REPOST DCS Stipend Program Request for Proposals_04022024~1.pdf

- REPOST -

REQUEST FOR RESPONSE (RFR)

MASSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF CAREER SERVICES STIPEND PROGRAM

NEW COMMBUYS Bid #BD-24-1043-DAO01-32500-100892

PRIOR COMMBUYS Bid #BD-24-1043-DAO01-32500-99217

ISSUE DATE: April 2, 2024

REQUEST FOR RESPONSE

Department of Career Services Stipend Program

Purchasing Department Massachusetts Executive Office of

Labor and Workforce Development, through the MassHire Department of

Career Services (MDCS)

Address 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 500

City, State Zip Code Boston, MA 02114

Procurement Point of Contact Jon W. Rockwood

Telephone Number (508) 468-5771

E-Mail Address jon.w.rockwood3@mass.gov

RFR Name/Title MassHire Department of Career

Services Stipend Program

RFR Number BD-24-1043-DAO01-32500-100892

1. Description or Purpose of Procurement:

1.1. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce

Development (“EOLWD”) is soliciting bids from Vendors for the purpose of establishing a program through EOLWD’s MassHire Department of Career Services (“MDCS”) to provide stipends leveraging the American Rescue Plan Act’s (“ARPA”) training program design to support upskilling individuals in need of training.

1.2. Stipends are a fixed amount of flexible dollars provided directly to MassHire customers participating in two (2) ARPA designated training programs: 1.2.1. Career and Training

Initiatives (CTI) and

1.2.2. Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (WCTF)

2. The applicable procurement law is M.G.L. c. 7, § 22; c. 30, §§ 51,52; and 801 CMR 21.00.

Additional requirements for this Request for Response can be found by clicking this link: Required

Specifications for Commodities and Services.

3. The acquisition method is fee for service.

4. EOLWD’s intent is to award one (1) contract for this procurement. This means that potential Bidders who are unable to offer a complete solution must partner and/or bundle their services in order to be awarded a contract resulting from this procurement. Prior approval of EOLWD is required for any subcontracted service of the contract. Bidders are responsible for the performance and oversight of subcontractors.

5. If, over the life of the contract, EOLWD and/or MDCS determine that additional Vendors may be added, these may be drawn from qualified companies that responded to this Solicitation and not awarded Contracts. If necessary to meet the requirements of the Commonwealth, the Solicitation may be reopened to obtain additional Bids.

https://www.mass.gov/doc/rfr-required-specifications-for-commodities-and-services/download

6. Entities eligible to use the resulting contract include only departments and agencies within the

Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

7. The entire agreement (the “Agreement”) between the parties shall consist of the following documents, in the following order of precedence. In the event of a conflict, the document of higher precedence shall govern.

7.1. Commonwealth Standard Terms and Conditions for IT Contracts;

7.2. Commonwealth’s Standard Contract Form;

7.3. Request for Response MDCS Stipend Program (BD-24-1043-DAO01-32500-100892) (“RFR”)

7.4. The SOW to be executed by the parties, including Appendix A, and any Task Orders or other documents negotiated between the parties under the RFR; and

7.5. Bidder’s response to the RFR;

8. The Expected Duration of Contract (Initial Duration and any Options to Renew):

Contract Duration Number of Options Number of

Years/Months Instructions

Initial Duration

15 months

The Initial contract duration will run from the Contract Effective/Start Date (expected to be no later than April 1, 2024) for 15 consecutive months

Renewal Options

Two (2)

Two (2) years

With two (2) options to renew, pending eligibility for annual renewal and contingent upon funding and/or until the funds are expended

Total Maximum Contract Duration

Five (5) years Total anticipated duration for this contract is up to five (5) years.

9. Anticipated Expenditures, Funding, or Compensation:

9.1. Estimated Value of Procurement: Not to exceed $1,000,000. This does not include the options to renew.

10. Contract Performance and Business Specifications:

10.1. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, also called the COVID-19 Stimulus Package or American Rescue Plan (ARP), Pub L. No. 117-2 (March 11, 2021), is a US $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by the 117th United States Congress and signed into law by

President Joseph R. Biden on March 11, 2021, to accelerate the country's recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

10.2. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts allocated ARPA funding to promote the return to employment for Massachusetts residents. ARPA funding supports training and upskilling for residents in preparation to meet business demand for skilled workers in priority industries and occupations.

10.3. Purpose The Commonwealth is introducing the payment of “stipends” into the ARPA training program design to better support participation for individuals who can more readily participate in training given the additional support.

10.4. Stipends are a fixed amount of flexible dollars provided directly to individuals who will enroll in training programs including two (2) ARPA designated training programs:

10.4.1. Career and Training Initiatives (CTI) and

10.4.2. Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (WCTF)

10.4.3. These supports are intended to offset costs and to supplement existing wraparound supports. The stipend program is being introduced, as the

Commonwealth scales support for training participation, with the goals of increasing jobseeker uptake, completion of ARPA-funded training programs, and employment.

10.4.4. An estimated 1,500 individuals will receive these stipend payments;

additional individuals will be served as funding permits.

10.5. Massachusetts will provide a maximum of up to $5,000 per eligible ARPA-funded training participant, paid directly to the individual as follows:

10.5.1. $3,000 total for completing a training course that is less than three months,

10.5.2. $5,000 total for completing a course three months or longer.

10.6. Payments will be issued at three checkpoints:

10.6.1. 50% after completing two weeks of training

10.6.2. 20% at completion of entire training course; and

10.6.3. 30% upon employment (post-training).

10.7. SCOPE The Commonwealth is seeking a statewide vendor to issue payments to individual recipients as directed by the MassHire Department of Career Services (“MDCS”) on behalf of the above-described stipend program.

10.7.1. Bidders should be able to provide the services listed below. A single application must include a plan for delivering both services.

10.7.2. Service #1: Payments to Individuals. The successful Bidder shall be able to and be responsible for providing weekly payments to individuals participating in the stipend program in the form of a debit-type/payment card or check.

10.7.2.1. Payments must be issued to individuals on a rolling basis as the CTI program coordinators verify eligibility checkpoints.

10.7.2.2. The successful Bidder shall provide (develop, host, and maintain) a secure online portal for training program coordinators to enter individual participant information including personal data, payment eligibility information, and process payments.

10.7.2.3. The portal shall be developed in such a way that changes to basic information can only be made by approved CTI program coordinators.

10.7.2.4. The Bidder must develop a process for notifying individuals of receipt of their eligibility and payment card protocols (e.g., if lost, etc.); such process shall be subject to approval by MDCS.

10.7.2.5. The successful Bidder shall develop a process for and be able to reissue cards and payments if needed; such process shall be subject to approval by MDCS.

10.7.2.6. The success Bidder shall develop a solution built within the Commonwealth AWS environment, under the controls of EOLWD and EOTSS management

10.7.2.7. The success Bidder shall develop a solution following NIST SP 800-53 Rev

5 or IRS Pub 1075 guidelines.

10.7.2.8. The successful Bidder shall develop this solution that must leverage the

Commonwealth Identity Access Management (IAM) platform hosted in

Azure for all B2C and B2B users of this solution.

10.7.3. Service #2: Monitoring and Taxes. The successful Bidder shall provide tax and monitoring services. The successful Bidder shall be responsible for accurately and securely tracking payments at both the aggregate and individual levels to ensure payments are made at appropriate levels to qualified individuals. Such monitoring services shall also include reporting functionality and be freely auditable by the MDCS team and/or its affiliates upon request and with 24-hour notice.

10.7.4. The successful Bidder shall regularly provide payment data back to the

Commonwealth, both at a scheduled cadence and in response to ad hoc queries.

10.7.5. The Bidder shall be responsible for accurately and securely issuing appropriate tax forms (1099-G) at the end of the year (by January 31 of the following year) to all individuals/recipients.

11. RFR Evaluation Criteria

11.1. Bidders should create a response that describes in detail how the Bidder proposes to design and successfully implement a program to address Sections 10.3 through 10.7.5 above. The Bidder may determine the format but it is requested that sections are clearly identified as to how Service #1 and Service #2 will be addressed.

11.2. Bidders must submit completed responses that meet all the submission requirements of the RFR. Only responsive proposals that meet the submission requirements will be evaluated, scored, and ranked by the evaluation team according to the evaluation criteria.

MDCS may request additional information from Bidders for evaluation purposes.

12. Instructions for Submission of Responses:

12.1. Only electronic quotes submitted via COMMBUYS will be accepted in response to this RFR.

Responses must be sent via the “Create Quote” functionality in COMMBUYS. For additional instructions concerning how to submit a Quote, please see Instructions for Bidders

Responding to this RFR.

https://www.mass.gov/doc/instructions-for-vendors-responding-to-bids https://www.mass.gov/doc/instructions-for-vendors-responding-to-bids https://www.mass.gov/doc/instructions-for-vendors-responding-to-bids https://www.mass.gov/doc/instructions-for-vendors-responding-to-bids https://www.mass.gov/doc/instructions-for-vendors-responding-to-bids

12.2. Any submission that fails to meet the submission requirements of the RFR will be found nonresponsive without further evaluation unless the evaluation team, at its discretion, determines that the non-compliance is insubstantial and may be corrected. In these cases, the evaluation team may allow the vendor to make minor corrections to the submission.

13. Estimated Procurement Calendar

Procurement Activity: Date: Time: EST

Bid Release Date April 2, 2024

Bidders’ Conference TBD

Deadline for Submission of

Questions through COMMBUYS “Bid

Q&A”

April 3, 2024 4:00 p.m.

Official Answers for Bid Q&A published (Estimated)

As soon as possible after receipt of question.

Deadline for Quotes/Bid

Responses (“Bid Opening

Date/Time” in COMMBUYS)

April 4, 2024 12:00 p.m.

Bidder Presentations (See side comment)

Will be announced If needed

Notification of Apparent

Successful Bidder(s) (Estimated)

April 9, 2024

Estimated Contract Start Date April 12, 2024

13.1. Bidders are required to monitor COMMBUYS for changes to the procurement calendar for this Bid.

14. Online Questions (Bid Q&A):

14.1. Written Questions must be entered using the “Bid Q&A” tab for the Bid in COMMBUYS no later than the “Bid Q&A” date and time indicated in the Estimated Procurement Calendar

(above). MDCS reserves the right to not respond to questions submitted after this date. It is the Bidder’s responsibility to verify receipt of questions.

14.2. Please note that questions submitted to MDCS or EOLWD using any other medium

(including those that are sent by mail, fax, email, or voicemail, etc.) may not be answered.

To reduce the number of redundant or duplicate questions, Bidders are asked to review all questions previously submitted to determine whether the Bidder’s question has already been posted.

14.3. It is the responsibility of Bidders to maintain an active registration in COMMBUYS and to keep current the email address of the Bidder’s contact person and prospective contract manager, if awarded a contract, and to monitor that email inbox for communications from

MDCS, including requests for clarification. EOLWD/MDCS and the Commonwealth assume no responsibility if a Bidder’s designated email address is not current, or if technical problems, including those with the Bidder’s computer, network, or internet service provider (ISP) cause email communications sent to/from a Bidder and MDCS to be lost or rejected by any means including email or spam filtering.

14.4. Responses to questions will be released as soon as possible after receipt of question. MDCS responses to all Bidder questions will be posted on COMMBUYS. Therefore, each participant will have the same information as all other Bidders.

14.5. Bid Amendment Deadline. MDCS reserves the right to make amendments to the Bid after initial publication. It is each Bidder’s responsibility to check COMMBUYS for amendments, addenda, or modifications to this Bid, and any Bid Q&A records related to this Bid.

EOLWD/MDCS and the Commonwealth accept no responsibility and will provide no accommodation to Bidders who submit a Quote based on an out-of-date Bid or on information received from a source other than COMMBUYS.

14.6. Estimated Contract Start Date. MDCS anticipates the approximate start date to be April 12, 2024. The actual start date will be the Contract Effective Date which is the date the Contract is fully executed by the parties.

15. System Security

15.1. As part of its work efforts under any resulting contract, the successful Bidder may be required to use Commonwealth data and/or IT resources. For purposes of this work effort, “Commonwealth Data” shall mean data provided by EOLWD or MDCS which may reside digitally offsite or physically at a Commonwealth, EOLWD, or a location owned and maintained by the successful Bidder.

15.2. Commonwealth Data. In connection with Commonwealth Data, the successful Bidder will implement commercially reasonable safeguards necessary to:

15.2.1. Prevent unauthorized access to Commonwealth Data from any public or private network;

15.2.2. Prevent unauthorized physical access to any information technology resources involved in the development effort; and

15.2.3. Prevent interception and manipulation of Commonwealth Data during transmission to and from any servers.

15.3. Commonwealth Personal Data. In addition to the above requirements for Commonwealth

Data, the successful Bidder may be required to use the following Commonwealth personal data under G.L. c. 66A and/or personal information under G.L. c. 93H, or to work on or with information technology systems that contain such personal data, including but not limited to Social Security Numbers, Date of Birth, First and Last Name in conjunction with home address, etc. in order to fulfill part of its specified tasks. For purposes of this work effort, electronic personal data and personal information includes data provided by EOLWD to the successful Bidder which may physically reside at a location owned and/or controlled by the

Commonwealth, EOLWD, or the successful Bidder. In connection with electronic personal data and personal information, the successful Bidder shall implement the maximum feasible safeguards reasonably needed to:

15.3.1. Ensure the security, confidentiality and integrity of electronic personal data and personal information.

15.3.2. Prevent unauthorized access to electronic personal data or personal information or any other Commonwealth Data from any public or private network.

15.3.3. Notify EOLWD’s Office of General Counsel immediately if any breach of such system or of the security, confidentiality, or integrity of electronic personal data or personal information occurs; such notification shall include a copy to EOLWD’s

Information Technology Security Officer.

15.3.4. the successful Bidder and any of its employees or subcontractors having access to such data will be required to sign and abide by the EOLWD Confidentiality

Policy for vendors (attached hereto as Exhibit A).

16. Small Business Purchasing Program

16.1. Program Background. The Massachusetts Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) was established pursuant to Executive Order 523 to increase state contracting opportunities with small businesses having their principal place of business within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Pursuant to the SBPP, it is the intention of the issuing department to award this Small Procurement to one or more SBPP participating business(es) as described below.

16.2. SBPP Award Preference. While all businesses, no matter the size or principal place of business, may submit responses to this solicitation, should an SBPP participant respond and meet the best value criteria as described in this solicitation, the SBPP participant shall be awarded the contract. The Strategic Sourcing Services Team (SSST) will not evaluate submissions from non-SBPP participants unless no SBPP Bidder meets the SSST’s best value evaluation criteria.

16.3. SBPP Participation Eligibility. To be eligible to participate in this procurement as an SBPP participant, an entity must meet the following criteria, and be marked as an SBPP-registered business in COMMBUYS:

16.3.1. Have its principal place of business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

16.3.2. Been in business for at least one year;

16.3.3. Employ a combined total of 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees in all locations, or employees work less than a combined total of 26,000 hours per quarter; and

16.3.4. Have gross revenues, as reported on appropriate tax forms, of $15 million or less, based on a three-year average.

16.3.5. Non-profit firms also must be registered as a non-profit or charitable organization with the MA Attorney General’s Office and be up to date with all filings required by that office and be tax exempt under Section 501(c) of the

Internal Revenue Code.

16.4. SBPP Compliance Requirement.

16.4.1. It is the responsibility of the Bidder to ensure that their SBPP status is current at the time of submitting a response and throughout the life of any resulting contract. Misrepresentation of SBPP status will result in disqualification from https://www.mass.gov/sbpp https://www.mass.gov/sbpp https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-523-establishing-the-massachusetts-small-business-purchasing-program https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-523-establishing-the-massachusetts-small-business-purchasing-program https://www.commbuys.com/bso/ https://www.commbuys.com/bso/ consideration, and may result in debarment, contract termination, and other actions. To learn more about the SBPP, including how to apply, visit the SBPP

Webpage.

16.4.2. Program Resources and Assistance. Bidders and Vendors seeking assistance regarding SBPP may visit the SBPP webpage, http://www.mass.gov/sbpp, or contact the SBPP Help Desk at sbpp@mass.gov.

17. Supplier Diversity

17.1. Program Background. Pursuant to, Executive Order 599 the Commonwealth’s Supplier

Diversity Program (SDP) promotes business-to-business relationships between an awarded

Bidder and diverse businesses and non-profit organizations (“SDP Partners”) certified or recognized by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO).

17.1.1. All Bidders and successful Bidders are strongly encouraged to create a profile on the SDO’s Supplier Diversity Hub to access the Commonwealth’s supplier diversity resources and tools.

17.2. Financial Commitment Requirements. All Bidders responding to this solicitation are required to make a significant financial commitment (“SDP Commitment”) to partnering with one or more SDO-certified or recognized diverse business enterprise or non-profit organization. This SDP Commitment must be expressed as a percentage of contract sales resulting from this solicitation that would be spent with the SDP Partner(s).

17.2.1.1. After contract award (if any), the Total SDP Commitment shall become a contractual requirement to be met annually on a Massachusetts fiscal year basis (July 1 – June

30) for the duration of the contract. The minimum total SDP Commitment acceptable in responses to this solicitation shall be 1%. Bidders shall be awarded additional evaluation points for higher SDP Commitments.

17.2.1.2. No contract shall be awarded to a Bidder without an SDP Commitment that meets the requirements stated herein. This requirement extends to all Bidders regardless of their own supplier diversity certification.

17.3. Eligible SDP Partner Certification Categories

17.3.1. SDP Partners must be business enterprises and/or non-profit organizations certified or recognized by the SDO in one or more of the following certification categories:

17.3.1.1. Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE)

17.3.1.2. Minority Non-Profit Organization (M/NPO)

17.3.1.3. Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE 17.3.1.4. Women Non-Profit

Organization (W/NPO)

17.3.1.5. Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise (VBE)

17.3.1.6. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise (SDVOBE)

17.3.1.7. Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE)

17.3.1.8. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Business Enterprise (LBGTBE)

17.4. Eligible Types of Business-to-Business Relationships

17.4.1. Successful Bidders may engage SDP Partners in the following two ways:

17.4.1.1. Subcontracting, defined as a partnership in which the SDP partner is involved in the provision of products and/or services to the

Commonwealth.

http://www.mass.gov/sbpp http://www.mass.gov/sbpp http://www.mass.gov/sbpp http://www.mass.gov/sbpp http://www.mass.gov/sbpp http://www.mass.gov/sbpp http://www.mass.gov/sbpp https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-599-reaffirming-programs-to-ensure-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-for-diverse-and-small-massachusetts-businesses-in-state-procurement-and-contracting https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-599-reaffirming-programs-to-ensure-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-for-diverse-and-small-massachusetts-businesses-in-state-procurement-and-contracting https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-the-supplier-diversity-program-sdp https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-the-supplier-diversity-program-sdp https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-the-supplier-diversity-program-sdp https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-the-supplier-diversity-program-sdp https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-the-supplier-diversity-program-sdp https://www.mass.gov/supplier-diversity-office https://www.mass.gov/supplier-diversity-office https://www.mass.gov/supplier-diversity-office

17.4.1.2. Ancillary Products and Services, defined as a business relationship in which the SDP partner provides products or services that are not directly related to the successful Bidder’s contract with the Commonwealth but may be related to the successful Bidder’s own operational needs.

17.4.2. Other types of business-to-business relationships are not acceptable under this contract. All provisions of this RFR applicable to subcontracting shall apply equally to the engagement of SDP Partners as subcontractors.

17.5. Program Flexibility

17.5.1. The SDP encompasses the following provisions to support Bidders in establishing and maintaining sustainable business-to-business relationships meeting their needs:

17.5.2. SDP Partners are not required to be subcontractors.

17.5.3. SDP Partners are not required to be Massachusetts-based businesses.

17.5.4. SDP Partners may be changed or added during the term of the contract provided the successful Bidder continues to meet its SDP Commitment.

17.6. SDP Plan Form Requirements

17.6.1. All Bidders must complete the SDP Plan Form included in this solicitation and attach it to their bid response. In addition to proposing an SDP Commitment, each Bidder must propose one or more SDP Partner(s) to utilize to meet its

SDP Commitment. Certified diverse Bidders may not list their own companies, or their subsidiaries or affiliates, as SDP Partners and may not meet their SDP

Commitment by spending funds internally or with their own subsidiaries or affiliates.

17.6.2. Bidders may propose SDP Partners that are:

17.6.2.1. Certified or recognized by the SDO: Such partners appear in the SDO

Directory of Certified Businesses or in the SBA Veteran Small Business

Certification (VetCert) directory. After contract award (if any), spending with such partners will contribute to meeting the successful Bidder’s SDP

Commitment.

17.6.2.2. Not yet certified or recognized by the SDO: Such partners must be certified in eligible categories by a third-party certification body, such as another city or state supplier diversity certification office, the National Minority Supplier

Development Council, the Women Business Enterprise National Council, Disability:IN, or the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), but not listed in the abovementioned directories. Self-certification is not acceptable. While Bidders may list such proposed SDP Partners on their SDP

Plans, spending with such partners will not contribute to meeting the successful Bidder’s SDP Commitment unless they apply for and are granted

SDO supplier diversity certification or recognition. If proposed SDP Partners do not receive SDO supplier diversity certification or recognition, the successful Bidder must find alternative SDP Partners to meet their SDP

Commitment.

17.6.3. It is the responsibility of the successful Bidder to ensure that their proposed SDP

Partners obtain such certification or recognition by the SDO after contract award https://www.sdo.osd.state.ma.us/BusinessDirectory/BusinessDirectory.aspx https://www.sdo.osd.state.ma.us/BusinessDirectory/BusinessDirectory.aspx https://www.sdo.osd.state.ma.us/BusinessDirectory/BusinessDirectory.aspx https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/ https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/ https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/ https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/ https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/ https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/ https://nmsdc.org/mbes/mbe-certification/ https://nmsdc.org/mbes/mbe-certification/ https://nmsdc.org/mbes/mbe-certification/ https://www.wbenc.org/certification/ https://www.wbenc.org/certification/ https://www.wbenc.org/certification/ https://disabilityin.org/what-we-do/supplier-diversity/get-certified/ https://disabilityin.org/what-we-do/supplier-diversity/get-certified/ https://disabilityin.org/what-we-do/supplier-diversity/get-certified/ https://disabilityin.org/what-we-do/supplier-diversity/get-certified/ https://www.nglcc.org/get-certified https://www.nglcc.org/get-certified https://www.nglcc.org/get-certified https://www.nglcc.org/get-certified https://www.nglcc.org/get-certified

(if any). The issuing department and the SDO will not conduct outreach to proposed SDP Partners to ensure their certification. Furthermore, no guarantee may be made that a proposed SDP Partner will be certified, or regarding the time it may take to process a proposed SDP Partner certification. successful Bidders may direct partners to the SDO’s homepage, www.mass.gov/sdo and the

Certification Self-Assessment Tool for guidance on applying for certification.

17.6.4. It is desirable for Bidders to provide an SDP Focus Statement that describes the

Bidder’s overall approach to increasing the participation of diverse businesses in the provision of products and services under this proposal/contract

(subcontracting) and in the Bidder’s general business operations (ancillary products and services). Such a description may include but not be limited to:

17.6.4.1. A clearly stated purpose or goal.

17.6.4.2. Specific types of diverse and small businesses targeted.

17.6.4.3. Which departments/units within the business are responsible for implementing supplier diversity.

17.6.4.4. Types of opportunities for which diverse and small businesses are considered.

17.6.4.5. Specific measures/methods of engagement of diverse and small businesses.

17.6.4.6. An existing internal supplier diversity policy.

17.6.4.7. Public availability of the Bidder’s supplier diversity policy.

17.6.5. It also is desirable for Bidders to use the SDP Plan Form to describe additional creative initiatives (if any) related to engaging, buying from, and/or collaborating with diverse businesses. Such initiatives may include but not be limited to:

17.6.5.1. Serving as a mentor in a mentor-protégé relationship.

17.6.5.2. Technical and financial assistance provided to diverse businesses.

17.6.5.3. Participation in joint ventures between nondiverse and diverse businesses.

17.6.5.4. Voluntary assistance programs by which

nondiverse business employees are loaned to diverse businesses or by which diverse business employees are taken into viable business ventures to acquire training and experience in managing business affairs.

17.7. Evaluation of SDP Forms. To encourage Bidders to develop substantial supplier diversity initiatives and commitments as measures valuable to the Commonwealth, at least 25% of the total available evaluation points for this bid solicitation shall be allocated to the evaluation of the SDP Plan submissions. Because the purpose of the SDP is to promote business-to-business partnerships, the Bidders’ workforce diversity initiatives will not be considered in the evaluation.

17.8. SDP Spending Reports. After contract award, the successful Bidder must submit reports at least annually to demonstrate compliance with the agreed-upon SDP Commitment. To submit SDP spending reports using the Hub, the successful Bidder must create a profile in the Hub. Successful Bidders must follow report submission instructions from DCS and the

SDO.

17.9. SDP Spending Compliance. Only spending with SDP Partners that appear in the SDO

Directory of Certified Businesses or in the SBA Veteran Small Business Certification https://www.mass.gov/forms/take-the-certification-self-assessment https://www.mass.gov/forms/take-the-certification-self-assessment https://www.sdo.osd.state.ma.us/BusinessDirectory/BusinessDirectory.aspx https://www.sdo.osd.state.ma.us/BusinessDirectory/BusinessDirectory.aspx https://www.sdo.osd.state.ma.us/BusinessDirectory/BusinessDirectory.aspx https://www.sdo.osd.state.ma.us/BusinessDirectory/BusinessDirectory.aspx https://www.sdo.osd.state.ma.us/BusinessDirectory/BusinessDirectory.aspx https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/ https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/

(VetCert)directory shall be counted toward a successful Bidder's compliance with is SDP

Commitment. Spending with SDP Partners that do not appear in the directories above shall not be counted toward meeting a successful Bidder’s SDP Commitment.

17.10. It is the responsibility of the successful Bidder to ensure they meet their SDP Commitment.

The SDO, and the issuing department assume no responsibility for any successful Bidder’s failure to meet its SDP Commitment.

17.11. SDP Spending Verification. The SDO and the contracting department reserve the right to contact SDP Partners at any time to request that they attest to the amounts reported to have been paid to them by the successful Bidder.

17.12. Program Resources and Assistance. successful Bidders seeking assistance in the development of their SDP Plans or identification of potential SDP Partners may visit the

SDP webpage, www.mass.gov/sdp, or contact the SDP Help Desk at sdp@mass.gov.

18. Environmentally Preferable Products.

18.1. Products and services purchased by state agencies must be in compliance with Executive

Order 515, issued October 27, 2009. Under this Executive Order, Executive Departments are required to reduce their impact on the environment and enhance public health by procuring environmentally preferable products and services (EPPs) whenever such products and services perform to satisfactory standards and represent best value, consistent with 801 CMR 21.00. In line with this directive, all Contracts, whether departmental or statewide, must comply with the specifications and guidelines established by OSD and the EPP Program. EPPs are products and services that help to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, protect public health and the environment, and promote the use of clean technologies, recycled materials, and less toxic products. Bid responses must identify how a contractor meets these goals.

19. Required Forms. Responses to this RFR must contain accurate and complete versions of the following documents:

Check if applicable (“X”)

Form/Document Notes/Instructions

Commonwealth Terms and

Conditions/Commonwealth IT Terms and

Conditions

Informational, only applicable to successful Bidder

Request for Taxpayer Identification Number

& Certification (Massachusetts Substitute

W-9 Form) form_w-9.pdf

(macomptroller.org)

Informational, only

Standard Contract Form and Instructions

Informational, only applicable to successful Bidder https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/ https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/ http://www.mass.gov/sdp http://www.mass.gov/sdp https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-515-establishing-an-environmental-purchasing-policy?_ga=2.237660352.1741219494.1633353146-758386467.1632336759 https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-515-establishing-an-environmental-purchasing-policy?_ga=2.237660352.1741219494.1633353146-758386467.1632336759 https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-515-establishing-an-environmental-purchasing-policy?_ga=2.237660352.1741219494.1633353146-758386467.1632336759 https://www.macomptroller.org/wp-content/uploads/form_w-9.pdf https://www.macomptroller.org/wp-content/uploads/form_w-9.pdf https://www.macomptroller.org/wp-content/uploads/form_w-9.pdf https://www.macomptroller.org/wp-content/uploads/form_w-9.pdf https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.macomptroller.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fform_standard-contract.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.macomptroller.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fform_standard-contract.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK https://www.macomptroller.org/wp-content/uploads/instructions_standard-contract-form.pdf https://www.macomptroller.org/wp-content/uploads/instructions_standard-contract-form.pdf

Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing Informational, only

Authorization for Electronic Funds Transfer Electronic Submission

Additional Environmentally Preferable

Products/Practices

Electronic Submission

Prompt Payment Discount Form Electronic Submission

Business Reference Form Electronic Submission

19.1. The above attachments are available as part of the Bid Record on COMMBUYS.

20. Acceptable Forms of Signature. Effective June 15, 2021, for all 1) CTR forms, including the Standard

Contract Form, W-9s, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) forms, ISAs, and other CTR-issued documents and forms, or 2) documents related to state finance and within the statutory area of authority or control of CTR (i.e. contracts, payrolls, and related supporting documentation), CTR will accept signatures executed by an authorized signatory in any of the following ways:

1. Traditional “wet signature” (ink on paper);

2. Electronic signature that is either:

a. Hand drawn using a mouse or finger if working from a touch screen device; or

b. An uploaded picture of the signatory’s hand drawn signature

3. Electronic signatures affixed using a digital tool such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign. If using an electronic signature, the signature must be visible, include the signatory’s name and title, and must be accompanied by a signature date. Please be advised that typed text of a name not generated by a digital tool such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign, even in computer-generated cursive script, or an electronic symbol, are not acceptable forms of electronic signature.

https://www.macomptroller.org/wp-content/uploads/form_contractor-authorized-signatory-listing.pdf https://www.macomptroller.org/wp-content/uploads/form_contractor-authorized-signatory-listing.pdf