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

The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), Division of State Operations (DSO), employs over 17,000 people who serve more than 8,000 unique individuals with developmental disabilities who receive services for over 16,000 enrollments. [...]

In this complex set of circumstances, the DSO leadership has determined that a training and learning system, led and facilitated by the DSO staff at all levels, is needed to directly improve the morale and treatment experience of all involved. [...] The DSO's initiative is to continue to create and expand a peer-to-peer approach to training. An experiential-type training, facilitated by co-workers will be the best way to effectuate improvements in communication and create a sense of inclusion and equity in which the morale of all staff is improved. The first phase of this initiative started in 2024. In this second phase, the initiative will expand to include twice the number of trainers and a small group of Master Trainers that will be equipped to replenish the trainer pool as needed, internally, without reliance on an outside vendor.

The goal of this project is to develop a capacity within DSO to provide a training curriculum to new trainers that use the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion to improve a sense of belonging and acceptance, along with an improvement in morale in the workforce, which will increase quality of the services provided by the DSO. [...]

The Contractor shall develop, deliver, and support the Creating Space Train-the-Trainer (TTT) program in accordance with the requirements of this RFQ. Deliverables shall build upon the existing Creating Space Facilitator Guide and curriculum to meet the goals identified in Section 2.2. All deliverables are subject to OPWDD review and written acceptance prior to final completion.

Curriculum Development

• Master Trainer Design Document
• Creating Space Master Trainer Facilitator Guide
• Creating Space Master Trainer PowerPoint Presentation
• Master Trainer Toolkit

Creating Space Train-the-Trainer Sessions

• Four (4) two-day (8 hours/day), in-person Creating Space Train-the-Trainer sessions (maximum of 30 participants) provided by a minimum of 3 contractor facilitators.
• One (1) three-day (8 hours/day), in-person Master Trainer Train-the-Trainer session (maximum of 30 participants) provided by a minimum of 3 contractor facilitators.
• Estimated 9 Refresher Trainings (may include in-person coaching/support at OPWDD led Creating Space activity) provided by a minimum of 1 contractor facilitator.

Coaching and Consultation Services

• 15 virtual sessions of 2.5 hours per session.
• 18 hours of consultation, delivered by virtual or in person meetings at OPWDD's discretion, to address implementation challenges, curriculum refinement, or trainer support.

The Master Trainer Design Document will be sent to OPWDD within the first 30 days of the contract execution.

**One email** should be submitted to procurement@opwdd.ny.gov with the Contractor attached written explanation confirming and explaining how they intend to provide all deliverables listed in the RFQ along with their Cost Proposal Form-Attachment 2.

The subject line of the submission email must include the RFQ number.

**Proposal Due Date:** Wednesday, November 18, 2026, by 3:00 PM

Bidders must meet the following qualifications: Have an active, current certification as a New York State Certified Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses (MWBEs), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOBs), or Small Business Enterprises. Proposals will be accepted only from MWBEs, SDVOBs, or SBEs.

The bidder shall submit a completed Cost Proposal Form (Attachment 2). Each item must be completed with no lines omitted.

The Contractor shall deliver to OPWDD evidence of such policies in a form acceptable to OPWDD within ten (10) days of notification of award, or the Bid will be subject to dismissal without further review.

Dates listed are estimated and are subject to change pending OPWDD's needs. Timeline: Dec 2026-Nov 2029.