FINAL-RFP For LARA Licensure Examinations.docx

STATE OF MICHIGAN

Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs—Procurement

License Examinations Request for Proposal No. 180000002945 Solicitation Manager Name: Shay Gaffey Direct Phone: 517-335-1971 Email: gaffeys@michigan.gov

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) for:

Licensure Examinations for occupational, professional and trades to determine whether potential licensees/registrants have met minimum competency standards.

RFP Timeline

*A bidder’s proposal received at 3:00:01 p.m. Eastern is late and subject to disqualification.

This RFP is subject to change. Check www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS for current information.

PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. PROPOSAL PREPARATION. The State recommends reading all RFP materials prior to preparing a proposal, particularly these Proposal Instructions and the Vendor Questions Worksheet. Bidders must follow these Proposal Instructions and provide a complete response to the items indicated in the table below. References and links to websites or external sources may not be used in lieu of providing the information requested in the RFP within the proposal. Include the bidder’s company name in the header of all documents submitted with your proposal.

RFP Structure and Documentation

2. CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE STATE. The sole point of contact for the State concerning this RFP is listed on the Cover Page. Contacting any other State personnel, agent, consultant, or representative about this RFP may result in bidder disqualification.

3. QUESTIONS. Bidder questions about this RFP must be emailed to the Solicitation Manager at gaffeys@michigan.gov no later than the time and date specified on the Cover Page. In the interest of transparency, only written questions are accepted. Answers to questions will be posted on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS. Submit questions using the format below; a Microsoft Excel format or similar is suggested.

4. MODIFICATIONS. The State may modify this RFP at any time. Modifications will be posted on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS . This is the only method by which the RFP may be modified.

5. PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING. N/A

6. DELIVERY OF PROPOSAL.

Electronic – The bidder must submit its proposal, all attachments, and any modifications or withdrawals electronically through www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS. The price proposal should be saved separately from all other proposal documents. The bidder should submit all documents in a modifiable (native) format (examples include, but are not limited to: Microsoft Word or Excel and Google Docs or Sheets). In addition to submitting documents in a modifiable format, the bidder may also submit copies of documents in PDF. Bidder’s failure to submit a proposal as required may result in disqualification. The proposal and attachments must be fully uploaded and submitted prior to the proposal deadline. Do not wait until the last minute to submit a proposal, as the SIGMA VSS system requires the creation of an account and entry of certain information, in addition to uploading and submitting the materials. The SIGMA VSS system will not allow a proposal to be submitted after the proposal deadline identified in the Cover Page, even if a portion of the proposal has been uploaded.

Questions on how to submit information or how to navigate in the SIGMA VSS system can be answered by calling (517) 373-4111 or (888) 734-9749.

7. MANDATORY MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS. N/A

8. EVALUATION PROCESS. The State will evaluate each proposal based on the following factors:

Proposals receiving 80 technical evaluation points will have pricing evaluated and considered for award.

The State may utilize all bidder information, without regard to a proposal’s technical score, to determine fair market value for goods or services sought. The State is not obligated to accept the lowest price proposal. If applicable, the State’s evaluation will include consideration of a bidder’s qualified disabled veteran (QDV) status under MCL 18.1261(8). Additional information on the QDV preference is available at: http://michigan.gov/micontractconnect/0,4541,7-225-48677-123519--,00.html.

The State strongly encourages strict adherence to the Contract Terms. The State reserves the right to deem a bid non-responsive for failure to accept the Contract Terms. Nevertheless, the bidder may submit proposed changes to the Contract Terms in track changes (i.e., visible edits) with an explanation of the bidder’s need for each proposed change. Failure to include track changes with an explanation of the bidder’s need for the proposed change constitutes the bidder’s acceptance of the Contract Terms. General statements, such as that the bidder reserves the right to negotiate the terms and conditions, may be considered non-responsive.

The State may conduct an on-site visit to tour and inspect the bidder’s facilities; require an oral presentation of the bidder's proposal; conduct interviews, research, reference checks, and background checks; and request additional price concessions at any point during the evaluation process.

9. NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY. The State reserves the right to issue a Notice of Deficiency to bidders if the State determines after the proposal deadline that a portion of the RFP was deficient, unclear, or ambiguous. Failure to respond to a Notice of Deficiency timely may be cause for disqualification.

10. CLARIFICATION REQUEST. The State reserves the right to issue a Clarification Request to a bidder to clarify its proposal if the State determines the proposal is not clear. Failure to respond to a Clarification Request timely may be cause for disqualification.

11. RESERVATIONS. The State reserves the right to:

a. Disqualify a bidder for failure to follow these instructions.

b. Discontinue the RFP process at any time for any or no reason. The issuance of an RFP, your preparation and submission of a proposal, and the State’s subsequent receipt and evaluation of your proposal does not commit the State to award a contract to you or anyone, even if all the requirements in the RFP are met.

c. Consider late proposals if: (i) no other proposals are received; (ii) no complete proposals are received; (iii) the State received complete proposals, but the proposals did not meet mandatory minimum requirements or technical criteria; or (iv) the award process fails to result in an award.

d. Consider an otherwise disqualified proposal, if no other proposals are received.

e. Disqualify a proposal based on: (i) information provided by the bidder in response to this RFP; (2) the bidder’s failure to complete registration on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS ; or (3) if it is determined that a bidder purposely or willfully submitted false or misleading information in response to the RFP.

f. Consider prior performance with the State in making its award decision.

g. Consider overall economic impact to the State when evaluating proposal pricing and in the final award recommendation. This includes but is not limited to: considering principal place of performance, number of Michigan citizens employed or potentially employed, dollars paid to Michigan residents, Michigan capital investments, job creation, tax revenue implications, and economically disadvantaged businesses.

h. Consider total-cost-of-ownership factors (e.g., transition and training costs) when evaluating proposal pricing and in the final award recommendation.

i. Refuse to award a contract to any bidder that has failed to pay State taxes or has outstanding debt with the State.

j. Enter into negotiations with one or more bidders on price, terms, technical requirements, or other deliverables.

k. Award multiple, optional-use contracts, or award by Contract Activity.

l. Evaluate the proposal outside the scope identified in Section 8, Evaluation Process, if the State receives only one proposal.

12. AWARD RECOMMENDATION. The contract will be awarded to the responsive and responsible bidder who offers the best value to the State, as determined by the State. Best value will be determined by the bidder meeting the minimum point threshold and offering the best combination of the factors stated in Section 8, Evaluation Process, and price, as demonstrated by the proposal. The State will post a Notice of Recommendation for Award on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS .

13. DEBRIEF MEETING AND BID PROTEST. The State will post a Notice of Recommendation for Award, which will provide instructions on how to request a debrief meeting

If you wish to initiate a protest of the award, you must submit your written protest to gaffeys@michigan.gov no later than 3:00 p.m., 3 business days after the Notice of Recommendation for Award is sent, or by 3:00 p.m. the next business day if that date falls on a state holiday or weekend. The State reservices the right to adjust this timing and will email any changes.

14. STATE ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD. Contracts in excess of $500,000 require approval by the State Administrative Board. The State Administrative Board’s decision is final; however, its approval does not constitute a contract. The award process is not complete until the awarded contractor receives a contract fully executed by all parties.

15. GENERAL CONDITIONS. The State will not be liable for any costs, expenses, or damages incurred by a bidder participating in this solicitation. The bidder agrees that its proposal will be considered an offer to do business with the State in accordance with its proposal, including the Contract Terms, and that its proposal will be irrevocable and binding for a period of [180] calendar days from date of submission. If a contract is awarded to the bidder, the State may, at its option, incorporate any part of the bidder’s proposal into a contract. This RFP is not an offer to enter into a contract. This RFP may not provide a complete statement of the State’s environment, or contain all matters upon which agreement must be reached. Other than verified trade secrets, proposals submitted via www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS are the State’s property.

16. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT. All portions of the bidder’s proposal and resulting Contract are subject to disclosure as required under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 1976 PA 442. However, please note the following:

a. Under MCL 18.1261(13)(b), records containing “a trade secret as defined under section 2 of the uniform trade secrets act, 1998 PA 448, MCL 445.1902, or financial or proprietary information” are exempt from disclosure under FOIA. And under MCL 18.1470(3), “proprietary financial and accounting” information is also exempt from disclosure under FOIA.

b. If information within a bidder’s proposal falls under the aforementioned exemptions, and the bidder seeks to have it withheld from disclosure under FOIA, then by the proposal deadline, the bidder must: (1) save exempt information in a separate file (i.e., document); (2) name the file/document “FOIA-EXEMPT”; (3) label the header of each page of the file/document “Confidential–Trade Secret,” “Confidential–Financial,” or “Confidential–Proprietary” as applicable; (4) clearly reference within the file/document the RFP schedule, section, and page number to which the exempt information applies; and (5) verify within the FOIA-EXEMPT file/document that the information meets the FOIA exemption criteria.

c. The State reserves the right to determine whether information designated as exempt by a bidder falls under the FOIA exemptions.

d. Resumes, pricing, and marketing materials are not trade secrets or financial or proprietary information.

e. Do not identify your entire proposal as “FOIA-EXEMPT,” and do not label each page of your proposal “Confidential.” If a bidder does so, the State may require the bidder to resubmit the proposal to comply with subsection (b) above.

f. If the State requires a bidder to resubmit a proposal for failure to follow these instructions, the State reserves the right to disqualify the bidder if the proposal is materially changed upon resubmission. In other words, amendments to the proposal should be restricted to that which is necessary to separate confidential from non-confidential information.

VENDOR QUESTIONS WORKSHEET

Provide a detailed response to each question. “You” and “company” refers to the bidder.

Contact Information

Bidder’s sole contact person during the RFP process. Include name, title, address, email, and phone number.

Person authorized to receive and sign a resulting contract. Include name, title, address, email, and phone number.

Company Background Information

Legal business name and address. Include business entity designation, e.g., sole proprietor, Inc., LLC, or LLP.

What state was the company formed in?

Phone number

Website address

Number of years in business and number of employees

Legal business name and address of parent company, if any

Has there been a recent change in organizational structure (e.g., management team) or control (e.g., merger or acquisition) of your company? If the answer is yes: (a) explain why the change occurred and (b) how this change has affected your company.

Discuss your company’s history. Has growth been organic, through mergers and acquisitions, or both?

Has bidder ever been debarred, suspended, or disqualified from bidding or contracting with any entity, including the State of Michigan? If yes, provide the date, the entity, and details about the situation.

Has your company been a party to litigation against the State of Michigan? If the answer is yes, then state the date of initial filing, case name and court number, and jurisdiction.

Within the last 5 years, has your company or any of its related business entities defaulted on a contract or had a contract terminated for cause? If yes, provide the date, contracting entity, type of contract, and details about the termination or default.

State your gross annual sales for the last 5 years.

If receiving a contract under this RFP will increase your gross revenue by more than 25% from last year’s sales, explain how the company will scale-up to manage this increase.

Describe partnerships and strategic relationships you think will bring significant value to the State.

State the physical address of the place of business that would have primary responsibility for this account if bidder is awarded a contract under this RFP.

Qualified Disabled Veteran

To demonstrate qualification as a qualified disabled veteran, you must provide:

(a) Proof of service and conditions of discharge (DD214 or equivalent);

(b) Proof of service-connected disability (DD214 if the disability was documented at discharge or Veterans Administration Rating Decision Letter or equivalent if the disability was documented after discharge); and

(c) Legal documents setting forth the ownership of the business entity.

In lieu of the documentation identified above, you may provide proof of certification by the National Veterans Business Development Council.

Enter the names of documents submitted with your proposal to demonstrate status as a qualified disabled veteran.

Participation in RFP Development or Evaluation

Did your company, an employee, agent, or representative of your company, or any affiliated entity participate in developing any component of this solicitation? For purposes of this question, business concerns, organizations, or individuals are affiliates of each other if, directly or indirectly: (1) either one controls or has power to control the other or (2) a third party controls or has the power to control both. Indicia of control include, but are not limited to, interlocking management or ownership, identity of interests among family members, shared facilities or equipment, and common use of employees.

If you entered “YES”, you are not eligible for contract award or to work as a subcontractor for the awarded vendor.

Experience

Do you or your company have experience working with the State of Michigan? If so, please provide a list (including the contract number) of the contracts you hold or have held with the State for the last 10 years.

Describe at least [2] relevant experiences from the last [5] years supporting your ability to successfully manage a contract of similar size and scope for the work described in this RFP. These must include research, evaluation, or technical assistance related to the criminal justice system.

Experience 1

Company name Contact name Contact role at time of project Contact phone Contact email

City State Zip

1. Project name and description of the scope of the project

2. What role did your company play?

3. How is this project experience relevant to the subject of this RFP?

Dollar value

Start and end date (mm/yy – mm/yy)

Status (completed, live, other – specify phase)

Results obtained

Experience 2

Company name Contact name Contact role at time of project Contact phone Contact email

City State Zip

1. Project name and description of the scope of the project

2. What role did your company play?

3. How is this project experience relevant to the subject of this RFP?

Dollar value

Start and end date (mm/yy – mm/yy)

Status (completed, live, other – specify phase)

Results obtained

Other Experience

Please specifically describe your company’s expertise with developing and administering licensure examinations and comprehensive testing for large state governmental agencies.

Please describe your company’s experience conducting a comprehensive job analyses and using the data to develop the most current requirements/criteria for examinations. Please describe your experience working with advisory committees to recommend changes and/or updates to examinations based on the results of the comprehensive jobs analysis.

Please describe any experience with the development administration of computer-based testing including providing a secure data interface to submit results and/or test scores.

Other

Request For Proposal No: 180000002945 Licensure Examinations for occupational, professional and trades to determine whether potential licensees/registrants have met minimum competency standards.

SCHEDULE A

STATEMENT OF WORK

CONTRACT ACTIVITIES

This schedule identifies the anticipated requirements of any Contract resulting from this RFP. The term “Contractor” in this document refers to a bidder responding to this RFP.

The Contractor must respond to each requirement or question, and explain how it will fulfill each requirement. Attach any supplemental information and appropriately reference within your response.

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau, the Bureau of Professional Licensing and the Bureau of Construction Codes are the state agencies responsible for the licensure/registration and regulation of the various commercial occupations, professions and trades in the State of Michigan. The State and relevant occupational/professional/trade boards/commissions require the use of examinations for the purpose of determining whether potential licensees/registrants have met minimal competency standards. Many of the examinations currently utilized by the various occupations/professions/trades are developed in part or in whole by external firms/organizations. The State is responsible for the development and administration of all examinations not performed by an external firm or national organization.

Bidder is to develop and administer examinations that are specific to Michigan where specifically called for.

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development and administration of the licensure examinations for the following occupations/professions and trades: Barber; Barber Instructor, Cosmetologist, Electrologist, Esthetician, Manicurist, and Natural Hair Culturist, and Instructor for Cosmetology, Electrology, Esthetician, Manicurist or Natural Hair Culturist, Residential Builders, fourteen (14) trades for Maintenance and Alteration (M & A) Contractors, and Builders' Salespersons; Real Estate Salesperson and Broker; Collection Agency Manager; Hearing Aid Dealer, Hearing Aid Salesperson; Mortuary Science; Personnel Agent; Polygraph Examiner; Security Alarm System Contractor; Professional Surveyor; and the administration of the Appraiser Qualification Board's (AQB) national Real Estate Appraiser examinations; State Licensed Appraiser, Certified Residential Appraiser and Certified General Appraiser; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; Podiatry; and Optometry, Boiler Installer, Boiler Piping, Boiler Repairer, Electrical Contractor, Electrical Journeyman, Fire Alarm Contractor, Fire Alarm Specialty Technician, Master Electrician, Sign Specialist, Sign Specialty Contractor, Elevator Contractor, Elevator Journeyperson, Mechanical Contractor, Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber, and Plumbing Contractor.

Also, this RFP includes the development and administration of comprehensive testing for continuing competency for Residential Builders, fourteen (14) trades for M & A Contractors (Builders' Salespersons do not have continuing competency requirements).

The, Mortuary Science, and Professional Surveyor also have "National Examination" requirements for licensure/registration. These "National" examinations are provided for and administered by the respective sponsoring national organizations.

Specific requirements for each of the occupations/professions will be identified throughout the RFP and in the Summary Table at the end of Article 1 Statement of Work (SOW).

All expenses incurred by the Contractor for the development and administration of the licensure and continuing competency examinations and all other requirements of this RFP are to be offset by candidate examination registration fees license fees paid directly to the Contractor.

Candidate examination registration fees for the occupations governed by the Occupational Code can be set per the State License Fee Act, Act 152 of 1979, Section 338.2205a (2). Polygraph examination registration fees are a set fee according to the "Forensic Polygraph Examiners Act, Act 295 of 1972". The examination registration fees for Security Alarm Contractors is not set per the Private Security Business and Security Alarm Act, Act 330 of 1968. Include proposed exam fees in the price proposal (see Attachment B for Suggest Price Proposal format). The Skilled Trades Regulations Act, Act 407 of 2016 sets the examination registration fees for the trades. Elevator Journeypersons and Elevator Contractors examination registration fees are established in the Elevator Safety Board Act, Act 227 of 1967.

The links to Michigan Statutes and related Administrative Rules regulating each occupation covered in this RFP (Appendix A).

Although no expenses are to be incurred by the State, the proposed costs by each Bidder will be evaluated as to whether it is reasonable, competitive and acceptable.

Prior to being allowed to sit for any of these examinations, a candidate may have completed certain amounts of pre-licensure course hours and/or educational requirements and/or specialized training and/or experience as specified in the relevant laws and rules. See the Michigan Statutes and related Administrative Rules regulating each occupation/profession covered in this RFP (Appendix A).

This is a formal request to prospective Bidders to solicit bids and price quotations. Bidders must submit written proposals according to the instructions contained within this document, discussing how they will meet the specific requirements.

Any awarded Contract(s) between the State and any awarded Contractor(s) is a separate document, whose terms are limited by Article 2.

Attachment A provides a list of contract requirements that must be adhered to by the Contractor. The Contractor must agree to meet all of these requirements to be considered for further evaluation.

BACKGROUND

This RFP is being issued because the current contracts for development and administration of the licensure examinations for various occupations and professions expires on August 31, 2018. The State requires a competitive bid process for all contracts of this magnitude. The State has the authority to utilize an outside Contractor based on the Occupational Code P.A. 299 of 1980, as amended, which states that the Department may contract with persons or agencies that are not employees or agencies of the Department to implement this act and to fulfill the responsibilities of the Department or a Board. The Public Health Code P.A. 368 of 1978, as amended, provides that the department may contract to aid in carrying out functions.

SCOPE

The purpose of this RFP is to select a Contractor with the ability to develop and deliver licensure examinations (theory, practical and oral), deliver the national AQB appraisers examinations, develop and deliver continuing competency examinations. The licensure and continuing competency examinations must meet or exceed State and Federal requirements, applicable standards as presented in the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing[footnoteRef:1] and other generally accepted psychometric standards for providing valid and reliable examinations. The licensure examinations must also establish minimal competency for entry into the following occupations/trades: [1: American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association and National Council on Measurement in Education, Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, Washington, DC: American Educational Research Association, 1999

1. Residential Builder*

2. Builders' Salesperson

3. Maintenance and Alteration Contractor trades (M & A)*:

a. Basement Waterproofing

b. Carpentry

c. Concrete

d. Excavation

e. Gutters

f. House Wrecking

g. Insulation Work

h. Masonry

i. Painting and Decorating

j. Roofing

k. Siding

l. Screen and Storm Sash

m. Swimming Pools

n. Tile and Marble

4. *Note: Residential Builders and M&A Contractors have a continuing competency examination

5. Barber Instructor

6. Instructor for Cosmetology, Electrology, Esthetician, Manicurist or Natural Hair Culturist

7. Barber

8. Cosmetologist

9. Electrologist

10. Esthetician

11. Manicurist

12. Natural Hair Culturist

13. Real Estate Salesperson

14. Real Estate Broker

15. State Licensed Appraiser

16. Certified Residential Appraiser

17. Certified General Appraiser

18. Collection Agency Manager

19. Hearing Aid Dealer

20. Hearing Aid Salesperson

21. Mortuary Science (State Jurisprudence)

22. Personnel Agent

23. Polygraph Examiner

24. Security Alarm System Contractor

25. Professional Surveyor (State Jurisprudence)

26. Occupational Therapy; (State Jurisprudence)

27. Physical Therapy; (State Jurisprudence)

28. Podiatry; (State Jurisprudence)

29. Optometry (State Jurisprudence)

30. Boiler Installer

a. 1B

b. 2B

c. 3B

d. 4B

e. 5B

31. Boiler Piping

32. Boiler Repair

a. I

b. II

c. III

d. IV

33. Electrical Contractor

34. Electrical Journeyman

35. Fire Alarm Contractor

36. Fire Alarm Specialty Technician

37. Master Electrician

38. Sign Specialist

39. Sign Specialty Contractor

40. Elevator Contractor

a. Class A

b. Class B – Maintenance and Repair

c. Class C – Dumbwaiter

d. Class C – Limited-Use Limited-Application Elevators (LULA)

e. Class C – Platform Lifts (PL)

f. Class C – Private Residence Elevators (RES)

g. Class C – Stairway Chairlifts (SC)

41. Elevator Journeyperson

a. Class A

b. Class B – Maintenance and Repair

c. Class C – Dumbwaiter

d. Class C – Limited-Use Limited-Application Elevators (LULA)

e. Class C – Platform Lifts (PL)

f. Class C – Private Residence Elevators (RES)

g. Class C – Stairway Chairlifts (SC)

42. Mechanical Contractor

a. Ductwork

b. Fire Suppression

c. Fuel Gas Piping

d. Fuel Gas Piping and Venting

e. HVAC Equipment (includes ductwork and gas piping)

f. Hydronic Heating and Cooling and Process Piping

g. Limited Heating Service

h. Limited Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Service

i. LP Distribution Piping

j. Refrigeration

k. Solar Heating and Cooling

l. Solid Fuel Equipment and Vented Decorative Gas Appliances

m. Unlimited Heating Service

n. Unlimited Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Service

43. Journeyman Plumber

44. Master Plumber

45. Plumbing Contractor

The examinations for Residential Builders' and M & A Contractors' must be designed to measure an individual's knowledge of RESIDENTIAL building and related skills such as business management and finances. The State does not license individuals engaged in nonresidential, commercial building.

Currently, practice and trades examinations are taken for the Residential Builders' and M & A Contractors' trade licenses. The candidates for both the Residential Builders' and the M & A Contractors' trade licenses must also pass a business and law examination. Residential Builders and M&A Contractors also have a continuing competency examination.

Builders' Salespersons take a general examination covering knowledge required to sell the goods and services of a Residential Builder or an M & A Contractor and licensing laws and administrative rules.

Instructor examinations for barber, cosmetology and cosmetology related license types require a theory examination only. All other barber, cosmetology and cosmetology related license types require a theory and a practical examination.

The following Barber/Cosmetology examinations are to have a theory examination only:

· Barber Instructor;

· Instructor for Cosmetology, Electrology, Esthetician, Manicurist, or Natural Hair Culturist The following Barber/Cosmetology examinations are to have a theory and practical examination (currently practical examination must be administered and passed before being eligible for the theory examination):

· Barber;

· Cosmetologist;

· Electrologist;

· Esthetician;

· Manicurist;

· Natural Hair Culturist The eight (8) occupational knowledge-based theory and six (6) practical skills examinations must be designed to measure an individual's knowledge, skill, and ability in each of these occupations. Presently cosmetology and cosmetology related practical examinations are administered in Southfield, Grand Rapids and Marquette. The barber practical examinations are currently administered in Southfield, Grand Rapids and Marquette. All theory examinations are administered via computer in the Southfield, Holt, Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Dearborn and Marquette.

The following examinations are to have a theory examination only:

· Real Estate Salesperson

· Real Estate Broker

· Collection Agency Manager

· Hearing Aid Dealer

· Mortuary Science

· Personnel Agent

· Security Alarm System Contractor

· Professional Surveyor Hearing Aid Salesperson has a theory and a practical skills examination. The practical examination is currently administered in Southfield, Gaylord and Grand Rapids.

Polygraph Examiner has a theory and an oral examination. The oral examination is currently only administered in Holt All theory examinations are presently administered via computer in the Southfield, Holt, Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Dearborn and Marquette.

The licensure examinations must also establish minimal competency for entry into the following occupations:

1. Mortuary Science (State Jurisprudence)

2. Polygraph Examiner

3. Security Alarm System Contractor

The three (3) occupational knowledge-based theory examinations must be designed to measure an individual’s knowledge, skill, and ability in each of these occupations.

The candidate statistics for fiscal years 2015, 2016 and 2017 are shown in Appendix B.

1.021A Out of Scope Only the State has the authority to determine a candidate's eligibility to be issued a license/registration.

The State must authorize in writing, prior to use, all materials to be published or utilized for Michigan candidates or examination administrators (proctors) which may include, but not limited to: examination registration forms, candidate information brochures, web postings, examination administrator training materials and instructions to candidates.

The State must interview and approve potential practical examiners prior to hiring by Contractor.

The State must approve all proposed examination sites prior to their use.

REQUIREMENTS

1.021B Environment The Contractor is to establish and maintain the necessary buildings, staff, computers, and all necessary items, in optimal working order, to accomplish the following:

· Produce and provide potential candidate information.

· Process registrations from potential examination candidates.

· Register and/or schedule qualified candidates for the applicable examination(s).

· Provide computer-based testing (CBT) and practical examination sites.

· Provide qualified staffing for examination sites.

· Conduct job analyses to develop relevant test specifications for all the occupations, with the exception of Appraisers, included in this RFP, with the assistance from Michigan licensees and Subject Matter Experts (SME's).

· Develop examinations for all occupations, with the exception of Appraisers, included in this RFP, with the assistance from Michigan licensees and SME's.

· The examinations must be designed to measure an individual's knowledge, skill, and ability at entry level minimum competence in each of the occupations included in this RFP, with the exception of Appraisers.

· Validate all examinations.

· Recommend an appropriate cut score for each examination.

· Maintain the banks of items and practical tasks.

· Administer theory examinations by CBT.

· Administer practical examinations.

· Provide profession specific equipment and supplies.

· Score examinations.

· Provide onsite examination results to theory examination candidates.

· Provide examination results to practical examination candidates online and by US mail within 5 days.

· Maintain candidate examination files for 7 years after the end of the contract. Maintain license application and issuance files for 7 years after the end of the contract.

· Provide candidate results electronically to the State.

· Provide license files electronically to the State.

· Provide candidate pass/fail statistical data to the State and to the pre-licensure schools, as applicable.

· Conduct informational meetings with pre-licensure schools, as requested by the State.

· Attend meetings of Occupational/Professional Boards to present findings and reports, as requested by the State.

· Inform the Project Manager, by phone and in writing, of any candidate or administration problems.

· Provide a toll-free phone number for candidates.

· Provide and maintain an Internet website.

· Real Estate Appraisers: must be an "approved Appraisal Qualification Board (AQB) Examination Administrator'' and maintain this designation for the duration of this contract. Documentation of approval must be submitted with the proposal.

· Real Estate: Ensure that the Real Estate Salesperson and Broker item banks are accredited by the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO). Documentation of accreditation must be submitted with the proposal.

· Provide all other related activities as determined necessary by the State.

1.022 Work and Deliverable

Contractor must provide Deliverables/Services and staff, and otherwise do all things necessary for or incidental to the performance of work, as set forth below:

The following is a list of the minimum tasks involved for developing and administering the product. The Contractor is not, however, constrained from supplementing the tasks with additional steps, sub-tasks or elements deemed necessary to permit the development of alternative approaches or application of alternative analytical or administration techniques.

1.022.1 EXAMINATION DEVELOPMENT

Between the contract effective start award date and up to two years thereafter, at an agreed upon schedule, work with the Department to conduct new job analyses and develop new examinations.

While the Contractor is conducting the job analyses and developing examinations, the Contractor may use existing examination items.

1.22.1.1 Use of Existing Examinations

The Contractor may use existing examination item banks, test specifications and job analyses that can be made available to the contractor.

How do you propose to utilize the existing examination item banks and formulate into a computer- based test that will be administered by your company? Submit to the State for consideration, a proposal for utilizing existing examination items.

Bidder Response to Task:

1.022.1.2 Use of Advisory Committees

The use of advisory committees occurs at various stages of the examination development process for every examination. The Contractor will be responsible for contacting potential committee members and the formation of the advisory committees, according to the State's requirements.

Advisory committees will consist of Michigan Subject Matter Experts (SME's).

The State will submit to the Contractor a list of individuals who should be invited to serve on each of the advisory committees. If the original list does not result in a sufficient number of participants, the State will submit a supplemental list.

All potential advisory committee members will be approved by the State prior to any individual serving on a committee. The information will be provided in a form acceptable to the Contractor.

The State prefers that instructors, individuals associated with educational programs, or associated with study guides/textbook preparation NOT be involved in the final review of items. These individuals may, however, be included in job analyses development, examination content specification development and initial item writing committee meetings. They may also be requested to submit items for consideration by the advisory committees.

The Contractor shall pay all costs associated with training and the utilization of advisory committees including, but not limited to; mailings, meeting space, and honoraria, travel, lodging and meals for committee members.

The contractor is required to submit a written report listing attendees and work accomplished following each advisory committee meeting.

Designated State staff must attend all advisory committee meetings.

Advisory committee findings may also require the Contractor to meet with and make presentations to the Michigan Boards/Commissions associated with each occupation/profession/trade covered in this RFP, or the applicable professional associations, at their regularly scheduled meetings, or on an as-requested basis.

Provide the process in which Advisory Committees will be established and maintained. Include proposed honoraria, travel, lodging and meals rates allowed for committee meeting members in Price Proposal (see Attachment B for Suggest Price Proposal format).

Bidder Response to Task:

1.022.1.3 Newly Developed Examinations

Contractor shall design, conduct and complete a new job analysis, compile examination content specifications, develop item banks, develop practical rating criteria (as applicable), set cut scores and develop examinations specific to Michigan, at an agreed upon schedule for the examinations listed in the scope section items (1-45).

The State may require the development of continuing competency examinations for Residential Builders and M & A Contractors and therefore, should be prepared to deliver such examinations pending the adoption of administration rules.

Bidder Response to Task:

1.022.1.4 Job Analyses

The job analysis surveys shall include tasks relating to all entry-level activities as well as relevant Michigan laws and rules.

The Contractor will develop the job analysis surveys with input from advisory committees made up of SME’s.

The job analysis surveys will be structured so that relevant data, including background information from each respondent, can be obtained for each of the respective occupations/professions covered in this RFP, except for Appraisers.

Upon approval from the Project Manager, the finalized job analysis surveys will be sent to a geographically balanced sample of Michigan licensees/registrants.

The State will provide the names and contact information of licensed practitioners in each of the occupations/professions for the job surveys.

The Contractor will be responsible for all costs incurred for producing, distributing and collecting all job analysis surveys.

Upon receipt of the completed job analysis surveys, the Contractor shall review the data for usability in terms of the number received, completeness of responses, and geographic distribution. Should an insufficient number of useable surveys be available for analysis, as determined by the Contractor in conjunction with the Project Manager, a second distribution of the surveys will be sent.

The Contractor will be responsible for all costs incurred for subsequent job analysis surveys.

The use of electronically delivered surveys is open to discussion between the State and the Contractor on an occupation/profession bases, but final decision will be at the sole discretion of the State.

Please provide a plan of action on how these tasks will be completed and the resources required to perform each.

Bidder Response to Task:

1.022.1.5 Item Development

The State shall perform the following:

· Provide the Contractor with the existing available examination item banks.

· Items either being pretested or active, which have suspicious/dubious results are to be reviewed with the State. The State shall determine whether a suspicious/dubious item is to be replaced or maintained in the item bank.

· If revisions are necessary on pre-test items, the item(s) will be flagged and later reviewed by the appropriate advisory committee prior to use again as a pretest item.

· If an active item has suspicious/dubious statistics or a number of candidates comment on the item, the Contractor will discuss with the State the action to be taken.

· Prior to their use, the State shall have final approval of all examination items intended for inclusion (developed exclusively for, revised, or existing in the Contractor's item bank) in the Michigan examination item banks.

The Contractor shall perform the following:

· Describe the procedures and frequency, including the use of advisory committees, to be used for the development of new items and review of existing items that measure a candidate's occupational/professional/trade knowledge, skills and abilities and the applicable laws and rules of Michigan. Indicate the procedures to be used for writing and/or reviewing examination items to ensure conformity with the examination content specifications as well as recognized psychometric standards.

· Provide samples of materials that would be used to assist examination item writing/review advisory committees to develop valid and reliable items.

· Describe the type of readability measure to be employed to ensure that the examinations are at the applicable reading level commensurate for the educational requirements for the particular occupation/profession/trade. A report confirming the readability of the item bank shall be prepared and provided to the State.

· Indicate the procedures to be followed to reduce the possibility of item bias.

· Specify the manner in which up to ten (10) items per examination will be pre-tested. Pretest items shall NOT be calculated into the candidate's score.

· Specify the number of examination administrations needed to determine that a pretest item is valid.

· Specify the controls that will be used to ensure the security of examination items during the examination development/review activities, (e.g., advisory committee meetings as well as while in the Contractor or printer's possession).

Documentation for each item will contain at a minimum:

· A unique identifier for each item.

· Date written and/or revised.

· Applicable task and/or knowledge statements.

· Specific content outline topic and sub-topic (if applicable).

· Source (reference}, edition, copyright date, page number or Law or Rule site.

Please provide a plan of action on how these tasks will be completed and the resources required to perform each.

Bidder Response to Task:

The State shall perform the following:

· Provide the Contractor with the existing available examination item banks.

· Items either being pretested or active, which have suspicious/dubious results are to be reviewed with the State. The State shall determine whether a suspicious/dubious item is to be replaced or maintained in the item bank.

· If revisions are necessary on pre-test items, the item(s) will be flagged and later reviewed by the appropriate advisory committee prior to use again as a pretest item.

· If an active item has suspicious/dubious statistics or a number of candidates comment on the item, the Contractor will discuss with the State the action to be taken.

· Prior to their use, the State shall have final approval of all examination items intended for inclusion (developed exclusively for, revised, or existing in the Contractor’s item bank) in the Michigan examination item banks.

The Contractor shall perform the following:

· Describe the procedures and frequency, including the use of advisory committees, to be used for the development of new items and review of existing items that measure a candidate’s occupational/professional knowledge, skills and abilities and the applicable laws and rules of Michigan. Indicate the procedures to be used for writing and/or reviewing examination items to ensure conformity with the examination content specifications as well as recognized psychometric standards.

· Provide samples of materials that would be used to assist examination item writing/review advisory committees to develop valid and reliable items.

· Describe the type of readability measure to be employed to ensure that the examinations are at the applicable reading level commensurate for the educational requirements for the particular occupation/profession. A report confirming the readability of the item bank shall be prepared and provided to the State.

· Indicate the procedures to be followed to reduce the possibility of item bias.

· Specify the manner in which up to ten (10) items per examination will be pre-tested. Pretest items shall NOT be calculated into the candidate’s score.

· Specify the number of examination administrations needed to determine that a pretest item is valid.

· Specify the controls that will be used to ensure the security of examination items during the examination development/review activities, (e.g., advisory committee meetings as well as while in the Contractor or printer’s possession).

Documentation for each item will contain at a minimum:

· A unique identifier for each item.

· Date written and/or revised.

· Applicable task and/or…