MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF SERVICE AND CIVIC

INNOVATION

(DSCI)

SMALL PROCUREMENT RFP -

Professional Development Curriculum

Consultant FY26

Issue Date: 3/20/2026

Title: FY26-DSCI-Professional Development Curriculum Consultant FY26

Issue Date: 3/20/2026

Questions Due: 3/24/2026

Proposal Due Date: 3/27/2026 at 4PM (ET)

Procurement Officer: Seth Bova, seth.bova1@maryland.gov

THIS SOLICITATION IS ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SMALL

PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS DESCRIBED IN COMAR 21.05.07.

1. Summary Statement

1.1. The Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation (DSCI) (DSCI), whose mission is to Mobilize Marylanders to drive community impact, build meaningful careers, and forge stronger bonds across differences through service is issuing this Request for Proposal to obtain professional services from an experienced curriculum consultant to strengthen, and enhance an existing professional development curriculum for the Maryland Corps/Service Year Option. The goal of this engagement is to ensure the curriculum is grounded in research- and evidence-based practices and effectively prepares Members to transition into employment, education, or advanced training at the conclusion of their nine-month service term.

1.2. The consultant will work closely with the DSCI team to assess the current curriculum, identify high-impact elements to retain, and recommend enhancements aligned with industry standards, workforce readiness frameworks, and the evolving “future of work.” This work will result in a clearly articulated, outcomes-driven professional development curriculum that is operationally feasible, data-informed, and responsive to the needs of diverse young adult learners in Maryland.

1.3. The Consultant will:

Curriculum Review & Evidence Alignment

● Review the current professional development curriculum delivered to Maryland Corps/Service Year Option Members.

● Identify which curriculum components should be retained, modified, or removed, supported by relevant evidence or research.

● Conduct targeted research on evidence-based practices that support young adults’ transitions to employment or education, with attention to workforce readiness and skill development for the future of work.

● Recommend which training elements may be successfully delivered virtually, and which should remain in-person.

Standards, Frameworks & Labor Market Alignment

● Identify and synthesize relevant workforce and career readiness frameworks at the state (Maryland) and national levels.

● Align curriculum outcomes with Maryland’s labor market needs and high-growth industries (e.g., health sciences, defense, AI, IT, and related sectors).

Curriculum Design & Learning Outcomes

● Apply backward design principles to create a learner-centered curriculum that ensures Members:

○ Exit the program with a clearly defined vocational and/or educational plan;

○ Have concrete, actionable next steps to pursue that plan; and

○ Demonstrate measurable skill development aligned to their goals.

● Develop a cohesive professional development curriculum spanning orientation (August) through alumni induction/commencement (June).

Assessment & Continuous Improvement

● Enhance learning objectives to be specific, measurable, and outcomes-driven.

● Recommend and align appropriate assessment tools to measure learning, skill growth, and progress toward post-service outcomes.

● Support the use of data for continuous program improvement.

Facilitator Selection & Delivery Model

● Develop a framework and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for selecting external curriculum facilitators.

● Provide evidence-based rationale for when and why external facilitators are appropriate.

1.4. This engagement is not a fully theoretical or academic exercise nor should the consultant offer a complete rebuild of the program without considering existing curriculum strengths, staffing capacity or implementation feasibility. This should also not be considered an ongoing engagement to develop new curriculum content.

1.5. Funding Expectation Statement: The Department anticipates this engagement to align with small procurement funding expectations. Offerors should propose pricing appropriate to the anticipated level of effort.

2. RFP Key Information

2.1. RFP Method: Competitive Sealed Proposal (COMAR 21.05.03)

2.2. Submission: Two Part Submission

2.2.1. Part I - Technical Proposal (No pricing included)

2.2.2. Part II - Price Proposal

2.3. Advertising: eMMA

2.4. Award Basis: Best Value to the State

3. Minimum Qualifications

3.1. Offerors must demonstrate the following minimum qualifications:

3.2. Required Experience

3.2.1. Minimum three (3) years of experience in curriculum design, instructional design, workforce readiness training, and adult learning.

3.2.2. Demonstrated experience reviewing, evaluating or creating evidence based curricula for diverse young adult learners.

3.2.3. Ability to analyze workforce frameworks, labor market trends and education to career pathways.

3.3. Administrative Requirements

3.3.1. Registered and in good standing with SDAT

3.3.2. Able to meet the required April-August 2026 timeline

4. Background

4.1. DSCI was established by the Serving Every Region Through Vocational

Exploration (“SERVE”) Act of 2023, with the purpose of promoting service and volunteerism across the State of Maryland. The SERVE Act also launched two new service pathways for eligible youth and adults. The Service Year Option and Maryland Corps (collectively, “the Program”). For more information about the Program, visit https://dsci.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx

4.2. Program Members are placed in organizations throughout the State (“Host Site Partners”) for a minimum of nine (9) months. Members earn at least $15 per hour, work a minimum of 30 hours per week, and participate in required professional development activities coordinated by DSCI. In addition to providing on the job training, Host Site Partners must assign each Member a mentor to guide their professional growth.

4.3. The SERVE Act also directs DSCI to facilitate wraparound services for Members including mentoring, professional development, job training, and financial literacy skills to help participants gain long term success in career, education, and civic engagement.

4.4. DSCI seeks an external subject matter expert to conduct an independent review of this curriculum to confirm alignment with evidence based practices and provide recommendations for strengthening its effectiveness.

5. Scope of Work

5.1. The Consultant shall review and assess the professional development curriculum used by the Maryland Corps and Service Year Option program and provide recommendations for improvement.

5.2. Curriculum Review

5.2.1. Review existing professional development curriculum materials and training components currently used in the program.

5.3. Evidence Based Assessment

5.3.1. Evaluate whether curriculum components align with established evidence based practices in workforce readiness, adult learning, and young adult development.

5.4. Gap Analysis

5.4.1. Identify gaps, redundancies, or areas where the curriculum could be strengthened.

5.5. Recommendations

5.5.1. Provide recommendations for improving the curriculum, including identifying publicly available or existing training resources that could replace weaker components.

5.6. Workforce Alignment

5.6.1. Identify whether existing curriculum topics support general workforce readiness competencies such as communication, professionalism, teamwork, and career exploration, and recommend improvements where appropriate.

6. Materials to Be Provided by the Department

6.1. The Department will provide the selected Consultant with relevant curriculum materials for review. These materials may include:

6.1.1. Current professional development curriculum outlines

6.1.2. Training slide decks or presentation materials

6.1.3. Descriptions of existing training sessions or modules

6.1.4. Sample program schedules or training calendars

6.1.5. Any supporting documentation describing program goals or learning objectives

6.2. The Consultant will not be required to develop new curriculum materials but will review the existing materials and provide recommendations for improvement.

7. Deliverables

7.1. The Consultant shall produce the following deliverables according to the required timeline:

7.1.1. Curriculum Review Summary

7.1.2. Evidence Based Practices Assessment

7.1.3. Gap Analysis and Recommendations Report

7.1.4. Suggested Alternative Training Resources

7.1.5. Workforce Alignment Summary

7.1.6. Implementation considerations for strengthening the curriculum

7.2. Final deliverables shall be submitted no later than August 1, 2026

8. Questions

8.1.1. Questions regarding this RFP must be submitted via email to seth.bova1@maryland.gov no later than (3/24/2026)

9. Proposal Submission Instructions

9.1.1. Due Date and Time: 3/27/2026 at 4PM (ET)

9.1.2. Submission: Proposals must be submitted electronically in eMaryland

Market Place Advantage (eMMA).

9.1.3. Proposals must include:

9.1.3.1. Offeror Information

9.1.3.1.1. Company Name

9.1.3.1.2. Address

9.1.3.1.3. Point of Contact Information

9.1.3.2. Demonstration of Minimum Qualifications

9.1.3.2.1. A written summary describing how the Offeror meets the required experience.

9.1.3.3. Key Personnel

9.1.3.3.1. Resume or professional biography of the individuals who will perform the work.

9.1.3.4. References

9.1.3.4.1. At least two (2) professional references from clients for whom similar services were performed. Each reference must include:

9.1.3.4.1.1. Organization name

9.1.3.4.1.2. Contact name

9.1.3.4.1.3. Email and phone number

9.1.3.4.1.4. Description of services provided

9.1.3.4.1.5. Dates of performance

9.1.3.5. Technical Proposal (2 pages maximum)

9.1.3.5.1. The Technical Proposal should include:

9.1.3.5.1.1. Proposed approach

9.1.3.5.1.2. Summary of relevant experience

9.1.3.5.1.3. Understanding of DSCI goals

9.1.3.6. Price Proposal

9.1.3.6.1. A not-to-exceed priceproposal for completing all

services described in the Scope of Work

9.1.3.7. Required Forms

9.1.3.7.1. Bid/Proposal Affidavit (Attachment A)

9.1.3.7.2. Contract Affidavit (Attachment U)

10. Proposal Form

10.1.1. Offerors shall provide a fixed price for each deliverable and a total not to exceed the amount. The Department may elect to award all or only a portion of the tasks listed below. Prices must include all labor, materials, research, meetings, and administrative costs.

Task Description Price

Task 1 - Base Scope Review existing curriculum materials and conduct evidence based assessment

Task 2 - Gap Analysis

Identify gaps, redundancies, and opportunities for improvement

Task 3 - Recommendations Report

Provide written recommendations and suggested alternative resources

Task 4 - WorkForce Review/Labor market analysis

Workforce alignment review and labor market analysis

Task 5 - Implementation considerations or presentation of findings

Implementation considerations or presentation of findings

Total Proposed Price (if all tasks are awarded):

10.1.2. The Department reserves the right to:

10.1.2.1. Award all tasks

10.1.2.2. Award only the base scope, or

10.1.2.3. Award any combination of optional tasks

10.1.3. Based on budget, program needs, and overall value to the State

11. Evaluation of Proposals

11.1. Evaluation Factors - Technical proposals will be evaluated based on the following factors:

11.1.1. Relevant Experience - Experience reviewing or evaluating curriculum related to workforce readiness, adult learning, and similar training programs.

11.1.2. Qualifications of Key Personnel - Experience and qualifications of the individual(s) proposed to perform the work.

11.1.3. Understanding of the Scope of Work - Demonstrated understanding of the Department’s goals and the tasks described in the Scope of Work.

11.1.4. Proposed Approach - Clarity and feasibility of the Offeror’s proposed method for reviewing the curriculum and providing recommendations.

11.2. Proposals will be evaluated using a qualitative evaluation process.

11.3. Technical proposals will be reviewed first to determine whether the Offeror meets the requirements of the solicitation.

11.4. Technical proposals may be rated using the following scale:

Rating Description

Greatly Exceeds Requirements Proposal demonstrates exceptional capability and clearly exceeds requirements

Exceeds Requirements Proposal exceeds requirements in several areas

Meets Requirements Proposal satisfactorily meets the requirements.

Does Not Meet Requirements Proposal fails to meet one or more requirements

11.5. Price proposals will be considered in conjunction with the technical ratings to determine which proposal provides the best overall value to the State.

11.6. The Department reserves the right to request clarifications from Offerors for the purpose of resolving minor or clerical issues contained in proposals.

Clarifications may not be used to revise or materially alter a proposal.

11.7. The Department may also conduct discussions with one or more Offerors for the purpose of obtaining additional information necessary to determine which proposal provides the best value to the State.

11.8. Offerors may be requested to provide supplemental information, examples of prior work, or additional explanation of their proposed approach.

12. Award

12.1.1. The Department intends to award a contract to the Offeror whose proposal is determined to provide the best value to the State, considering both technical merit and price.

12.1.2. The Department reserves the right to:

12.1.2.1. Reject any or all proposals

12.1.2.2. Request clarifications from Offerors

12.1.2.3. Make an award without further discussions

12.1.2.4. Award fewer than all tasks listed in the solicitation

Attachment A – Bid/Proposal Affidavit

Attachment U - Contract Affidavit

Attachment C- Sample Contract