Deadlines soon: Maryland DHS pre-employment training services (Caroline County DSS) — proposals due June 6, 2014

Executive takeaway

Caroline County Department of Social Services (under Maryland Department of Human Resources / Department of Human Services) is soliciting Pre-Employment Training Services to help program participants build job-search and job-retention skills aimed at self-sufficiency. The notice indicates one award, a one-year contract period (July 1, 2014–June 30, 2015), and a best-value basis (most advantageous to the State considering both price and technical factors). Proposals are due 3:00 PM Friday, June 6, 2014.

What the buyer is trying to do

The Work Opportunities Program at Caroline County DSS intends to acquire training services for individuals who are:

• Receiving Temporary Cash Assistance
• Receiving Food Supplement benefits
• Participating in the Non-Custodial Parent Employment Program

The stated purpose is to deliver training that targets the skills needed to seek, obtain, and retain employment and to help participants become self-sufficient.

What work is implied (bullets)

• Design and deliver pre-employment training geared toward job search, job readiness, and job retention.
• Provide instruction suitable for an adult learning environment (the notice requires demonstrated experience in this setting).
• Support program goals related to employment outcomes and participant self-sufficiency (as described in the notice).
• Operate across the stated contract period (one year) if awarded.
• Coordinate with Caroline County DSS program operations for service delivery (details to verify in the solicitation documents).

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

• Bid if you can document at least two years teaching in an adult learning environment.
• Bid if you have employment-related training experience (preferred per the notice) and can translate it into a clear curriculum and delivery plan.
• Bid if you can compete on best value (technical approach matters, not just price).
• Pass if you cannot substantiate the two-year adult teaching experience requirement.
• Pass if you are not positioned to deliver local services aligned to Caroline County DSS program needs (confirm any location/logistics expectations in attachments).

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

• Completed proposal responding to the Small Procurement Solicitation Notice requirements (verify in attachments).
• Evidence of at least two years teaching experience in an adult learning environment.
• Description of relevant employment-related training experience (preferred).
• Technical narrative describing how training will build skills to seek, obtain, and retain employment (verify required format in attachments).
• Pricing/cost proposal (verify pricing template and submission instructions in attachments).
• Any required forms, certifications, and signature pages (verify in attachments).
• Any required acknowledgments, addenda/amendments acknowledgments, and transmittal items (verify in attachments).
• Submission method and packaging requirements (verify in attachments and in eMaryland Marketplace).

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

• Start with the official solicitation posting referenced in the notice on eMaryland Marketplace (listed under Solicitation # MDN0031014979) to confirm pricing structure (e.g., per participant, per class, hourly, or fixed price).
• Build pricing around the contract’s core value proposition: training that improves participants’ ability to seek, obtain, and retain employment. Make sure your cost narrative ties directly to delivery capacity (instructor time, materials, scheduling).
• Because award is based on most advantageous considering price and technical factors, treat pricing as a competitiveness lever—but don’t undercut the resources needed to deliver a credible adult-learning training program.
• Use internal benchmarks from similar workforce/pre-employment training engagements and reconcile against the scope and reporting requirements (verify reporting and deliverables in attachments).

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• Partner with a firm that has a track record in employment-related training if your organization’s experience is stronger in adult education generally (ensure the prime can still meet the two-year adult teaching requirement).
• Team with a local organization to strengthen delivery logistics and participant support (any local presence expectations should be verified in attachments).
• If your curriculum is strong but you lack capacity, subcontract instructional delivery to qualified adult educators while you manage program design and compliance (verify whether subcontracting is permitted in the solicitation).

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• Experience gate: the notice states offerors must demonstrate at least two years teaching in an adult learning environment.
• Single award: only one award is expected, increasing competitive pressure.
• Short fuse: proposals are due 3:00 PM Friday, June 6, 2014; confirm delivery method and required copies early (verify in attachments).
• Scope clarity: the notice provides high-level intent; confirm required curriculum elements, class hours, locations, and any performance measures (verify in attachments / eMaryland Marketplace posting).
• Compliance details: any mandatory forms, certifications, and submission requirements are not fully enumerated in the snippet—verify in attachments.

Related opportunities

• Maryland DHS / Howard County DSS — The JOBS Program (RFP amendment notice)
• Oregon Youth Authority — Transitional Housing Request for Applications (on-going)
• Secretary of State — Enterprise Data Modeling Tool

How to act on this

1. Pull the full solicitation from eMaryland Marketplace (Solicitation # MDN0031014979) and review all submission instructions and required forms.
2. Draft a technical approach centered on adult learning and employment-readiness outcomes (seek/obtain/retain employment), and attach proof of the required experience.
3. Finalize price and package the proposal to meet the stated due date/time requirements.
4. If you want a second set of eyes on compliance and bid strategy, consider support from Federal Bid Partners LLC.