DCR 889 Pool Operator Training & Materials

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is soliciting qualified instructors and instructor trainers to provide Certified Pool Operator™ (CPO), Practical Pool Management PLUS (PPM+), Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO), and other Department of Public Health (DPH)-recognized aquatic facility management courses, including associated instructor "train-the-trainer" programs, to new and existing DCR pool managers. This procurement supports training and materials designed to ensure pool operations comply with state health regulations (105 CMR 435.17(2)), targeting professional development and operational safety for pool management within Massachusetts. The contract is structured as a master service agreement with an estimated total value of approximately $150,000 over a five-year period ending February 29, 2028, without guaranteed minimum purchases or formal renewal options. Vendors are required to submit detailed pricing schedules and certifications through the COMMBUYS procurement system, including documentation of valid instructor certifications, and must comply with various administrative and environmental requirements. The procurement emphasizes environmental sustainability alongside technical qualifications, incorporating an evaluation framework that awards preference points for documented environmentally preferable products and practices. These include requirements for packaging materials containing a minimum of 35% post-consumer recycled content, avoidance of PVC and heavy metals in materials, and incorporation of sustainable business operations such as use of alternative fuel vehicles and environmental management systems. Bidders must disclose and substantiate these practices via a dedicated Environmental Preferable Products/Practices (EPP) form, which is integral to the best value evaluation process. Contractual terms mandate compliance with Massachusetts-specific regulations, tax exemption on invoices, mandatory electronic payments through EFT, and strict confidentiality concerning data collected under the contract. Subcontracting requires prior approval, and contractors must maintain current contact information with the DCR Contract Manager. The solicitation includes a comprehensive set of standardized Massachusetts procurement forms, such as a Substitute W-9 tax form, prompt payment discount forms, and affirmation of contractual terms, but does not specify detailed line item pricing or formal FAR clauses, instead relying on referenced Commonwealth terms and unique contract provisions tailored to state procurement standards.