RFQ Stewardship Corps FY26~1.pdf

Statement of Work – Request for Quote

RFP Title: DCR Stewardship Corps Fall 2025

Commbuys Bid #: BD-26-1020-DCRFS-DC367-119980

Contract #: DCR 937

Contract Category: Youth Programming

Description of need Summary: This Request for Quote (RFQ) is posted by the Department of Conservation and Recreation for the procurement of a vendor to provide program management support services offering free, safe youth-based programs for at-risk teens and young adults in the Lowell-Lawrence area.

Commonwealth Eligible Entity Engaging a Vendor:

Eligible Entity Name Department of Conservation and Recreation

Type of Eligible Entity: State Agency

Eligible Entity Mailing Address: 10 Park Plaza Ste. 6620, Boston, MA 02116

Contact Name: Laura Sapienza-Grabski

E-Mail Address: laura.sapienza-grabski@mass.gov

Telephone: 857-962-5671

This Request for Quote (RFQ) does not commit DCR to approve a Statement of Work (SOW), pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a bidder’s response to this RFQ, or to engage for products or services. DCR reserves the right to accept or reject any and all quotes received as a result of this RFQ and to contract for some, all, or none of the responding vendors as a result of this RFQ. DCR further reserves the right to negotiate with any or all responding vendors or to cancel this RFQ, in part or in its entirety, if it is in the best interest of the agency to do so.

Estimated Duration of Project: Outright Purchase or Fee for Service Duration

Estimated Value of Procurement: $30,000.00 ($15,000.00 per vendor)

Anticipated Completion of Project: 11/27/2025

The selected vendor will be responsible for the following tasks/specifications sought:

provide transportation services, supervision and meals for participants, in addition to the selection of students for the program, through a promotion of the program by the youth organizations

Scope of Services:

DCR is steward to over 450,000 acres of forests, parks, reservations, and reservoirs across the Commonwealth. DCR promotes recreational and educational programs and opportunities to its more than 25 million visitors annually.

DCR Stewardship Corps is a program now under DCR 937 to provide free, safe, youth-based programs for at-risk teens and young adults in the Lowell and Lawrence area, in these DCR’s Heritage State Parks communities.

The program demonstrates commitment to urban youth development, builds community, fosters activities that promote healthy lifestyles and promotes shared stewardship of our parks, while promoting employment and career opportunities in fields supporting or employed by DCR.

DCR staff from multiple departments and agencies, including but not limited to Forestry, Water Supply, Operations, Fish and Wildlife, Cultural Resources, shall provide the educational content, in conjunction with the youth organization selected and opportunities to visit and tour DCR Parks or Properties.

Two approved youth service organizations under DCR 937 are needed to provide transportation services, supervision and meals for participants, in addition to the selection of students for the program, through a promotion of the program by the youth organizations

DCR is seeking for September 2025, 10-15 youths from each identified DCR 937 Youth Services organization in this solicitation, for program management support services creating high quality, age appropriate in-person programs for urban youths between the ages 13– 17; with the option of one youth who previously completed the Program and of working age, to be a paid Mentor Stewardship Corps assistant of youth organization in this solicitation.

Requirements:

The Stewardship Corps Sessions are to take place between September -November 2025, preferably for a minimum of 2 hours of after school for session programming and additional time and funding for food, beverages or snacks, within the hours of 3:00 pm-7 pm; and with at least two weekend field trips 11am-2:30 pm.

Some daytime programming may be allowed during non-school weekdays, for sessions and field trips.

Session programming may be offered on the same day(s) during the week to create consistency in the program period of September – November 2025.

Community service projects for Lowell and Lawrence Heritage State Park or these general communities may be offered by DCR during the year for the Stewardship Corps to participate.

Boys and Girls Clubs may provide memberships to their clubs of up to $40 per participant of the Stewardship Corps and include these expenses under the program contract.

Additional Benefits:

The program offers youth a chance to view the inner workings of DCR for conservation and recreation careers or employment pathways and may offer additional opportunities for participants who completed the Stewardship Corps program.

Billing Requirements:

Billing must include hourly labor rates and hours worked, by work category.

Copies of receipts for expenses must be submitted.

Responses: To respond, please complete the attached Bidder Response Form. Responses (bids/quotes) are to be submitted to DCR electronically via the “Create Quote” function contained in Commbuys system. If you are a vendor on DCR 937 and have not registered on Commbuys, you are required to do so. Vendors should consult the vendor user guide at http://www.mass.gov/anf/docs/osd/commbuys/commbuys-vendor-registration.

Help is available from the Commbuys Help Desk at 617.720.3197.

Questions are Due by: Tuesday 8/19/2025, 5:00pm

Answers to Questions will be submitted by: Wednesday 8/20/2025, 5:00pm

RFP Responses are due by: Thursday 8/21/2025, 5:00pm

Estimated Award Date: Monday 8/26/2025, 5:00pm

Contract Start Date (EST): Thursday 9/18/2025

Project Number: TBD; available upon award