HHS_WITF NOI_6.30.2026.docx

Due Diligence Posting of Notice of Intent to Purchase Services from Another Massachusetts Government Entity

The Executive Office of Economic Development (“EOED” or “Department”) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts announces its intent to Purchase Services from Another Massachusetts Government Entity pursuant to the Commonwealth’s Due Diligence Posting policy, to contract for the following with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (“HHS” or “Offeror”), pending the results of this Notice of Intent (“Notice”):

Description

EOED is proposing to contract with HHS to administer funding from the Workforce Investment Trust Fund (the “Fund”) established in M.G.L. c. 23N, § 18. The Fund was established “to develop and strengthen workforce opportunities for low-income communities and vulnerable youth and young adults in the commonwealth, including providing opportunities and strategies to promote stable employment and wage growth.” Entities are eligible to receive grants from the Fund if they provide opportunities which: (i) target at risk youth, including resources to empower youth to succeed in the workforce; (ii) provide job skills trainings, including programs offering trainings in multiple languages and areas for development, including education and hands on skills; (iii) promote adult literacy, including strategies to master reading and writing and providing digital formats to increase accessibility; and (iv) provide English language learning programs to promote access to the workforce.

HHS will use the funding provided from the Fund to support the Commonwealth’s key workforce priorities by supplementing HHS’s existing STEP program and standing up two new programs as follows:

Refugee and Immigrant Skills Training for Employment Pathways (STEP) STEP provides workforce training and employment pathway support for refugees and immigrants. The program helps participants build skills, connect to employers, and successfully enter the Massachusetts workforce.

Expanding Nursing Preceptor Training This initiative increases the capacity of healthcare systems to train new nurses through enhanced preceptor support. Expanding clinical training opportunities helps address workforce shortages in nursing and patient care.

Nurse Retention The program focuses on retaining experienced nurses within the Massachusetts healthcare workforce. Investments support strategies that improve workforce stability, reduce turnover, and maintain access to care.

Consistent with WITF existing program guidelines, during the implementation of these contracts HHS will prioritize grants to organizations that serve individuals from low-income communities and vulnerable populations consistent with the purpose for which the Fund was established. As part of the competitive application process, applicants will demonstrate to HHS the extent to which the proposed use of funding will provide opportunities which: (i) target at risk youth, including resources to empower youth to succeed in the workforce; (ii) provide job skills trainings, including programs offering trainings in multiple languages and areas for development, including education and hands on skills; (iii) promote adult literacy, including strategies to master reading and writing and providing digital formats to increase accessibility; and (iv) provide English language learning programs to promote access to the workforce.

Once under contract, HSS will open applications from eligible entities and plans to award up to $1,500,000.00 of funds to successful applicants across these programs during fiscal year 2027.

The Department is posting this Notice rather than conducting a full procurement because the Department believes this opportunity represents best value to the Commonwealth and is utilizing this Due Diligence Posting to ensure that the process is open, fair and competitive.

Determination of Other Interested Vendors The intent of this posting is to determine if there are any other interested and qualified vendors. Any such vendors must submit documentation that they can provide a comparable or better offer.

Response Requirement and Deadline All Interested Vendors and Offerors interested in responding to this Notice, regardless of prior communications with the Department, must submit a Response to this posting containing evidence of their qualification and interest. All required information must be submitted by 5:00PM EST on July 15, 2026 as follows:

If, after the posting deadline has passed, interest is generated by this Notice, the Department will review all Responses and will determine whether they will: (i) withdraw the notice and not accept the Offeror’s offer (and cancel the Notice of Intent) or (ii) accept the offer from the Offeror.

Additional Terms Required for Doing Business with the Commonwealth

Quote Submission Method Online Quote Submission via COMMBUYS is required. All Interested Vendors and Offerors must submit Quotes online using tools available only to Sellers registered in COMMBUYS. COMMBUYS provides Seller registration functionality at no charge. To register, go to www.COMMBUYS.com and click on the “Register” link on the front page. All Interested Vendors and Offerors who are awarded a contract resulting from this Notice, if any, will be required to maintain an active account during the duration of the Contract, by reviewing their registration information regularly and maintaining its accuracy.

COMMBUYS Quote Submission Training and Instructions The following resources are provided to assist Interested Vendors and Offerors in submitting Quotes:

· An online job aid on How to Create a Quote;

· Webcast video on How to Find Bids (Solicitations) and Submit Quotes (Responses) through COMMBUYS;

· Instructor-led trainings (ILT) and live webinar sessions on “How to Locate and Respond to Bids” may also be available. Check the OSD Training Courses schedule for Sellers/Business Entities for available locations, dates and times. Note that space is limited and pre-registration for trainings is required to attend. Follow instructions on the course schedule to register.

COMMBUYS Support Technical assistance is available during the procurement process. Every effort is made to respond to inquiries within one business day.

· Website: Go to www.mass.gov/osd/commbuys and select the COMMBUYS Resource Center link offered under Key Resources.

· Email: Send inquiries to the COMMBUYS Helpdesk at COMMBUYS@state.ma.us

· Telephone: Call the COMMBUYS Help Desk at 1-888-MA-STATE (1-888-627-8283). The Help Desk is staffed from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday Eastern Standard or Daylight time, as applicable, except on federal and state holidays.

Interested Vendors and Offerors are advised that COMMBUYS will be unavailable during regularly scheduled maintenance hours of which all users will be notified.

Revised: June 30, 2016