applicable insurance requirements, and compliance with University policies.
The contractor is responsible for maintaining any required certifications, professional credentials, insurance, taxes, and other obligations associated with independent contractor services. Compensation, scope of services, and contract terms will be established through a separate independent contractor agreement.
Contractors selected for award may be required to provide proof of Commercial General Liability insurance in amounts acceptable to the University before execution of the Independent Contractor Agreement. Additional insurance requirements, if any, will be identified during contract negotiations.
The University reserves the right to determine, based on the information submitted and the nature of the proposed engagement, whether a respondent is eligible for engagement as an independent contractor.
________________________________________
Reservation of Rights
BYU–Idaho reserves the right to reject any or all statements of qualifications, request additional information, negotiate the scope of services and compensation with one or more respondents, or cancel this solicitation at any time. Issuance of this RFQ does not obligate the University to award a contract. |