Notice of Funds Available (RFP) Print Apply for this Grant

Specifications

Purpose

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), in collaboration with the State ADA Coordinator’s Office, is seeking proposals to design, develop, and implement comprehensive virtual training modules that support Georgia’s efforts to become a Model Employer of individuals with disabilities. This initiative is aligned with the legislative and policy framework established under Georgia’s GAME initiative (24 LC 36 56644; SB 384) and seeks to empower state agencies to foster inclusive employment practices.

Schedule of Events

This Request for Proposals will be governed by the following schedule of Events:
• Applications Due By – January 1, 2025
• Contracts Due By - January 29, 2025
• Project Begins - February 1, 2025

Restrictions on Communication

All questions about this NoFA must be submitted in the following format:
Organization/Individual Name
1. Question
Citation of relevant section of the NoFA

2. Question
Citation of relevant section of the NoFA

Questions must be directed in writing to the Grants Manager, Felicia Dillon at: felicia.dillon@gcdd.ga.gov

Questions must include the company name and the referenced NoFA section.
From the issue date of this NoFA until a contractor is selected and the selection is announced, Applicants are not allowed to communicate for any reason with any State staff except through the Grants Manager, or during the Applicants' conference, or as provided by existing work agreement(s). The State reserves the right to reject the proposal of any Applicant violating this provision.
All questions concerning this NoFA must be submitted in writing by email to felicia.dillon@gcdd.ga.gov. Only written questions will be accepted. No response other than written will be binding upon the State.

The DD Council

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is one of 56 entities of its type in the United States and territories that report to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration for Community Living. It is authorized under Public Law 106-402, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act Amendments of 2000. The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) makes funds available to fulfill its mission in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its Five-Year Strategic Plan https://gcdd.org/about/five-year-strategic-plan Through its funding, GCDD works to increase the capacities and resources of public and private nonprofit entities and others to develop a comprehensive community system that responds to the choices, capabilities and needs of persons with developmental disabilities and their families. The purpose of GCDD grants is to expand best practices and contribute to system-wide changes that support the rights of people with developmental disabilities and their full inclusion as community members. Recipients of GCDD grants are expected to be ongoing partners bringing about change. Our activities are governed by a 27-member board, appointed by the Governor and comprised of at least 60 percent individuals with developmental disabilities and family members. Other members include policymakers that represent various agencies and organizations having a vested interested in persons with developmental disabilities. GCDD serves as an advocate for all persons with developmental disabilities. We are charged with creating systems change for people with developmental disabilities and their families by increasing opportunities for independence, inclusion, integration, productivity and self-determination. Activities include public policy research and analysis, reform, project demonstrations, education and training. The GCDD is a state agency, attached to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) for administrative purposes.

Scope of Work

The selected contractor will be responsible for creating and delivering four dynamic, virtual training modules tailored to HR directors, managers, supervisors, ADA coordinators, legal officers, and executive leadership within state agencies. The modules will focus on enhancing understanding, compliance, and capacity-building to meet GAME’s objectives, including a cultural shift toward inclusion and adherence to state and federal regulations.
The virtual training modules will be developed with the following themes:
1. Introduction to GAME: Overview of expectations, legal requirements, cultural goals, and agency reporting obligations.
2. ADA Title I Basics: A foundational understanding of ADA Title I, the interactive process, reasonable accommodations, and associated procedures.
3. Federal Guidance for Inclusive Employment: An exploration of key federal laws, regulations, and guidance impacting workplace inclusion, including web accessibility, AI use in hiring, and emerging policies.
4. Emergency Evacuation Considerations: Practical strategies and tools for ensuring safe and effective emergency evacuation procedures for employees with disabilities.
Deliverables
• Training Content: The modules should include interactive presentations, resources, and practical tools for agency implementation.
• Delivery: Each module will be delivered three times between March and June 2025, with an approximate duration of 1 to 1.5 hours per session.
• GAME Survey Integration: Include preparatory guidance for the rollout of the GAME survey tool and agency-specific action items.
• Support and Evaluation: Provide post-training support and tools to assist agencies in meeting their reporting and operational obligations.
• Outcome Measures: In addition to demographic data to be collected from training participants, an outcome narrative must be submitted, and the following outcome measures must be captured & reported upon.
o IFA 3 The percent of people satisfied with the trainings
o SC 1.1 Number of policy/procedures created/changed as a result of the trainings
o SC 1.3.2 Number of promising practices supported by the trainings
o SC 1.3.4 Number of best practices supported by the trainings
o SC 1.4 Number of people trained/educated in the trainings
o SC 1.5 Number of trainings or other Systems Change activities with other organizations held.

Submission Deadline
Proposals must be submitted no later than January 1, with the first module aiming to be out by March 2025 and module delivery completed by June 2025.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following:
• Relevance and innovation of training approach.
• Demonstrated expertise in ADA and inclusive workplace practices.
• Cost-effectiveness and alignment with project goals.
• Capacity to meet project timelines and deliverables.

Experience Requirements
Proposals should include the following:
• A comprehensive approach to developing and delivering the training modules.
• Expertise in ADA compliance, workplace inclusion, and training delivery.

Additional Attachments (References/Sample work)
• Examples of similar projects or relevant experience.

Application Submission & Evaluation

The Applicant must submit a complete application in DD Suite which includes a Project Outline, a Project Work Plan and a Project Budget.

Applications must be submitted online via https://www.ddsuite.org, prior to the published deadline. No hard copies will be accepted. Applicants must have or create a DD Suite user account and an organization account in order to submit an application. Go to https://www.ddsuite.org and click on "HELP TAB" for detailed instructions on creating DD Suite user and organization accounts. (See complete application process and Guide to DD Suite attached)
Additional Submission Requirements:
1) Upload of copy of the Federal W-9 (attached to this NoFA)
2) Upload a plain language summary of the submitted application. The plain language summary should be one to two pages, and should include the following headings followed by a short plain language paragraph (5 – 10 sentences):
• Executive Summary
• Qualifications
• Detailed Narrative
• Outcomes Key
• Evaluation
• Diversity
• Budget
• Workplan
Applications that do not include a plain language summary may be rejected.
Each proposal should be prepared simply and economically, avoiding the use of elaborate promotional materials (unless materials have been requested) beyond those sufficient to provide a complete presentation. If supplemental materials are a necessary part of the proposal, the Applicant should reference these materials in the technical proposal, identifying the document(s) and citing the appropriate section and page(s) to be reviewed.
Any proposal received after the due date and time will not be evaluated.

Evaluation Process
The evaluation of proposals received on or before the due date and time will be conducted in the following phases. Any proposal received after the due date and time will not be evaluated.

Administrative Review
The Grants Manager will screen each proposal. The screening will consist of:
(1) determining if the Applicant is eligible to receive Council funds including determining if the Applicant meets eligibility requirements and is registered to do business in Georgia;
(2) the budget is within the funding limits and includes the required match;
(3) the application is complete and all sections in DD Suite have responses; and,
(4) the required forms are attached.

DD Suite will issue an automatic reply acknowledging receipt of your proposal immediately after successful submission.

Financial (Cost) Proposal Evaluation
The Successful Applicant submit a proposed budget for this initiative. The Financial Proposal will provide a 25% match (in-kind or funds) to augment the federal grant. The 25% match may be in the form of matching dollars, and/or in-kind costs, on an annual basis. Match funds must be documented by submitting a Report of Certified or In-Kind costs at each reporting period. The match rate for poverty areas in 10%.
What kind of things can be considered in-kind match?
Your in-kind match may include expenses that are:
• allowable under federal guidelines and GCDD policies;
• necessary for your project;
• not paid by federal funds (ours or those of another agency); and
• not already being used as match for another federal grant.
Some examples include office space, utilities, volunteer time (including members of your Project Advisory Committee), printing costs, consultants (if not paid through the grant), or staff not paid for through the grant.
Applicant should provide a detailed annual plan explaining how it will generate the required match and how much, i.e., the percentage that will be provided. The plan must show in detail what will be done, how it will be done, and what specific commitment the Applicant is willing to make as a match.

NOFA Policies

Rejection of Proposals/Cancellation of NoFA

The State reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive any irregularity or informality in a proposal, and to accept or reject any item or combination of items; when to do so would be to the advantage of the State. It is also within the right of the State to reject proposals that do not contain all the elements and information requested in this document. The State reserves the right to cancel this NoFA at any time. The State will not be liable for any cost/losses incurred by the Applicants throughout this process.

NoFA Amendments
The State reserves the right to amend this NoFA prior to the proposal due date. All amendments and additional information will be posted to http://ddsuite.org Applicants are encouraged to check this website frequently.

Proposal Withdrawal
A submitted proposal may be withdrawn prior to the due date by a written request to the Grants Manager. A request to withdraw a proposal must be signed by an authorized individual.

Cost for Preparing Proposals
The cost for developing the proposal is the sole responsibility of the Applicant. The State will not provide reimbursement for such costs.

Conflict of Interest
If an Applicant has any existing client relationship that involves the State of Georgia, the Applicant must disclose each relationship.

Reciprocal Preference Law OCGA 50-5-60(b)
For the purposes of evaluation only, Applicants resident in the State of Georgia will be granted the same preference over Applicants resident in another State in the same manner, on the same basis, and to the same extent that preference is granted in awarding bids for the same goods or services by such other State Applicants resident therein over Applicants resident in the State of Georgia. NOTE: For the purposes of this law, the definition of a resident Applicant is one who maintains a place of business with at least one employee inside the State of Georgia. A post office box address will not satisfy this requirement.

ADA Guidelines
The State of Georgia adheres to the guidelines set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants should contact the Grants Manager at least 48 hours in advance if they require special arrangements when attending the Applicant's Conference. The Georgia Relay Center at 1-800-255-0056 (TDD Only) or 1-800-255-0135 (Voice) will relay messages, in strict confidence, for the speech and hearing impaired.