They vary greatly in scope — and cost.

Two bidders are relatively small consulting firms pitching projects that would cost less than $300,000. A third, more comprehensive bid comes from a global firm and is projected to cost nearly $3 million.

The university faced a similar decision in 2023, after the campus shooting. Out of the seven firms that applied to create a review of what happened, MSU chose the second lowest-costing bid. The firm, which did not list any prior experience working with mass shootings, produced a 25-page report that largely lauded the response to the incident.

The university originally planned to pick a firm for the RVSM assessment in September, but that has since been pushed back until November, as it continue to review the proposals, MSU spokesperson Amber McCann said.

The review, called an "Institutional Assessment and Responsive Action," aims to uncover the "root causes" of the university’s handling of Larry Nassar — who sexually abused hundreds as a university physician — and analyze the reforms implemented since the scandal unfolded nearly a decade ago. It will also generally evaluate the university’s "culture, structure and policies regarding (relationship violence and sexual misconduct)," according to a document seeking bids.

The selected firm will have nine months to review MSU’s past and present handling of RVSM and to compile a public report with findings and recommendations.

Plans for the sweeping assessment were announced in May by a newly established advisory board made up, in part, of Nassar survivors who, MSU says will lead the effort.

The advisory board will evaluate proposals from firms based on how they plan to conduct the assessment, their experience doing similar work and cost, among other criteria. 

The advisory board’s recommendation is then passed along to President Kevin Guskiewicz, who has the final say in what firm will conduct the assessment. The advisory board’s pick contributes 49% to his decision, while the rest is based on "Overall Strategic Alignment," according to the document.

The criteria is to make sure the proposal "aligns with the purpose of the assessment and the goals of the university," McCann said. Advisory board feedback is still "weighted considerably."

The proposals

Guidepost Solutions, a global consulting firm, gave the most comprehensive, and pricey bid. The firm, which wrote that it’s involved in "80–100 active Title IX matters" for colleges and high schools at any time, previously conducted an RVSM review for the University of Michigan after a former provost was found guilty of sexual misconduct.

Making a report for MSU would cost an estimated $1,760,000 to $2,630,000. Helping implement its recommendations would bring it up to around $2,010,000 to $2,980,000, according to the firm’s proposal.

Guidepost proposed starting the assessment by surveying survivors on how they’d like to participate. It would create a written report on MSU’s past handling of RVSM before embarking on a "cultural assessment." Guidepost proposed interviewing MSU officials, holding focus groups with students and creating a community-wide survey on the culture around RVSM.

It would then review changes implemented post-Nassar and review "survivor and athlete care." Its final public report would contain recommendations for improving MSU’s relationship to RVSM. It would also note whether anyone withheld information, according to the proposal.

Throughout the process, Guideline promised to give survivors and MSU leaders "regular updates" on its work. The university, however, would not be allowed access to or ownership of the firm’s work product, "including, but not limited to, interview notes, internal memoranda and draft nonpublic reports." Nor can it claim attorney-client privilege over the work. The university would not get identifying information about survivors and witnesses without their permission. 

Soteria Solutions, a New Hampshire firm that has worked with over 500 colleges and universities, according to its website, proposed a $277,385 assessment.

Soteria conducted an evaluation of New York State’s "Rape Prevention & Education Program" and assists a Justice Department program preventing campus sexual misconduct. For its proposal to MSU, Soteria partnered with an expert on sexual violence in sports and Ladder Consulting, a firm that consults on workplace sexual misconduct.

Soteria proposed paying survivors $50 to do 45-minute interviews. The firm wrote that it anticipates interviewing ten "survivors of historical harms" and up to 20 survivors and student leaders "who can offer insights into current campus culture and response systems," according to the proposal.

Throughout the assessment, it would create interim reports on its interviews with survivors and its reviews of past and present documents detailing MSU’s handling of RVSM.

Its final public report — presented at a public forum in May 2026 during one of three visits to campus — would contain findings, recommendations and guidance on monitoring the implementation of its advice, according to the proposal.

Rankin Climate, a firm that touted its "25-year track record of successful partnerships with colleges and universities to assess campus climate," proposed a $227,500 assessment.

Two members of the firm founded the Administrator-Researcher Campus Climate Collaborative, according to the proposal — a survey that assesses the prevalence of sexual misconduct on campuses. It has been used at more than 400 colleges and universities, according to the proposal.

Rankin Climate would use the survey in a key part of the assessment to review MSU’s current handling of RVSM. It would also interview administrators, faculty members, students and athletes, paying particular attention to "how employees understand their responsibilities related to RVSM and whether they feel prepared and supported to fulfill those responsibilities effectively."

It would facilitate group sessions for survivors, with "trained facilitators who understand trauma dynamics," according to the proposal.

Rankin Climate’s final product would include an "implementation roadmap" and materials to use during a community forum. The firm also offered to help implement the findings.