Consulting Services for Assessment of Community College Collaboration to Provide Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Training

Alamance Community College (ACC), in collaboration with Randolph Community College and Guilford Technical Community College, is seeking a consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive workforce training needs assessment for advanced manufacturing in the eastern region of the NC Triad. The procurement involves a Request for Proposal (RFP) to analyze current and projected training capabilities, identify skills gaps, and explore the potential for establishing a Triad East Center for Advanced Technology (TECAT). Key deliverables include a detailed list of positions and needed skills with a capabilities gap analysis, and an assessment of potential collaborative governance for the training facility. The RFP requires the consulting firm to produce a comprehensive written and digital report, with proposals due on June 26, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET. The evaluation will be points-based, with 75 points allocated to technical criteria (including project organization and team experience) and 25 points for pricing. The contract has an initial term of eight months, with expected study completion and report delivery by April 30, 2026. Qualified consultants must demonstrate expertise in workforce development, advanced manufacturing training needs, and collaborative institutional planning.

The RFP encourages participation from Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB), with a goal of 10% utilization of diverse firms as 1st or 2nd tier subcontractors. While the total contract value is not explicitly stated, the final payment of up to 15% of the total contract amount will be withheld pending acceptance of final deliverables, presentation, and satisfactory responses to follow-up questions. The procurement is specifically targeting consulting firms with experience in workforce development and advanced manufacturing training in the North Carolina Triad region. The project aims to support the region's growing advanced manufacturing sector by creating a collaborative approach to workforce training among three community colleges. The geographical focus is on Alamance, Randolph, and Guilford counties, with the potential to establish a centralized training facility that can meet the evolving needs of local industries. No incumbent vendors are mentioned in the documentation, and the project appears to be initiating a new collaborative approach to regional workforce development.