This RFP was awarded on May 11, 2022. Read the intent to award letter. 

Introduction 

Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD) is requesting proposals for highly specialized categories of professional services, which may need to be obtained from temporary employment service agencies for temporary placements. The intent of this RFP is to qualify a short list of approved vendors that NWRESD, at its sole discretion, can select from to provide the following services:

• Speech and Language Pathologist
• Speech and Language Pathology Assistant
• Occupational Therapist
• Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Physical Therapist
• Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant
• Behavior Consultant
• School Psychologist
• Special Education Teacher
• Qualified Mental Health Consultant
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Paraprofessional/Educational Assistant

About the District

NWRESD is the largest and most diverse education service district in the state of Oregon.  Two of Oregon’s largest school districts – Beaverton and Hillsboro – reside in the urban parts of Washington County, while many smaller, more rural districts reside along the Columbia River, Coast Range Mountains, and Pacific Ocean.  The District’s service area includes 20 component school districts and more than 180 public schools in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, and Washington counties – spanning approximately 3,500 square miles across the northwest corner of Oregon.  The Regional Office is located in Hillsboro, with additional service centers located in Seaside, St. Helens, and Tillamook.

Our Mission

In partnership with the communities we serve, Northwest Regional Education Service District improves student learning by providing equitable access to high-quality services and support

For more information, refer to the NWRESD website at www.nwresd.org.

Scope of Services

As the needs for specific work arise, NWRESD will authorize temporary employment placement, in the form of a Purchase Order and Statement of Work, after NWRESD and the contracting agency agree on the specific scope, schedule and a not-to-exceed fee for temporary employment placement. Inclusion on the approved vendor list is not a guarantee of work. NWRESD at its sole discretion can offer temporary employment to any contracting agency.  Individual placements will be granted based on availability and price. Departments will coordinate work with contracting agencies.

Contract will be established for three years (July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025) and may be renewed for two (2) additional on (1) year periods. Proposal requirements are contained in this document. 

Proposal Submittal

Proposals must be submitted no later than 5:00 pm, Friday, April 25, 2022. Submit the proposal and all appendices to the email address or physical address below:

Northwest Regional Education Service District
Attn: Tina Tran
5825 NE Ray Circle
Hillsboro, OR 97124

Proposals received after the submittal deadline will not be considered. Proposals postmarked before the deadline but received afterwards will not be considered. No faxed proposals will be considered. 

Questions regarding submittals should be directed to Tina Tran at rfp@nwresd.k12.or.us.

Pre-proposal Conference/Addenda

No pre-proposal conference has been scheduled for this. NWRESD may schedule a pre-proposal conference if warranted by the need to provide a significant amount of additional information. NWRESD will endeavor to notify all recipients of this RFP of the date and location of such conference. NWRESD cannot guarantee that all recipients will receive notification and is not liable for the failure to notify. Agents are responsible for checking with the District to determine if a pre-proposal conference will be held. 

NWRESD may issue addenda to this RFP that update or modify RFP requirements.  NWRESD will endeavor to mail addenda to all recipients of this RFP.  NWRESD cannot guarantee that all recipients will receive the addenda and is not liable for the failure to deliver the addenda.  Agents are responsible for checking with NWRESD to determine if they have received all addenda.

Anticipated Schedule

The following schedule outlines the anticipated schedule for the RFP process.  The timing and the sequence of events resulting from this RFP may vary and the District reserves the right to change the schedule without notice.

Proposal Format

Proposals submitted in response to this request should be clearly identified, clear and to the point.  Emphasis should be placed on specific qualifications of the people actually performing on the project and/or product provided and the organization’s ability to manage the project.

Proposals must not exceed ten (10) single sided pages of material.  This excludes the cover letter, any tabs or indexes, resumes and list of references.  Proposals shall include the following headings to assist in the evaluation.

1. Cover Letter: Provide a letter of introduction signed and dated by the authorized representative of the organization submitting the proposal. Provide a statement that your proposal will be valid for a minimum period of 90 days; and acknowledgement receipt of any addenda issued during the RFP process.
2. Basic Qualifications: Provide general information relative to the organization’s size, history, areas of expertise and proposed service team structure. Reference to applicable awards, associations, etc. may be included.
3. Ability to Perform: The successful Proposer(s) must be in compliance with State of Oregon business statutes and regulations before an award may be made. The Proposer shall be responsible for the following:
   • The company must be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Affirmative Action Employer
   • NWRESD is an anti-racist organization, as such companies must operate in coordination with and in the spirit of the Agency’s equity statement.
   • The successful Proposer(s) must be able to present candidates who are wholly qualified for positions being sought including but not limited to; Oregon State licensure, educational background and professional experience.
   • INSURANCE
     • Subconsultants performing work or providing goods or services under the contract will have sufficient insurance to protect the interests of the successful Proposer and NWRESD
     • Workers' Compensation Insurance: Successful Proposer shall comply with the workers' compensation law, ORS Chapter 656 and as it may be amended. Unless exempt under ORS Chapter 656, The Successful Proposer and any/all subconsultants shall maintain coverage for all subject workers for the entire term of the contract agreement including any price agreement extensions.
     • Commercial General Liability Insurance: Successful Proposer shall have Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance covering bodily injury, personal injury, property damage, including coverage for independent successful Proposer’s protection (required if any work will be subcontracted), premises/operations, contractual liability, products and completed operations, in per occurrence limit of not less than $1,000,000, and aggregate limit of not less than $2,000,000.
     • Professional Liability & Errors & Omissions Insurance: Successful Proposer shall have Professional Liability and/or Errors & Omissions insurance to cover damages caused by negligent acts, errors or omissions related to the professional services, and performance of duties and responsibilities of the Successful Proposer under this contract in an amount with a combined single limit of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and aggregate of $3,000,000 for all claims per occurrence. In lieu of an occurrence based policy, Successful Proposer may have claims-made policy in an amount not less than $1,000,000 per claim and $3,000,000 annual aggregate.
4. Compensation Information and Fees: Provide hourly rate ranges for all positions are required. Furthermore, conversion fees may not exceed $7,500 and priority is given to temporary employment services who reduce the conversation fee based on the number of hours worked by the candidate in the months preceding the conversation. If mileage reimbursements occurs with the agreement of both parties, reimbursement will be done based on the IRS standard mileage rate during time of travel.
5. Corporate Responsibility: It is our objective, driven by our equity policy, to contract with socially responsible businesses. In addition, NWRESD values and supports diversity, and is dedicated to advancing equity in public contracting. To promote this objective, emphasis will be given to proposals that demonstrate, through practices and examples, a commitment to workforce demographics and any measurable steps taken to ensure a diverse internal workforce and commitment to community service, (e.g., charitable programs, scholarships, economic development, etc.)
6. Appendix
   • List any requirements or provisions contained in this RFP that you believe are unfair or prejudicial, or limits competition, please explain your opinion.
   • Provide Certificate of Liability

Proposal Conditions

RFP not Basis of Obligations

This RFP does not constitute an offer to contract and does not commit to NWRESD to the award of the contract to anyone, or pay any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. NWRESD reserves the right to reject any or all proposals that do not conform to the requirements stated herein. NWRESD reserves the right to cancel all or part of this RFP for any reason determined by NWRESD to be in the public Interest.

RFP Protests

Any protests to this RFP must be in writing and received by NWRESD not less than ten (10) days prior to closing, including any extensions to the closing date.  The protest must conform to ORS 279B.405.

Contract Terms

Contracts resulting from this RFP will materially conform to NWRESD’s Personal Services Agreement, incorporated into this RFP by reference and available for review from NWRESD, subject to the District’s right to negotiate as described in this RFP.

Selection Process

Proposal Evaluation

NWRESD will evaluate the proposals in accordance with the evaluation criteria below and may contact former clients and/or conduct interviews.  NWRESD will then rank the proposals and use this ranking to populate an approved vendor list.  Proposing consultants will be notified when NWRESD has made selections and negotiations have been completed.

Amendments

1. Professional Services Q&A
2. Professional Services Q&A 2
3. Professional Services Q&A 3