Chief Negotiator and Labor Relations Services

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Maryland issued RFP 4616.1 for Chief Negotiator and Labor Relations Services on October 1, 2025, but canceled the solicitation effective immediately via Erratum 1 posted the same date — no proposals should be submitted and all RFP materials should be disregarded.

The solicitation had sought qualified consultants or firms to provide strategic support in collective bargaining and labor management, including leadership in contract negotiations with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 500. The scope encompassed labor relations consulting, strategy development, negotiation representation, and ongoing labor relations management. MCPS intended to evaluate proposals based on relevant experience, expertise in public sector labor relations, track record in successful negotiations, and proposed methodology rather than price alone.

An MBE participation requirement was established; bidders were required to demonstrate good faith efforts to include certified minority business enterprise participation and provide supporting documentation of outreach and engagement with MBE firms. Standard compliance certifications were mandatory, including Equal Opportunity Certification, Certification of Nonsegregated Facilities, and Non-Debarment Acknowledgement forms. Offerors were required to certify compliance with equal employment opportunity clauses under Executive Order 11246 as amended and to disclose any pending litigation, debarment, or criminal convictions related to doing business with Maryland state, local, or federal entities within the past five years. Subcontractors exceeding $10,000 required identical equal opportunity certifications.

The RFP incorporated General Contract Articles effective July 1, 2023, establishing the foundational legal framework, performance expectations, insurance, indemnification, liability limitations, and termination conditions governing the consultant's engagement.

With the cancellation now in effect, interested parties should disregard all previously issued materials and submission deadlines.