27ACLLP1 - Q and A - Final.docx
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- Solicitation number
- BD-27-1026-DOE02-DOE01-131725
- Issued by
- Essex County, Massachusetts
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers document from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Adult and Community Learning Services unit regarding RFR 27ACLLP1 for the Adult Learner Opportunity and Workforce Pathways Initiative. The document addresses eight substantive inquiries submitted by prospective bidders through COMMBUYS between August 5 and August 14, 2026, with a Q&A close date of August 17, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET. The initiative seeks a strategic implementation partner to design, implement, manage, and evaluate three interconnected programs: the Student Ambassador Program, Conversation Cafe Program, and Student-to-Staff Program. The selected vendor will work collaboratively with ACLS leadership and local adult education programs rather than replacing existing providers, with services deliverable at contractor-controlled or partner-controlled locations meeting DESE requirements. Proposal submissions are due September 1, 2026 by 12:00 PM ET, with an anticipated contract term beginning in FY2027 (approval through June 30, 2027) and three optional renewal periods of up to 12 months each extending through June 30, 2030.
The maximum obligation for Year 1 is $700,000, with estimated annual budgets of approximately $700,000 for subsequent years. The budget allocation includes up to $150,000 for Student Ambassador participant stipends, internships, and learner compensation, with approximately $100,000 annually allocated for Student-to-Staff participant training and professional development. Administrative and operational costs, including payment processing and system management, should be budgeted within the overall project personnel and administration line items rather than deducted from participant stipend allocations. The vendor is responsible for managing and processing all participant payments according to DESE guidelines. Bidders must commit a minimum of one percent of contract sales to partnerships with Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office-certified diverse businesses or non-profit organizations, with 25 percent of evaluation points allocated to the Supplier Diversity Program Plan. No baseline participant numbers, historical volumes, or existing site locations are provided; bidders must propose their own implementation strategies, participant targets, training schedules, delivery modalities, and evaluation methods within their project narratives. Funding is sourced entirely from state appropriations under unit code 1596-2514 and covered under World Trade Organization regulations.
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| File | Type | Posted |
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| FY26 State Forms - April 2026.pdf | ||
| Prompt Pay Discount - PPD Form.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment B - Contact Form~1.docx | DOCX document | |
| DESE Required Language 10-2025.docx | DOCX document | |
| IT RFR Required Specifications.doc | DOC document | |
| RFR - Required Specifications from OSD 10.1.21.docx | DOCX document | |
| Supplier Diversity Program Plan Form.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| IP Language.docx | DOCX document | |
| 27ACLLP1 - Measures - Final.docx | DOCX document | |
| Supplier Diversity Plan Language.docx | DOCX document | |
| 27ACLLP1 - Scorecard - Final.docx | DOCX document | |
| 27ACLLP1 - Attachment A - Final.docx | DOCX document | |
| 27ACLLP1 - ACLS Strategic Priorities Reference Guide.docx | DOCX document | |
| 27ACLLP1 - bid - Final.docx | DOCX document |
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135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149 | 781.338.3000 | TTY: N.E.T. Relay (800).439.2370
Questions and Answers
Questions submitted on COMMBUYS, via the Q & A tab
Alternate ID: 27ACLLP1 COMMBUYS Bid #: BD-27-1026-DOE02-DOE01-131725 Q & A Close Date: 8-17-2026 Q & A Close Time: 12:00 PM ET
Date submitted on COMMBUYS
Question
Answer
| 1 |
| 8-5-2026 |
| We intend to respond to this RFR and would like to confirm bidder eligibility. Given that we currently hold the SABES Professional Development System contract and the SABES ESOL Curriculum and Instruction Professional Development Center contract, would either be considered an actual or apparent conflict of interest, or otherwise restrict us from submitting a response? |
| As the current holder for the SABES Professional Development and ESOL Curriculum and Instruction professional development contracts, submitting a response to this RFR would not be a conflict of interest. |
| 2 |
| 8-14-2026 |
| Will the selected vendor replace, supplement, or coordinate with current providers? What existing curricula, technology platforms, data, and program resources will be available to support implementation? |
| The selected vendor will serve as a strategic implementation partner working in direct collaboration with ACLS leadership, staff, and local adult education programs—rather than replacing existing providers. |
The RFP explicitly outlines several existing frameworks, data sources, and resources that will be made available to guide and support implementation.
The selected vendor will collaborate with ACLS staff through regular planning, strategy, and debrief meetings to align operations with office priorities and DESE's Research, Engagement, Development, and Transformation (REDT) framework.
| 3 |
| 8-14-2026 |
| What are the current participant volumes, locations, delivery models, and performance outcomes for each initiative? Should bidders propose annual targets, or will these be established with DESE after award? Student Ambassador compensation. Will the vendor be responsible for processing stipends and internship payments? Are payment rates, tax requirements, and payment procedures already established? Does the $150,000 cover participant payments only, or may administrative and processing costs be included? |
| Bidders are expected to propose their own implementation strategies, participant numbers, training sessions, schedules, and evaluation methods within their bid narrative and stated budget. |
The RFP states that the budget is anticipated to support "Up to $150,000 for Student Ambassador participant stipends, internships, and related learner compensation". General administrative, operational, and implementation costs associated with managing the payment system should be budgeted under overall project personnel/administration within the broader $700,000 total budget allocation, ensuring the stipend portion maximizes direct support to learners.
| 4 |
| 8-14-2026 |
| May the selected contractor deliver activities at contractor- or partner-controlled locations that meet DESE requirements, and if so, are facility costs allowable, or must services be delivered at DESE-designated sites? |
| The RFP does not restrict service |
delivery exclusively to DESE designated sites.
The scope of work explicitly encourages expansion across multiple programs and regions, including partnerships with employers, local adult education programs, and community sites (e.g., for Conversation Cafés, Student-to-Staff placements, and Student Ambassador activities).
Bidders are expected to propose their own program sessions, materials, and instructional modalities.
Yes. The RFP explicitly states that proposed annual budgets should include "all personnel, materials, training, administration, travel, evaluation, and implementation costs associated with the contract for each fiscal year".
| 5 |
| 8-14-2026 |
| Will the vendor be responsible for processing stipends and internship payments? Are payment rates, tax requirements, and payment procedures already established? Does the $150,000 cover participant payments only, or may administrative and processing costs be included? |
| Yes. The selected vendor is explicitly required to provide overall management and operational support for the Student Ambassador Program, which includes the "management of participant stipends and payments", all within the DESE payment guidelines. |
Bidders must submit proposed methods for tracking, invoicing, and processing these payments within their Project Narrative.
The RFP explicitly states that the budget is anticipated to support "Up to $150,000 for Student Ambassador participant stipends, internships, and related learner compensation".
Administrative, operational, and financial processing costs associated with running the payment system should be budgeted under general administrative and implementation line items within the broader $700,000 total annual budget, ensuring the stipend allocation directly benefits the learners.
| 6 |
| 8-14-2026 |
| Will the students be going through any training before they enter the Student-to-Staff program, such as the SIT TESOL certificate program, that will be paid for from other funds (e.g., ACLS)? We are asking because of budget implications. |
| The RFR does not explicitly mention specific prerequisite certifications (such as the SIT TESOL certificate program) or external funding streams provided by ACLS outside of this grant. |
| 7 |
| 8-14-2026 |
| What types of training are expected would be covered under this contract? |
| Program Training could be for current and former adult education students serving as ambassadors, interns, advisors, and student leaders. |
This could include leadership development, workforce readiness, public speaking facilitation, career coaching, advising, workforce preparation training and more.
| 8 |
| 8-14-2026 |
| What are the current participant volumes, locations, delivery models, and performance outcomes for each initiative? Should bidders propose annual targets, or will these be established with DESE after award? |
| Specific baseline participant numbers, historical volumes, existing site locations, and prior performance metrics are not provided in Attachment A. The RFR presents these three core initiatives (Student Ambassador, Conversation Café, and Student-to-Staff) as expanding statewide efforts across Massachusetts adult education programs and ESOL waitlists. |
Bidders are explicitly required to outline their own proposed program designs, schedules, delivery modalities, participant outcomes, and evaluation strategies within the submitted Project Narrative.
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