RFI - CDL Training Program.pdf

Request for Information (Sources Sought)

FPI-RFI-Sheet Steel # RFI0001-26

Issue Date: March 4, 2026

Submittal Due Date: March 17th @ 10am EST

Issuing Company: UNICOR, Federal Prison Industries, Inc.

Central Office

400 First Street, NW

Washington, DC 20534

POC: Josh Hassler, Contract Specialist

Joshua.hassler2@usdoj.gov

Subject: This is a request for information for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training and certification program.

All information in this request is considered confidential and shall not be used by the Respondent for any reason other than responding to this request. This is a

Request for Information (RFI) and your response is NOT an offer. The results of this Request for Information (RFI) will be used to develop an Acquisitions Strategy, AND THIS RFI WILL NOT RESULT IN A CONTRACT OF ANY TYPE.

This request does not obligate UNICOR OFG to pay any cost that any Respondent incurs in the preparation of its response. All cost associated with the preparation of a response to this request will be borne solely by the Respondent. All submitted responses shall become the property of UNICOR OFG and will not be returned.

Delivery Location:

Various UNICOR locations throughout United States

UNICOR, FPI is seeking information about the Contractor’s capability to assess current UNICOR capabilities and design a scalable, compliant CDL training program for eligible inmates.

Review attached statement of work and provide the following information:

1. Name of Company and Unique Entity ID

2. Telephone number and email address

3. Company profile

4. Provide Business Size (ie Large, Small, Socio Economic Category)

5. Any other information contractor deems pertinent to this request.

Any questions as a result of this Request for Information (RFI) shall be addressed in writing to Joshua.hassler2@usdoj.gov no later than 10:00am on March 10, 2026.

No phone calls will be accepted.

Response Deadline: Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 10:00AM EST.

Responses shall be sent via email only to Joshua.hassler2@usdoj.gov.

mailto:Joshua.hassler2@usdoj.gov

Statement of Work (SOW)

Program Design for Inmate Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Training Program

1. Background

Federal Prison Industries, Inc., operating as UNICOR, provides work programs to incarcerated individuals within the

Federal Bureau of Prisons. UNICOR’s mission includes reducing recidivism through meaningful employment and skills training.

The trucking and transportation sector faces ongoing workforce shortages, creating an opportunity to develop a

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training and certification program aligned with UNICOR operations. The purpose of this effort is to assess current UNICOR capabilities and design a scalable, compliant CDL training program for eligible inmates.

2. Objective

The objective of this contract is to conduct a comprehensive operational study and deliver a implementation plan for establishing a CDL certification program within UNICOR facilities.

The study shall determine:

• Operational feasibility within existing UNICOR industries.

• Regulatory and compliance requirements.

• Infrastructure, equipment, staffing, and partnership needs.

• Cost estimates.

• Risk factors and mitigation strategies.

3. Scope of Work

The Contractor shall perform the following tasks:

• Assess inmate eligibility constraints (security levels, sentence length, legal restrictions).

• Evaluate geographic considerations and facility selection criteria.

• Identify federal, state, and Department of Transportation CDL licensing requirements.

• Review insurance, liability, and background-related constraints applicable inmates.

• Develop a proposed CDL training model (Class A and/or B).

• Recommend curriculum structure, instructional hours, and testing preparation.

• Identify equipment requirements (tractors, trailers, simulators, yard space).

• Recommend instructor qualifications and staffing structure.

• Explore partnerships with community colleges, trucking companies, etc…

• Develop startup and recurring cost estimates.

• Provide phased rollout plan (pilot site, evaluation, national expansion).

• Provide risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

4. Deliverables

The Contractor shall provide:

1. Project Work Plan (within 30 days of award)

2. Draft Feasibility Study Report

3. Executive Presentation to UNICOR leadership

All deliverables shall be provided in written and presentation-ready formats.

5. Period of Performance

The anticipated period of performance is 120–180 days from date of award.

6. Contractor Qualifications

The Contractor shall demonstrate:

• Expertise in CDL training program development.

• Knowledge of DOT and state licensing regulations.

7. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Technical approach and methodology.

• Relevant experience and past performance.

• Cost and value.

• Ability to meet timeline requirements.