RFP 2025-01 CCW Sector Leader.docx

P.O. BOX 9046, OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON 98507-9046

Request for Proposals

RFP #2025-01

Project Title: Career Connect Washington – Industry Sector Leader

BRIEF DESCRIPTION: To select Career Connect Washington Sector Leaders for Washington’s high-priority industries.

Bids due February 28, 2024 - E-mail Bid Proposals to: esdgpbids@esd.wa.gov Procurement Coordinators: Kiva Nguyen – kiva.nguyen@esd.wa.gov Jennifer Watson – jennifer.watson@esd.wa.gov Note: The Procurement Coordinator is the sole point of contact for this RFP. Communication with other CCW employees and members in relation to this RFP may result in disqualification.

Bidders are responsible for properly registering in the Washington Electronic Business Solutions (WEBS) system, https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/ and downloading the solicitation document and all appendices and incorporated documents related to this solicitation. Notification of any RFP addenda, amendments or Bidder questions and answers will only be provided to those vendors who have registered with WEBS and have downloaded the solicitation from WEBS. Failure to do so may result in a Bidder having incomplete, inaccurate, or otherwise inadequate information.

It is each Bidder’s responsibility to fully read and understand all provisions of this RFP. All sections contain information that is materially important for submitting a successful proposal. If a Bidder does not fully understand any portion of this RFP, the Bidder should contact the Procurement Coordinator and/or submit an inquiry.

It is the responsibility of each Bidder to carefully read, understand, and follow all of the instructions contained in this RFQQ and all amendments hereto. ESD ESD complies with the American Disabilities Act (ADA): Bidders may contact the Procurement Coordinator to receive this Request for Quotes and Qualifications in Braille or tape.

Identification of Sections:

Procurement Schedule and Submission Requirements Solicitation Information Bidder Information Contract Information Evaluation to Award Debrief and Protests Additional General Provisions

1. Procurement Schedule and Submission Requirements

1.1 PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE

Bidders must follow the schedule of activities as set forth below. This schedule is subject to change at the discretion of ESD. Any change will be posted as an amendment in WEBS. It is BIDDERS RESPONSIBILITY to check WEBS to see if any amendments are posted.

All times are local to Washington State, U.S.A.

Join Zoom Meeting https://esd-wa-gov.zoom.us/j/88275383532?pwd=UDb8NnLi8vMVWDz5a0E0wz5FQY10fi.1 Meeting ID: 882 7538 3532 Passcode: 155515

THE FOLLOWING DATES ARE ESTIMATES and can change at any time with no notice

(Expected Contract start date July 1, 2025)

Debriefs to be scheduled May 5 – 9, 2025

1.2 BID SUBMISSION DOCUMENTS:

Bidder must submit the following documents listed in the table below. No other materials need to be submitted. No other materials will be evaluated or scored.

1.3 SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS TO BE SENT ELECTRONICALLY

Bidders must submit their Bid Proposal via email as follows:

Email address: Esdgpbids@esd.wa.gov Subject line: RFP #2025-01 – CCW Industry Sector Leader – [Your Entity’s name].

Submissions of the Bidder’s Proposal must be received by the date and time noted in the current Procurement Schedule. Proposals received after the deadline will be deemed as non-responsive and will not be accepted, reviewed, or evaluated.

Bidders must submit electronic copies of their Proposals in Microsoft Office software or as a PDF.

Bidder’s submission must be all-inclusive in one email and contain all required material in that email transmission. If multiple emails are required due to size restrictions, Bidder can use multiple emails, but each email must be labeled as being a single component of a larger batch. Each email must also be sent immediately after the prior email.

1.4 ZIP FILES OR OTHER MECHANISMS

Files should be attached directly to the email as Word, Excel, or PDF files. Bidders cannot zip the files, or use other programs designed to contain files therein. ESD must be able to scan the file individually prior to opening any folder or other format housing the files. ESD’s inability to do so may result in disqualifying the Bidder’s proposal. If Bidders intends to use any such mechanisms for its submission, it should consult with the procurement coordinator (by email) at least one week prior to submitting the files.

1.5 SINGLE FILE RESPONSES FOR EACH APPENDIX

It is required that each Bidder submit the respective Appendices as separate independent files, all attached on one email.

When responding to each respective Appendix, all content of your responses must be contained within the single file (Word, Excel, PDF) identified for that Appendix. Evaluators will ONLY BE GIVEN THE ONE SINGLE FILE to review and will not read multiple Bidder files for the same Appendix. If your response includes, brochures, resumes, outside letters, etc., they must be included into the single file identified as that appendix.

1.6 RESPONSE LAYOUT REQUIREMENTS

All responsive pages for each appendix must be consecutively numbered. All pages must also contain the name of the Bidder, and the appendix letter to which it applies. The required information may be located at the top or bottom (header or footer) of each page but must be consistent throughout. Any page of material that cannot be independently identified to a respective Bidder, may be disregarded, and not scored.

2 SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY

2.1 SOLICITATION TYPE

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. Pursuant to RCW 28c.30.050, the Employment Security Department (ESD), as grant administrator of Career Connect Washington (CCW), is seeking proposals from highly qualified entities with established connections to employers in specific industry sectors to serve as Sector Leaders. Sector Leaders work side-by-side with employers to develop and implement industry sector strategies that build and scale career connected learning programs (i.e. Career Prep, Career Explore and Career Launch) as employers’ shared talent solutions.

Expanded Scope:

This RFP may be used to identify Apparent Successful Bidders for additional grants, which may become available during the term of the ensuing agreement. If requirements for additional grants are consistent with the objectives, deliverables, and other requirements stated herein, and the additional grants become available during the term of an Agreement with an ASB from this RFP, then such additional grants may be satisfied by an ASB from this RFP.

2.2 PEAR FRAMEWORK

ESD operates with a pro-equity, anti-racist (PEAR) framework. As directed through an executive order, and under the direction of the Washington State Office of Equity, all state agencies will develop PEAR action plans to help achieve the PEAR vision that:

“Everyone in Washington has full access to the opportunities, power and resources they need to flourish and achieve their full potential.”

To this end, ESD is undergoing a critical reflection on how all of our programs, processes, and communications align with the PEAR framework and contribute to the vision of flourishing for all. Bidders in competitive procurements can expect to see revisions in this and upcoming competitive procurement processes as ESD undergoes this evolution.

Such changes are reflected in the appendices to this request for proposal in order to holistically embrace equity efforts throughout proposed program design, delivery, and partnerships. For additional support and guidance on how to understand and approach equity in our collective work, please consider the following resources:

· Equity v. Equality: What’s the Difference?

· Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through the Federal Government

· (divorcing) White Supremacy Culture

· Racial Equity Impact Assessment

· Native Land Map

· Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility in Apprenticeships

2.3 SUPPLIER DIVERSITY

In accordance with RCW 39.26.005, the state encourages agency purchases of goods and services from state small businesses and veteran-owned businesses. State small business, and veteran-owned business is defined below.

· SMALL BUSINESS – A Washington State business, including a sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership or other legal entity, that (a) self-certifies in WEBS that it is owned and operated independently from all other businesses and has either: (i) fifty or fewer employees; or (ii) a gross revenue of less than seven million dollars annually as reported on its federal income tax return or its return filed with the Washington State Department of Revenue over the previous three consecutive years; or (b) is certified with the Washington State Office of Women and Minority Business Enterprises under chapter 39.19 RCW.

· VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS – A veteran-owned business certified as such by the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs.

Each estimated contractual award for this solicitation is above the $150,000.00 amount threshold established by the State’s Supplier Diversity Policy. Although this award exceeds the threshold, ESD still maintains its preference for working with small businesses and veteran-owned businesses. ESD encourages such businesses to submit proposals under this RFP.

2.4 BACKGROUND

Washington is expected to see more than 1.5 million job openings by 2032, with 75% requiring postsecondary credentials and degrees. While 86% of Washington students aspire to pursue education after high school, only 40% complete the post-high school credentials needed for good careers and self-sufficiency.

Launched by Governor Inslee in 2017 and established in law by the Washington State Legislature in 2019, Career Connect Washington (CCW) is the collective action response to closing this gap. The CCW coalition of industry, labor, education, government, and community leaders create and expand access to work-based education programs which help Washington’s students to explore, to prepare for, and to launch into careers.

Our CCW vision is twofold: 1) Every young adult in Washington will have multiple pathways toward economic self-sufficiency and fulfillment strengthened by a comprehensive, statewide system for career connected learning; and 2) employers champion career connected learning as a talent solution and co-create work-based learning and aligned education experiences for Washington’s young people.

We aim to ensure that 100% of students complete Career Prep and Career Explore programs and that 60% of students complete a Career Launch program before the high school class of 2030 is 30 years old. For every young adult to succeed, we must intentionally focus on populations kept furthest from opportunity, especially students of color, Indigenous students, low-income students, rural students, and students with disabilities.

Systemic racism has held our students back, especially Black and Indigenous students, and we work with industry, education, and community leaders to build an anti-racist system for career connected learning.

Achieving our goals requires industry-led growth strategies to rapidly expand programming in Washington’s key industry sectors.

In 2021, CCW directly engaged both small and large businesses to understand employers’ workforce development needs, their experiences with career connected learning, and what CCW could do to help develop and scale solutions.

Business leaders reported short- and long-term challenges finding and recruiting skilled talent and emphasized that recruiting and maintaining a diverse and representative workforce was paramount. They also highlighted that they were missing opportunities to collaborate effectively with fellow employers within their sectors to meet shared workforce needs; too often they shouldered an unnecessary responsibility by creating “one-off” programs, while co-investment opportunities went untapped. This investigation also identified key industry sectors with high employer demand, interest in investment and collaboration, and high growth potential. In response, ESD conducted rounds of information gathering and procurements in late 2021 to design and implement a new CCW grant program. The Legislature provided an additional ongoing appropriation and ESD issued grants to 10 CCW Sector Leaders.

In 2022 and 2023, Sector Leaders and employers co-created sector specific strategies to address skills gaps and future workforce needs. The Sector Leaders identified and promoted investment opportunities among businesses within and across sectors. They created industry specific toolkits and resources for employers. These early efforts laid the groundwork for more targeted and effective initiatives tailored to each industry sector.

In 2023-2024 Sector Leaders and employers further refined their sector strategies to drive future program design and investments to more effectively meet the needs of employers in 2024 and beyond. Current CCW sector strategies, focused on high-priority occupations and employer needs for each industry, can be found on the CCW Sector Leaders webpage.

2.5 RFP OBJECTIVE

ESD will use this RFP to determine both the industry sectors and the designated Sector Leaders for CCW Sector Leader grants.

1. Contract periods of performance and funding levels may be extended depending on performance outcomes and the availability of additional funds.

2. Sector Leaders will serve as key strategic partners to CCW State agencies on federal grant applications and will support employer engagement on such projects.

3. Resulting contracts and their scopes of work may be uniquely tailored to the needs of employers within specific sectors. Activities will be geared towards promoting collaboration and coherency for employers to grow career connected learning. This includes, but is not limited to:

a. Cataloguing employer needs and mapping those against current career connected learning programs;

b. Helping to scale existing programs across employers and regions within the sector;

c. Working with CCW Program Builders, Regional Networks, and other system actors to build new programs to fill gaps and meet employers’ needs; and

d. Growing student participation within career connected learning programs, particularly for students kept furthest from opportunity.

2.6 SECTOR LEADER ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Sector Leaders are sought out by employers as the statewide expert in advancing career connected learning in their sector, offering knowledgeable guidance about current programs, advocating for programs needed by sector employers, and providing the technical expertise and leadership required to support the growth of those programs.

The definition of career connected learning in State law (RCW 28c.30.020) intentionally includes Washington’s robust and nationally-recognized systems of secondary career and technical education (CTE), post-secondary workforce education and training programs at community and technical colleges, baccalaureate degree and professional education at colleges and universities, and apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship registered and recognized by the Washington State Apprenticeship Training Council. CCW Sector Leaders, therefore, serve the needs of employers and partners in this comprehensive career connected learning system – not just those who have received direct CCW grants from ESD or its partner agencies.

The table below lists the six primary roles of a CCW Sector Leader and describes the activities associated with each.

Increase employer participation in career connected learning

Are actively sought out by employers as the trusted advisor on participation in CCL

2.7 KEY ACTIVITES, DELIVERABLES, & OUTCOMES

Through this RFP and resulting contracts, ESD establishes the following key activities and deliverables for CCW Sector Leaders.

· Demonstrate employer validation of and commitment to recommendations

· Demonstrated contribution to increased participation in sector CL programs

· Partnership facilitation across employers, Regional Networks, Program Builders and CCLCs;

· Cultivation and support of new Program Builders; and

· Progress made against sector strategy recommendations.

· Provide advisory feedback on grant applications submitted within sector

· 2x/year recommendations to CCW and State leaders on policy, strategy, funding priorities, and industry engagement

ESD expects that each Sector Leader will achieve the following outcomes within their industry sector.

1. Employers have a shared understanding of workforce needs in their sector and utilize career connected learning programs as their preferred talent solution.

2. Through close connections to CCW and with assistance from Sector Leaders, employers in each of the identified sectors address their workforce needs by leveraging career connected learning programs.

3. Successful career connected learning programs are scaled across the state to serve the needs of students and employers.

4. Opportunities for new Career Launch, Prep, and Explore programs are identified and developed in response to specific employer needs.

5. Employers adopt Career Launch model as a standard business practice.

A CCW Sector Leader plays a visible and vital role in the CCW coalition. In addition to the key activities, deliverables, and outcomes described herein, ESD expects each Sector Leader to contribute to the collective efforts of CCW partners statewide. This expectation includes but is not limited to:

1. Participating in shared learning and community building meetings and efforts;

2. Providing input to CCW and state leaders on matters of strategy, industry engagement, policy, and funding, including providing input as part of funding review processes;

3. Contributing time and talent to the CCW community, supporting or leading efforts around shared knowledge, learning or collaboration;

4. Sharing CCW information and stories in their own communication channels;

5. Contributing to shared resources, tools, and collateral (e.g. playbooks, open-source frameworks or curriculum, employer spotlights); and

6. Providing technical expertise as part of CCW initiatives (e.g. guidance on the development of statewide frameworks).

2.8 WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

ESD expects the impact of successful CCW Sector Leader work to be:

1. A significant increase in the number of employers in each targeted sector who adopt career connected learning programs as their preferred talent training and recruitment solution; and

2. A significant increase in the numbers of programs and participating students in each targeted industry; and

3. That every young adult in Washington, particularly those furthest from opportunity, has equitable access to multiple pathways toward economic self-sufficiency and fulfillment, strengthened by a comprehensive statewide system of Career Connected Learning programs.

2.

3. BIDDER INFORMATION

3.1 BIDDER QUALIFICATIONS

To be eligible for consideration, a Bidder must be licensed, or able and willing to obtain a license, to do business in the State of Washington. Bidder must also substantially meet the Qualifications noted below. Prior to any award, Bidder may be required to verify in writing, or through oral presentation, how it meets each the following standards:

1. Established, strong working relationships with sector employers;

2. Demonstrated understanding of current state of workforce challenges and opportunities within the sector;

3. Capability to leverage established connections with employers to conduct Sector Intermediary activities and accomplish objectives and deliverables;

4. Ability to work across all educational sectors, including K-12, community and technical colleges, 4-year baccalaureate institutions, and registered apprenticeship programs;

5. Ability to work across all geographic regions of Washington state;

6. Ability to work with labor organizations;

7. Ability to work within CCW system, including CCW Regional Networks, Program Builders, Career Connected Learning coordinators, and statewide team; and

8. Capacity to complete the scope of work without needing substantial ramp up time to add resources or develop aforementioned relationships.

Bidders may only identify one industry sector for which they are submitting a proposal. A single bidder may only submit one (1) proposal to serve as Sector Leader in one (1) sector. ESD will not accept bids for multiple sectors, nor will ESD accept multiple bids from any single entity. ESD may consider bids submitted on behalf of multiple interrelated sectors or subsectors when doing so would be consistent with common practice in Washington’s economy and would be consistent with the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)). For the purposes of this RFP, such bids would be considered single industry applications. For example, ESD may consider bids submitted on behalf of manufacturing and aerospace or agriculture, forestry, and natural resources as single industry applications. As a counterexample, ESD would not consider an application on behalf of finance and retail trade.

ESD encourages applications from consortia or backbone organizations on behalf of a partnership. Emerging best practice indicates that industry-led sectoral partnerships, including partnerships across entities such as industry associations, Centers of Excellence, labor organizations, and other strategic partners, may provide more effective industry sector leadership than efforts led and managed by single entities. Bidders who are single entities are strongly encouraged to fully consider how they will ensure employer co-development and co-ownership of the sector strategy as well as how they will collaborate with industry associations, Centers of Excellence, and appropriate labor organizations to fulfill the expectations of a CCW Sector Leader.

3.2 INDUSTRY SECTOR SELECTION INDICATORS

To determine if an industry sector should be considered for a CCW Sector Leader grant, ESD and its Evaluation Team may consider the following key questions and criteria.

1. Does the sector play a prominent role in the statewide economy and labor market?

a. The statewide economy indicates overall growth in this sector

b. The statewide labor market indicates high current or future demand for jobs that lead to economic self-sufficiency

2. Is there a critical need for state-level support to build or align training programs?

a. Employers have pointed to a meaningful need for new training programs to meet workforce demand

b. Education and training pathways are sufficiently complex (e.g. credential or licensure requirements, mismatches between regional supply and demand) such that state-level support is valuable

3. Can the CCW coalition and approach add value to the sector?

a. Employers demonstrate interest in participating in career connected learning programs, particularly Career Launch, and generally have the capability to do so

b. Washington students, particularly those kept furthest from opportunity, would benefit from career connected learning programs in the sector that lead to careers that provide economic self-sufficiency

c. Grant investments in the sector would yield measurable impacts for both students and employers

3.3 SECTOR LEADER SELECTION CRITERIA

ESD and its Evaluation Team will prioritize the selection of bidders who satisfy all of the following criteria.

1. Bidder has an already-established employer membership base, coalition, or committee it will access and engage (or a named partner to the application with this capability, such as an industry association).

2. Bidder can engage a standing roundtable of employers and key partners (e.g. education, labor) that guides career connected learning work in the sector.

3. Bidder’s performance of CCW Sector Leader work is directly aligned to the core mission, vision, and strategic goals of their organization (i.e. Sector Leader work will not be secondary to the organization’s primary activities and strategic objectives).

4. Bidder has a demonstrated track record of success in education, training, and workforce development initiatives.

5. Bidder’s executive leadership and senior staff will have direct roles in the performance of CCW Sector Leader work and the achievement of the expected outcomes and impact. Sector Leader work will not be conducted in full by junior staff or project-based new hires.

6. If the bidder runs its own workforce or training programs, the bidder will implement policies and practices to ensure their Sector Leader work advances all career connected learning programs across Washington’s full workforce, training, and education ecosystem.

7. Bidder staffed, motivated, and capable of intensive employer engagement and stakeholder work. Sector Leader work is industry-led and external-facing. ESD does not fund labor market research, analysis, or studies through Sector Leader grants.

3.4 BIDDERS CONFERENCE

There will be a virtual Bidder Conference for this RFP. The date, time, and meeting link for the conference is contained in the Procurement Schedule (page 2). ESD highly recommends that all Bidders attend this conference.

Join Zoom Meeting https://esd-wa-gov.zoom.us/j/88275383532?pwd=UDb8NnLi8vMVWDz5a0E0wz5FQY10fi.1 Meeting ID: 882 7538 3532 Passcode: 155515 The Conference will address the following topics:

· CCW overview

· Overview of the RFP

· Elements of more a successful bid response.

NOTE: A main goal for Bidders Conferences, is to provide helpful information and assistance to first time bidders, especially for those who are small, minority, and veteran owned entities. All bidders are encouraged to attend the Bidder’s Conference as the value of the information will benefit everyone. However, if any Bidder has specific questions or matters that it may want addressed during the Bidder’s Conference, it should write the Procurement Coordinator ahead of time and submit such information. It is our goal to provide you the information you need to submit the best proposal possible.

ESD provides no assurance that a recording will be available at a later date.

3.5 BIDDER WRITTEN INQUIRIES - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

If a Bidder has questions regarding this RFP, such matters must be put in writing and submitted to the Procurement Coordinator – please review deadline for submitting Bidder questions. All questions from a bidder should be pooled together and submitted at the one time. If Bidder has subsequent questions, they may submit them to esdgpbids@esd.wa.gov, but ESD is not obligated to respond.

All proper questions, and ESD’s responses thereto, will be grouped together into a single document. That document will be posted in WEBS. The Procurement Coordinator is not required to send individual notification to Bidders when responses are available. Bidders must be registered in WEBS to receive the responses.

3.6 BIDDER COMPLAINTS

Bidders may submit a formal written complaint to the RFP Coordinator. The RFP Coordinator will consider complaints from the Bidder that meet one or more of the following criteria. The Bidder believes the Solicitation:

· Unnecessarily restricts competition.

· Contains inadequate or insufficient requirements; or

· Utilizes an evaluation process that is unfair or flawed.

In addition, all complaints must comply with the following requirements:

· The complaint must be in writing.

· The complaint must be sent to the RFP Coordinator in a timely manner, as set forth on the Procurement Schedule – Page 2.

· The complaint must clearly articulate the basis for the complaint; and

· The complaint must include a proposed remedy.

The RFP Coordinator will evaluate the validity of the complaint and make a good-faith effort to notify the Bidder within three (3) business days of ESD’s decision. If the RFP Coordinator requires additional time to make a determination, the Bidder will be notified within the (3) business days.

ESD reserves the right to modify the solicitation if it is determined, at the sole discretion of the agency, that the complaint is valid or the recommended change is in the best interest of agency. Bidder complaints may not be raised again during the protest process. The agency’s decision is final and no appeal process will be available to the Bidder once a decision has been made.

ESD’s response to the complaint, including any resulting changes to the solicitation, will be posted on WEBS. The ESD Commissioner will be notified of the complaint and provided with a copy of the agency’s response.

4. CONTRACT INFORMATION

4.1 INTENDED AWARDS

ESD intends to award multiple contracts from this RFP. However, only one contract will be awarded within any single industry sector. ESD does not pre-determine which sectors will be selected for awards. Such determinations will be made as part of the overall evaluation process.

Each contract’s compensation amount is estimated between $200,000 and $300,000, and each period of performance will cover the period from ASB Announcement and award, until June 30, 2027.

In the event that additional federal or state funding becomes available, any contract awarded herein may be amended to provide for additional funding and related services. ESD has sole discretion over such extensions, but must consider the overall value that the program provides relative to the state’s needs and the local needs of the community it is serving.

ESD reserves the right to extend resulting Sector Leader contracts, through an amendment executed by both parties, beyond the estimated end date of June 30, 2027.

4.2 SAMPLE CONTRACT

A Sample Contract is included in this RFP, or will be posted to WEBS at least twenty-eight days before the Bid Proposals are due.

This sample contract constitutes the foundational document from which ESD will negotiate and ultimately contract with the ASB. Final contracts must remain consistent with the sample contract. Under no circumstances is the Bidder to submit its own standard contract terms and conditions in response to this solicitation. A Bidder’s own Standard Contract will not be accepted or reviewed.

Bidder Exceptions: If Bidder does not accept all terms in the sample contract, then bidder MUST identify its exceptions no later than the date Bid Proposals are due. (Although ESD suggests that Bidder provide such exceptions as early in the Bid process as possible.) Bidder’s exceptions should be turned in as a separate document labeled “RFP 2025-01 - [Bidder Name] Contract Exceptions.”

ESDs Response to Bidder Exceptions: Upon receipt of bidder’s exceptions ESD may at its sole discretion: (1) Request clarifications from the bidder, (2) Deem certain exceptions to be material changes to the contract and/or otherwise unacceptable. ESD will then notify the bidder that the exceptions must be revised or waived in order for the bid to be considered responsive. (3) Deem the exceptions to be potentially allowable alterations to the contract, and negotiate the merits of such edits during the contract negotiation stage should Bidder become the ASB.

4.3 FAILURE TO CONTRACT WITH ASB

When a Bidder is selected to be awarded with a contract, ESD will make a good faith effort to negotiate any proposed edits to the contract with the Apparent Successful Bidder (ASB). However, if ESD believes that despite such efforts, ESD and the ASB cannot enter into an agreement that properly serves the interests of the State of Washington, then ESD may rescind its determination of the ASB.

5. EVALUATION TO AWARD

5.1 MULTI-PHASE APPROACH

ESD will use a multi-phased approach to evaluate, score, announce and award the winning Bidders for this RFP.

Phase 1: Administrative Review Phase 2: Review of Proposals Phase 3: Announcement of Successful Bidders.

PHASE 1: ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

5.2 VERIFICATION OF RESPONSIVENESS

All Proposals received by the stated deadline will first be reviewed by the Procurement Coordinator and staff to ensure that the proposals contain all required information.

Only responsive proposals that meet the requirements will be forwarded to the evaluation team for review. Any proposal that does not contain all required information, or any Bidder that does not meet all of the mandatory qualifications, will be rejected as non-responsive, and will be removed from further evaluation.

In making this initial assessment, the Procurement Coordinator has the right to waive and/or seek correction of minor informalities that do not alter the substantive content of the Proposal. If Bidders are given the opportunity to correct such issues, they must do so only as instructed by the Procurement Coordinator. Bidders cannot alter, edit, or supplement the material responses of their proposal.

PHASE 2: REVIEW OF PROPOSALS

5.3 SELECTION OF EVALUATION TEAM

Evaluation of the proposals will be conducted by an evaluation team. ESD has sole discretion over the number and selection of evaluators. Evaluators will be selected based on their own knowledge, skill, and experience. Evaluators do not need to be employed personnel of ESD but will be connected with the CCW program. Different evaluators may be used to evaluate different sections of the RFP.

5.4 EVALUATION OF INDUSTRY SECTOR & SECTOR LEADER PROPOSALS

Appendix B is comprised of two mandatory sections:

1. Industry Sector Proposal; and

2. Sector Leader Proposal.

The Industry Sector Proposal will be scored on a pass / no-pass basis. Evaluators may consider the key questions and criteria described in section 3.2 when making their independent judgements. The intent of the Industry Sector Proposal section is for a bidder to propose their industry sector for a CCW Sector Leader grant. Bidders who propose sectors that receive a no-pass evaluation will be removed from further consideration. No further evaluation of their overall proposal will then take place.

The Sector Leader Proposal will be based on a 5-point Likert scale, as noted in table 5.5 below. Evaluators will consider the expectations of a Sector Leader described herein and the specific Sector Leader selection criteria described in section 3.3 when making their own independent judgement. The intent of the Sector Leader Proposal section is for a bidder to propose their entity, consortium, or partnership as the designated CCW Sector Leader for their industry sector.

Table 5.5

PHASE 3: DESIGNATION OF APPARENT SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS

5.5 DETERMINING APPARENT SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS

Upon concluding the evaluations for each approved sector, ESD will determine the top scoring Bidder from each sector. That Bidder will be announced as the Apparent Successful Bidder (ASB) for that sector. Only one successful bidder will be announced for each approved sector.

The Designation as an ASB does not mean that ESD guarantees the award of a contract to the identified entity. It merely indicates that at that moment in time, upon conclusion of the initial evaluation, ESD believes the entity to be a responsive and responsible bidder, who provided a proposal that meets the potential funding threshold for the CCW program. ESD will make additional inquiries and perform additional investigation into each Bidder during the Phase 3 process.

5.6 ANNOUNCEMENT OF APPARENT SUCCESSFUL BIDDER

Upon selecting the ASBs, ESD will notify both the ASBs, and the non-successful Bidders, per notice in WEBS. The WEBS notice is the official notice for debrief and protest timelines. Bidders who are not registered in WEBS are deemed as receiving the notice and are still bound by the timelines. ESD may also provide additional notice via a direct email, but ESD has no obligation to do so outside of the WEBS posting.

Following the announcement of the Apparent Successful Bidders (ASB), Bidders may request a Debrief conference, which must be performed in accordance with procurement guidelines set forth in section 6. Unsuccessful Bidders will have a short period of time to request the Debrief conference.

NOTE: A Debrief conference is a required prerequisite for any Bidder desiring to protest the award. However, if Bidders are not intending to protest, they may request a review meeting. The Review Meeting does not have to occur within the limited time frames of a debrief and protest. Therefore, a review meeting may provide the bidder with greater flexibility to obtain their desired information.

6. DEBRIEF AND PROTESTS

6.1 DEBRIEFING OF UNSUCCESSFUL BIDDERS

Consistent with RCW 39.26.180, ESD will use WEBS to announce the apparent successful Bidder(s). This announcement starts the clock for the debrief and protest process outlined below.

In the event the protest process results in a non-successful Bidder becoming an apparent successful Bidder, the new apparent successful Bidder will be announced and the debrief and protest period outlined below starts over again.

On the initial announcement of apparent successful Bidders, the submissions and evaluations from this RFP are available for public inspection. If requested, the protest period should not conclude before the requestor has had five (5) business days to review.

Bidders who submitted a Proposal and were not selected as an Apparent Successful Bidder will be given the opportunity for a Debrief conference. The Procurement Coordinator must receive the request for a Debrief conference within three (3) business days after the notification of unsuccessful Bidder(s) is posted in WEBS. The Debrief shall be held within five (5) business days of the request unless jointly extended by the parties.

Discussion will be limited to a critique of the requesting Bidder’s Proposal including the factors considered in the evaluation of that Proposal and the Bidder’s performance with regard to the solicitation requirements. Comparisons between Proposals or evaluations of the other Proposals will not be allowed. Debrief conferences may be conducted by video conference or on the telephone and are intended to be scheduled for a maximum of thirty (30) minutes.

6.2 PROTESTS

Bidders protesting this procurement shall follow the procedures described herein. Protests that do not follow these procedures shall not be considered. This protest procedure constitutes the sole administrative remedy available to a Bidder under this procurement. ESD will not accept any protest before the announcement of the Apparent Successful Bidder(s).

The protest procedure is only available to Bidders who submitted a response to this RFP and who have participated in a Debrief conference. ESD must receive a protest within five (5) business days of the Debrief, except when procurement records are properly requested within that five-day period.

6.3 PROCUREMENT RECORDS DISCLOSURE

A Bidder may request copies of solicitation and evaluation documents or may inspect solicitation and evaluation documents in order to decide the efficacy of making a protest. Such a request must made as a public records request sent to the Public Records Office for ESD. (An additional copy of the request should also be sent to the Procurement Coordinator. ESD will respond to provide the Bidder with notice on when they should expect to receive the documents. The five-day period to file for the protest will then start over when the Bidder receives the documents.

6.4 GROUNDS FOR PROTEST

A protest may be made based only on the following grounds:

· A matter of bias, discrimination, or conflict of interest on the part of an evaluator.

· Errors in computing the scores.

· Non-compliance with the procedures established in this Procurement document.

Protests not based on these grounds will not be considered. Protests will be rejected as without merit if they address issues such as: 1) An evaluator’s professional judgment on the quality of a Proposal, or 2) ESD’s assessment of its own needs or requirements.

6.5 PROTEST FORM AND CONTENT

A Protest must state all the facts and arguments upon which the Protest is based, and the grounds for the Protest. It must be in writing and signed by a person authorized to bind the Bidder to a contractual relationship. At a minimum, the Protest must include:

The name of the protesting Bidder, mailing address and phone number, and the name of the individual responsible for submission of the Protest.

· The RFP number and title.

· A detailed and complete statement of the specific ESD actions under Protest.

· The grounds for the Protest; and

· Description of the relief or corrective action requested.

· Bidders may attach supporting documentation to their Protest as they deem necessary and proper.

6.6 SUBMITTING A PROTEST

Protests must be in writing, must be signed by the Bidder, and must be received by the ESD Contract Administrator at the address below within five (5) business days after the debriefing conference. Protests may be submitted by email.

All protests shall be emailed to ESD Contract Director as follows:

Email address: Esdgpbids@esd.wa.gov Subject line: RFP 2025-01 - Protest - [Bidder Name].

Upon ESD’s receipt of a Protest, a review and investigation will be conducted by a neutral party, designated by the Contract’s Director, who had no involvement in the evaluation and award process. The reviewer will conduct an objective review of the Protest, based on the contents of the written Protest and the RFP and any amendments, the Proposals, all documents showing evaluation and scoring of the Proposals record and any other pertinent information and issue a decision within ten (10) business days of receipt of the protest, unless additional time is needed. If additional time is needed, the protesting Bidder will be notified of the delay.

In the event a Protest may affect the interest of another Bidder that submitted a Proposal, such Bidder will be given an opportunity to submit its views and any relevant information on the Protest to the Contract Director.

ESD will make a final determination on the Protest; per its findings, ESD will:

· Find the Protest lacking in merit and uphold ESD’s action.

· Find only technical or harmless errors in ESD’s acquisition process and determine ESD to be in substantial compliance and reject the protest.

· Find merit in the protest and provide ESD options which may include:

· That ESD correct the errors and re-evaluate all Proposals.

· That ESD reissue the RFP document and begin a new process.

· Other courses of action as appropriate.

7. ADDITIONAL GENERAL PROVISIONS

7.1 AFFIRMATION OF RFP CONTENT

By responding to this RFP, a Bidder acknowledges they have read and understand the entire RFP and unless Bidder has provided specific notice of any exception, Bidder accepts all information contained within the RFP without modification.

7.2 ERRORS IN RFP

If the Bidder discovers any discrepancy, error, or omission in this RFP document, or in any of the attached appendices or attachments, the Bidder must notify the RFP Coordinator immediately. If ESD is in agreement with the notice, an amendment will be posted on WEBS If the Bidder does not notify ESD of any discrepancy, error, or omission discovered in this RFP or submit any complaint or exceptions to the contract, the Bidder will be deemed to have accepted all terms of as initially written.

7.3 AMENDMENTS TO THE RFP

ESD reserves the right to revise this RFP. All changes will be made by written amendment. All official amendments will be posted in WEBS and will automatically become incorporated as part of this RFP. If there are any conflict between amendments, or between an amendment and the RFP, whichever document was issued last in time will be controlling.

Amendments will be made in consideration to the overall timeline; ESD will determine whether extensions to the timeline are necessary.

7.4 ERRORS IN BIDDER RESPONSE

Bidders are liable for all errors or omissions contained in their Responses. Bidders will not be allowed to alter Response documents after the deadline for Response submission. ESD is not liable for any errors in Responses. ESD reserves the right to contact Bidder for clarification of Response contents.

NOTE: This clarification process is only used to clarify information that was contained within the Proposal; it is not a means of providing or incorporating new information, or altering the proposal structure as initially presented.

ESD has no requirement to prereview Proposals that are submitted prior to the deadline; any such pre-review is only made at ESD discretions. Full reviews will be made as stated in the Evaluation and Award section.

7.5 RESPONSIVENESS OF BIDDER’S PROPOSAL

Each Bidder is specifically notified that failure to comply with any part of the solicitation may result in rejection of the bid as non-responsive. Rejected, non-responsive bids will not be scored.

It is the responsibility of each Bidder to carefully read, understand, and follow all the instructions contained in this RFP, and in any future amendments. If a Bidder does not fully understand any bid requirement, Bidder should submit an inquiry to the Procurement Coordinator. ESD reserves the right to waive any administrative minor irregularity in a proposal, but it is not required to do so.

7.6 CONTRACTING WITH CURRENT OR FORMER STATE EMPLOYEES

Specific restrictions apply to contracting with current or former state employees pursuant to chapter 42.52 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). Those restrictions also apply to any Bidder submitting a Proposal under this RFP who has hired a former state employee. Bidders should familiarize themselves with the requirements prior to submitting a Proposal that includes current or former state employees.

7.7 COST OF RESPONSE PREPARATION

ESD will not reimburse Bidders for any costs associated with preparing or presenting a Proposal to this solicitation.

ESD will not be liable for any costs incurred by the Bidder in preparation or presentation of a responsive Proposal to this RFP.

ESD will not pay for any costs accrued prior to a mutually executed contract or purchase order resulting from this RFP.

7.8 DUE DILLIGENCE

ESD has the inherent right to perform due diligence on any Bidder. This includes, without limitation, the ability to contact past references or any other persons or entities named in Bidder’s Proposal. By submitting a Proposal, Bidder consents to this paragraph, and will provide a disclosure waiver upon request by ESD. Failure to provide a disclosure/waiver upon request may result in disqualification.

7.9 OWNERSHIP OF PROPOSALS

All Proposals and materials submitted in response to this RFP become the property of ESD. ESD has the right to use information or adaptations of information that is presented in a response, unless the information is marked “Proprietary” and is not: (1) already known to ESD prior to receipt of the information in the Proposal or materials submitted in response to this RFP, (2) subsequently disclosed to ESD by a third party who has the lawful right to make such disclosure, or (3) lawfully publicly available. Selection or rejection of the offer will not affect this right.

7.10 FINAL SELECTION & NO OBLIGATION

ESD reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject all responses without penalty and not to issue a contract as a result of this solicitation. ESD further reserves the right to cancel or reissue this RFP prior to execution of a contract, if it is in the best interest of ESD to do so, as determined by ESD in its sole discretion.

7.11 INCORPORATION OF PROPOSAL IN CONTRACT

The Bidder’s response, including all promises, warranties, commitments, and representations made in the successful Proposal, are binding and shall be incorporated by reference into ESD’s contract(s) with an Apparent Successful Bidder.

7.12 STATEWIDE VENDOR PAYMENT REGISTRATION

Contractors are required to be registered in the Statewide Vendor Payment system, prior to submitting…