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RFR DYS POS 2022-08
SKILL UP: CAREER, TECHNICAL AND WORKFORCE TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES REQUEST FOR RESPONSES (RFR) TO SUPPORT DYS YOUTH IN RESIDENTIAL AND COMMUNITY SETTINGS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS I
The following questions were submitted electronically:
| Q: | RFR Submission and Required Documentation: What documents are to be submitted to adhere to all the requirements of this RFR for a Core Service 1 and 2 Provider? |
| A: | The primary document is the response itself - nothing else is "required" per se. Bidders are encouraged to submit any supplemental material they think will support their proposal. Successful bidders will be required to complete all contractual related documents. |
| Q: | Core 1 and Core 2 – Placement of Youth: Does Core 1 and Core 2 Services include the actual placement of youth in trainings, certification programs, apprenticeships, jobs, etc.? Or, is it expected to only refer youth to outside training and education providers, and employers for apprenticeships, job placement? |
| A: | Yes, in partnership with DYS, facilitation of placement into and identification of trainings, certification programs, etc. will be required. These placements could be internal (for example - a single service provider under Skill Up) or external (for example - an employer relationship or training resource not created by DYS or its providers but rather identified by). |
| Q: | If there is an additional cost for assessments or trainings, is the Bidder responsible for the cost? |
| A: | The bidder’s response should detail the costs for the administration of any assessments or trainings. |
| Q: | Are there any page limits regarding the submission? |
| A: | No. |
| Q: | Will Skill Up project staff have office space, a desk and access to telephone and computer equipment at local District or Satellite offices? |
| A: | This could be discussed during negotiations with the successful bidder(s) though it is permissible that the office space may be off-site. Bidders are strongly encouraged to include these costs in their bid in case space is not available at DYS. |
| Q: | Will staff involved in the project report to the DYS District Manager or DYS Regional staff? |
| A: | Staff involved in the project will report to management within the bidders' infrastructure. That said - operational needs and subsequent direction to meet those needs will be done in collaboration with DYS leadership. |
| Q: | Will DYS provide equipment and supplies to conduct Optional Service 2 Vocational programming or is the offeror responsible for all equipment and curriculum? |
| A: | Please refer to Appendix J, Current Equipment for a sense of existing equipment in DYS programs. The bidder is responsible for including the cost of any additional equipment or curriculum not already in place to support proposed programming. DYS will review the proposed costs and may offer to provide the equipment in lieu of provider having to purchase it. |
| Q: | Please identify the DYS residential facilities that have classroom and/or training space to conduct vocational programming. |
| A: | Please see Appendix J. All programs have classroom space. If additional detail is needed - please be specific. |
Q: I am unable to find the DYS Lead Provider (statewide) list as referenced in the Skill Up RFR. Could you please send me the list or point me to the URL on your site? Our solution is Web-based and I would like to reach out to these organizations to determine if it would complement their submission if they are submitting.
We have worked with some leading commercial energy providers on:
1) career navigation, helping participants map interests into green job opportunities and develop a personalized plan,
2) foundational job and employability skill development aligned to great “onramp” jobs in the sector, and 3) employer connections, including work-based learning experiences.
We also provide upfront engagement services for these programs and have partnered with the GED Testing service on very similar initiatives.
I think there is some confusion here?
A: DYS uses "Lead" two ways:
1. Lead (statewide) provider - 1 of the 3 ways to respond to this RFR. There is no list as we will not have a "lead" until we award contracts.
2. In referencing existing L.E.A.D. - Leadership, Employment and Advocacy Development – partners. The current L.E.A.D. partners (and program description) can be found in Appendix B
| Q: | Can a single provider for services AND be a part of a LEAD or Consortium team? I'm asking because we are considering reaching out to larger potential bidders and positioning a partnership agreement? |
| A: | Yes. Bidders can bid with an LEAD or Consortium team and individually. |
| Q: | In identifying towns, is Metro Boston adequate? |
| A: | Yes, this is adequate so long as there is confirmation that your proposal includes all the towns/cities DYS includes in "Metro Region". If not, then the specific cities and towns eligible for your services should be listed. |
| Q: | Must the program we offer run a full 12 months? Could it run less than that? |
| A: | It could run less than that. Duration of program should be supported by the program specifications. It’s understood not all programs will be 12-months long. |
| Q: | Must the proposal include a project plan with dates, tasks and milestones displaying when the programs and services will be fully operational? |
| A: | Yes if submitting a proposal as a Lead or Consortium; no if submitting as single service provider (see next Q & A). |
| Q: | Do we just submit the short proposal in Appendix C of the RFR, or must we complete the RFR Bid Solicitation: BD-22-1035-DYS01-DYS01-68637? |
| A: | Single service providers (solo entities) shall submit a short proposal using the form in Appendix C. |
| Q: | In review of the Skill Up RFR I am wondering where NFI's current HiSET program fits, if at all, in this RFR or will be included in future DYS RFR? |
| A: | Hi-Set will not be included in the Skill Up RFR, however the goal is to include those services in the Community Service Network RFR that will be issued by DYS. We do not anticipate an impact on continuity of service. |
| Q: | For the single service providers, do you have a new limit, if the $50,000 limit is being eliminated? |
| A: | There is no limit on the single service provider offerings. |
The following questions were asked during the Bidders Conferences:
| Q: | Who is responsible for implementing EFY specifically when residential placement and then in the Community? |
| A: | Teachers provide EYF instruction while youth are in the programs, however bidders must provide leadership for EYF implementation across the continuum while working in partnership with DYS residential and community staff and DYS Central Office staff. |
| Q: | When a youth is placed in residential outside the catchment area, what is the career navigator’s responsibility to serve them? |
| A: | The career navigator’s manage a specific area but will be expected to work together to manage youth across the regions. |
| Q: | How many proposed youth are projected to utilize services? Reason for asking – we charge per student? |
| A: | The DYS Census document lists the number of youth in each region. It is acceptable to base your proposal on a per youth price. |
| Q: | Can you clarify what, if any, oversight the Lead/Consortium might need to provide for single service providers (fiscal, tech assistance, etc.)? |
| A: | Lead/Consortium will not be responsible for the service offered by single service providers. They will only be responsible for the services in their response; however they will be expected to work collaboratively with other service providers in their region. |
| Q: | On Organizational Qualifications section of the RFR– when outlining key individuals experience do you prefer resumes or a narrative outlining their experience? |
| A: | Whichever comprehensively presents those key individuals’ contributions and value in the proposal. |
| Q: | If an organization is presently registered with Commbuys, how can they determine what United Nations Standard Product and Service Codes (UNSPSC) codes are currently associated with their vendor profile? |
| A: | Please see the attached a job aid titled “Maintain UNSPSC Commodity Codes for COMMBUYS Vendor Account - Job Aid”, which gives an explanation of the UNSPSC Commodity Codes including instruction on how to add and remove the UNSPSC Commodity Codes from an existing account. |