ESBD_458834_1759413977509_RFQ for Evaluator Services (#26-RFQ-01-001).docx

Request for Quotes (RFQ)

For Evaluator Services

(#26-RFQ-01-001)

For Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Development Board d.b.a. Workforce Solutions

RFQ Issue Date: October 2, 2025, 9:00 a.m.. CST RFQ Response Deadline: October 16, 2025, 4:00 p.m. CST Equal Opportunity Is The Law, Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Development Board Dba Workforce Solutions Is An Equal Opportunity Employer/Program And Auxiliary Aids And Services Are Available Upon Request To Individuals With Disabilities. Tty/Tdd Via Relay Texas Service At 711 Or (Tdd) 1-800-735-2989/1-800-735-2988 (Voice).

ABOUT WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS

Workforce Solutions (WFS) is the workforce development organization serving Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties in Texas. WFS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization led by a locally nominated Board of Directors (Board). The 29-member volunteer board consists of 51% private sector representation. The remaining 49% are comprised of education, community-based organizations, labor, vocational rehabilitation, public assistance, and employment services representatives. The Board is responsible for the planning, oversight, fiscal accountability, and evaluation of workforce development services in this region. The Board is supported by board staff and led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). WFS’ role is to promote and support a workforce system that creates value and offers employers, families, individuals, and communities the opportunity to achieve and sustain economic prosperity. WFS supports a market-driven system that meets the needs of employers for a skilled workforce and helps job seekers secure employment.

Vision Statement:

To pioneer workforce solutions that drive prosperity and growth for all in the Rio Grande Valley.

Mission Statement:

To provide the job seekers with resources and essential skills they need and businesses with the exceptional talent necessary for their success.

Purpose:

Leading Change, Connecting People, and Improving Potential.

Core Values: Integrity Ingenuity Inclusion Inspirational

I. PURPOSE OF RFQ

Workforce Solutions (WFS) intends to contract with three (3) independent evaluators to perform Evaluator Services for proposals received for Fiscal and Programmatic Monitoring. Workforce Solutions also seeks one of the respondents to serve as Lead Evaluator.

Selected Evaluators will review, evaluate and score proposals received by Workforce Solutions under its solicitation for Fiscal and Programmatic Monitoring Services. Selected evaluators will be paid $500.00 for each proposal thoroughly evaluated, including time on a possible conference call.

A Lead Evaluator is sought to coordinate communication between evaluators and compile scores of evaluators. Lead Evaluator may also be called upon to present scoring to the Workforce Solutions Board of Directors. Lead Evaluator will be paid an additional $1,000 (one-time) for this service.

The Request for Quotes for Evaluator Services is 100% federally funded by the Texas Workforce Commission.

II. QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

To ensure a fair and objective evaluation, all questions related to the RFQ must be submitted in writing to Ingrit Castillo via e-mail at ingrit@wfsolutions.org. The final deadline for written questions to be submitted is October 9, 2025 at 4:00 P.M. CST. Responses will be posted on the Workforce Solutions website at www.wfsolutions.org.

III. SCOPE OF WORK: EVALUATION SERVICES OF FISCAL AND PROGRAMMATIC SERVICES PROPOSALS

Evaluators under RFQ for Evaluator Services (#26-RFQ-01-001) will review, evaluate and score proposals received as part of a Request for Proposals for Fiscal and Programmatic Monitoring Services (#25-RFP-01-900) released by Workforce Solutions. Proposal can be found on the Workforce Solutions website (www.wfsolutions.org) under Who We Are>Doing Business With Us>Procurement.

The scope of work for the Lead Evaluator will entail providing the activities listed below:

1. Review and score RFP responses;

2. Coordinate any conference calls and communication with the other evaluators; and

3. Compile and forward all evaluation instruments to the Board designee upon project completion and, if there is a need, to present results to Board staff and be available to answer questions by the Board of Directors.

Please note on the cover letter of the proposal, the proposer needs to state the intention of submitting a proposal for Evaluator or Lead Evaluator / Evaluator.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR THE REQUEST FOR QUOTES AND EVALUTION PROCESS

October 2, 2025 || 9:00 am

RFQ for Evaluator Services released.

SERVICE PERIOD

Workforce Solutions expects to enter into a one year contract for the above-mentioned services.

HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESS (HUBs) HUBs are strongly encouraged to participant in this procurement. For additional HUB bonus points, the appropriate HUB certification documents must be submitted.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Please provide a proposal responding to this request. The response must include, but is not limited to the following:

Scope of Work

1. Provide a brief summary (no more than 2 pages) of the individual or organizational history, structure, headquarters, qualifications/experience in the services requested.

Demonstrated Performance

1. Provide a listing of similar projects you have worked on in the past 5 years.

2. What is your/your organization's experience in providing evaluator services? Please provide a listing of your customers served in the past 5 years.

3. Provide 3 professional references from these customers that we can contact, include names and contact information.

Qualifications

1. Provide the resume and bio that includes any relevant education, certifications and experience.

2. What is your knowledge and/or experience of the workforce system programs and operations?

3. Provide a summary of your understanding of the rules and regulations guiding the workforce system programs as administered by the Texas Workforce Commission and the Department of Labor and guided by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Cost What is the proposed cost for the project?

HUB BONUS POINTS

HUBs are strongly encouraged to participant in this procurement. For additional HUB bonus points, the appropriate HUB certification documents must be submitted.

Lead Evaluator (if applicable) Indicate if you would like to be considered for Lead Evaluator. If so, provide any experience being a Lead Evaluator.

Responses to this RFQ may be mailed, e-mailed, or submitted in-person to the attention of:

Ingrit Castillo Procurement Workforce Solutions 3101 West Business 83 McAllen, TX 78501

(P) 956-928-5000 ext 3702 ingrit@wfsolutions.org

Deadline for Submission: All responses must be received by Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 4:00 CST and may be submitted by mail, e-mail to ingrit@wfsolutions.org or in-person.

PAYMENT TERMS:

Workforce Solutions will issue a check payable to the vendor(s) within thirty (30) days of receipt and acceptance of invoice following the provision of services.

A response does not commit Workforce Solutions to award a purchase agreement or contract or to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a response, nor to pay for any costs incurred prior to the execution of a formal purchase agreement or contract unless such costs are specifically authorized in writing by Workforce Solutions.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Workforce Solutions will evaluate proposals and select vendor(s) based on the following criteria:

EVALUATION CRITERIA

In accordance with 2 CFR 200.322, as appropriate and to the extent consistent with law, a vendor using federal grant award funds should, to the greatest extent practicable, provide a preference for the purchase, acquisition, or use of goods, products, or materials produced in the United States (US) including but not limited to iron, aluminum, steel, cement, and other manufactured products. The vendor must include this requirement in all subawards including all contracts and purchase orders for work or products under the federal grant award.

The Board may use Board staff, independent evaluators, or a combination of both to evaluate and rank quotes.

Workforce Solutions reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received or to cancel or extend in part or its entirety, this Request for Quotes, or make multiple or partial awards.

RESOLVING TIE SCORES

A tie occurs when two or more proposals receive the same score after evaluation. Priority of the claimed preference is given in sequence below:

Domestic Preference will be provided for US made products as listed above.

The award for tied scores is determined by drawing lots, tossing a coin, or drawing names with two witnesses to oversee the tie breaking activity.

Should you have any questions, please contact Ingrit Castillo, at ingrit@wfsolutions.org.

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A - Certification Regarding Debarment Attachment B - Certification Regarding Conflict of Interest Attachment C - Listing of Prior Contract

Sensitive

Sensitive

ATTACHMENT A

CERTIFICATION REGARDING

DEBARMENT, SUSPENSION AND OTHER RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS

This certification is required by the Federal Regulations Implementing Executive Order 12549, Debarment and Suspension, 45 CFR Part 93, Government-wide Debarment and Suspension, for the Department of Agriculture (7 CFR Part 3017), Department of Labor (29 CFR Part 98), Department of Education (34 CFR Parts 85, 668 and 682), Department of Health and Human Services (45 CFR Part 76).

The undersigned certifies, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, that both it and its principals:

1. Are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any federal department or agency;

2. Have not within a three-year period preceding this contract been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (federal, State or local) transaction or contract under a public transaction, violation of federal or State antitrust statutes or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property;

3. Are not presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a government entity with commission of any of the offenses enumerated in Paragraph (2) of this certification; and,

4. Have not within a three-year period preceding this contract had one or more public transactions terminated for cause or default.

Where the prospective recipient of federal assistance funds is unable to certify to any of the statements in this certification, such prospective recipient shall attach an explanation to this certification form.

Name of Organization/Firm

Signature of Authorized Representative Date

Print Name and Title of Authorized Representative

ATTACHMENT B

CERTIFICATION REGARDING CONFLICT OF INTEREST

By signature of this bid proposal, Responder covenants and affirms that:

No manager, employee or paid consultant of the Bidder is a member of the Board, or an employee of Workforce Solutions;

No manager or paid consultant of the Bidder is married to a member of the Board, the CEO, or an employee of Workforce Solutions;

No member of the Board, the CEO or an employee of Workforce Solutions is a manager or paid consultant of the bidder;

No member of the Board, the CEO or an employee of Workforce Solutions owns or controls more than 10 percent in the Bidder;

No member of the Board, CEO, or employee of Workforce Solutions receives compensation from Bidder for lobbying activities as defined in Chapter 305 of the Texas Government Code;

Bidder has disclosed within the Bid any interest, fact or circumstance which does or may present a potential conflict of interest;

Should Bidder fail to abide by the foregoing covenants and affirmations regarding conflict of interest, Bidder shall not be entitled to the recovery of any costs or expenses incurred in relation to any contract with Workforce Solutions and shall immediately refund to Workforce Solutions any fees or expenses that may have been paid under the contract and shall further be liable for any costs incurred or damages sustained by Workforce Solutions relating to that contract.

Name of Organization/Firm

Signature of Authorized Representative Date Print Name and Title of Authorized Representative

ATTACHMENT C

LISTING OF PRIOR CONTRACTS FOR SIMILAR SERVICES

On the following table, list the major contracts or services your organization has provided in the past five (5) years. Note: The table shown below may be reproduced, as needed, to provide the requested information.

Name of Organization

Contract Begin/End Dates

Contract Amount

Detail of Services Provided image1.png