Educational Services

The state of Massachusetts, through the Essex County Sheriff's Department (ECSD), is seeking responses from educational organizations to provide education and coordinate vocational training for inmates at the Essex County Pre-release and Re-entry Center, House of Correction Salisbury, Lynn and Lawrence facilities. The initial contract term is for three years beginning July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022, with an option to renew for up to three additional years. The vendor must have knowledge of ECSD's institutional policies and procedures, correctional standards and practices, and experience interfacing with government agencies. The vendor will be responsible for scheduling appropriate education programs to meet the needs of all inmates and detainees, including adult basic education, Hi-Set preparation, ESL, and special education services. The vendor must also provide a full-time computer instructor, coordinate testing and placement, and furnish the ECSD with program participation data. Proposals are due by March 15, 2019, and the ECSD anticipates an award on April 3, 2019.

The contract does not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond. However, the current incumbents, Adcare and other providers, may be retained by the selected vendor. The budget range for the contract is $1M to $1.5M, funded through a combination of Title One, ABE, and Sheriff's grants, allowing for flexibility in staffing, schedules, and technology usage.