HECC Semiconductor Talent Assessment

The State of Oregon, through the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC), is seeking a contractor to conduct a comprehensive Semiconductor Talent Assessment. The project requires an in-depth analysis of Oregon's semiconductor talent pipeline, including an inventory of microelectronics education programming across K-12, workforce training organizations, community colleges, and public universities. Key deliverables include a characterization of the current talent ecosystem, a comparison of Oregon's degree and certificate output to competing states, and insights gathered through interviews and data collection from industry partners. The Request for Quotes (RFQ) solicits proposals that demonstrate expertise in workforce analysis, educational programming assessment, and semiconductor industry talent mapping. Evaluation criteria will focus on the proposer's experience, project approach, cost proposal, resources, and past performance. Proposals must be submitted via email by March 22, 2023, at 1:00 PM, with the initial contract term anticipated to expire on September 30, 2023. The HECC will consider awarding multiple contracts if deemed beneficial.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types were explicitly mentioned in the procurement documents. The HECC has allocated an estimated budget of under $150,000 for this project, which will be funded entirely through non-federal sources. The agency will provide supporting resources, including contact information for workforce training organizations, community colleges, and public universities, though a comprehensive K-12 directory will not be supplied. A steering committee may be formed to support the project, but its composition has not been finalized. The work can largely be conducted virtually, with the project focused on Marion County and the city of Salem. No previous semiconductor talent and workforce studies have been completed by the HECC, making this an inaugural effort to comprehensively assess the state's semiconductor education and talent landscape.