Skill Up Rolling RFR -final.docx

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Executive Office of Health and Human Services

Department of Youth Services

Cecely Reardon, Acting Commissioner

Request for Responses:

Single Service Provider Skill Up: Career, Technical and Workforce Training and Employment Services Request for Responses (RFR)to Support DYS Youth in Residential and Community Settings

RFR # 2023-07

February 2023

SKILL UP REQUEST FOR RESPONSE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Instructions for Submission of Responses

To be completed by DYS Only. Modifications to these requirements will not be accepted

ACQUISITION METHOD TO BE USED FOR CONTRACT(S):

License

Tax Exempt Lease Purchase (TELP)

Term Lease

Rental (not to exceed 6 months)

Other (specify):

SINGLE OR MULTIPLE CONTRACTORS FOR CONTRACT PERFORMANCE:

SINGLE OR MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS MAY CONTRACT UNDER THIS REQUEST FOR RESPONSES (RFR):

Only Procuring Department May Contract Under RFR

Statewide Contract – All Departments may purchase under terms of this RFR

Multiple Identified Departments Listed in RFR may purchase under terms of this RFR under separate contract

TOTAL ANTICIPATED DURATION OF QUALIFICATION(S):

Initial Qualification Duration (Indicate Number)

Options To Renew (Indicate Numbers):

Month(s)

General Requirements for Submission of Responses

Proposal Submissions Electronic Submissions - Effective July 1, 2014, all procurements posted on COMMBUYS, known as Bids, require the submission of electronic responses, known as Quotes on COMMBUYS. To submit an electronic Quote Bidders must register and maintain an active COMMBUYS Seller subscription account. Questions regarding COMMBUYS should be directed to the COMMBUYS Help Desk at commbuys@state.ma.us.

1. All pages must be consecutively numbered to facilitate review and cross-referencing during the proposal review process.

2. A Table of Contents must be provided to assist the reviewers in finding relevant response information.

Representatives from the Department are available to respond to both programmatic and fiscal questions specific to this RFR. All questions must be sent via e-mail to: sandra.r.stearns@mass.gov

Any instance of the words ‘he/she’ or ‘him/her’ is changed to ‘he/she/they’ or ‘him/her/them’ as appropriate.

Procurement Calendar:

The Bidder’s Conferences and ‘New to State Business Informational Meeting’ will be held online. Please limit the representatives from your organization to a maximum of three and send RSVP’s for all attendees to sandra.r.stearns@mass.gov.

The Quarterly Bidder’s Conferences and New to State Business Informational Meetings will be held on the following days:

FY23: February 28, 2023, April 4, 2023, FY24: July 11, 2023, October 3, 2023, January 2, 2024, April 2, 2024 FY25: July 2, 2024, October 1, 2024, January 7, 2025, April 1, 2025

Attendees will receive the link to the virtual Bidder’s conference and ‘New to State Business Informational Meeting’ after submitting an RSVP for their organization representatives, including names and respective email addresses, of those who plan on joining this meeting.

Note: Attendance at the Bidder’s Conference and ‘New to State Business Informational Meeting’ is not a prerequisite for bidding on this procurement.

Introduction: Description of Massachusetts Department of Youth Services The Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (“the Department” or “DYS”) is the juvenile justice agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that serves youth committed as juvenile delinquents or youthful offenders and detained youth awaiting judicial action. Since 2013, the Department has offered voluntary transitional services (“Youth Engaged in Services” or “YES”) to committed youth after they have been discharged from DYS care and custody. Collectively, these committed and YES youth will be referred to as “DYS youth” and are the recipients of services contracted through this RFR.

The Department’s mission is to enhance community safety by improving the life outcomes for youth in our care and custody. We achieve our mission by investing in highly qualified staff and a service continuum that engages youth, families, and communities in strategies that support positive youth development.

Nationally and locally young people of color are over-represented in the juvenile justice system. Consequently, as an agency, one of our strategic priorities is to identify and reduce racial and/or ethnic disparities. The Department strives to implement policies and programming for DYS youth that respect the values, preferences, beliefs, culture, experiences and identity of youth, families, staff and the community. This includes the use of screening and assessment tools and youth engagement that promote fair outcomes for all youth.

In response to changing demographics and guided by successful partnerships, DYS is working to implement a broad-based, community focused approach to reducing juvenile delinquency through a combination of intervention and prevention strategies that recognize and address root causes of juvenile justice involvement at the individual, family, community, and systemic levels. A primary focus for this effort is to strengthen and expand community partnerships. DYS is committing itself to establishing partnerships with a variety of organizations and individuals, with an eye toward the following goals and objectives:

· supporting District Offices and Satellite Offices in communities with the highest population of DYS youth to effectuate successful community transitions and community supervision;

· strengthening and expanding partnerships that allow us to collaborate in efforts to reduce crime and enhance community safety;

· consistently assessing youth risk and need;

· protecting the public;

· supporting a service continuum that provides DYS youth with a comprehensive range of services;

· improving facility and program capacity;

· increasing staff skill and consistency of practice through strong staff training efforts and practices;

· addressing racial and ethnic disparity for our young people, their families and communities while ensuring our programs and staff are committed to promoting an anti-racist culture;

· ensuring that each program incorporates Positive Youth Development (PYD), a framework that is strength-based and incorporates youths’ voices at all levels of service development and provision, and trauma-informed services, a framework that considers and responds to the experiences of individuals; and

· ensuring each program meets the individualized needs of youth in specific Regions as identified.

Context of Massachusetts Department of Youth Services For committed youth, the Department’s service continuum consists of a combination of community based and residential services and supports to meet their needs. Dividing the state geographically into five regions, DYS operates thirty-six, 24/7 residential treatment programs ranging in security levels, five scattered apartment independent living programs, and twenty-one district and satellite offices strategically located in each region to provide committed youth with comprehensive supervision and supports that are as close as possible to their home communities and families. Of the 36 residential programs, 20 are located in hardware secure facilities and 16 are staff secure, stand-alone group homes [see Appendices A, C & F]. The services procured through this Request for Response shall be constructed to serve DYS youth as they move through the continuum.

Youth adjudicated as delinquent are committed to DYS until the age of 18. Youth adjudicated as youthful offender are committed to DYS until the age of 21.

For FY 2021, the average daily population of committed youth statewide is approximately 289 young people. The average age of committed youth is 17.8 years. Eighty seven percent (87%) were male and thirteen (13%) were female; 18.7% Caucasian; 29.0% Black; 45.2% Hispanic; 0.7% Asian; 6.5% Other.

DYS committed youth who discharged DYS in FY2021 spent an average of 425 days in residential treatment where they received education, post-secondary, clinical, health and other services before release to the community. These same youth spent an average of 317 days in the community with case management and supports under DYS supervision. Youth Engaged in Services (YES) are eligible, post discharge, to receive DYS voluntary transitional services up to the age of 22. The average daily population of YES statewide is approximately 163 young people. The average duration of YES engagement is more than 10 months.

Statement of Need The Massachusetts Department of Youth Services “Single Service Provider Skill Up: Career, Technical and Workforce Training and Employment Services” Request for Responses (RFR) seeks proposals from vocational and higher education, unions, businesses, nonprofit and community based organizations and other entities that can provide high-quality career, technical, workforce training and employment programs and services for DYS youth in residential and community settings.

Currently, the Department is developing a broad network of Career, Vocational and Employability services under the recent Skill Up procurement ( COMMBUYS - Bid Solicitation) and wishes to regularly examine needs and add to this network. The Department is looking to implement an enhanced, comprehensive workforce development model that will develop youth’s academic, technical and employability skills and lead to meaningful employment in jobs that are in high demand in regional Massachusetts labor markets.

DYS is seeking to competitively procure Career, Technical and Workforce Training and Employment Services for youth up to 22 years of age from entities that include educational institutions, workforce development agencies, community-based service providers and businesses with demonstrated track records of providing quality career, technical and workforce programs and services that will give juvenile justice involved young people transferable work skills and realistic pathways to meaningful employment in the community. The goals of the “Single Service Provider Skill Up: Career, Technical and Workforce Training and Employment Services” Request for Response is to:

Engage entities that can deliver high-quality career development, technical training and workforce programming and services that are aligned with local labor market needs within or across the five DYS geographic regions in Massachusetts.

Reduce recidivism for DYS youth through the provision of high-quality services leading to employment with benefits at family sustaining wages.

Reduce employment barriers and provide career, technical and workforce training that improves opportunities and reduces access and engagement barriers for youth as they transition back to the community from their residential treatment programs.

Increase career, technical and workforce training and employment opportunities for DYS youth by building employer partnerships.

Provide youth with the transferable skills, pro-social behaviors and credentials that will enable them to secure and advance in employment with family-sustaining wages

Through this RFR, DYS seeks expertise from Bidders that can deliver statewide or targeted regional career, technical and workforce programs and services for older youth who are in a variety of residential and community settings, with a range of educational statuses (seeking or attained their high school diploma or Hi-set).

The Department will consider proposals from bidders responding as a Single Service Provider to provide one or more of the below listed Optional Services. Proposals shall include a project plan with dates, tasks and milestones displaying when the proposed program(s) and service(s) will be fully operational. Optional Service 1: Work-based learning experiences including “hands-on training” and tiered and/or supportive employment opportunities that match youth goals and set them up for success with future family sustaining wages. Proposed activities should include but not be limited to subsidized and unsubsidized internships designed for residential and community settings.

Optional Service 2: Vocational and/or technical training, including on-line or virtual reality courses and authentic experience in shops that align with labor market needs. Proposed activities should include but not be limited to vocational and occupational pathways that are affiliated with vocational technical high school “night schools” or community college opportunities.

Optional Service 3: Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship programs, including technical certifications, that provide access (and eventual membership) to pre-apprenticeship or journeyman training including programs administered by labor or trade unions.

Optional Service 4: Social Enterprises that are located in one or more DYS facility that are designed and operated as small, entrepreneurial businesses that help youth build workforce competencies, skills and experience along with a wage.

Optional Service 5: Consulting for Career, Technical and Workforce Training and Employment Services will be procured to meet a specialized need as identified by the Department. DYS will establish a master list of qualified consultants, both organizations and individuals, from which it will draw on an "as needed" basis. Consultants interested in providing specialized services (such as, but limited to Program Design, Process Development, Implementation Support and Subject Matter Expertise) are expected to work collaboratively with the Department (and provider entities, if appropriate) to define the scope of services including timelines and estimated resource needs.

Selection of Service Providers to Implement “Skill Up: Career, Technical and Workforce Training and Employment Services Career, Technical and Workforce Optional Services” The Department is seeking proposals that will support existing and new career, vocational and technical workforce development opportunities that can:

a) be adapted to the challenges presented by hardware secure and staff secure juvenile justice settings;

b) be continued upon DYS youth release to the community under DYS supervision;

c) be aligned with vocational and job training options and employment opportunities that currently exist in each of the state’s five DYS regions (Metropolitan Boston, Southeast, Northeast, Central and Western); and

d) be tied closely to local labor markets so youth are able to secure long-term, quality employment.

Ways to Respond to the RFR Single Service Provider (regional or statewide): Apply to offer one or more services identified from Optional Services 1-5 in one or more of the five DYS regions. These services can be offered in either residential or community programming and should be targeted at the DYS youth population and geographic locations found in Appendix C and Appendix F. Examples of a single optional service provider could be workplace learning opportunities garnered through a MassHire career center, a community-based organization, grassroots, small organizations with limited infrastructure, a church with a nonprofit designation, local business and/or a vocational-technical high school, among other potential providers.

Single Service bidders should submit a short proposal for services using the proposal found in Appendix B of this Request for Responses.

Purpose: Desired Program Services Programs must be designed and delivered to meet the needs of youth and young adults with multiple barriers to employment who seek training so they may access high demand industries in the region or state.

The purpose of this RFR is to seek specific services and innovations to strengthen and expand DYS’ delivery of career, vocational and training options and employment services. Providers will be expected to provide direct oversight and on-site instruction. Responses must include a proposed staffing model of instructors to support regional programming for Optional Services 1-5.

Optional Service 1: Work-based Learning including focused career mentoring, job shadowing, “hands-on training” and tiered and/or supportive employment opportunities that align with youth Career and Employability Plans. Empower Your Future content and/or on-line modules may be incorporated to provide specific skill building. In partnership with residential program staff and case management teams, the successful bidder will be responsible for the oversight and implementation of these work-based learning and job opportunities as identified and coordinated by the Employment Outreach staff in consultation with the Career Navigation staff. These services can be supported by a range of potential bidders, and where possible, should leverage state and federal funds (Youth Works, WIOA federal and state funds, MassHire Career Centers, etc.) to assist with implementation.

a. Residential Settings: Explore their interests and build, “soft-skills” through “Hands-On” and on-the job training in a DYS residential setting allowing youth to gain work experience and secure a wage as they develop skills and competencies directly relevant to the youth’s Career and Employment Plan. Current opportunities include kitchen assistant, carpenter, maintenance, greenhouse assistants and music studio assistant.

b. Community Settings: Community-based work-based training programs that build upon the Career and Employability Plan and support youth in continued workforce and vocational training. Services should include job readiness instruction, paid employment, intensive case coordination or collaboration and job training. DYS is seeking a more individualized approach to job placement and supportive work experiences. These services are managed in partnership with Career Navigation staff and coordinated with, but not limited to, Employer Outreach staff and the DYS case management team.

Optional Service 2: Vocational and/or Technical Programming in residential and community settings that provides DYS youth with full access to and result in the attainment of a job/career credential that is relevant to local, labor market opportunities. This component of service should include a plan and services to provide:

a. Continued and expanded vocational programming in identified residential programs [see Appendices J & K] that is aligned with 1-3 labor market needs with geographic considerations in each of the five DYS regions.

b. Augmented/virtual reality training components that can be implemented in residential settings during time allocated for educational learning.

c. Training opportunities, from “for profit” or “nonprofit” entities in each region.

d. Access to vocational-technical high school Chapter 74 “After Dark” programming or other programs that serve older youth who have attained their high school diploma or Hi-Set degree.

Optional Service 3: Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Training options that can be customized to secure and staff secure residential settings as well as programs that are accessible to youth in the community.

Optional Service 4: Social Enterprises that provide youth with skill attainment and proficiency in workplace settings.

Optional Service 5: Consulting for Career, Technical and Workforce Training and Employment Services to meet a specialized need as identified by the Department.

Single Service Provider or Consultant: A Single Service Provider or Consultant that submits a proposal for an optional service should have a taxpayer identification number for their organization or business. Bidders, including faith-based organizations should have a separate bank account from church-based activities to receive and expend funds related to any contracted services from DYS. Single Service Providers and Consultants must adhere to current Massachusetts wage and labor laws.

Annual Performance Measures Suggested performance measures indicated below. DYS will work with the successful bidder to benchmark appropriate target percentages and/or the successful bidder may respond with achievable performance measures based on suggested program design. DYS Contracts Unit will also work with the successful bidder to establish additional Quality Assurance measures.

Optional Service 1:

Timely delivery of a comprehensive onboarding and implementation plan Youth Receiving a Workforce Credential in Residential Settings Youth participating in paid employment in the community Youth participating in subsidized employment in the community Youths participating in a paid, workforce internship in residential settings

Optional Services 2 (Vocational/Training Services) and 3 (Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship) Timely delivery of a comprehensive onboarding and implementation plan Youth participating in a vocational exploration experience in residential settings Youth with an earned credential Youth participating in a pre/apprenticeship program

Optional Service 4: Social Enterprise Timely delivery of a comprehensive onboarding and implementation plan Youth participating in a social enterprise Older youth, with a high school or Hi-Set degree, receiving at least minimum wage in residential programs.

Optional Service 5: Consultant:

Timely delivery of a comprehensive onboarding and implementation plan, as applicable Effective program development, design and project management, as applicable Comprehensive program monitoring and evaluation, as applicable Consistent reporting for Quality Assurance, as applicable Innovative service delivery strategies, as applicable Successful implementation of model or pilot programs, as applicable Other related topics as applicable Periods of Performance

The amounts available to DYS for these services may increase or decrease based on availability of funds allocated to the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and other special grant funds.

Duration of Contract The initial contract awarded to the successful bidder(s) under this RFR will be through 6/30/2025, with the possibility of four (4) additional one (1) year renewals. Throughout the life of the contract, the Department will engage in a continuous process of reviewing and evaluating the delivery of services. A committee of stakeholders will convene regularly to make recommendations based on this review to the Commissioner of DYS. Such recommendation(s) may include changing the way in which the Department provides services to youth. Prior to implementing any recommended change(s) approved by the Commissioner of DYS, the service provider(s) and the Department will meet, negotiate, and finalize changes to service delivery, and amend the contract as needed. Any change(s) to the program structure or services must comply with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

Additional Requirements for DYS Providers

Emergency Regulation 101 CMR 23.00 regarding Covid-19 Vaccinations for Staff at Certain Agency Facilities On October 1, 2021, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services promulgated Emergency Regulation 101 CMR 23.00 regarding Covid-19 Vaccinations for Staff at Certain Agency Facilities (https://www.mass.gov/regulations/101-CMR-2300-covid-19-vaccinations-for-staff-at-certain-agency-facilities). This regulation mandates that contracted Provider employees, whether full-time or part-time, who regularly report to 24/7 DYS operated locations must be fully vaccinated by November 15, 2021, in order to continue reporting to such locations. DYS locations covered include DYS operated programs, contracted Provider operated programs that are co-located with DYS programs, and contracted Provider programs that are not co-located with DYS programs but located in or on DYS property, where there is the potential for staff and/or resident exposure. This regulation does not cover stand-alone contracted provider programs that are not located in or on DYS property. If you require guidance to determine if this regulation applies to the program type(s) you are proposing to implement, please reach out to DYS Director of Purchase of Contract Services, Sandra Stearns at Sandra.r.stearns@mass.gov.

Bidders proposing to conduct programming solely in community settings are not subject to this regulation.

If applicable, bidders shall submit with their proposal any existing policy, procedure or protocol regarding Covid-19 vaccination of employees.

DYS is not requiring its Providers to provide it with attestations from their employees regarding individual vaccination at this time; however, it is expected that Providers will be maintaining this information as it will be subject to audit.

Training Requirements Bidder shall ensure all staff complete required DYS trainings as deemed necessary by the DYS Director of Policy and Training and as determined by level of contact with youth to ensure all staff are best equipped to effectively work with the DYS population and to work in effective partnership with DYS staff.

Background Checks All Skill Up-funded staff and consultants are subject to background checks in accordance with DYS policy / procedure. Background checks consist of the following:

· CORI

· DCF

· RMV

· SORI

· Multi-state fingerprinting DYS Policy Compliance

Successful bidder must comply with all DYS policies and procedures.

Proposal Outline and Evaluation Criteria for Single Service Provider or Consultant Proposals

The following details the points assigned per section:

Proposal Contains:

Organization Name, Address, Taxpayer number and Primary Contact for Organization, including Name, Title, Email and Phone.

Proposal Contains:

A clear description of Project including the proposed services, onboarding, and implementation plans.

Proposal Contains:

A clear list of DYS communities or DYS residential program(s) the project is this project targeting along with any existing relationships in the community.

Proposal Contains:

The number and description of the individuals the program would serve, including gender, age, level of education.

Proposal Contains:

A clear statement of how the organization and staff are well suited to working with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and LGBTQ+ young adults.

Proposal Contains:

A statement on whether the organization has worked with youth involved with the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services before.

Proposal Contains:

A clear cost for the proposed project, including a formal budget with line item breakout.

Appendix A- DYS Program Types

Hardware Secure Treatment Facilities typically provide treatment services to youth committed to the Department for Grid Level 4-6 offenses. Youth committed for Grid Level 3 offenses involving Firearms or Sex Offenses may also be considered for hardware secure treatment. Initial time recommendations in these placements range from 6-18 months in duration.

Hardware secure treatment facilities are characterized by physically restrictive construction and procedures that are intended to prevent youth from leaving without the approval of the Department. These secure treatment facilities provide a comprehensive treatment regimen via a cognitive behavioral approach that includes Clinical, Educational, and Behavioral components. Individual treatment progress is monitored by behavioral goals. Criteria for graduation from secure treatment include: an acknowledgement of delinquent behavior; a demonstrated understanding of what led up to the youth’s offense(s); a completed Relapse Prevention Plan; active engagement in reducing personal risk to the community; and a demonstrated pattern of consistent pro-social behavior in secure treatment.

Staff secure facilities/programs typically provide treatment services to youth who are committed to the Department on Grid Level 1-3 offenses. Initial time recommendations in these placements range from 0-6 months in duration. These programs utilize a cognitive behavioral approval to treatment with Clinical, Educational, and Behavioral components. Staff secure facilities/programs are characterized by a system of staff training and behavior control procedures designed to prevent youth from leaving without the approval of the Department. Staff secure facilities/programs emphasize accountability, pro-social skill development, and planning for community re-entry. Within the continuum of Staff Secure options, DYS funds Track 2 and Pre-Independent Living programming options.

A Track 2 program component is for youth age 16 years or older who are able to manage community access, and are referred to participate in programming designed to build independent living skills and support their transition to young adulthood. Track 2 programs provide stable and safe housing for youth, while creating opportunities to support their educational and/or vocational goals and assist with obtaining career readiness skills, employment opportunities and eventual transition to independent living or in some cases family reunification.

The Pre-Independent Living program provides a safe, supportive transitional housing environment with community-based services to older DYS youth. The pre-independent living program collaborates with educational, vocational, medical, mental health and substance abuse service providers in the community in collaboration with the DYS district office casework team to ensure access to necessary services as well as continuity of service delivery following program release.

The Independent Living Program (ILP) provides services to DYS youth (committed or YES) in a scattered apartment model. These youth are preparing to live independently upon release to the community or as they transition from a Track 2, pre-independent living program or other residential program, foster home or other community- based living arrangement.

The goal of the ILP is to prepare youth to transition successfully to independence. ILPs typically provide housing for young adults in non-supervised, minimally-restricted, furnished apartments where they can begin building the necessary skills for independent living. During their time-limited residence, youth receive services based on their unique needs. Typically, youth are required to engage in Life Skills workshops and classes, and meet with their Housing Services Specialist to track progress towards self-sufficiency. In this environment, young people make independent choices and have the opportunity to learn from mistakes, while still experiencing a safety-net of support.

District Offices are situated across the Commonwealth in the home communities where DYS youth reside. DYS Caseworkers, District Managers and provider-contracted Community Services Network staff are stationed at the community-based District Offices and provide support and supervision to all youth committed to DYS and those who opt into Youth Engaged in Services (YES) program. The case management team serves DYS youth from their initial commitment through their DYS discharge or YES termination providing support while the youth is in a residential program, as they prepare for re-entry to the community, during their time in the community and as they continue to engage with DYS through their voluntary engagement in YES. While under community supervision, youth may reside independently, at home with family, with non-guardian placements or in foster care.

Appendix B- Skill Up: Proposal for Single Providers or Consultants

Directions: Please fill out this short proposal application if you are a single service provider or Consultant interested in providing employability services and opportunities for youth involved with the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services. You can submit a proposal to provide services for work-based learning, vocational and technical training, apprenticeship and social enterprise programs for youth in any of the DYS regions, residential programs or communities.

Please submit this through the Massachusetts CommBuys portal. To receive assistance with filling out this proposal application or uploading your proposal application, contact (Sandra Stearns @ sandra.r.stearns@mass.gov). The proposal application must be submitted through the CommBuys portal by the due date of the RFR.

1. Primary Contact for Organization:

2. Name

3. Title

4. Email

5. Phone

6. Organization Name:

7. Organization Taxpayer Number:

8. Address of Organization: (street, city, zip)

9. Description of Project: (In one paragraph or using bulleted statements, tell us the services you are proposing).

10. What DYS towns or DYS residential program(s) is this project targeting for both residential and community settings?

11. Describe the number and description of the individuals your program would serve (In one paragraph or using bulleted statements, tell us about who your project would serve: gender, age, level of education).

12. Tell us about how your organization and staff are well suited to working with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and LGBTQ+ young adults? (In one paragraph)

13. Tell us if you’ve worked with youth involved with the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services before. Yes/No/Unsure.

14. How much money do you need for your program over a one-year period? Please submit a formal budget with line item breakout.

SKILL UP REQUEST FOR RESPONSE Page | 3

Appendix C - DYS Residential Program by Region

10, Male

12, Male

10, Male

Revocation Unit

10, Male

10, Females

10, Male

10, Male

10, Male

12, Male

12, Male

10, Male

10, Male

12, Male

10, Male

15, Male

12, Male

10, Female

10, Male

12, Male

10, Male

10, Male

10, Male

10, Male

12, Male

15, Male

18, Male

10, Male

10, Male

12, Female

10, Female

10, Male

10, Male

Appendix D – Map of DYS Regions (attached as separate document)

Appendix E – Commonwealth Of Massachusetts General RFR Information The terms of 801 CMR 21.00: Procurement of Commodities and Services and 808 CMR 1.00: Compliance, Reporting and Auditing for Human and Social Services, are incorporated by reference into this RFR. Words used in this RFR shall have the meanings defined in 801 CMR 21.00 and 808 CMR 1.00. Additional definitions may also be identified in this RFR. Other terms not defined elsewhere in this document may be defined in OSD’s Glossary of Terms. Unless otherwise specified in this RFR, all communications, responses, and documentation must be in English, and all cost proposals or figures in U.S. currency. All responses must be submitted in accordance with the specific terms of this RFR.

COMMBUYS Market Center COMMBUYS is the official source of information for this Bid and is publicly accessible at no charge at www.commbuys.com. Information contained in this document and in COMMBUYS, including file attachments, and information contained in the related Bid Questions and Answers (Q&A) are all components of the Bid, as referenced in COMMBUYS, and are incorporated into the Bid and any resulting contract.

Bidders are solely responsible for obtaining all information distributed for this Bid via COMMBUYS. Bid Q&A supports Bidder submission of written questions associated with a Bid and publication of official answers.

It is each Bidder’s responsibility to check COMMBUYS for:

· Any amendments, addenda or modifications to this Bid, and any Bid Q&A records related to this Bid.

The Commonwealth accepts 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.

COMMBUYS Registration In order to respond to a Bid, Bidders must register and maintain an active COMMBUYS Seller account. Bidders may elect to obtain a free COMMBUYS Seller registration which provides value-added features, including automated email notification associated with postings and modifications to COMMBUYS records.

All Bidders submitting a Quote (previously referred to as Response) in response to this Bid (previously referred to as Solicitation) agree that, if awarded a contract: (1) they will maintain an active seller account in COMMBUYS; and (2) in the event the Commonwealth adopts an alternate market center system, Successful Bidders will be required to utilize such system, as directed by the procuring entity. Commonwealth Commodity Codes are based on the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC).

The COMMBUYS system introduces new terminology, which bidders must be familiar with in order to conduct business with the Commonwealth. To view this terminology and to learn more about the COMMBUYS system, please visit the COMMBUYS Resource Center.

Multiple Quotes Bidders may not submit Multiple Quotes in response to a Bid unless the RFR authorizes them to do so. If a Bidder submits multiple quotes in response to an RFR that does not authorize multiple responses, only the latest dated quote submitted prior to the bid opening date will be evaluated.

Quote Content Bid specifications will prevail over any proposed Bidder terms entered as part of the Quote, unless otherwise specified in the Bid.

Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) The Supplier Diversity Program was established in September, 2010 via Executive Order 524 to promote equality in the state contracting market by ensuring full participation of minority and women owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) in all areas of state contracting including construction, design, goods and services. The Executive Order consolidates the State Office of Minority and Women Assistance (SOMWBA) and Affirmative Market Program (AMP) into a new Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) that is part of the Operational Services Division. Similarly, Executive Order 546 established the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise (SDVOBE) Program to encourage the participation of businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans in all areas of state procurement and contracting, thereby including them in the SDP. The essence of both Executive Orders is to provide policies to promote the award of state contracts in a manner that develops and strengthens certified M/WBEs and SDVOBEs, because a diverse business community strengthens the economy and is beneficial to all of the citizens of the state.

In support of both Executive Orders, the state tracks SDP spending through POS contracts. As a result, providers that are issued a contract from this procurement (bid) will be required to submit a “Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) Plan Form for Purchase of Service (POS)” with their Uniform Financial Report (UFR) through the Operational Services Division (OSD) e File site. Providers that file an UFR exemption request are to submit the SDP Plan Form for POS with their exemption request. The plan will be evaluated yearly by the Commonwealth Department with the most Purchase of Service funding to a provider during the previous fiscal year. This Department is commonly referred to as the Principal Purchasing Agency (PPA).

Bidders are to submit a copy of their most recently submitted “SDP Plan Form for POS” with their proposal (quote) for procurements (bids) in excess of $150,000 to signify to the Procurement Management Team that a form has been submitted. Bidders that do not currently hold POS contracts with Commonwealth Departments are to complete the Form and include with their proposal. The “SDP Plan Form for POS” can be found at the COMMBUYS Bid Solicitation; File Attachments Section.

While the Plan will not be assigned any points in the evaluation process, a Department will not be able to issue a contract to an organization that has not submitted a Plan that demonstrates a strong commitment to working with M/WBEs and SDVOBEs.

Resources available to assist providers in identifying SDP Certified Partners include:

· Potential Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Women Business Enterprises (WBE) partners can be found on the Supplier Diversity Program webpage (www.mass.gov/sdp). For a complete list of certified vendors refer to:

· https://www.sdo.osd.state.ma.us/BusinessDirectory/BusinessDirectory.aspx

· Resources available to assist providers in finding potential Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise (SDVOBE) partners can be found on the Supplier Diversity Office Webpage (www.mass.gov/sdo).

· The Operational Services Division offers SDP trainings for providers. Resources and a webinar to assist bidders can be found at: Supplier Diversity Plan Policy Resources for Purchase of Service Best Value Selection and Negotiation the Procurement Management Team or PMT (also known as Strategic Sourcing Team or SST) may select the response(s) which demonstrates the best value overall, including proposed alternatives that will achieve the procurement goals of the department. If services are not rate regulated, the PMT and a selected bidder, or a contractor, may negotiate a change in any element of contract performance or cost identified in the original RFR or the selected bidder’s or contractor’s response, which results in a more cost effective or better value.

Bidder Communication Bidders are prohibited from communicating directly with any employee of the procuring department or any member of the PMT regarding this RFR except as specified in this RFR, and no other individual Commonwealth employee or representative is authorized to provide any information or respond to any question or inquiry concerning this RFR. Bidders may contact the contact person for this RFR in the event this RFR is incomplete or the bidder is having trouble obtaining any required attachments electronically through COMMBUYS.

Contract Expansion If additional funds become available during the contract duration period, the department reserves the right to increase the maximum obligation or the number of units purchased to some or all contracts executed as a result of this RFR or to execute contracts with contractors not funded in the initial selection process, subject to available funding, satisfactory contract performance and service need.

Costs Any costs which are not specifically identified in the bidder’s response and accepted by a department as part of a contract, will not be compensated under any contract awarded pursuant to this RFR. The Commonwealth will not be responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by bidders responding to this RFR.

Debriefing (POS requirement only) Non-successful bidders may request a debriefing from the department that issued the RFR. Department debriefing procedures may be found in the RFR. Non-successful POS bidders aggrieved by the decision of a department must participate in a debriefing as a prerequisite to an administrative appeal.

Debriefing/Appeals: Administrative Appeals to Departments (POS requirement only) Non-successful bidders who participate in the debriefing process and remain aggrieved with the decision of the department may appeal that decision to the department head. Department appeal procedures may be found in the RFR.

Debriefing/Appeals: Administrative Appeals to OSD (POS requirement only) Non-successful bidders who participate in the department appeal process and remain aggrieved by the selection decision of the department may appeal the department decision to the Operational Services Division. The basis for an appeal to OSD is limited to the following grounds:

1. The competitive procurement conducted by the department failed to comply with applicable regulations and guidelines. These would be limited to the requirements of 801 CMR 21.00 or any successor regulations, the policies in the OSD Procurement Information Center, subsequent policies and procedures issued by OSD and the specifications of the RFR; or

2. There was a fundamental unfairness in the procurement process. The allegation of unfairness or bias is one that is easier to allege than prove; consequently, the burden of proof rests with the bidder to provide sufficient and specific evidence in support of its claim. OSD will presume that departments conducted a fair procurement absent documentation to the contrary.

Requests for an appeal must be sent to the attention of the Operational Services Division, Legal, Policy and Compliance Office, Room 1017, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108 and be received within fourteen (14) calendar days of the postmark of the notice of the department head’s decision on appeal. Appeal requests must specify in enough detail the basis for the appeal. Sufficient detail requires a description of the published policy or procedure which was applied and forms the basis for the appeal and presentation of all information that supports the claim under paragraphs 1 or 2 above. OSD reserves the right to reject appeal requests based on grounds other than those stated above or those submitted without enough detail on the basis for the appeal.

The decision of the Operational Services Division shall be rendered, in writing, setting forth the grounds for the decision within sixty (60) calendar days of receipt of the appeal request. Pending appeals to the Operational Services Division shall not prohibit the department from proceeding with executing contracts.

Electronic Communication/Update of Bidder’s/Contractor’s Contact Information It is the responsibility of the prospective bidder and awarded contractor to keep current on COMMBUYS 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 the PMT, including requests for clarification.