Missouri Apprenticeship Connect Portal - DHEWD

The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD) has issued a Single Feasible Source (SFST) solicitation for the Missouri Apprenticeship Connect Portal, a specialized information technology project designed to facilitate connections between potential apprentices and employers. The solicitation, numbered SFST30034902100441, was open from September 12, 2020, to September 17, 2020, with responses accepted exclusively through the MissouriBUYS system or via hard copy submission. The contract term is set for one year from the effective date, with delivery specified to the DHEWD Office of Workforce Development located at 301 West High Street, Suite 870, in Jefferson City, Missouri. The primary objective of the portal is to create a digital platform that streamlines apprenticeship opportunities across the state, potentially improving workforce development and employment pathways. Vendors were required to be pre-invited and to carefully review all solicitation documents through the MissouriBUYS system's Overview tab, with payment terms established at Net 45 Days and delivery terms defined as Free On Board Destination.

The solicitation was uniquely structured as a single feasible source procurement, which significantly limited participation to only invited vendors, effectively restricting competitive bidding. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly mentioned in the documentation. The solicitation did not disclose any incumbent vendors, existing technological infrastructure, or integration requirements for the proposed Apprenticeship Connect Portal. Additionally, no specific award value, budget range, or estimated contract value was provided in any of the accompanying documents. The jurisdictions directly involved in this procurement include Clark County and Jefferson City, suggesting a state-level initiative with potential regional implications. While the technical and operational details of the portal were not comprehensively outlined, the solicitation indicated a focused effort by DHEWD to develop a digital platform for connecting apprentices with potential employers across Missouri.