SAEF Competitive Grant Writing and Implementaion

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, specifically the Executive Office of Labor & Workforce Development (EOLWD) and Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS), is seeking a vendor to provide comprehensive grant writing and implementation services for a State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula (SAEF) competitive grant. The primary objective is to identify a contractor with extensive federal apprenticeship grant-writing expertise who can successfully apply for the USDOL SAEF competitive grant and, if awarded, assist with grant implementation and management. Qualified vendors must demonstrate proven experience in priority industries including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, technology, financial services, education and childcare, insurance, clean energy, and life sciences. The contract will have an initial term of 3 years with potential for three one-year renewals, extending the maximum potential contract period to 6 years. Responses are due by January 15, 2025, at 3:00 pm EST, with electronic submissions required through the COMMBUYS system, and potential oral presentations may be requested during the week of January 20, 2025. The vendor's compensation will be structured as a percentage of the grant award, contingent upon EOLWD receiving the federal grant.

The procurement includes a mandatory Supplier Diversity Plan requiring bidders to commit at least 1% of contract sales to certified diverse businesses, with partners needing certification in categories such as MBE, WBE, SDVOBE, VBE, DOBE, LGBTBE, or specific non-profit designations. Bidders must submit multiple required forms, including the Commonwealth Terms and Conditions, W-9, Standard Contract Form, Contractor Authorized Signatory Verification, Electronic Funds Transfer Sign Up Form, Prompt Payment Discount Form, Supplier Diversity Plan Form, Certificate of Unemployment Insurance, and DOR Certificate of Good Standing. The National Center for Grow Your Own has been identified as the apparent successful bidder for this opportunity. While specific award values are not explicitly detailed, the compensation will be directly tied to the successful grant acquisition, suggesting potential variability based on the final grant amount. The contract emphasizes integration with existing state procurement systems and compliance with Massachusetts state contracting regulations, with a strong focus on promoting diversity and supporting workforce development initiatives across multiple critical industry sectors.