Certification User Group: Training, Planning, and Facilitation

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) #35304 seeking a consultant to provide Certification User Group (CUG) Training, Planning, and Facilitation services for Marion County and the City of Salem. The primary objective is to support ODOT's Local Agency Certification Program by engaging a skilled consultant to facilitate stakeholder interactions, develop training content, and support process improvements for a diverse group of approximately 150 members from state, local, and federal agencies. Deliverables include planning and facilitating quarterly meetings, annual conferences, workshops, supporting steering and subcommittees, and developing a CUG Transition Plan. The RFP requires proposers to demonstrate expertise in stakeholder engagement, event planning, training development, group facilitation, and consensus building. Proposal evaluation criteria will focus on key personnel qualifications, general experience, project approach, and proposal clarity, with pricing evaluated separately. Key dates include proposal submissions due by June 21, 2022, with questions accepted up to 10 calendar days prior to the bid opening and answers provided 7 days before the deadline. The initial contract term is anticipated to be 2 years, with potential extension up to a cumulative maximum of 5 years.

While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, the RFP includes provisions related to the ODOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, though no specific DBE goal is established. The current incumbent contractor is Innovative Growth Solutions, and transition support from this vendor is a required deliverable. The contract budget is estimated at approximately $160,000 for the 2-year term, with the total compensation to be negotiated and detailed in the final contract. The RFP indicates that ODOT may conduct additional competitive rounds, including potential interviews or best and final offer processes. Proposers will be responsible for all costs associated with submitting a proposal, and ODOT reserves the right to cancel the RFP if deemed in the state's best interest. The contract will require the selected consultant to provide comprehensive support to the Certification Program, including developing event plans, supporting planning teams, and facilitating meetings and training events across various agencies and stakeholders.