Request for Proposals: Professional Services Support for Clean Energy Internship Program

Through this Request for Proposals, MassCEC seeks qualified individuals or organizations to assist in expanding MassCEC’s services to recruit and retain entrants into the clean energy workforce, and to support regional clean energy employers. This work directly links MassCEC’s core mission of an equitable clean energy transition to the Workforce Development team’s efforts to build robust career pathways into the growing clean energy sector. This RFP describes multiple scopes of work, with options including but not limited to, directly recruiting and supporting students, engaging with employers to strategize best outcomes, increasing awareness of Internship programs and job training opportunities, and developing a plan for a Massachusetts Climate Service Corps.

Status

Open

Application Deadline

Rolling, through 11:59 pm on March 1, 2024

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Questions? Contact

Funding Schedule

All dates are subject to change at MassCEC's discretion.

PROCESS STEP	TIMING
Release of RFP	November 20, 2023
Deadline to Submit Written Questions due to MassCEC via email to rfpworkforce@masscec.com	Ongoing
All Answers to Written Questions Posted on the MassCEC Website	Ongoing
Office Hours, Session 1	Tuesday, December 5 from 1-2 pm Register
Office Hours, Session 2	Wednesday, January 17 from 1-2 pm Register
Applications Due	Rolling* / March 1, 2024
Notification of Award (Anticipated)	Rolling

*For Scopes 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7, application by December 20, 2023 is recommended.

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Application Process

Send the completed application and attachments to rfpworkforce@masscec.com with “Professional Services Support for Equity Workforce Grantees and Programming” in the email subject line.

Application Materials

Professional Services and Program Support for Internship Program RFP 2024_rev1

Attachment 1 - Signature and Acceptance Form

Attachment 2 - Application Form

Attachment 3 - Budget and Proposed Payment Schedule

Send completed application to rfpworkforce@masscec.com

FAQs

Q1: Can I submit proposals for multiple/all scopes of work?

Yes, applicants can apply for more than one scope, as described in the Professional Services Support for Clean Energy Internship Program RFP. The application responses must reflect the proposed program scope(s).

Q2: Is it more advantageous to submit one integrated plan if applying for multiple scopes or should we create separate proposals?

Our recommendation is to submit separate proposals for each scope, as this facilitates a more straightforward scoring process. Feel free to include additional information in your proposals about potential broader connections between scopes. As we move into the contracting phase, we will work to optimize partnerships across different scopes.

Q3: What is the preferred date to apply for Scopes 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7?

The preferred date is December 20th, 2023. The final deadline for all other scopes is March 1, 2024.

Q4: What are the different Scopes of Work?

Scope 1: Training Providers for Support Internship Program Success (SIPS) Initiative
Scope 2: Regional Employer Engagement to Increase Statewide Utilization of MassCEC Internship Programs
Scope 3: Training Provider Engagement and Support for Trades-Based Student Programs
Scope 4: Student Awareness in Community Colleges
Scope 5: Clean Energy Symposium
Scope 6: Massachusetts Climate Service Corps Planning and Program Design
Scope 7: Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Resilience Workforce Development Plan

Q5: If our organization has received prior funding from MassCEC, can we apply for this opportunity?

Yes, applicants may apply for additional funds from MassCEC, as long as the proposed project is separate and distinct from the projects funded via prior support.

Q6: What will the career awareness videos be used for?

The clean energy career awareness videos will be used in a new curriculum for implementation in high schools across the state.

Q7: Do I need to create the career awareness videos if I apply for Scope 2?

No. The support for clean energy career awareness videos entails finding employers and workplaces for a video production company to then film and interview staff; it does not involve the creation of the videos themselves.

Q8: How is the funding administered throughout the contract?

We ask applicants to structure their proposals with various deliverables and a timeline. This approach allows us to distribute funding systematically throughout the process. The final schedule for payment will be agreed to in the grantee/contractor’s contract.

Q9: How does MassCEC’s Clean Energy Internship Program function?

MassCEC operates an online Workforce Portal where students can establish profiles and upload resumes and transcripts. Simultaneously, employers upload job descriptions for internship positions they aim to fill. Interns can browse job openings and descriptions, and employers have the ability to review available students. The interview and hiring process is managed independently by employers. Upon selecting an intern, we verify the intern’s eligibility, and the company provides MassCEC with an offer letter to confirm funding. Following the conclusion of the internship session, MassCEC reimburses the employer for the intern's work.

For more information, please visit: https://www.masscec.com/program/clean-energy-internship-program-employers

Q10: How does MassCEC define clean energy for the Internship Program?

MassCEC defines clean energy as: “advanced and applied technologies that significantly reduce or eliminate the use of energy from non-renewable sources, including, but not limited to: energy efficiency; demand response; energy conservation and those technologies powered in whole or in part by the sun, wind, water, geothermal energy, including networked geothermal and deep geothermal energy, hydrogen produced by non-fossil fuel sources and methods, alcohol, fuel cells, fusion energy or any other renewable, non-depletable or recyclable fuel.”

Before confirming an employer as eligible to participate, we require that a company be involved in the clean energy sector and that their interns work solely on clean energy initiatives during their internships. Employers involved in non-renewable energy sectors can participate in the internship program provided that they have an ongoing and sustainable clean energy initiative or business strategy that they are currently pursuing.