Answers to Vendor Questions-Posted.pdf

Question Answer What is the estimated number of employees expected to participate in the training program, and what is the preferred cohort size for each training session? Cohort size can range from 20-35 employees. However, this is contingent on the need of the training and accomodations.

Can the Executive Coaching component be delivered virtually, or is in-person delivery required? Training can be delivered virtually or in person.

Are vendors permitted to submit bids for specific topics only, or are they required to bid on all topics included in the RFP? We encourage vendors to submit all proposals for any topics that would benefit the departmen's training initiatives.

Will this RFP result in a single vendor award or multiple vendor awards? We will choose a vendor or vendors based on the need of the organization.

Is it mandatory to offer both virtual and onsite delivery formats for every training topic? Offering virtual and onsite delivery is key to accomodation our employees Could the City provide additional details regarding the e-training development component outlined in this RFP? Vendors must be able to provide content that can be stored on our LMS system.

May an applicant propose services within specific areas of expertise or related subject areas, or is the selected vendor expected to provide the full range of training topics listed in Section 2.2? Yes.

Would applied workplace language development and cross-cultural communication be considered responsive as related workforce-development and communication subject areas? Vendors are encouraged to submit proposals for any training that may be beneficial to the department's training needs

May specialized training be delivered live virtually, or must each proposed course also be available for in-person delivery? Training may be delivered virtually or in person but this will be determined by the need of the training request.

Does the Department anticipate selecting one comprehensive training provider, or may multiple vendors be selected for different areas of specialization? We will select the vendor based on the needs of the training initiatives.

Is Local Business Entity certification required to submit a proposal, or is LBE/Local Impact status an evaluation preference rather than an eligibility requirement? This not a requirement.

The RFP cover page says the proposal is due today by 5 pm. But there is also information in the detailed information for opportunity page that it is due 8/14. Can you help clarify? All questions were to be submitted by EOD 8/3/2026 How many employees will need training? The number of employees are based upon the need for the request.

Do you want the training sessions conducted virtually, in-person, or as a hybrid? The training deliverey will be selected based upon the need for the request.

How many training sessions are you looking to host annually? We get training request throughout the year so a total number of training are not identified at this time.

When would you like to start? We are looking for our contract to begin in October 2026.

Can Applicants propose on a subset of the listed topics/subject areas, or is a bidder expected to cover the full list to be considered responsive? Yes.

Roughly how many employees/leadership staff will participate, and what's the expected number of sessions or cohorts over the year? We wish to have 2 cohorts with 20-30 employees in each cohort.

Is there a minimum or preferred number of topics/courses expected to be delivered within the $75,000 cap, or is that entirely proposal-dependent? No.

RFP ANSWERS TO SUBMITTED QUESTIONS

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Since our firm is not a Philadelphia-based entity, can you confirm Local Business Entity certification is not a threshold requirement and is only a scoring factor? It is not a requirement.

I am an out-of-state certified DBE business in PA.Are out-of-state firms eligible to bid on this opportunity? Yes.

I saw an affidavit that this was a LBE opportunity. Even though I plan to perform all of the work in Philadelphia, am I eligible to bid? Yes.

Approximately how many City employees would be eligible to participate in the training, or what scale of participation are you anticipating? We wish to have 2 cohorts with 20-30 employees in each cohort.

We have deep expertise in approximately half of the requested training topics and regularly provide those services to organizations throughout the region. Is the City's intention to select a single contractor that can provide training across all of the requested topic areas, or are you open to awarding contracts to organizations with specialized expertise in a subset of the topics? Vendors are encouraged to submit proposals for any training that may be beneficial to the department's training needs

Is the training request solely for delivery of courses or are your requesting course development as well? ( i.e. comprehensive training curricula, facilitator guides, workshop materials , etc.) Course development may be needed depending on the departmental training request.

Will the resources from the Talent & Development Team or liaison(s) be used to develop the training curriculum and course material?

The training liason will discuss the training needs with the vendor and will rely on the vendor's expertise to developr or provide any elevantrelatable training materials and content.

Are the training topics referenced in the RFP aligned with or compiled into courses? Compiled into course.

Is there a training timeline or training plan already developed? No.

How many people are you expecting to be trained? We have approximately 200 managerial employees Are you expecting this to be a full time or part-time role? The role is based on the need for the training initiatives.

What is the expected size of the training classes? 20- 30 employees What is the expected percentage mix of onsite vs virtual training? We don't have training plan impimented yet. It would be based on the training plan implemented.

Will laptops, software, etc. be provided by the City of Philadelphia, or expected to be provided by the vendor Yes.

Do you have an existing LMS (Learning Management System) that is being used to store and access training materials Yes.

Could you please confirm that the correct proposal submission deadline is August 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM (Philadelphia time)? Yes, the deadline for submission is 8/14/2026 5PM.

When the RFP states that courses may include professional-development credits for continuing education, must those credits be issued through an accredited organization or recognized professional association?Does the Department have specific professions, licensing bodies, or continuing-education standards that the credits must satisfy?

Continuing education credits must be issued through an accredited organization. We have employees who use Continuing education credits to maintainprofessional certifications.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

What outcomes will the Department use to evaluate success; participant satisfaction, knowledge gain, behavior change, performance improvement, customer-service outcomes, operational efficiency, or another measure? We will be utilizing data collected from the vendor along with adult learning metrics to evaluate success.

Does the Department have an established format for attendance reports, evaluation reports, monthly progress reports, and continuous-improvement recommendations? Yes.

Will the vendor be expected to conduct post-training follow-up at 30, 60, or 90 days to assess whether participants are applying the training? Yes.

Should curriculum development and customization be included in the daily or per-person training rate, or may applicants identify those as separate line items? Please include them on a separate line item.

May the cost proposal include different rates based on class size, course duration, virtual versus in-person delivery, and level of customization? Yes.

Does the Department have preferred minimum and maximum enrollment levels for workshops? No.

Should participant workbooks, assessments, certificates, printing, technology, and evaluation tools be included in the per-person or daily rate, or may they be separately priced? It is recommended to add each additional cost separately.

Will the resulting contract guarantee a minimum number of courses or minimum dollar amount, or will services be ordered only as needed? Our contract will not exceed $75,000

Must applicants already possess a Philadelphia Commercial Activity License, BIRT account number, and tax-clearance certificate at the time of proposal submission, or are these required only before contract award? Once awarded, this is required before conformance of the contract.

For a privately held small business, will a bank-reference letter and current business bank statement satisfy the independent financial-capacity and current-financial-document requirements?

The City requires written Statement of Financial Capacity from independent source and at least one current financial document (audited or unaudited financial statements, bank statements or references, Form 990)

What level of training needs assessment does the Department expect (e.g., employee surveys, interviews, focus groups, competency assessments, document reviews, or another methodology)?

The vendor shall develop and implement an evaluation strategy that incorporates both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to assess the effectiveness of the training program. The evaluation should measure participant satisfaction, knowledge acquisition, skill application, and overall program impact, while providing actionable recommendations for continuous improvement and future training initiatives.

The RFP requires the vendor to assess organizational training needs but does not define the expected depth of the assessment. Can the Department provide additional guidance regarding the anticipated level of effort?

The vendor shall develop and implement an evaluation strategy that incorporates both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to assess the effectiveness of the training program. The evaluation should measure participant satisfaction, knowledge acquisition, skill application, and overall program impact, while providing actionable recommendations for continuous improvement and future training initiatives.

Has the Department conducted any recent employee engagement surveys, performance assessments, customer service evaluations, or leadership competency reviews that will be made available to the selected vendor?

Upon contract award, the selected vendor will be provided with all available historical data, assessments, and relevant documentation to support the development of the training needs assessment and the design of the proposed training scope and deliverables.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Does the Department expect the selected vendor to develop entirely new curricula, customize existing training programs for the Department of Revenue, or provide a combination of both?

The Department expects the selected vendor to develop a new, customized training program that is specifically designed to meet the unique operational, regulatory, and business needs of the Department of Revenue. While the vendor may leverage industry best practices and existing training methodologies where appropriate, the curriculum should be tailored to the Department's processes, objectives, and workforce. The expectation is for a comprehensive, department-specific program rather than an off-the-shelf training solution.

Will the Department retain ownership of all customized curriculum and training materials developed under the contract, or may the vendor retain ownership of its preexisting intellectual property while granting the City appropriate usage rights?

The Department reserves the right to request ownership of the training materials developed under this engagement, based on the specific requirements of the project.

Are there specific City requirements related to accessibility, cybersecurity, data privacy, captioning, or technology standards that the vendor's virtual learning platform and training materials must comply with? You may access our privacy policy https://www.phila.gov/privacypolicy/

Will the Department's Training and Development Unit be responsible for scheduling employees and managing course enrollment, or will those responsibilities—including registration, reminders, cancellations, and participant communications—be assigned to the vendor? The Training Unit will coordinate employee enrollment in training programs and communicate all relevant training information, including registration details, reminders, and schedule updates.

Will the Department provide classroom facilities, audiovisual equipment, internet access, and other onsite resources necessary for in-person training sessions? Yes.

Will training services be required at multiple Department locations? If so, can the Department provide the anticipated locations?

Currently, all trainings are conducted at our main facility: 140 JFK BLvd Philadlephia, PA 19136.

What training session formats does the Department anticipate (e.g., full-day, half-day, 90-minute sessions, or modular training)?

Training timelines will be established based on the specific needs and requirements of each training request.

Should applicants anticipate delivering the same course multiple times to accommodate different work shifts, locations, or employee schedules? Yes.

Will training be conducted exclusively during normal business hours, or should applicants account for evening, weekend, or shift-based delivery? Training is anticipated to be conducted during normal business hours.

Approximately how many executives or senior leaders are expected to participate in executive coaching? We have approximately 200 managerial staff members.

Is the Department seeking individual coaching, group coaching, leadership team coaching, or a combination of these services? Combination.

Does the Department have a preferred number of coaching sessions per participant or an anticipated duration for each coaching engagement? No.

Should executive coaching include leadership assessments, 360-degree feedback, or other diagnostic tools? If so, should applicants include the associated costs within the proposed pricing?

Yes, executive coaching should include appropriate leadership assessments, 360-degree feedback, and other diagnostic tools as needed to provide a comprehensive understanding of each participant’s leadership strengths, development areas, and coaching goals. These tools are valuable in creating individualized coaching plans and measuring growth throughout the coaching engagement.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

We noted that the solicitation document references a contract amount not to exceed $75,000, while the procurement platform lists the contract value as "To Be Determined." Could the Department please clarify the anticipated contract value? Additionally, should proposers anticipate a 3% annual price escalation for each renewal or option year?

The total contract value and all projected costs associated with the training initiatives shall not exceed $75,000 for the one-year contract term. At this time, the Department cannot anticipate or guarantee any annual price escalation or cost adjustments associated with potential contract renewals. Any future pricing adjustments will be subject to review, negotiation, and approval during the renewal process.

What level of training-needs assessment does the Department expect (ie. employee surveys, interviews, focus groups, competency assessments, document review, or another method)? The RFP requires the vendor to assess organizational training needs but does not define the expected depth, which would be helpful in developing the scope of work.

The Department recognizes that the specific assessment approach may vary based on the training initiative and target audience. Therefore, the selected vendor should recommend the most effective methodology to identify skill gaps, determine learning objectives, and develop a customized training strategy. The goal of the assessment is to ensure that the resulting training programs are relevant, measurable, and tailored to the unique needs of the department.

Has the Department conducted any recent employee-engagement surveys, performance assessments, customer-service evaluations, or leadership competency reviews that will be available to the selected vendor?

Upon contract award, the selected vendor will be provided with all available historical data, assessments, and relevant documentation to support the development of the training needs assessment and the design of the proposed training scope and deliverables.

Does the Department expect the vendor to create entirely new curricula, customize existing courses for the Department of Revenue, or provide a combination of both? Will the Department own the customized curriculum and materials developed under the contract, or may the vendor retain ownership of its preexisting intellectual property?

The Department expects the selected vendor to develop a new, customized training program that is specifically designed to meet the unique operational, regulatory, and business needs of the Department of Revenue. While the vendor may leverage industry best practices and existing training methodologies where appropriate, the curriculum should be tailored to the Department's processes, objectives, and workforce. The department may ask to retain contwent developed.

Are there specific City accessibility, cybersecurity, data-privacy, captioning, or technology requirements that the vendor’s virtual platform and training materials must meet? You may access our privacy policy https://www.phila.gov/privacypolicy/

Will the Department’s Training and Development Unit schedule employees and manage enrollment, or will the vendor be responsible for registration, reminders, cancellations, and participant communications?

The Training Unit will coordinate employee enrollment in training programs and communicate all relevant training information, including registration details, reminders, and schedule updates.

Will the Department provide classroom space, audiovisual equipment, internet access, and other onsite resources for in-person training? Also, will multiple Department locations be involved? Yes.

Does the Department anticipate full-day, half-day, 90-minute, or modular training sessions? Training timelines will be established based on the specific needs and requirements of each training request.

Should applicants anticipate offering the same course multiple times to accommodate different shifts, work locations, or employee schedules?

Yes.

Are trainings expected only during normal business hours, or should applicants account for evening, weekend, or shift-based delivery? Training is anticipated to be conducted during normal business hours.

Approximately how many executives or senior leaders are expected to receive coaching? We have approximately 200 managerial staff members.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Is the Department seeking individual coaching, group coaching, leadership-team coaching, or a combination? Combination.

Does the Department have an expected number of coaching sessions per participant or a preferred coaching engagement length? No.

Should executive coaching include leadership assessments, 360-degree feedback, or other diagnostic tools, and if so, should those costs be included in the proposed rate?

The Department recognizes that the specific assessment approach may vary based on the training initiative and target audience. Therefore, the selected vendor should recommend the most effective methodology to identify skill gaps, determine learning objectives, and develop a customized training strategy. The goal of the assessment is to ensure that the resulting training programs are relevant, measurable, and tailored to the unique needs of the department. Please include all costs individually.

Scope and Volume: Approximately how many employees and leaders are expected to participate during the contract period?How many people constitute the agency's Leadership Staff?How many training sessions does the Department anticipate purchasing over the year?

Is there an estimated number of instructional days or total training hours?

Which courses are considered mandatory versus optional?

Are all listed topics expected to be available, or should vendors propose only those in their areas of expertise?

What percentage of the work is expected to be:needs assessment curriculum development instructor-led training virtual training executive coaching evaluation continuous improvement consulting Please review the questions above.

On Training Design Expectations: Will the Department provide existing curriculum that vendors will adapt, or is original curriculum development expected?

Should each workshop be customized specifically for Revenue operations?

What is the desired course length by topic (e.g., 2-hours, half-day, full-day, multi-day?)

Does the agency have a preference for which topics should be designed for in-person vs.

virtually delivery? If so, which ones should be in-person?

The selected vendor will be expected to develop original curriculum tailored to the Department of Revenue’s unique operational environment, organizational culture, and workforce needs. The length, format, and delivery approach of each training program should be determined based on the scope of the content, desired outcomes, and participant learning needs. Training should incorporate a variety of instructional methods and accessibility considerations to effectively support diverse learning capacities and maximize engagement and knowledge retention.

On Delivery Logistics:What is the anticipated class size?

Will multiple offerings of the same course be required?

Will sessions occur during business hours only?

What locations will be used for in-person delivery?

Will the City provide meeting rooms and AV equipment?

Who is responsible for registration?

Who provides Zoom or Teams licensing?

Will hybrid delivery ever be required?

Class sizes will vary based on the training initiative and target audience. Multiple course offerings may be required to accommodate employee schedules and operational needs. Training sessions will generally occur during normal business hours and may be delivered in-person, virtually, or through a hybrid format as needed.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

On Executive Coaching:Approximately how many coaching clients are anticipated?

How many coaching sessions per participant?

What is the expected duration of coaching engagements?

Is coaching expected to include assessments?

Are coaching reports required?

We have approximately 200 managerial employees. The number of coaching clients, session frequency, and engagement duration will be determined based on the Department’s leadership development needs. Coaching engagements are expected to include appropriate assessments and may require progress reports or summary feedback to evaluate effectiveness and outcomes.

On Needs Assessment: Is the vendor expected to conduct a formal organizational training needs assessment?

If so, what methods are expected?

interviews surveys focus groups observation document review Is data from previous needs assessments and employee engagement surveys available?

Yes, the selected vendor will be expected to conduct a formal organizational training needs assessment. The assessment may include a combination of methods such as interviews, surveys, focus groups, observation, and document review. The Department will provide available historical training data, previous needs assessments, and employee engagement survey information to support the process.

On Certification Programs: Is the City expecting nationally recognized certifications?

Must the vendor hold licensing rights?

Can vendor-issued certificates satisfy this requirement?

Should certification examination fees be included?

Process and certifying agencies can be found here: https://www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-business-impact-and-economic-advancement/divisions/office-of-economic-opportunity/#certification-agencies

On Reporting Requirements:Is an LMS already in place?

Is the vendor expected to host an LMS?

What reporting format is preferred?

What participant evaluation metrics are expected?

Should Kirkpatrick evaluation levels be used?

Are quarterly reports expected?

An LMS is currently in place and managed by the Department; the vendor is not expected to host an LMS. Reporting requirements and formats will be determined based on the training initiative and may include participant completion, attendance, feedback, knowledge gained, and overall program effectiveness. The Department encourages the use of established evaluation models, such as the Kirkpatrick Model, when appropriate.

Quarterly reporting may be requested to provide updates on program progress, outcomes, and recommendations.

On Pricing Structure:Does the Department prefer daily rates, per-person rates, or fixed workshop pricing for delivery?

Should needs assessment, curriculum development, executive coaching, and evaluation be priced separately from delivery pricing?

Should travel be included or excluded?

Can vendors propose blended pricing models?

The Department is open to various pricing models, including daily rates, per-person rates, fixed workshop pricing, or blended pricing approaches. Vendors should provide a clear breakdown of costs, with needs assessment, curriculum development, executive coaching, evaluation, and delivery services identified separately when applicable. Travel expenses should be clearly outlined as either included or excluded in the proposed pricing.

On Scheduling: Is there an anticipated monthly training calendar?

Will workshops be scheduled on demand?

What notice will vendors typically receive?

What cancellation policy applies?

Training schedules will be determined based on departmental needs and may include both planned offerings and on-demand workshops.

Vendors will receive advance notice regarding scheduling needs whenever possible. Any cancellation policies should be clearly outlined in the vendor’s proposal and will be subject to agreement with the Department.

On Success Measures:How will vendor performance be evaluated?

What constitutes a successful engagement?

Are there required participant satisfaction targets?

Are behavior-change or business-impact measures expected?

Vendor performance will be evaluated based on the effectiveness, quality, and outcomes of the training initiatives. A successful engagement will demonstrate alignment with departmental goals, participant satisfaction, knowledge gained, and the application of learned skills. The Department may consider participant feedback, behavior change, and measurable business impacts when evaluating program success.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

On Existing Programs:Does the Department currently have existing leadership programs that this contract should supplement?

Are there competency models already established?

Is there an existing supervisory curriculum that vendors should align with?

Is there a preferred instructional design model?

The Department has existing leadership development initiatives that may be supplemented through this contract. Vendors should align proposed programs with the Department’s goals, culture, and existing training efforts. Any available competency models, supervisory curriculum, or instructional design preferences will be shared with the selected vendor as applicable.

On Contract Management:Will firms based outside of the City of Philadelphia be considered?

Will one vendor receive the full award?

Or will multiple vendors be placed on an approved list?

If multiple vendors are selected, how will work be assigned?

Is there a guaranteed minimum amount of work?

Firms located outside of the City of Philadelphia may be considered. The Department reserves the right to award the contract to one or multiple vendors based on the proposals received and the Department’s needs. If multiple vendors are selected, assignments will be determined based on the specific requirements, expertise, and availability of each vendor. There is no guaranteed minimum amount of work under this contract.

Additionally, we are a small business NYC and NYS certified MWBE firm interested in serving the City of Philadelphia, and would welcome the opportunity to partner as a subcontractor to a Philadelphia Local Business Entity (LBE). Is there a mechanism for pairing prime vendors with subcontractors? There is no City pairing mechanism in place.

Volume/sizing. How many staff are in the "mandatory" leadership cohort, and roughly how many sessions/cohorts per topic over the Oct 2026–Sept 2027 term?

We have approximately 200 managerial employees. The number of coaching clients, session frequency, and engagement duration will be determined based on the Department’s leadership development needs. Coaching engagements are expected to include appropriate assessments and may require progress reports or summary feedback to evaluate effectiveness and outcomes.

Executive coaching scope. Is this 1:1 coaching?

For how many individuals, and over what cadence/duration?

Executive coaching is expected to be delivered as 1:1 individualized coaching. The number of participants, coaching cadence, and duration of each engagement will be determined based on the Department’s leadership development needs and recommendations from the selected vendor.

Vendors should outline their proposed coaching structure, including session frequency, duration, and approach for achieving measurable leadership growth. This scope of training will fall under a one year contract.

Curriculum ownership. Does the City expect fully custom-built curricula for each topic, or is licensed/existing content (e.g., an established Six Sigma Yellow Belt program) acceptable? Yes.

LMS/platform requirements. Is there an existing City/Department learning management system the vendor must integrate with for virtual delivery, attendance tracking, and certificates — or is the vendor expected to supply/host its own platform?

The Department currently utilizes an existing Learning Management System (LMS) for training administration, attendance tracking, and reporting. The selected vendor is not expected to provide or host a separate LMS.

E-training development cost line. Section 2.2 mentions "cost for the e-training development" to be agreed with the Talent and Development Manager — is that inside the $75K cap or a separate/additional cost center? Yes.

In-person logistics. To confirm, will the City provide/coordinate the meeting space for classroom sessions? Yes.

Certification accreditation. For named certifications (Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Professional Supervisor Certificate, Customer Service Certification), does the City require that the credential come from a specific accrediting body, or is vendor-issued certification of completion sufficient? Yes.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Could you clarify the intent of coaching. Is this requirement to teach people how to be coaches internally or is the Department seeking executive coaching for participants? The department is seeking executive coaching.

If the Department is seeking formal coaching, how many participants requirement coaching and is there a specific number of sessions requested?

The Department anticipates formal 1:1 coaching engagements; however, the number of participants and required coaching sessions will be determined based on departmental leadership development needs. Vendors should propose a recommended coaching structure, including the number of sessions, cadence, and duration needed to support meaningful leadership development outcomes.

Could you clarify the audience (role, experience level) for the training and the learning objectives?

The target audience will primarily consist of Department of Revenue employees, including supervisors, managers, and emerging leaders, with varying levels of leadership experience. The selected vendor will be expected to tailor the training to the needs of the specific audience identified for each initiative. Please review "Project Details" in the RFP proposal request.

Are you seeking a specific certification for the yellow belt or training on the methodologies? Please refer to course listings in the project scope.

What qualifications and certifications must the facilitators possess? All requirements are included in the RFP posting.

Please clarify the definition of e-training and online? Are these instructor-led virtual or self-paced, standalone electronic modules, i.e.

eLearning?

For the purposes of this RFP, e-training refers to self-paced electronic learning modules (eLearning) that participants complete independently.

Online virtual training refers to instructor-led virtual sessions facilitated in real time through an approved virtual platform.

Under Technological Requirements, the RFP states, “Courses must be offered online, in person and accessible through a virtual platform.” Please clarify if this means a course is delivered in a hybrid fashion – instructor led in person with some attendees online via a platform like Zoom or Teams, and a recording posted to a learning management system?

The requirement does not indicate that all courses must be delivered in a hybrid format. The Department expects the selected vendor to have the capability to provide training through various delivery methods, including in-person sessions, instructor-led virtual sessions, and online/eLearning formats, as appropriate for the specific training initiative. Hybrid delivery (simultaneous in-person and virtual participation) may be considered when appropriate based on departmental needs. Any requirements for recordings, LMS access, or additional virtual resources will be determined on a case-by-case basis and should be outlined in the vendor’s proposed approach.

Does the Department have a learning management system? Yes.

Is there a preference for a course or session length? Could this vary depending on the course topic and delivery mode? It could vary depending on the course topic and delivery.

Is the stated $75,000 an annual budget? Yes. Our contract will not exceed $75,000 annually.

Is the contract eligible for option years with an extended annual budget? Currently, this contract will only last one year.

Should travel costs be included within the $75,000 budget?

Vendors are required to provide a detailed, itemized pricing structure for all proposed services. Pricing should clearly identify costs associated with each component of the engagement, including but not limited to needs assessment, curriculum development, training delivery, executive coaching, evaluations, materials, technology requirements, and any additional fees.

Is there an incumbent for this work? If so, is the incumbent eligible to bid? The services requested will be a new contract. There is no incumbent.

Is this a single award or multiple award? Single.

Is the Department expecting a formal training needs assessment or will the contractor be provided with general feedback on the courses to be delivered? Formal.

Will the contractor recommend an entire training program for the year that maximizes the training that can be delivered within the stated budget, or will courses be requested and delivered via individual task order? Both.

How will course topics be prioritized? Has a training needs assessment (e.g. survey, other data collection methods) been completed? Yes.

Have evaluations been completed for prior training? Were there any insights on training needs available in those evaluations? Yes.

How many different roles would need to be assessed for training needs?

The number of roles will vary based on the organization's structure and operational needs. The Training and Development Unit will collaborate with the selected vendor to identify and prioritize the roles requiring assessment and to determine the specific training needs for each.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Are all topics on pages 5-6 to be covered within the scope of the training or will these subjects be prioritized based on the needs assessment and direction of the Department? The topics will be prioritized based upon the needs of the department.

Is the Department expecting a large collection of off the shelf courses available both in person and as eLearning modules in an LMS or is the Department looking for more tailored curriculum?

The Department is seeking tailored curriculum designed to address the specific needs, goals, and culture of the Department of Revenue. While vendors may incorporate relevant existing course materials or industry best practices, the primary expectation is for customized training solutions rather than a large collection of off-the-shelf courses. Any eLearning or virtual training components should be aligned with the Department’s objectives, workforce needs, and learning goals.

Please confirm whether businesses outside of Philadelphia could be competitive for this bid? Yes.

Who is creating a virtual platform for the Department of Revenue? We utlize a platform called SmarterU

Does the Department of Revenue have an existing virtual platform that will be used to host the trainings? Yes.

Will there be a need for an online LMS platform to connect to an existing City platform? No.

Will the vendor continue to hold its copyright to the course materials they create for the program?

Ownership and usage rights for course materials developed under this contract will be determined based on the specific needs of the Department and negotiated as part of the agreement. Vendors should clearly identify any copyright ownership, licensing terms, or restrictions associated with materials developed or provided as part of their proposal. The Department may request ownership or usage rights for customized materials created specifically for the Department of Revenue.

How many employees across the Department of Revenue will be participating in the trainings? We have approximately 200 managerial staff members.

There is some confusing language in the RFP around expectations. Is the RFP to source a firm to create the content for both e-learning, hybrid and in person delivery and, manage an LMS that can be used to manage registrations, delivery, communications and management of attendance for this content and deliver the in-person content on an as needed basis?

The intent of the RFP is to identify a vendor capable of supporting the Department’s training needs through the development of customized training content and delivery of training programs in various formats, including eLearning, virtual instructor-led, hybrid (when appropriate), and in-person sessions. The Department currently has an existing LMS for managing registrations, training records, attendance tracking, and reporting. The selected vendor is not expected to provide or manage a separate LMS. The Department’s Training Unit will continue to oversee LMS administration, participant registration, and training communications, with vendor support as needed.

Will the in person, hybrid and e-learning delivery be built beyond the scope of this RFP or within the financial constraints of this RFP?

The development and delivery of in-person, hybrid, and eLearning training formats are expected to fall within the scope and financial constraints of this RFP. Vendors should include all anticipated costs associated with the development, customization, and delivery of proposed training solutions within their itemized pricing structure. The Department’s training needs and delivery methods will be determined based on the scope of each initiative and available funding.

What volume of training do you anticipate in a typical year will need to be provided? Which of these will be e-learning, hybrid and in person?

The Department is unable to determine the exact volume of training or the specific delivery formats (eLearning, hybrid, or in-person) at this time. Training needs, audience size, delivery method, and frequency will be determined based on departmental priorities, the results of needs assessments, and identified organizational requirements throughout the contract term. Vendors should provide flexible solutions that can support various delivery formats as needed.

Revised for Posting