Equity Training RFI

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), through its Bureau of Procurement & Contract Management, has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking comprehensive input on an agency-wide equity assessment and staff training initiative. The RFI aims to develop a long-term partnership for creating and delivering customized equity training programs specifically tailored to human services work, utilizing a train-the-trainer implementation model. The primary objectives include defining equity, examining implicit bias, and developing training content that connects equity concepts directly to employees' job responsibilities across various departments including service delivery, policy development, data evaluation, contracting, and external outreach. Respondents are encouraged to provide feedback on all or specific aspects of the RFI, with electronic submissions required by March 24, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. to RA-PWRFICOMMENTS@PA.GOV. The training program will build upon existing Commonwealth employee diversity and inclusion onboarding modules, with a focus on expanding and customizing content through virtual delivery options, pre and post-training assessments, and ongoing effectiveness evaluations.

While the RFI explicitly states that it will not result in a contract award or payment for responses, it is open to a wide range of potential respondents interested in developing comprehensive equity training solutions. The Department currently requires basic online diversity, equity, inclusion, and disability-related training for all Commonwealth employees, suggesting an opportunity for vendors with expertise in creating adaptive, engaging training programs for large, geographically dispersed workforces. The RFI is particularly interested in strategies for fostering engagement in virtual training formats and creating scalable content that can be effectively delivered across diverse job roles and departments. Although specific budget ranges are not disclosed, the scope suggests a potentially significant long-term training development and implementation project. The Department appears open to innovative approaches that can demonstrate measurable impact on understanding and implementing equity principles within human services contexts, making this an opportunity for organizations with proven track records in organizational training, diversity and inclusion consulting, and public sector engagement.