RFP Questions & Answers Archive
Questions & Answers:
Q: Is there a dial in number for the CCMEP Bidders Conference?
A: No.
Q: Who are the current CCMEP providers?
A: OhioGuidsestone and Catholic Charities of Lake County
Q: Should the provider budget for costs related to post-secondary education for program participants or pursuing industry recognized credential trainings – the tuition?
A: No. Credentials should be attained from low or no cost training such as Customer Service Training available from the National Retailers Association, Microsoft Literacy training or from Coursera (available through OMJ Lake County at no cost).
Q: For each RFP budget (CCMEP, OMJ Staffing Services, Worksfirst) – wanted to get clarification on the budget forms on where to enter the administrative rate (under other or contract)?
A: There is not an allowance for “Administrative” rate. You may take an allowance for verifiable “indirect expenses”. It can be placed under “other” or “contract” expense if it is identified, and it must be calculated as % rate.
Q: How many employees currently work under (or will be anticipated to work under) this contract?
A: 4 staffers, the same as specified in the current RFP.
Q: Who are the present vendors?
A: United Labor Agency of Cleveland.
Q: How many vendors will be awarded as a result of this solicitation?
A: This a single, sole source request.
Q: What are the current billable hourly rates or percentage mark-up rates?
A: This is will be a “Unit Rate” contract. The current Unit Rate is $49.14.
Q: What were the hourly bill rates or percentage mark-up rates at the time of award?
A: Same
Q: How much was spent (dollar value) on this service last year?
A: The current and previous contracts were $383,284 annually.
Q: How much is intended to be spent (dollar value) once the contract is awarded?
A: The Cost Price Estimate factors are in the RFP.
Q: Is there a Prevailing/Living wage requirement associated with this project?
A: Wage specifications are listed in the RFP.
Q: Are additional points awarded to firms who are or have Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) partners?
A: The proposal evaluation criteria is listed in the RFP.
Q: For each RFP budget (CCMEP, OMJ Staffing Services, Worksfirst) – wanted to get clarification on the budget forms on where to enter the administrative rate (under other or contract)?
A: There is not an allowance for “Administrative” rate. You may take an allowance for verifiable “indirect expenses”. It can be placed under “other” or “contract” expense if it is identified, and it must be calculated as % rate.
Q: For the OMJ staff RFP, does the cost sharing include all costs, internet, office supplies, program supplies, support services, copier, printer?
A: Yes.
Q: For the OMJ staff RFP, do we need to provide staff with computers, or will they be using the center’s computers?
A: Computers and connectivity will be provided as part of the $13,000 cost sharing allocation.
Q: Who is the current provider?
A: OhioGuidestone
Q: How many participants on average are being served each month at WEP sites?
A: The program site and activities serve as an WEP site for participants’ work activity requirements. Within the program. participants are involved in work experience on an individualized basis.
Q: On average, how many participants are referred per month?
A: Approximately 20 participants ongoing.
Q: What is the current funding amount available?
A: The Cost estimate for this activity is $315,000
Q: Is the budget template available in an unlocked excel format?
A: No.
Q: RFP mentions incentives, is there a limit to the $ amount that participant can receive in incentive payments?
A: No.
Q: Are incentives to be included in the submitted budget?
A: Yes. All incentives must be in the provider’s budget.
Q: How many current WEP sites exist and how many participants can the WEP sites accommodate?
A: The program site and activities serve as an WEP site for participants’ work activity requirements. Within the program, participants are involved in work experience on an individualized basis. The current provider has developed approximately 30-40 work sites in the community.
Q: Would provider be serving only OWF referrals or does it also include SNAP only recipients?
A: SNAP only recipients are managed under a separate program and not being procured under this RFP.
Q: Will program operators have access to Ohio Benefits?
A: No. All client information with be forwarded back to Lake JFS for system inputting.
Q: When do you expect that clients will have to return to the program office full-time?
A: At this time, hybrid work models are still common due primarily to the lingering effects of Covid-19. Going forward, program operators will be required to open and staff their office(s) using a work model that mirrors what is being used by Lake County and Lake County JFS.
Q: For each RFP budget (CCMEP, OMJ Staffing Services, Worksfirst) – wanted to get clarification on the budget forms on where to enter the administrative rate (under other or contract)?
A: There is not an allowance for “Administrative” rate. You may take an allowance for verifiable “indirect expenses”. It can be placed under “other” or “contract” expense if it is identified, and it must be calculated as % rate.
Q: Regarding CCMEP, generally this does not appear to be a unit rate contract. Is it a unit rate contract?
A: CCMEP will be a unit rate contract.
Q: Regarding CCMEP, invoicing is not explained in the RFP. Will this be a cost reimbursement contract with expenses submitted monthly for reimbursement?
A: CCMEP is not a cost reimbursement contract. CCMEP will be a unit rate contract. Invoice must be submitted monthly listing actual costs, but reimbursement is based on units performed.
Q:Regarding WorksFirst section 4.2 Contract Period, Funding & Invoicing: If determined to be eligible for year two funding, will there be an opportunity to revise the unit rate to cover the costs of inflation?
A: No. Unit rates cannot be adjusted between contract program years.