344-20251112134800 smpdd

The Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District (SMPDD), acting as the fiscal agent for the Twin Districts Workforce Development Area (TDWDA), is seeking vendors to provide comprehensive temporary staffing and payroll services for justice-impacted adults participating in work-based learning initiatives across 24 counties in southern Mississippi. The procurement is a Request for Proposals (RFP) targeting vendors capable of processing payroll, withholding and remitting payroll taxes, providing unemployment insurance and workers' compensation benefits, and managing related administrative claims. Qualified vendors must demonstrate the ability to support workforce development programs targeting justice-impacted populations in counties including Clarke, Covington, Forrest, Harrison, Jackson, Lauderdale, and Wayne. The RFP became available on November 13, 2025, with proposals due by 12:00 p.m. CST on December 4, 2025, to be submitted either physically to SMPDD's Gulfport office or electronically to Grant Wesley. The initial contract term will extend through December 31, 2026, with potential annual renewals for up to three additional years contingent upon mutual agreement and funding availability.

The solicitation specifically encourages participation from Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) as prime contractors and subcontractors. The procurement is funded by three federal sources totaling approximately $5.7 million, including $1.5 million from the Partners for Reentry Opportunities in Workforce Development (PROWD) Grant, $2.999 million from the Pathway Home 5 program, and $1,223,006.31 from the ARP program through the RESTORE Council. All contractors must comply with 2 CFR 200 requirements, and SMPDD reserves the right to waive informalities or reject any proposals. Potential vendors with questions are directed to contact Patricia Morrison, Workforce Development Manager, at pmorrison@smpdd.com by 4:00 p.m. on November 24, 2025. The solicitation involves partnerships with multiple agencies, including the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, AccelerateMS, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, and federal departments of Labor, Justice, and Treasury, indicating a complex, multi-agency workforce development initiative focused on supporting justice-impacted adults.