Deadline watch: Maryland DSS pre-employment training services (Caroline County) — proposals due June 6, 2014

Executive takeaway

A Maryland Department of Human Services procurement (via Caroline County Department of Social Services) is seeking pre-employment training services under the Work Opportunities Program. This is a single-award solicitation with a one-year performance period (July 1, 2014–June 30, 2015). Selection is based on the most advantageous offer considering both price and technical factors, and offerors must show at least two years teaching experience in an adult learning environment.

What the buyer is trying to do

The Work Opportunities Program at Caroline County Department of Social Services intends to acquire training that helps program participants seek, obtain, and retain employment—with the broader goal of helping individuals become self-sufficient. The target participant groups include individuals receiving Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Supplement benefits, and those participating in the Non-Custodial Parent Employment Program.

What work is implied (bullets)

• Deliver pre-employment training services for Work Opportunities Program participants.
• Provide instruction focused on skills needed to seek, obtain, and retain employment.
• Support a participant population tied to Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Supplement benefits, and the Non-Custodial Parent Employment Program.
• Operate across a one-year contract period (July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015).
• Demonstrate capability via at least two years of adult learning teaching experience (employment-related training experience is preferred).

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

• Bid if you can document 2+ years teaching in an adult learning environment.
• Bid if you have experience delivering employment-related training (explicitly preferred).
• Bid if you can support program participants in public-benefit contexts (Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Supplement, Non-Custodial Parent Employment Program).
• Pass if you cannot clearly evidence the required adult learning instruction experience.
• Pass if your model relies on multiple awards/teaming for prime delivery—this notice states only one award will be made.

Response package checklist (bullets; if unknown say 'verify in attachments')

• Complete proposal submitted by 3:00 PM Friday, June 6, 2014.
• Evidence of at least two years experience teaching in an adult learning environment.
• Description of approach to pre-employment training aligned to helping participants seek, obtain, and retain employment.
• Pricing (since award is based on price and technical factors).
• Any required state procurement forms and certifications (verify in attachments and the posting location).
• Solicitation documents (verify in attachments): referenced as available on eMaryland Marketplace under Solicitation # MDN0031014979.

Pricing & strategy notes (how to research pricing; do not invent pricing numbers)

The evaluation basis is “most advantageous” considering price and technical factors, so you’ll want a price that is competitive while still supporting measurable delivery. Practical pricing research steps (within what’s stated in the notice):

• Pull the full solicitation from the referenced source (verify in attachments) and identify the pricing format (e.g., hourly rates, per participant, per class/session).
• Use the full solicitation to confirm any required service volumes, delivery schedules, and reporting expectations that could drive staffing costs (verify in attachments).
• Position your technical narrative around your adult learning track record and any employment-related training outcomes you can substantiate, since technical merit is part of the award decision.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• Consider partnering with organizations that can strengthen employment-related training content delivery while the prime remains responsible for end-to-end performance.
• If you are a niche training provider, explore subcontracting to a prime that already has a strong adult learning instruction history and local delivery capability.
• Maryland indicates it encourages Minority Business Enterprises to participate—structure teaming to support that participation (verify any program rules in the solicitation).

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• Single award: the buyer plans to select only one provider—competitive pressure is higher.
• Experience gate: failure to document the required 2+ years adult learning teaching experience is a likely disqualifier or major weakness.
• Source documents: the notice points to eMaryland Marketplace for the full solicitation; ensure you are working from the complete requirements and required forms (verify in attachments).
• Deadline sensitivity: proposals are due June 6, 2014 at 3:00 PM; plan for submission method and any required copies/format (verify in attachments).

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How to act on this

1. Download and review the full solicitation from the referenced posting location and confirm requirements, format, and submission instructions (verify in attachments).
2. Assemble proof points for adult learning instruction (2+ years) and any employment-related training experience.
3. Build a tight technical approach that maps directly to helping participants seek, obtain, and retain employment, then price to remain competitive under a price/technical tradeoff.
4. Submit ahead of the June 6, 2014 (3:00 PM) deadline.

If you want a second set of eyes on compliance, risk flags, and a bid/no-bid recommendation using only what’s in the solicitation package, consider support from Federal Bid Partners LLC.