Request for Proposals
Bias and Inclusion Training Services
Bias and Inclusion Training Services
This Request for Proposals is issued to contract with training or DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) related agencies for the performance of Bias and Inclusion Training Services.
Offerors will be qualified and able to deliver in-person training on addressing workplace bias and promoting inclusivity. Training will include information to increase awareness and understanding of unconscious bias. Training will empower staff with strategies to identify and address bias both within the workplace and with external stakeholders.
Training content and structure must be appropriate for a small nonprofit organization with a widespread, diverse network of stakeholders. Training will be delivered to 15-20 office staff with varied levels of understanding and knowledge of the subject matter.
Disadvantaged businesses currently registered with a Kansas-City-area municipality, or the states of KS or MO are encouraged to apply to this solicitation. Disadvantaged business means Minority-owned, Women-owned, Disability-owned, and Small-and-Local Business Enterprises.
MEC RFP guidance document (click to download PDF)
A pre-proposal meeting was held, during which MEC conducted a walk-through of the RFP document and took questions. The meeting recording is at the link below.
Recorded meeting: RFP – Bias and Inclusion Training Services (click to play)
Applicants are encouraged to submit questions in writing to Jeff Windsor via rfa@mec.bluesym10.work. Questions will be accepted until April 4, 2023. MEC will endeavor to respond to all questions publicly via this FAQ by April 6. Emails should use the subject line: “Query for Bias Training RFP”.
Q/A.0: Please note the correct question deadline (Apr 4) and response date (Apr 6). Our webinar contained a typo on a slide incorrectly describing these dates.
Q.1: Are the three (3) sessions three individual classes or a group of classes designed to encompass the 3 focus areas outlined in the RFP document on the link?
A.1: Our vision is 3 individual classes. However, we are expecting proposers to use their experience and judgement to offer alternate structures if needed to achieve these learning objectives.
Q.2: Any required time limits per session?
A.2: No such requirements are present in the RFP scope.
Q.3: Is there a specific budget that MEC is attempting to stay within?
A.3: No such requirements are present in the RFP scope.
Q.4: For the individual classes, are they to be 8 hours, 6 hours, 4, etc.?
A.4: No such requirements are present in the RFP scope, and should be proposed according to best practices and the agency’s experience.
Q.5: Will the sessions be at MEC headquarters? Is AV available to use or should we provide our own equipment?
A.5: Sessions will be scheduled at a location in Kansas City where MEC can provide AV.
Q.6: What are the expected success measures of the training?
A.6: Refer to the RFP scope of services for the training topics. Proposals must contain a description of specific learning objectives designed to be delivered with the training offered.
Q.7: What role do the attendees have within MEC?
A.7: All employees, from interns to executive management, will be required to attend the training sessions.
Q.8: will this presentation be available to us after this meeting?
A.8: Yes. See metroenergy.org/procurement.
Q.9: You are only seeking a 10 page total proposal response?
A.9: Yes. Attendees are asked to please provide feedback via this q/a or by email to rfp@mec.bluesym10.work if in your experience more pages are necessary to provide a reasonable response. Should MEC determine to increase the allowed page count or allow for attached exhibits, the RFP will be modified, and an announcement email sent to all those on our proposer list.
Q.11: What is the driving force behind the need for Bias and Inclusion Training at Metropolitan Energy Center?
Q.12: During the webinar it was stated that that all employees from interns to executive management will be going through this training, it was also mentioned that there will be between 15-20 attendees in the classes. Does this number total all the staff of Metropolitan Energy Center or will there be multiple groups for each session curriculum? If multiple sessions, what is the total number of staff expected to go through this training?
Q.13: Are there limitations to the amount of time staff can be away from work to attend these sessions? For example, if our proposal comes back with three sessions at eight hours each, can the staff be expected to be away from the day to day activities during the days of the sessions?