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

Executive takeaway

Caroline County Department of Social Services (under Maryland Department of Human Resources/Human Services) is seeking pre-employment training services for participants connected to Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Supplement benefits, and the Non-Custodial Parent Employment Program. This is a single-award small procurement with a one-year contract period (July 1, 2014–June 30, 2015), and proposals are due 3:00 PM on Friday, June 6, 2014. If you can document at least two years teaching adults and can deliver job-readiness training with measurable outcomes, this is a near-term, winnable local services bid.

What the buyer is trying to do

The Work Opportunities Program at the Caroline County Department of Social Services intends to acquire training that helps program participants seek, obtain, and retain employment—with an explicit goal of improving employability and supporting self-sufficiency. The solicitation emphasizes adult learning experience and prefers employment-related training background, signaling a practical, outcomes-oriented classroom (or workshop) model rather than purely counseling or case management.

What work is implied (bullets)

• Deliver pre-employment training targeted to workplace readiness and job attainment/retention skills.
• Serve individuals receiving Temporary Cash Assistance and Food Supplement benefits, and individuals participating in the Non-Custodial Parent Employment Program.
• Provide instruction in an adult learning environment (with experience requirements to match).
• Operate within a one-year performance window (July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015).
• Support an evaluation structure that aligns with a “most advantageous” award based on technical approach and price (verify scoring details in the full solicitation).

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

• Bid if:
  • You have at least two years of documented experience teaching in an adult learning environment.
  • Your curriculum is explicitly employment-related (job search, interviewing, workplace norms, retention skills), and you can describe how it will improve participant outcomes.
  • You can credibly staff and deliver the full requirement as a prime (only one award is anticipated).
• Pass if:
  • You cannot document the two-year adult teaching experience threshold.
  • Your core capability is youth workforce programming only, or purely clinical/case management services without training delivery capacity.
  • You lack the operational ability to serve Caroline County participants for a full year.

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

• Completed proposal response per the small procurement solicitation (format and sections: verify in attachments).
• Evidence of at least two years experience teaching in an adult learning environment (narrative + supporting references/documentation as allowed; verify in attachments).
• Description of employment-related training experience (preferred) and how training targets job search, job attainment, and retention skills.
• Technical approach/work plan for the one-year contract period (July 1, 2014–June 30, 2015) (verify in attachments).
• Pricing proposal (structure and pricing schedule: verify in attachments).
• Any required certifications/representations, including participation as applicable in minority business enterprise efforts noted by the State (verify in attachments).
• Submission instructions, delivery method, and any mandatory forms (the notice indicates documents are on eMaryland Marketplace; verify in attachments).

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

• This is awarded on a most advantageous basis considering price and technical factors, so treat pricing as competitive but not the only lever.
• Pull the full solicitation from eMaryland Marketplace (listed in the notice) and identify:
  • The required pricing format (per class/session, per participant, hourly, or fixed price—verify in attachments).
  • Any minimum service levels or deliverables tied to payment.
• To sanity-check pricing, research comparable Maryland DSS/DHR workforce training awards (if available publicly) and calibrate your level of effort to what the solicitation actually requires.
• On technical scoring, lean into: adult learning methodology, job-readiness outcomes, and practical training delivery logistics. Keep the narrative tight and evidence-based.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• Partner with a local employer network or staffing/employment services firm to strengthen job placement pathways (if permitted; verify in attachments).
• Team with an adult education provider that can document adult classroom outcomes and provide substitute instructors as continuity coverage.
• Consider a minority business enterprise teaming approach consistent with Maryland’s encouragement for MBE participation (requirements and crediting: verify in attachments).

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• Hard eligibility risk: failure to demonstrate two years teaching adults may render you noncompetitive or nonresponsive.
• Single award: only one vendor will be selected—differentiate clearly on curriculum effectiveness and delivery reliability.
• Document location risk: the notice points to eMaryland Marketplace for the solicitation package; missing an addendum or required form can be fatal (confirm the correct solicitation listing and all attachments).
• Deadline risk: proposals are due 3:00 PM, Friday June 6, 2014; build in time for printing/shipping or portal submission steps as specified (verify in attachments).

Related opportunities

• Maryland DHS: Summer Youth Employment Program (Q&A excerpt)
• Maryland DHS: Administration of the Public Private Partnership (pre-proposal conference transcript excerpt)

How to act on this

1. Download the full solicitation package from the source referenced in the notice and confirm all required forms and submission instructions.
2. Draft a short, evidence-backed technical approach focused on adult learning delivery and employment-readiness outcomes.
3. Assemble documentation proving at least two years of adult teaching experience, plus any preferred employment-related training experience.
4. Build pricing in the exact format required (verify in attachments), then review for competitiveness and internal delivery feasibility.
5. Submit ahead of the 3:00 PM deadline to avoid last-minute delivery/portal issues.

If you want a second set of eyes on responsiveness, compliance, and bid positioning before you submit, engage Federal Bid Partners LLC for proposal support.