Addendum 1_Q & A (2) R00B7600019.pdf

ADDENDUM NO. 1 R00B7600019

Title: 21st century Community Learning Centers Fiscal Support Specialist eMMA Reference No. BPM057897

GENERAL INFORMATION

***NEW BID OPENING DATE***

***July 24, 2026 AT 2P.M.***

Submissions will only be accepted via eMaryland Marketplace Advantage. No mailed, e-mailed, hand delivered, or faxed bids will be accepted.

VENDOR INQUIRIES

This Addendum provides answers to questions submitted by potential bidders.

Q1. Letters of Recommendation: Page 3 states that two letters of recommendation must be provided as proof of "requirements 2, 3, and 4," although only three numbered requirements appear. Is this a new requirement, or a re-compete? Could you please clarify which specific requirements the letters are intended to address?

A1. The letters of recommendation are intended to demonstrate the bidder’s ability to meet the stated qualifications and experience requirements identified in the RFQ. The reference to requirements 2, 3, and 4 should be interpreted as the applicable experience and qualification requirements outlined in the solicitation.

Q2. Recommendation Letter Content: Should the two letters validate the qualifications of the proposed Fiscal Support Specialist, rather than serve as general references for the bidding company?

Should they be provided by individuals who directly supervised, managed, or worked closely with the proposed candidate and can attest to their fiscal and administrative experience? -+a re-compete, who is the incumbent?

A2. Letters should support the qualifications and experience of the proposed Fiscal Support Specialist and may include verification of relevant fiscal, administrative, and grant-related experience.

Q3. Letter Format and Issuer: Must the recommendation letters be issued by former or current supervisors or clients? Are there any requirements regarding company letterheads, signatures, dates, contact information, or letter length?

A3. Letters may be provided by former or current supervisors, clients, or professional references who can validate the individual’s qualifications and experience. No specific format, length, or letterhead requirement is required; however, letters should include the issuer’s name, organization, contact information, and date.

Q4. Number of Letters: Are two recommendation letters required for each proposed candidate, or are two letters sufficient for the bidder's overall submission?

A4. Two letters of recommendation are required for the overall bidder submission, not per proposed candidate.

Q5. Candidate Submission: May the bidder propose more than one qualified candidate, or should the submission include only one resume for one proposed Fiscal Support Specialist?

A5. Bidders may propose qualified candidates; however, the submission should clearly identify the proposed Fiscal Support Specialist(s) and include supporting qualifications for each individual proposed.

Q6. Maximum Hours: The scope states that the engagement will not exceed 2,000 hours, while

Exhibit A identifies a total of 1,048 hours. Could you please confirm the correct maximum number of billable hours?

A6. The maximum number of billable hours is 1,048, as identified in Exhibit A.

Q7. Work Schedule: Will the selected specialist be expected to work a fixed 40-hour-per-week schedule throughout the anticipated August 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027, contract term, or will hours be assigned based on workload?

A7. The selected specialist will be expected to work a fixed 40-hour-per-week schedule throughout the anticipated contract term.

Q8. Hourly Rate Structure: Should bidders propose one uniform hourly rate for all cost categories in Exhibit A, or may different hourly rates be submitted for each category?

A8. RFQ awards are based on the lowest bid from a qualified bidder.

Bidders should propose hourly rates based on Exhibit A and ensure these rates align with the scope of services outlined in the RFQ.

Q9. Remote and Onsite Requirements: Although the RFQ indicates that work will be performed remotely with virtual reporting, will any onsite meetings, monitoring visits, audits, onboarding, or work at the MSDE office in Baltimore be required?

A9. Services are expected to be performed remotely with virtual reporting. Any required onsite meetings or activities will be communicated as needed.

Q10. Systems and Equipment: Which financial management, grant management, invoice processing, or reporting systems will the Fiscal Support Specialist use? Will MSDE provide the required computer equipment, system access, software licenses, and any necessary training

A10. The selected specialist will receive a government-issued device and the required system access. The individual must report to headquarters to set up user credentials, gain system access, and retrieve the device. Upon contract completion, the government-issued device must be returned according to established procedures.

Q11. Incumbent and Current Workload: Is there an incumbent currently performing these services?

If so, could you please share the incumbent contractor's name, current hourly rate, approximate monthly invoice volume, number of subgrantees supported, and whether there is any existing invoice backlog

A11. Information regarding current contractors, rates, workload volumes, and operational details is not being provided as part of this solicitation. All bidders should base their proposals on the requirements and scope of work outlined in the RFQ.

YOU MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE ADDENDUM WITH YOUR PROPOSAL

All communication must be routed through the Procurement Officer. Thank you for your time and attention.

Received By______________________________________________________

(Printed Name)

Signature___________________________________ Date__________________

Vendor__________________________________________________________

Telephone No._____________________ Email: ____________________________________