Creating Space Peer-to-Peer Training Initiative for Workforce Development and Morale

The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is issuing the attached RFQ Creating Space Peer-to-Peer Training Initiative for Workforce Development and Morale (OPD-2026-73) to continue to address the measurable issues of stress and conflict in the field around communication and morale largely focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion issues, with the intent to award one contract for these services. Calendar of Events: RFQ Release Date Tuesday, October 27, 2026 Deadline for Submission of Questions Tuesday, November 3, 2026 Issuance of Response to Questions Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Proposal Due Date Wednesday, November 18, 2026, by 3:00 PM Anticipated Notification of Tentative Award Tuesday, November 24, 2026 Anticipated Contract Start Date Upon approval of OSC Restricted Period: Pursuant to State Finance Law §§ 139-j and 139-k, this Solicitation includes and imposes certain restrictions on communications between OPWDD and a Bidder during the procurement process. A Bidder is restricted from making contacts from the earliest posting, on a governmental entity’s website, in a newspaper of general circulation, or in the procurement opportunities newsletter of intent to solicit offers/Bids through final award and approval of the Procurement Contract by OPWDD and, if applicable, the Office of the State Comptroller (“restricted period”) to other than designated staff unless it is a contact that is included among certain statutory exceptions set forth in State Finance Law § 139-j(3)(a). Designated staff, as of the date hereof, are identified below. OPWDD employees are also required to obtain certain information when contacted during the restricted period and make a determination of the responsibility of the Bidder pursuant to State Finance Law § 139-j and § 139-k. Certain findings of non-responsibility can result in rejection for Contract award and, in the event of two findings within a four-year period, the Bidder is debarred from obtaining governmental Procurement Contracts for four years. Further information about these requirements can be found on the OGS website at: https://ogs.ny.gov/acpl/ Business enterprises awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years: RFQ OPD-2025-01 for Train the Trainer via OGS. The awarded vendor was Envision Inclusion LLC. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) SDVOB Goal: 0.00% Minority / Women Business Enterprise contracting goals (MWBE) MBE Goal: 0.00% WBE Goal: 0.00%