SMPDD Career Coach Staffing RFP

Request for Proposals
for
Temporary Staffing Services
Release Date: August 17, 2026
Deadline for Submission:
September 9, 2026
12:00pm CST
Late submissions will not be accepted.

Table of Contents
Advertisement for Sealed Proposals ............................................................................................................. 3
I. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 4
II. Entities Eligible to Propose ..................................................................................................................... 5
III. Overview of Solicitation .......................................................................................................................... 6
IV. Conditions of Solicitation ........................................................................................................................ 7
V. Period of Performance and Term of Contract ........................................................................................ 8
VI. General Instruction for Proposal Submission ......................................................................................... 8
VII. Specific Proposal Instructions .............................................................................................................. 10
VIII. Proposal Ratings .................................................................................................................................. 12
ATTACHMENTS
A Career Coach Job Description
B Transmittal Document
SOLICITATION SCHEDULE
Time Line
Action Date
(days)
Release of RFP 8/17/2026 0
Last day to Submit RFP Questions at
8/31/2026 14
4:00 p.m. CST
Proposals due at 12:00 p.m. CST 9/9/2026 23
Notification of Successful Proposer 9/11/2026 25

SMPDD
Temp Staffing Services RFP
Page 3
Advertisement for Sealed Proposals
The Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District (SMPDD) is advertising for sealed proposals
for the temporary staffing services for its AccelerateMS Career Coach Program that is funded by State of
Mississippi General Fund and/or other state funds. The Career Coach Program will serve the following
counties of Clarke, Covington, Forrest, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Kemper,
Lamar, Lauderdale, Leake, Marion, Neshoba, Newton, Perry, Pearl River, Scott, Smith, Stone and Wayne.
This advertisement is conducted pursuant to the requirements and conditions of the applicable regulations
and policies of the State of Mississippi, Mississippi Department of Employment Security, AccelerateMS,
and Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District.
Copies of the Request for Proposals (RFP) will be available from Southern Mississippi Planning &
Development District, beginning August 17, 2026. Copies of the RFP can be obtained on or after this date
by downloading a copy of from the SMPDD website at www.smpdd.com/rfp_publicnotice. Completed
proposal packages should be submitted to Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District, 10441
Corporate Dr., Ste. 1, Gulfport, MS 39503. Proposals may also be submitted electronically via email to
Grant Wesley at gwesley@smpdd.com. Proposals are due no later than 12:00 p.m. September 9, 2026;
proposals received after this deadline will not be considered responsive to this RFP. The initial contract
awarded will be through the June 30, 2027, with the option to extend the contract annually up to three years
with the approval of both parties.
Minority and Woman Owned Business Enterprises are solicited to submit proposals on this project as
prime contractors and are encouraged to make inquiries regarding potential subcontracting opportunities,
equipment, material and/or supply needs.
SMPDD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and hereby notifies that all Proposers will be afforded the
full opportunity to submit proposals in response to this advertisement for proposals and will not be
discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual
preference, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status in consideration for an award.
SMPDD reserves the right to waive any informality or to reject any or all Proposals with or without
reason.
Questions or comments concerning this advertisement for proposals shall be directed to Natalia Diaz
- Economic Development Project Manager at SMPDD by email at ndiaz@smpdd.com no later than 4:00
p.m. August 31, 2026.

SMPDD
Temp Staffing Services RFP
Page 4
Introduction
Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District (SMPDD) is conducting this Request for
Proposals (RFP) pursuant to the requirements and conditions of the State of Mississippi,
Mississippi Department of Employment Security, AccelerateMS, and Southern Mississippi Planning
& Development District. Funds expended are subject to audit by the State of Mississippi Office of
State Auditor, AccelerateMS and/or their designee.
SMPDD is seeking proposals through this RFP for the provision of temporary staffing services for
temporary employees selected by SMPDD for its AccelerateMS Career Coach Program that is
funded by State of Mississippi General Fund and/or other state funds. The successful Proposer
may also be used for other programs/projects that may be awarded to SMPDD in the future and
funded with any federal and/or State of Mississippi funds. SMPDD's service area for this RFP
includes the following counties in Mississippi:
Clarke Jasper Marion Smith
Covington Jefferson Davis Neshoba Stone
Forrest Kemper Newton Wayne
Greene Lamar Perry
Hancock Lauderdale Pearl River
Harrison Leake Scott
SMPDD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and hereby notifies all Proposers will be afforded the
full opportunity to submit proposals in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated
against on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual
preference, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status in consideration for an
award.
A. Program Services
The purpose of this RFP is to provide a cost-effective means of providing temporary
employment to individuals selected by SMPDD to work as temporary workers on behalf of
SMPDD in the service area. SMPDD temporary workers will be paid a base salary amount
bi-weekly. SMPDD anticipates the number of temporary employees may be up to 47
temporary employees at any given time.
SMPDD will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of such programs that will utilize
the temporary staffing services. The entity that is awarded a contract through this Request
for Proposals will be responsible for:
1. Hiring referred participants as temporary employees through its company
2. Maintaining payroll records and performing payroll activities to include computing
wages; withholding applicable federal, state, and local taxes; withholding social
security and Medicare payments; and remitting all employee withholdings to the
proper governmental authorities within the prescribed times
3. E-verifying all individuals referred by SMPDD to the company for employment
4. Maintaining Worker's Compensation and all necessary information for Worker's
Compensation for participants. The contractor is responsible for any injuries to
participants hired under the contract, including all state and federal reporting and

SMPDD
Temp Staffing Services RFP
Page 5
insurance requirements relating to the injured employee
5. Processing payroll checks for individuals on a bi-weekly basis. All employees will be
required to receive their payroll checks electronically, such as by direct deposit or
debit cards.
6. The respondent will be responsible for processing a $25.00 cell phone reimbursement
for each eligible temporary employee on each pay period. The reimbursement will be
treated as a separate reimbursement/payment item rather than incorporated into the
employee's wage (See Program Budget/Budget Narrative for more details).
7. Ensuring that each individual is paid the appropriate wage as set by SMPDD and that
any corrections to participant's payroll checks are made in an appropriate and timely
manner
8. Ensuring garnishment(s), if applicable, are withheld from individual's checks
9. Ensuring that all required reports associated with said employment are filed timely
10. Preparing and mailing appropriate tax forms (W-2) to participant as required by the
IRS
11. Complying with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and rules in hiring
participants
12. Removing any of the employees hired under this grant at the request of SMPDD
13. Submitting monthly detailed invoices to SMPDD that includes the names and bill rates
of temporary employees
14. Making all records related to the temporary employees referred by SMPDD available
to SMPDD, its representatives, and/or other state auditors.
15. The employment agency will not be responsible for conducting the fingerprinting to
determine suitability for employment. The high schools will perform this role and send
all information to the employment agency for suitability determination and for record
retention in the employee's file. The employee will be required to sign a release to
have the information transferred to the employment agency. See Job Description
attachment for specific background check requirements.
B. The RFP schedule is:
Time Line
Action Date
(days)
Release of RFP 8/17/2026 0
Last day to Submit RFP Questions at
8/31/2026 14
4:00 p.m. CST
Proposals due at 12:00 p.m. CST 9/9/2026 23
Notification of Successful Proposer 9/11/2026 25
SMPDD reserves the right to delay, amend, reissue, or cancel, all or any part of this RFP
at any time without prior notice. SMPDD also reserves the right to modify the RFP process
and timeline as deemed necessary. SMPDD reserves the right to waive any informality or
to reject any or all Proposals with or without reason.

SMPDD
Temp Staffing Services RFP
Page 6
II. Entities Eligible to Propose
Individuals, all public or private not-for-profit corporations, organizations, agencies, or private
for-profit corporations and businesses, and not otherwise excluded may submit a proposal.
The vendor must have been in business for a minimum of three (3) years prior to submission
of bid
The vendor must have the ability, capacity, skill and financial resources to perform the service
required with a cost reimbursement agreement
The vendor must be ADA, OSHA, and EEO compliant
Financial and Insurance documentation may be requested

SMPDD will compare flat-fee billing rates submitted by vendors
SMPDD encourages minority and women-owned businesses, socially and economically
disadvantaged business enterprises, and small businesses to respond to this RFP, to
participate as partners, or to participate in other business activity in response to this RFP.
Individuals and/or entities submitting a proposal must have active registration with SAM.gov,
an active Unique Entity ID number, and proof of non-debarment.
As a condition to the award, the applicant assures that it will comply fully with the
nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions under all applicable local, state, and federal
regulations.
III. Overview of Solicitation
A. RFP Questions
To ensure a fair and objective evaluation, questions related to the RFP must be submitted
via e-mail.
Written questions will be accepted via e-mail provided below through the following date:
Date: 8/31/2026
Time: 4:00 p.m. CST
E-Mail: ndiaz@smpdd.com
Questions that are received after the deadline will not be answered.
Written responses to questions received by SMPDD will be posted on the website
(www.smpdd.com/rfp_publicnotice). It is the respondent's responsibility to check the
website on a regular basis for updated information and written responses to all
questions submitted.
NOTE: Oral questions will NOT be accepted. Only the responses on the website are
considered clarifications to the instructions contained in this RFP. In the event that
responses modify any of the terms, conditions, or provisions of this RFP, documentation
will be given via a subsequent amendment to the RFP. No other sources of responses
or clarification are considered valid.

SMPDD
Temp Staffing Services RFP
Page 7
B. Addenda to this RFP
At the discretion of SMPDD, if it becomes necessary to revise any part of this RFP, an
addendum will be posted on the SMPDD website, www.smpdd.com/rfp_publicnotice.
Respondents are responsible for checking the website frequently to remain informed about
the procurement process, receive addenda to the RFP, read responses to questions, and
remain updated on other information that may affect this RFP.
Each respondent, upon receiving notification by SMPDD of a published addendum, must
insert the information indicated in the RFP package. Failure to acknowledge any addenda
will result in disqualification and rejection of the proposal.
C. Communication
SMPDD prohibits communication or lobbying of any kind with any board member, SMPDD
staff, or other persons serving as an evaluator during the procurement process.
Respondents that directly contact board members or evaluators risk elimination of their
proposals from further consideration.
D. Termination due to Non-Availability of Funds
When funds are not appropriated or otherwise made available by SMPDD to support
continuation of this RFP or any contract(s) therein, said RFP or contracts shall be cancelled
as of the effective date set forth in the termination notice. The contractor shall be
reimbursed for the reasonable value of any nonrecurring cost incurred but not yet
recovered under this contract.
IV. Conditions of Solicitation
The release of this Request for Proposals (RFP) does not constitute an acceptance of any offer,
nor does it in any way obligate SMPDD to execute a contract with any offeror. SMPDD reserves
the right to accept, reject or negotiate any or all offers on the basis of the criteria contained in this
document and the attached Proposal Rating Instrument. The final decision to execute a contract
with any offeror rests solely with SMPDD.
A. Before preparing proposals, offerors should note that:
1. SMPDD will not be liable for any costs associated with the preparation of proposals or
negotiation of contracts, incurred by any offeror.
2. All proposals in their entirety will become the property of SMPDD upon submission.
B. Entities receiving a contract will be required to assume full responsibility for all specified
services and may subcontract only with expressed prior written approval of SMPDD.
C. In submitting a proposal, the offeror certifies its legally constituted organization, and that in
connection with this proposal:

SMPDD
Temp Staffing Services RFP
Page 8
1. Costs have been determined independently, without consultation, communication, or
agreement for the purpose of restricting competition, as to any matter relating to such
costs with any other offeror or with any competition;
2. Unless otherwise required by law, the costs that have been quoted in the proposal
have not been knowingly disclosed by the offeror, and will not knowingly be disclosed
by the offeror, prior to award directly or indirectly to any other offeror or to any
competition; and,
3. No attempt has been made by the offeror to induce any other person or firm to submit
or not submit a proposal for the purpose of restricting competition.
D. Person(s) signing the proposal certify that person(s) in the offeror's organization who are
legally responsible within that organization for the decision as to the price being offered in
the proposal have not participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to IV.C.1.,
2., or 3. above.
E. Any contract awarded through this RFP will be a flat fee dollar amount rate based on the
salary of the temporary worker. The entity awarded a contract will be reimbursed for each
employee that is hired through the contract based on the flat fee rate.
V. Period of Performance and Term of Contract
The contract awarded through this procurement is anticipated to have a begin date no earlier than
October 1, 2026, and end June 30, 2027. SMPDD may extend the contract for an additional 3
years, in increments of one year, depending on program performance, availability of funds, and if
it is determined to be in the best interest of SMPDD.
VI. General Instructions for Proposal Submission
A. Respondents are required to submit their proposal in a format that is easy to read and
understand. The respondent must avoid repetitious material. Each proposal should clearly
demonstrate the respondent's ability to provide the services requested. Unnecessarily
elaborate or lengthy proposals are not encouraged; neither are specialized bindings or
coverings. There is a 20-page maximum excluding attachments. Failure to follow the
technical specifications and/or directions may result in proposal being considered non-
responsive and therefore not eligible to be scored. The proposal should not be bound or
stapled. All proposals must be delivered on or before:
Date: September 9, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District
Re: Temporary Staffing Services Proposals
Location:
10441 Corporate Dr., Ste. 1
Gulfport, Mississippi, 39503
B. Proposal Content:

SMPDD
Temp Staffing Services RFP
Page 9
Transmittal Document {Attachment B}
Program Statement of Work
Management Plan
Program Budget/Budget Narrative
Organizational Description
C. Proposal Format Requirements
12 Point - Times New Roman or Arial or Calibri or similar
Font
font
Pages Single-Sided
Margins One (1) Inch - this applies to ALL margins
Spacing Double-Spaced
The name of the organization submitting the proposal and
Header
the page number on each page.
D. Proposers should use the forms included in this RFP. If a proposer opts to create and
complete forms using their own computer software, the resulting forms must be identical
to those included in this RFP.
E. Proposals will be received and maintained consistent with the Mississippi Public Records
Act of 1983, being Chapter 424 of the General Laws of the State of Mississippi. In general,
proposals will be exempt from disclosure until the evaluation and selection process has
been completed. If a proposal contains any information that the offeror considers
proprietary and does not want disclosed to the public or used for any purpose other than
evaluation of the offer, all such information must be indicated with the following statement:
"The information contained on pages ____, ____, ____, shall not be duplicated, used in
whole or part for any purpose other than to evaluate the proposal, provided that if a contract
is awarded to this office as a result of or in connection with the submission of such
information, Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District has the right to
duplicate, use, or disclose this information to the extent provided in the contract. This
restriction does not limit the agency's right to use information contained therein if obtained
from another source."
F. Each page of the proposal that is considered proprietary should be marked "proprietary" at
the top margin.
G. Timely receipt of proposals is the sole responsibility of the offeror. If a respondent sends
their proposals via U.S. Postal Service, UPS, FedEx, or any other type of delivery service,
the respondent is responsible for requesting proof of delivery date and time from their
chosen carrier.
H. One (1) unbound proposal (it may be clipped together with a binder clip that is easily
removable) and one (1) electronic PDF copy on a USB flash drive must be submitted
if hand-delivered or mailed. The proposal may also be submitted electronically via
email to Grant Wesley at gwesley@smpdd.com, and must also be in PDF. Late
proposals, regardless of method of delivery, WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Proposals

SMPDD
Temp Staffing Services RFP
Page 10
MUST arrive at SMPDD by the deadline. No facsimile (fax) transmissions will be
accepted.
VII. Specific Proposal Instructions
A. Transmittal Document
Complete the Transmittal Document (Attachment B). This serves as the cover sheet for
the proposal. Nothing should precede this page.
B. Program Statement of Work
1. Describe how your entity will provide temporary staffing services, including but not
limited to:
a. Hiring the referred individuals as temporary employees through its company.
b. Maintaining payroll records and performing payroll activities to include
computing wages; withholding applicable federal, state, and local taxes;
withholding social security and Medicare payments; and remitting all employee
withholdings to the proper governmental authorities within the prescribed
times.
c. E-verifying all individuals referred by SMPDD to the company for employment.
d. Maintaining Worker's Compensation and all necessary information for
Worker's Compensation for participants. The contractor is responsible for any
injuries to participants hired under the subgrant, including all state and federal
reporting and insurance requirements relating to the injured employee.
e. Processing payroll checks for individuals on a monthly basis. All employees
will be required to receive their payroll checks electronically, such as by direct
deposit or debit cards.
f. The respondent will be responsible for processing a $25.00 cell phone
reimbursement for each eligible temporary employee on each pay period. The
reimbursement will be treated as a separate reimbursement/payment item
rather than incorporated into the employee's wage (See Program
Budget/Budget Narrative for more details).
g. Ensuring that each individual is paid the appropriate wage as set by SMPDD
and that any corrections to participant's payroll checks are made in an
appropriate and timely manner
h. Ensuring garnishment(s), if applicable, are withheld from individual's checks.
i. Ensuring that all required reports associated with said employment are filed
timely.
j. Preparing and mailing appropriate tax forms (W-2) to participant as required
by the IRS.
k. Complying with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and rules in hiring
participants.
l. Removing any of the employees hired under this grant at the request of
SMPDD.
m. Submitting monthly detailed invoices to SMPDD that includes the names and
bill rates of temporary employees.
n. Making all records related to the temporary employees referred by SMPDD