27ACLLP1 - Attachment A - Final.docx

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Attachment A

Alternate ID #: 2ACLLP1 COMMBUYS Bid #: BD-27-1026-DOE02-DOE01-131725

Background:

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), through Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS), seeks a qualified vendor to serve as a strategic implementation partner for the Adult Learner Opportunity and Workforce Pathways Initiative. Supported through state line item 1596-2514, this initiative expands access to English language learning, strengthens workforce pathways, elevates learner leadership, and supports the development of a diverse and culturally responsive adult education workforce.

The selected vendor will collaborate with ACLS to design, implement, manage, and evaluate three interconnected initiatives:

• Student Ambassador Program

• Conversation Café Program

• Student-to-Staff Program

In addition, the selected vendor will partner with ACLS staff to identify and implement activities that support ACLS office priorities and contribute to the successful implementation of the ACLS Unit Workplan and DESE's Research, Engagement, Development, and Transformation (REDT) framework.

The ACLS Unit Workplan will be provided as a resource to assist vendors in proposing activities, strategies, and deliverables that support office-wide priorities beyond the three initiatives.

Scope of Service (Initial Duration Year – FY2027. Services to be repeated during each renewal year) Initial Duration:

(Year 1) FY2027 – approval date to June 30, 2027 Renewal:

(Year 2) FY2028 – July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028 (Year 3) FY2029 – July 1, 2028 – June 30, 2029 (Year 4) FY2030 – July 1, 2029 – June 30, 2030

The selected vendor shall:

Strategic Partnership and REDT Alignment:

1. Collaborate with ACLS leadership and staff to review the ACLS Unit Workplan and identify opportunities to support implementation of priorities across ACLS workstreams.

2. Design and facilitate activities, workshops, engagement strategies, learner leadership opportunities, and other supports that advance ACLS priorities and align with DESE's REDT framework.

3. Assist ACLS in integrating learner voice, workforce development, equity, and continuous improvement practices across multiple office initiatives.

4. Participate in regular planning and strategy meetings with ACLS staff to ensure alignment between initiative activities and broader office goals.

Program Oversight and Implementation The selected vendor shall provide overall management, coordination, implementation support, and evaluation for the following initiatives:

(A) Student Ambassador Program The selected vendor will oversee the implementation of the Student Ambassador Program and support ACLS in recruiting, training, engaging, and supporting current and former adult education students who serve as ambassadors, interns, advisors, facilitators, and leaders.

Activities may include:

• Leadership development training

· Workforce readiness workshops

· Public speaking and facilitation training

· Internship coordination and support

· Learner engagement and outreach activities

· Student leadership councils

· Policy and program feedback opportunities

· Management of participant stipends and payments

(B) Conversation Café Program The selected vendor will oversee implementation and expansion of the Conversation Café Program to provide English language learners on ESOL waitlists with opportunities to build language skills, confidence, and community connections while awaiting enrollment in formal classes.

Activities may include:

(C) Student-to-Staff Program The selected vendor will oversee implementation of the Student-to-Staff Program and support ACLS in creating pathways for former adult learners to enter education and workforce-support professions.

Activities may include:

Program Design and Innovation The selected vendor is encouraged to propose innovative approaches, workshops, training opportunities, technical assistance models, learner engagement activities, and leadership development strategies that advance the goals of the three initiatives and support ACLS priorities.

Bidders should describe:

• How they will implement and manage each initiative.

• Proposed training, workshops, and professional development activities.

• Methods for supporting learner leadership and engagement.

• Strategies for advancing workforce pathways.

• Approaches for supporting ACLS priorities and REDT-aligned activities.

• Methods for evaluating success and measuring impact.

Deliverables The selected vendor shall:

1. Develop an annual implementation plan aligned to ACLS priorities and REDT goals.

2. Implement and manage the Student Ambassador, Conversation Café, and Student-to-Staff initiatives.

3. Design and deliver workshops, training sessions, leadership development activities, and technical assistance opportunities.

4. Facilitate regular planning meetings with ACLS staff.

5. Develop recommendations for learner engagement, leadership development, and workforce pathway activities across ACLS workstreams.

6. Submit quarterly progress reports documenting implementation activities, participation, outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations.

7. Submit an annual evaluation report that includes participant outcomes, impact measures, recommendations for improvement, and opportunities for future scaling.

Budget:

The initial duration amount of the contract amount shall not exceed $700,000 (Year 1 – FY2027 – approval to June 30, 2027). The total contract amount for the renewal years (FY28, FY29 and FY30) is to be determined (TBD) with an estimate to be around $700,000 each year.

Proposed budgets should include all personnel, materials, training, administration, travel, evaluation, and implementation costs associated with the contract for each fiscal year.

The budget is anticipated to support (each fiscal year):

workshops, evaluation, reporting, and support for ACLS office priorities.

Bidders should propose budget allocations and implementation strategies that maximize impact across all initiative components while demonstrating alignment with ACLS priorities and the goals of line item 1596-2514.

Requirements:

· No apparent or actual conflict of interest.

· Experience conducting effective anti-racism and DEI training.

· Proven ability to work with adult learners, English speakers of other languages, refugees, and immigrants.

· Strong organizational skills, particularly in managing payment and invoicing systems.

· Knowledge of adult education.

· Expertise in anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion practices

Preferred:

· An understanding and knowledge of the following ESOL standards and resources in Massachusetts: Massachusetts English Language Proficiency Standards for Adult Education (MA ELPS) and The Massachusetts Professional Standards for Teachers of English and Indicators of Proficiency Rubric

· Knowledge of adult learning theories.

Submission Requirements:

1. Cover Letter A cover letter summarizing the bidder’s interest, qualifications, and primary contact information.

2. Project Narrative A project narrative organized by the three programs (Student Ambassador Program, Conversation Café, and Student-to-Staff program) addressing the following:

a. The bidder’s experience and/or expertise in adult learning theory as it relates to Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI)

b. Proposed program sessions, materials and content, instructional modalities, timelines, and schedules.

c. Proposed participant outcomes and evaluation methods for each of the three programs.

d. Proposed methods for tracking, invoicing, and processing payments for Student Ambassadors.

3. Equity Narrative A one (1) page narrative describing the organization’s commitment to equity and the actions taken to ensure equity within the organization and in the delivery of services to clients, as applicable.

4. Qualifications of Key Personnel

5. Resumes or CVs Resumes or CVs demonstrating the bidder’s qualifications to provide the services described in the Scope of Services section of this Bid.

6. Budget A budget aligned with the proposed program design that includes a detailed breakdown of all costs, including direct services; program evaluation and written reports; and planning, progress, and debrief meetings with DESE. The budget should indicate whether service delivery modalities impact costs. The Budget must be included for each fiscal year (initial award year plus renewal options)

7. Attachment B – Contact information form (complete and upload with COMMBUYS submission

5. Prompt Payment Discount (PPD) Form (available on COMMBUYS to download, complete and upload with response). Bidders are highly encouraged to offer a PPD to expediate payment and provide cost savings to the Commonwealth. Bidders unable to provide a discount can claim hardship. Hardship must be accepted by the team and procurement office.

6. Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) Form (available on COMMBUYS to download, complete and upload with response). This form must be completed and offer a percentage commitment of 1% or higher to a subcontractor or ancillary partner. The higher the commitment the more points earned on the Evaluation Criteria Scorecard. See scorecard for more details.

Responses MUST be uploaded to COMMBUYS. 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 contact the OSD Help Desk at OSDHelpDesk@mass.gov or (8am - 5pm ET Monday – Friday) at 1-888-627-8283 or 617-720-3197.

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