Timothy Smith Network Request For Proposals

Online Presence for Employability

Table of Contents
1. Introduction and Background.....................................................................................................1
2. RFP Purpose and Scope..............................................................................................................2
3. Scope of Services........................................................................................................................2
4. Instructions and Information.......................................................................................................3
RFP Timeline...............................................................................................................................3
RFP Contact.................................................................................................................................3
Submission requirements.............................................................................................................4
RFP Selection and Evaluation Team...........................................................................................4
5. RFP Evaluation Criteria..............................................................................................................4
6. Outline for Proposal....................................................................................................................5
7. Notices and Response Criteria....................................................................................................7

1. Introduction and Background

The Timothy Smith Network (TSN) is a member organization established to build the capacity of
Greater Roxbury's 31 Timothy Smith Centers (TS Centers) and to improve the technological
competencies of the residents of Roxbury. The TS Centers provide comprehensive community-
based technology services to children, youth, families, adults and senior citizens; train thousands
of residents each year; provide drop-in services for an thousands more; and, address a broad
range of economic, therapeutic, health, educational, training, human and social service needs of
the community.

The TS Centers are mission-driven organizations with a deep passion for and knowledge of how
to successfully work with the diverse cultural constituencies in their neighborhoods. Their
location within social service agencies, health centers, community development centers, and
faith-based organizations enables the centers to address a broad range of needs of the
community.

The TSN is building the capacity of the TS Centers to deliver effective technology training and
services by:
• identifying and developing collaborative program and funding opportunities;
• providing broad-based technical, financial and operational capacity building support to
centers;
• promoting cross-center cooperation and peer learning through joint trainings and
workshops;
• facilitating the exchange of information among centers through its listserv and website;
and,
• developing performance and learning outcomes standards to ensure that all member
centers are providing consistent technology instruction.

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Timothy Smith Network Request For Proposals
Online Presence for Employability
2. RFP Purpose and Scope
The days of paging through Help-Wanted ads in the printed press and mailing out cover letters
and a printed resume are rapidly coming to an end. This process is being replaced by Internet
career sites containing on-line job postings, sophisticated searching techniques and on-line
resume submission. Many skilled and talented people whose jobs have recently been eliminated
do not know where to begin in their pursuit of reemployment.

The Timothy Smith Network is seeking a consultant to develop and deliver training to
community residents (adults and high school students) which will prepare them to successfully
navigate their search for employment using online resources. The skills to be mastered during
this training include:

• Using email effectively

• Using social networking in a job search situation
• Creating resumes--online and print versions
• Identifying the appropriate job listing sites for the positions they are seeking
• Researching companies before submitting applications and in preparation for job
interviews
• Submitting job applications to at least 5 companies for jobs for which they are qualified.
• Following up on interviews using online resources.

Participants are expected to have mastered basic technical literacy skills and to be able to create
and modify documents using Word prior to participating in the training described in the scope of
this RFP. The technical skills of participants will be increased through the use of online tools and
resources as part of the class activities and deliverables.

The training approach and materials must take into account the diversity among participants and
employment interests. Materials must have a professional and consistent look and feel.

The selected consultant(s) will develop and conduct this training for at least 400 community
residents. The consultant will meet with the Executive Director of the TSN and staff at TS
Centers to discuss issues relating to preparing an effective presence for employability. The
consultant will use this information to develop and customize the training. The training must be
completed by December 17, 2010.

3. Scope of Services
Prepare and deliver appropriate training sessions of 3-4 hours duration for at least 400
community residents (adults and high school students) covering all relevant aspects of preparing
and maintaining one’s online presence to attract prospective employers.

All applicants are required to submit the following information describing how the training
seminar will be approached and presented:

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Timothy Smith Network Request For Proposals
Online Presence for Employability
• Course objectives and expected results
• Course outline identifying the key teaching points and time frames
• Description of course delivery methods
• Sample teaching aids and handouts
• Recommended audience
• Recommended course prerequisites
• Recommended course length to thoroughly address the topic
• Minimum and maximum number of participants in each session
• Assessment and validation of students’ learning

Each Timothy Smith Center at which this training will be delivered has the requisite computers,
internet access, and audiovisual equipment that will be needed for the training sessions.

4. Instructions and Information

RFP Timeline
Day/Date Description
Wednesday, April 28, RFP distributed electronically through TSN email list serve. RFP
2010 available to vendors.

Friday, May 7, 2010 RFP responses must be submitted electronically to Susan

5:00 PM O’Connor (smoconnor@timothysmithnetwork.org).

Friday, May 14, 2010 Responses will be analyzed and scored by the evaluation team.
5:00 PM The total score will factor heavily into the TSN selection of
successful applicant.

Monday, May 17, 2010 A decision will be made as to which applicant is selected. All
27, 2008 applicants will be notified of the TSN’s decision electronically.

Thursday, May 20, 2010 Contract finalized

Monday, May 24, 2010 Development, implementation plans begun.

Monday, June 14, 2010 Initial training classes begin

Friday, Dec. 17, 2010 Training classes complete.

RFP Contact
Susan M. O’Connor
Executive Director
Timothy Smith Network
Phone: 617-968-3653
Email: smoconnor@timothysmithnetwork.org

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Timothy Smith Network Request For Proposals
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Submission requirements
Notice of intent to reply to this RFP should be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 3, 2010.
Please send notice of your intent electronically to Susan O’Connor at
smoconnor@timothysmithnetwork.org.

Responses to this RFP are due by 5:00 p.m. on May 7, 2010. They should be sent electronically
to Susan O’Connor at smoconnor@timothsmithnetwork.org.

RFP Selection and Evaluation Team

Susan O’Connor, Executive Director of the TSN will chair the RFP Selection and Evaluation
Team which will consist of TSN Board Members and staff from TS Centers.

5. RFP Evaluation Criteria

At a minimum, the following information must be provided as part of the response to this
proposal and will be used in evaluating the responses. This is in addition to the mandatory
submission requirements.

Training Experience Applicant must submit at least 5 examples of training activities

conducted by applicant with email addresses for contacting staff at each
site.

Training Materials Applicant must submit (or provide links to) samples of training materials
and programs developed by applicant. This should include lesson plans
and sample student materials. This material will be returned to the
applicant if paper materials are submitted.

Experience working Preference will be given to applicants with a history of working with
with non-profits non-profit and educational cultures and in community technology centers

Time Frame The time frame for completion of the project will be evaluated. A
detailed project plan should be included in the proposal that conforms to
the dates in the RFP Timeline above .

Experience Describe the experience of each member of the training/development

team.

Cost Please describe in detail the following costs:

1. Costs associated with developing the training classes and
materials.
2. Costs associated with delivery of the training.
3. Costs of any equipment needed to deliver the training. The TSN
will not purchase equipment needed by the TSN to maintain the
site.

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Timothy Smith Network Request For Proposals
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References Please provide a brief outline of your experience developing, and
delivering training in community technology settings. Please emphasize
how many similar training assignments you have completed in the past.
Provide at least three references, including complete contact information,
of organizations for which you have developed and delivered training.
List any awards or accomplishments relevant to this project achieved by
you or your firm in the last two years.

Clarity of Proposal Ease of reading the proposal and finding relevant information will be a
significant factor in evaluating proposals.

Acceptance / The TSN reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals,
Rejection of wave any irregularities in the proposal process, and award as a whole or
Proposals incrementally as may be in the TSN's interest. The TSN shall be the sole
judge of the suitability of products, services and system designs offered.

Expense Associated Proposals shall be prepared and submitted at the applicant's sole expense.
with Proposals All proposals will become the property of the Timothy Smith Network
and will not be returned. There will be no public bid opening.

Negotiation Points The Timothy Smith Network reserves the right to negotiate mutually
acceptable project-related conditions, including cost.

TSN Property Once the training materials have been completed and accepted by the
TSN, they become the property of the Timothy Smith Network. All
contract work for this training is considered, "work for hire".

Contract The selected applicant will be required to sign a contract with the
Timothy Smith Network.

Payment for Payment for services will be paid upon receipt of invoices as per the
Services schedule specified in the contract. In addition, the TSN will withhold
10% as retention until the project is successfully completed.

6. Outline for Proposal

Additional If a applicant has any questions, they may be submitted to
information smoconnor@timothysmithnetwork.org. All questions and answers
will be sent to all who have indicated their intent to reply to this RFP.

References (Minimum of 3) - names, addresses and phone numbers of individuals at

community based organizations in the Boston area for whom you have
developed and delivered training.

Qualifications Describe the relevant experience of those who will be working on this
project. Include background information, number of years experience in

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Timothy Smith Network Request For Proposals
Online Presence for Employability
delivering training in community technology center environments and
the relevant skill qualifications and/or certifications.

Training Provide a description of the training that will be provided including (at
Description least): modules, learning objectives, duration of sessions, number of
students per session. Provide a description of the methods that will be
used to deliver this training to individuals with a variety of technical
skills and abilities.

Sample Materials A sample training materials - Please provide samples of materials

developed for other community-based organizations in the Boston Area.
Describe the materials you will develop for this project.

Project Time Line Timing to complete the design and delivery of training - This should be
as realistic as possible and must be consistent with the RFP Timeline
above since this will be part of the contractual agreement.

Provide a high level plan on how you propose to train 400 students in the
time allotted. The plan should include the design and development
lesson plans and student materials, the recruiting of students, training
delivery approach, number of sessions, students per session and
evaluation of students.

Project Process to include input from TSN staff, Board of Directors and select
Management members - Please state how you intend to communicate with designated
Methodology TSN contacts to gather all of the required information and feedback.

Costs Broken down by phases and types of work.

Portions of RFP Clearly state the parts of the RFP addressed in the bid.

Contact person Who will work directly with the TSN? - Please submit a brief biography
showing the qualifications of each individual who will work on the
project until completion unless the TSN agrees to prior approval for a
change.

Summary Explain in one page or less how your solution will differentiate you from
other applicants and why we should choose you as our successful
applicant. List the unique features that give you/your company a
competitive edge.

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Timothy Smith Network Request For Proposals
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7. Notices and Response Criteria
Good Faith This RFP has been compiled in good faith. The information contained
within is selective and subject to the TSN’s updating, expansion, revision
and amendment.

Right to Cancel The TSN reserves the right to change any aspect of, terminate, or delay
this RFP, the RFP process and/or the program which is outlined within
this RFP at any time, and notice shall be given in a timely manner
thereafter.

Not an Award Recipients of this RFP are advised that nothing stated herein, or any part
thereof, or any communication during the evaluation and selection
process, shall be construed as constituting; offering or awarding a
contract, representation or agreement of any kind between the TSN and
any other party, save for a formal written contract, properly executed by
both parties.

Property of the Responses to this RFP will become the property of the TSN, and will
TSN form the basis of negotiations of an agreement between the TSN and the
apparent successful applicant.

TSN not Liable for The TSN is not liable and will not be responsible for any costs incurred
Costs by any applicant(s) for the preparation and delivery of the RFP responses,
nor will the TSN be liable for any costs incurred prior to the execution of
an agreement, including but not limited to, presentations by RFP finalists
to the TSN.

TSN’s Expectations During the review of this document, please note the TSN’s emphasis on
the expectations, qualities, and requirements necessary to be positioned
as an RFP finalist and successful applicant.

Waiver of Minor The TSN reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to waive minor
Administrative administrative regularities contained in any proposal
Irregularities

Single Response A single response to the RFP may be deemed a failure of competition,
and in the best interest of the TSN, the RFP may be cancelled.

Proposal Rejection; The TSN reserves the right to reject any or all proposals at any time
No Obligation to without penalty. The TSN reserves the right to refrain from contracting
Buy with any vendor. The release of this RFP does not compel the TSN to
purchase. The TSN may elect to proceed further with this project by
interviewing firm(s) well–suited to this project, conducting site visits or
proceeding with an award

Withdrawal of Applicants may withdraw a proposal that has been submitted at any time
up to the proposal closing date and time. To accomplish this, a written

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Timothy Smith Network Request For Proposals
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Proposals request signed by an authorized representative of the applicant must be
submitted to the RFP Contact. The vendor may submit another proposal
at any time up to the proposal closing date and time.

Non-Endorsement As a result of the selection of a applicant to supply products and/or

services the TSN is neither endorsing nor suggesting that the applicant’s
product is the best or only solution. The applicant agrees to make no
reference to the TSN in any literature, promotional material, brochures,
sales presentation or the like without the express written consent of the
TSN.

Proprietary Any information contained in the proposal that is proprietary must be

Proposal Material clearly designated. Marking the entire proposal as proprietary will be
neither accepted nor honored.

Errors in Proposal The TSN will not be liable for any errors in applicant proposals.
Applicants will not be allowed to alter proposal documents after the
deadline for proposal submission.

The TSN reserves the right to make corrections or amendments due to

errors identified in proposals by the TSN or the applicant. This type of
correction or amendment will only be allowed for such errors as typing,
transposition or any other obvious error. Applicants are liable for all
errors or omissions contained in their proposals.

If, after the opening and tabulation of proposals, a vendor claims error
and requests to be relieved of award, s/he will be required to promptly
present certified work sheets. The RFP contact will review the work
sheets and if the RFP contact is convinced, by clear and convincing
evidence, that an honest, mathematically excusable error or critical
omission of costs has been made, the vendor may be relieved his/her
proposal.

After opening and reading proposals, the TSN will check them for
correctness of extensions of the prices per unit and the total price. If a
discrepancy exists between a price per unit and the extended amount of
any proposal item, the price per unit will control. The TSN will use the
total of extensions, corrected where necessary.

Bid Bond A bid bond is not required.

Performance Bond A performance bond is not required.

Response Information regarding this Request for Proposals, including any addenda,
Information is available from Susan M. O’Connor at (617) 968-3653 or via e-mail at
smoconnor@timothysmithnetwork.org.

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