Advancing Artificial Intelligence Skills in Registered Apprenticeships

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains questions submitted by potential offerors and the Government's responses regarding Solicitation RFP 1605C2-26-R-00003 for Advancing Artificial Intelligence Skills in Registered Apprenticeships.

• Past Performance: Subcontractor past performance will be evaluated, but must be clearly annotated as such. Grants and cooperative agreements are acceptable for past performance if clearly stated.
• Key Personnel: Offerors may propose two individuals for the Senior SME role if one has RA/workforce development expertise and the other has AI expertise. A single individual is not required to possess both skill sets.
• Deliverables: The requirement for five publications can be a mix of formats (reports, podcasts, etc.).
• NAICS Code: The specified NAICS code (611513) will not change, and offerors must have this code listed in their SAM registration at the time of award.
• ODCs: Travel costs are included within the Other Direct Cost (ODC) ceiling. Unused ODC funds will not carry forward to subsequent periods. Event production costs fall under 'Outreach and Marketing'.
• Salesforce Access: The Government will provide necessary Salesforce licenses and training at its own cost.
• Page Limits: Resumes, letters of intent, sub-offeror agreements, staffing charts, and labor loading diagrams are excluded from the Volume I page count.
• Set-Aside Status: The procurement is unrestricted; it is not a WOSB set-aside.
• AI Literacy Definition: AI literacy is defined as "a foundational set of competencies that enable individuals to use and evaluate AI technologies responsibly, with a primary focus on generative AI."
• Occupation Development: The requirement to develop up to 20 or more new AI-centric occupations is expected per base/option year, not cumulatively.
• Apprenticeable Occupation Reviews: The minimum number of apprenticeable occupation requests to review and vet is 25 per base/option year.
• Fixed-Price Contract: The contract will be awarded as a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract.
• PPQ Deadline: The Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) deadline has been aligned with the proposal due date of April 17, 2026.

These clarifications provide essential details for offerors to refine their technical and pricing proposals, particularly regarding past performance evaluation, staffing, deliverable formats, cost structures (ODCs), and specific performance requirements. The NAICS code and set-aside status have been confirmed.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation seeks proposals for a contract to advance Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills development through Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs. The goal is to expand RA programs in AI-related occupations and integrate AI education across various industries to meet the growing demand for AI skills.

The vendor will provide personnel, equipment, and services to perform tasks defined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Key activities include:

• Increasing AI literacy through RA by developing and identifying AI resources, tools, training modules, and curricula.

• Expanding RA programs in "AI-centric" occupations (those directly using, building, or managing AI technologies).

• Expanding RA programs in AI infrastructure occupations by providing technical assistance and supporting program development.

• Publishing reports, developing frameworks, convening events, and providing subject matter expertise.

• Developing curricula and training outlines.

• Conducting outreach and recruitment to engage stakeholders.

• Contract Type: Fixed Price

• Period of Performance: One 12-month Base Period with four 12-month Option Periods.

  • Base Period: June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027
  • Option Period 1: June 1, 2027 – May 31, 2028
  • Option Period 2: June 1, 2028 – May 31, 2029
  • Option Period 3: June 1, 2029 – May 31, 2030
  • Option Period 4: June 1, 2030 – May 31, 2031

• Proposal Submission Deadline: April 17, 2026, 15:00 EST.

• Questions Deadline: March 27, 2026, 12:00 PM ET.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist.

• Proposals must consist of three volumes: Technical, Past Performance, and Price.

• Evaluation Factors: Technical (most important), Past Performance, and Price. Technical is weighted more heavily than Past Performance and Price combined. Non-price factors are significantly more important than price.

• The acquisition is unrestricted.

• NAICS Code: 611513

• Size Standard: $11.5 million

• The place of performance is remote/telecommuting.

• Security Requirements: Offerors must comply with agency personal identity verification procedures and may require background investigations.

• Key Personnel: Project Director, Project Manager, and Senior SME are considered essential.

• Attachments include: Pricing Schedule, Question and Answer Spreadsheet, and Past Performance Questionnaire.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to solicitation 1605C2-26-R-00003, originally dated 03/18/2026, serves to:

• Incorporate Questions and Answers (Q&A).

• Provide responses to questions received from prospective Offerors.

• Incorporate revisions to the SF 1449, including the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• SF 1449 (revised)

• Performance Work Statement (PWS) (revised)

• Questions and Answers (Q&A) document included as part of this amendment.

• Offerors are responsible for reviewing all materials associated with this amendment and incorporating the updated requirements into their proposals.

• The Period of Performance remains 06/01/2027 to 05/31/2031.

• Changes within the PWS are highlighted in yellow for ease of reference.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation seeks proposals for advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills development through Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs. The goal is to expand RA programs in AI-related occupations and integrate AI education into RA programs across various industries. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), specifically the Office of Apprenticeship (OA) within the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), is issuing this solicitation.

• Increase AI literacy through RA by developing and identifying AI resources, tools, training modules, and curricula.

• Expand RA programs in "AI-centric" occupations (those directly using, building, or managing AI technologies).

• Expand RA programs in AI infrastructure occupations (e.g., data centers), providing technical assistance and support for program development, but not developing the programs themselves.

• Provide subject matter expertise, outreach, and referral services.

• Develop and publish reports, issue papers, and other materials.

• Develop curricula, training outlines, and occupational outlines.

• Support the development and expansion of RA programs.

• Contract Type: Fixed Price

• Period of Performance: One 12-month Base Period with four 12-month Option Periods.

  • Base Period: June 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
  • Option Period 1: June 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028
  • Option Period 2: June 1, 2028 – June 30, 2029
  • Option Period 3: June 1, 2029 – June 30, 2030
  • Option Period 4: June 1, 2030 – June 30, 2031

• Proposal Submission Deadline: April 17, 2026, 1500 EST.

• Questions Deadline: March 27, 2026, 12:00 PM ET.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist.

• Proposals must consist of three volumes: Technical, Past Performance, and Price.

• Evaluation Factors: Technical Approach (Understanding the Requirement, Corporate Experience, Key Personnel), Past Performance, and Price. Technical Approach is significantly more important than Past Performance, and both are significantly more important than Price.

• This acquisition is Unrestricted.

• Attachments include: Pricing Schedule, Question and Answer Spreadsheet, and Past Performance Questionnaire.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation seeks proposals for a contract to advance Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills development through Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs. The goal is to expand RA programs in AI-related occupations and integrate AI education into RA programs across various industries. The Department of Labor (DOL), specifically the Office of Apprenticeship (OA) within the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), is procuring these services.

The vendor will provide personnel, equipment, and services to perform tasks defined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Key objectives include:

• Increasing AI literacy through RA by developing and identifying AI resources, tools, training modules, and curricula.

• Expanding RA programs in "AI-centric" occupations that directly use, build, or manage AI technologies.

• Expanding RA programs in AI infrastructure occupations by providing technical assistance, identifying occupations, offering subject matter expertise, and supporting the integration of AI into work processes.

• Publishing reports, developing frameworks, convening events, and providing subject matter expertise.

• Contract Type: Fixed Price

• Period of Performance: One 12-month Base Period with four 12-month Option Periods.

  • Base Period: June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027
  • Option Period 1: June 1, 2027 – May 31, 2028
  • Option Period 2: June 1, 2028 – May 31, 2029
  • Option Period 3: June 1, 2029 – May 31, 2030
  • Option Period 4: June 1, 2030 – May 31, 2031

• Proposal Submission Deadline: April 17, 2026, 1500 EST.

• Questions Deadline: March 27, 2026, 12:00 PM EST.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist.

• Proposals must consist of three volumes: Technical, Past Performance, and Price.

• Evaluation Factors: Technical Approach (Understanding the Requirement, Corporate Experience, Key Personnel), Past Performance, and Price. Technical is significantly more important than Past Performance and Price. Non-price factors combined are significantly more important than Price.

• The acquisition is listed as "Unrestricted."

• NAICS Code: 611513 (Educational Support Services)

• Size Standard: $11.5 million

• The PWS is detailed in Part 5 of the solicitation.

• Technical Exhibits 1 and 2 provide Performance Requirements Summary and Deliverables Schedule.

• Offerors must possess or be eligible to receive and maintain a Public Trust clearance.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains questions and answers related to Solicitation RFP 1605C1-26-R-00003 for "Advancing Artificial Intelligence Skills in Registered Apprenticeships."

This spreadsheet appears to be a template for submitting questions and receiving government responses. However, the provided content for this specific document is blank, containing only the solicitation title and column headers for "Question Title," "Section Number," "Question Detail," and "Government Response." There are no actual questions or answers provided in the extracted text.

As there are no questions or answers present in this document, it does not currently impact the solicitation requirements, due dates, or submission rules.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Questionnaire intended to gather feedback from references regarding a contractor's performance on previous contracts. Offerors are to provide information about themselves and the customer reference. The reference will then use this questionnaire to evaluate the contractor's performance across several categories.

• Offeror Information: Company name, customer reference, contract number, period of performance, brief description of contract/requirement, and NAICS code.
• Past Performance Reference Evaluation: Ratings for Quality of Services, Cost Control, Schedule/Timeliness, Management/Business Relations, Small Business Subcontracting, Regulatory Compliance, and Overall Performance. Ratings include definitions for Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, Unsatisfactory, and Neutral.
• Commentary: Space for detailed comments to support each rating.
• Re-engagement Question: "Would you do business with this company again?"
• Questionnaire Completion Details: Name, title, address, phone, email, and signature of the person completing the questionnaire.

This questionnaire is crucial for bidders as it outlines the specific criteria and rating scales that will be used by their past performance references. Understanding these categories and definitions will help bidders prepare their references to provide comprehensive and accurate feedback, which is a significant factor in proposal evaluations. It also clarifies the information the government expects from references to assess past performance.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Excel file containing an Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) template, sample, and instructions. It is designed to guide bidders on how to prepare their cost estimates for the opportunity.

• Instructions Sheet: Provides detailed guidance on what data to enter, including originating office, dates, project/contract numbers, description of work, quantities, units of measure, unit prices, labor categories, hourly rates, subtotals, base and option periods, escalation percentages, sources for the estimate, and rationale.
• IGCE Sample Sheet: Offers a pre-filled example of a completed IGCE, demonstrating how to input data for base and option periods, including materials/supplies and labor costs. It also shows how subtotals and period totals are calculated automatically.
• IGCE Template Sheet: The blank template for bidders to fill out their cost estimates.
• Calculated Fields: Columns highlighted in gray are automatically calculated, reducing manual input for bidders.
• Escalation: The template allows for the input of annual price escalation percentages for option periods.

This document is crucial for bidders as it outlines the expected format and content for cost proposals. It provides a clear structure for detailing labor, materials, and associated costs across the base and option periods. Understanding and correctly utilizing this template will be essential for submitting a compliant and competitive proposal. The sample sheet offers a practical example of how to populate the template.