Post-Secondary Academic-Vocational-Technical Training - Incarcerated Offenders

The Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC) is soliciting proposals for a comprehensive post-secondary academic, vocational, and technical training program for incarcerated offenders, to be delivered on-site at the Adult Correctional Institution. This Request for Proposals (RFP24003344) seeks qualified firms to design and implement training programs that will provide educational and skill development opportunities for offenders. The initial contract term will be approximately three years, beginning around December 1, 2023, with potential options to renew for two additional 12-month periods based on vendor performance and funding availability. Prospective vendors must submit separate technical, cost, and ISBE (Minority/Women/Disability Business Enterprise) participation proposals electronically through the Ocean State Procures system. The RFP establishes specific evaluation criteria, including technical merit, proposed cost, and ISBE participation rates, with points awarded proportionally. Key dates include a vendor question and answer period from September 20 to September 27, 2023, and a proposal submission deadline of October 11, 2023 at 2:00 PM EDT. Vendors must maintain specific insurance coverages, including $1 million in liability coverage, $100,000 in workers compensation, and $1 million in automobile liability.

The procurement is open to all qualified vendors who register in the Ocean State Procures system, with a strong emphasis on encouraging participation from minority-owned, women-owned, and disability-owned businesses. RIDOC will evaluate and score proposals partly based on the proposed ISBE utilization rate, incentivizing meaningful inclusion of these enterprise types. Vendors must complete a Supplemental Bidder Attestation form and demonstrate compliance with state affirmative action and non-discrimination requirements. While no specific contract value is explicitly stated in the documentation, the multi-year contract structure suggests a significant investment in offender education and skills training. This is a re-bid of a previous solicitation (RFP23002838), indicating an ongoing commitment to providing educational opportunities within the correctional system. The state reserves the right to award the contract to the most qualified vendor or to cancel the solicitation, with funding contingent on appropriated resources. Successful vendors will be expected to deliver training programs that support offender rehabilitation and potential workforce reintegration.