QUESTION AND ANSWERS AMENDMENT - FINAL.pdf

AMENDMENT #1

TO THE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

FOR COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING EVENTS FOR MDRS CLIENTS

RFQ #3120003152

Q1: Will Entrepreneurship classes be considered a Pre Employment Transition Service?

A1: Self-employment/entrepreneurship would fall under Job Exploration Counseling.

Q2: Is this RFQ for "Job Extravaganza" type events only or does it include other Pre ETS activities?

A2: This RFQ is limited to the provision of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) activities conducted specifically at Job Extravaganza events. While the activities completed at these events are considered Pre-ETS, this RFQ does not include or authorize the provision of other Pre-ETS activities outside the scope of the Job Extravaganza events as outlined in the RFQ.

Q3: Will there be a separate RFP or RFQ for Pre ETS?

A3: Yes

Q4: How long should the "breakout sessions" be?

A4: The "breakout sessions" should be no shorter than 30 minutes each. Services provided during these sessions are billed in units, where one unit equals one hour and a half unit equals 30 minutes. All Pre-ETS activities conducted during these breakout sessions must be clearly documented using the Pre-ETS Provision Form MDRS-VR-61.

Q5: Is Military an option to highlight for counseling on Post Secondary Education and

Training Opportunities?

A5: No, the military is not an option to highlight during counseling on Post-Secondary

Education and Training Opportunities; however, this type of counseling falls under the Pre-ETS category of Job Exploration Counseling. Discussing military careers helps students understand the diverse roles and opportunities available within the military.

Q6: Are contractors required to pay travel expenses for businesses participating in a Job Extravaganza?

A6: Per Section 2.5 of the RFQ, “The contractor shall be responsible for covering all travel-related expenses (e.g., lodging, mileage) incurred by businesses or speakers participating in the event.

Q7: Is a bachelor's degree required for a designated individual (peer mentor, staff member, teacher, or volunteer) who is assigned to each student group during an event? If yes, please clarify why.

A7: No, a bachelor's degree is not required for a designated individual (peer mentor, staff member, teacher, or volunteer) assigned to each student group during an event.

However, to ensure the safety and well-being of students with disabilities and to align with Mississippi Department of Education standards, all such individuals must meet the minimum qualifications for assistant teachers.

Acceptable qualifications include:

• An Associate’s degree or higher; or

• At least two years or 48 college credit hours (with transcript verification); or

• A high school diploma or GED along with verified WorkKeys® scores meeting state proficiency levels (typically a Silver Level certification or equivalent scores in Reading, Applied Mathematics, and Writing).

All qualifications must be submitted to the agency for review and approval prior to the event. This requirement ensures individuals assigned to work with students are appropriately vetted and qualified, consistent with state educational standards and the agency’s commitment to student safety.

Q8: Is this a RFQ or is it an RFP? Language on pages reference a proposal.

A8: This is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in which MDRS sets the price for the services provided. Per section 5.1, you will still submit a proposal for how the services are going to be provided.

Q9: Section 5 indicates proposal requirements. Can you clarify why the "Management

Summary" and "Proposal" is to be "unmarked?"

A9: These sections are required to be “unmarked” so that the evaluation committee does not know whose submission they are scoring. This helps to ensure fairness in the evaluation process.

Q10: If a student has a referral for Pre-ETS, will they need a second referral to attend a JE?

"Services provided without a completed Referral for Contracted Pre-ETS Services Form (MDRS-VR-100) will not be paid by MDRS-OVR/OVRB."

A10: No, but the referral must include all Pre-ETS activities that will be provided at the Job

Extravaganza event and the chosen provider must be on the referral. If not, the referral would need to be amended prior to the student attending the event.

Q11: Are fingerprints required for a designated individual (peer mentor, staff member, teacher, or volunteer) who is assigned to each student group during an event? If yes, please clarify why.

A11: Since these individuals—whether peer mentors, staff, teachers, or volunteers—will be providing services to students with disabilities, Mississippi law requires that all school staff undergo fingerprinting. Accordingly, we will adhere to this standard to ensure student safety and comply with state regulations:

1. Fingerprint Requirement Under Mississippi Law o Per Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-17, school districts must require criminal background checks and fingerprinting for any individual—licensed or nonlicensed—who works in a school setting.

o Charter schools and any contracted education service providers are similarly covered under Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-49

2. Volunteers and Staff Working with Students o 24 Miss. Code R. § 1-9.1.3 mandates fingerprinting for all employees and volunteers working with children, disqualifying individuals with criminal histories that raise safety concerns.

We will require fingerprinting for every designated individual assigned to student groups during these events. This aligns with Mississippi’s statutory and regulatory requirements and demonstrates our commitment to prioritizing the safety and well‑being of students with disabilities.

Q12: For the individuals providing services to the students (not the contractor) does each person have to have a Bachelor's degree to work with the kids.

A12: No, individuals providing services to students at these events are not required to have a

Bachelor's degree. However, to ensure consistency with state standards and maintain the quality and safety of services delivered to students with disabilities, all individuals providing such services must meet the minimum qualifications for assistant teachers as outlined by the Mississippi Department of Education.

Acceptable qualifications for assistant teachers working with students include:

• An Associate’s degree or higher; or

• At least two years or 48 college credit hours (verified by transcript); or

• A high school diploma or GED, plus verification of WorkKeys® scores demonstrating proficiency (typically a Silver Level certification or equivalent scores in Reading, Applied Math, and Writing).

All qualifications for staff who will be working with students must be submitted to the agency for review and approval prior to participation in any student-focused event. This requirement is in place to ensure compliance with state guidelines and to protect the well-being of students with disabilities being served.

Q13: Does the contractor have the authority to conduct events in the school gym with permission from the principal - Im asking because the schools I will be servicing will be far from each other, and from what it is written in the contract, it will be hard to get 5 hours for an event if you add travel to and from and for the students to get back to the school to go home.

A13: The Provider is responsible for securing the location which could be at a school gym if approved by the school.

Q14: Also is this RFQ the same as the Job Extravaganza RFQ.?

A14: This RFQ is only for the Job Extravaganza events.

Q15: Also when submitting numbers for possible kids serviced, this is with all the schools?

A15: Yes

Q16: If approved. The contract is renewed for only 4 years, and if after that, I will have to reapply if I want to continue to do this RFQ.

A16: Yes, all applicants would have to reapply after that point.

Q17: In Exhibit B (page 39), under the Compensation section, it states: “MDRS agrees to compensate the Contractor at the rate of Ninety Dollars ($90.00) per hour per student.”

However, on page 4, Section 2.1, the Compensation for Services table lists different rates based on the Pre-ETS category and whether services are provided individually or in a group—none of which are $90.

Could you clarify which structure is correct, or if the Exhibit B language is outdated?

A17: The chart on page 4, Section 2.1 is the correct rate. The Exhibit B language is outdated.

Respondents shall acknowledge receipt of any amendment to the solicitation by signing and returning the amendment with the response. The acknowledgment must be received by MDRS by the submission deadline.

Company Name: _________________________________________________

Signature and Date: _______________________________________________

Name and Title: __________________________________________________