Funding Opportunity: Massachusetts Department of Youth Services- Skills Up- Rolling Due Date

The Massachusetts Department of Youth Services is seeking proposals through a rolling Request for Responses (RFR) for career, technical, and workforce training and employment services for DYS youth ages up to 22 in residential and community settings across five geographic regions, with an initial contract period through June 30, 2025 and four optional one-year renewals; proposals are accepted on a rolling basis with quarterly bidders' conferences on the first Tuesday of each quarter.

Eligible respondents include vocational and higher education institutions, unions, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community-based entities. Organizations with POS contracts exceeding $150,000 must submit a Supplier Diversity Program Plan demonstrating commitment to working with minority and women-owned business enterprises and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.

The RFR offers five optional service categories: Work-Based Learning Experiences, Vocational and Technical Training, Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Programs, Social Enterprises, and Consulting Services for specialized needs. Services are delivered across five regions: Metropolitan Boston, Southeast, Northeast, Central, and Western Massachusetts. Proposals must include comprehensive onboarding and implementation plans with specific timelines and milestones for program launch and detailed cost proposals with formal budgets and line-item breakouts.

Evaluation is conducted on a 100-point scale covering organizational information, project description and implementation plans, target communities and existing relationships, population to be served, organizational competency working with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth, prior DYS experience, and proposed budget. The Commonwealth does not specify funding amounts; available funds may increase or decrease based on appropriations and special grant funding. All successful bidders must comply with DYS policies including COVID-19 vaccination requirements for staff at 24/7 facilities, background checks (CORI, DCF, RMV, SORI, multi-state fingerprinting), and mandatory DYS training. Providers must maintain active COMMBUYS seller accounts, participate in Electronic Funds Transfer for payment, and file Uniform Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Reports with the Operational Services Division before contract execution. All proposals must be submitted electronically through COMMBUYS.