25MACCTLT1 -Attachment A - Final.docx

135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149 | 781.338.3000 | TTY: N.E.T. Relay (800).439.2370

Attachment A CTE Teacher Licensure Performance Test Sites

Alternate ID #: 25MACCTLT1 COMMBUYS Bid #: BD-25-1026-DOE02-DOE01-107793

Background:

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts licenses Career and Technical Education (CTE) educators through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The purpose of the MA CTE Teacher Testing program is to ensure that newly licensed educators have the skills and knowledge required to teach their program. MA has contracted with NOCTI to administer MA CTE Teacher Testing Program.

The Department seeks to identify performance test sites for each of the . DESE may select multiple vendors to offer one or more performance test areas to ensure all tests are offered and the best geographic access is possible to potential licensure candidates.

Scope of Service:

The Department seeks organizations for this Departmental Master Agreement (MA) for educator licensure testing locations.

This pre-approved list will be available from approval through June 30, 2029 and will include 2 renewals for two years each (July 1, 2029 through June 30, 2031; and July 1, 2031 through June 30, 2033).

If the Department has not worked with a pre-qualified vendor during the initial timeframe (7/1/24-6/30/29), their pre-qualification will not be renewed during this first renewal period. Similarly, if the Department has not worked with a pre-qualified vendor during the first renewal period (7/1/29-6/30/31), their pre-qualification will not be renewed during the second renewal period.

Selected bidders will provide a site location with the required equipment and consumables necessary to administer a performance exam for one or more test areas.

Areas of Content Expertise and Service Categories This BID is looking for vendors to provide performance testing for one or more of the following test areas:

Sites will also be selected based on geographic location using one or more of these MassHire regions:

6. Greater Lowell

Each pre-qualified vendor will be asked to host tests in one or more areas.

Test Length and hours of operation Tests are approximately 3-4 hours long and will require approximately 2-3 hours of prep and/or cleanup/post-test administration.

Generally, tests are administered out of school hours.

Additional specifications:

· The bidder will ensure personnel are available to confirm the lab/testing room and any equipment needed for the exam is set up and ready for the evaluator and candidate.

· The bidder will work closely with NOCTI to confirm testing logistics including populating availability for test registration, ensuring test site is accessible and providing consumables and necessary equipment is prepared for testing.

· The bidder will ensure the site and equipment meet current occupational safety and health requirements and ensure all tools, materials, and equipment needed for the exam are available for each test instance.

· The bidder may serve candidates from the entire state.

· When possible, the staff of the program will be prioritized as the exam proctor. If necessary, the bidder will allow examiners other than their staff to administer the exam in their facility and have a plan for providing information to support these individuals in understanding the logistics of the site.

· The bidder will abide by NOCTI security policy and all NOCTI guidelines and requirements.

Budget:

Bidders must submit sample budget(s) that are deliverables-based and/or based on hourly/daily rates for each main offering for each proposed service category. The rates proposed must be inclusive of all expenses and indirect costs (such as travel, supplies, telephone and cell phone charges, fringe benefits, etc.). Rates must be in place for a minimum of two years. Rate increase request can be submitted every 24 months for review and approval.

Actual rates (not to exceed submitted rates) and contract parameters, including specific deliverables and due dates, will be established when a work order or contract, as appropriate, is negotiated with the Department. The work order or contract process, which takes place after an approved vendor responds to an RFQ and is the successful bidder, is when the specific scope of services and total budget for a project are developed.

Required Qualifications:

For a bidder’s response to be evaluated, the bidder must:

· Be approved by DESE to offer the proposed testing area as a state-approved Chapter 74 program Approved programs can be found on DESE’s school profile for each school/district.

· Have made investments in program equipment to align with industry standards for the proposed testing area within the last five years

Preferred Qualifications:

· Vendors are able to offer multiple test areas

· Site and the designated coordinator have experience coordinating and facilitating performance-based exams.

· Demonstrates some evidence that they have examined and are working to improve their practices and supports (internal and/or external) from a racial equity lens.

Submission Requirements:

· Attachment B - Submission Requirements Template

· Attachment C – Required Performance Test Materials

· Attachment D – Services Matrix (Workforce Board Region)/Test Areas

· Prompt Payment Discount Form (This form can be found on COMMBUYS in the same location as this bid posting. This form is required to be completed, by offering a discount or claiming hardship. Those that offer 1% will receive an average on the scorecard. Those that offer a higher or lower percentage will be scored accordingly on the Evaluation Criteria Scorecard).

· Supplier Diversity Program Plan Form (This form can be found on COMMBUYS in the same location as this bid posting. This form is required to be completed and offer a percentage commitment of 1% or higher. The higher the commitment the more points earned on the Evaluation Criteria Scorecard. See Scorecard for more details).

· One of DESE’s foremost goals is to address inequities in education that exist in the Commonwealth. Describe, in a 1-page narrative, your organization’s commitment to and actions taken to ensure equity (this should include efforts within your own organization to support equity and efforts when providing services to clients, as applicable). In addition, please share your organization’s current challenges with and ongoing efforts to ensure your organization is working towards building the mindsets, practices, and skills to support this initiative.

Responses not posted to COMMBUYS will not be considered for evaluation. Do not Email and/or mail responses to the department. To respond to this bid, please register on the COMMBUYS website. If you need assistance with registering please contact the COMMBUYS helpdesk at: OSDHelpDesk@mass.gov or (888) 627-8283 or (617) 720-3197.

Information to keep in mind when preparing your submission:

This is a Rolling Enrollment Departmental Master Agreement. Responses can be submitted on a rolling basis from the posting date until December 31, 2027 – 12:00 PM ET.

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