The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking a vendor to provide a venue and event coordinator services for the Maine School Safety & Transportation annual conference as defined in this Request for Proposals (RFP) document. This document provides instructions for submitting proposals, the procedure and criteria by which the awarded Bidder will be selected, and the contractual terms which will govern the relationship between the State of Maine (State) and the awarded Bidder. The Maine School Safety Center (MSSC) is a program of the Maine DOE that was launched in January 2020 and was formally enacted through legislation PL 2021, c. 398, Pt. HH §1. Initially funded by the federal Grants to States for School Emergency Management (GSEM) program, the MSSC enhances the Maine DOE’s capacity to support school administrative units (SAUs) with emergency operations plans. This critical program was designed and developed to promote and support the safety, security, and well-being of school employees and students, as well as a positive and safe school environment, climate, and culture for all. The MSSC has actively provided professional learning, resources, and other support annually since it was established. To meet the safety and security goals of these events, they must be offered at a venue that values and promotes the well-being of attendees. The venue should provide plenty of space for interactive sessions, activities for all participants, a comfortable, inviting, and professional atmosphere, food options that meet a variety of dietary needs, and staff that make all attendees feel welcome and valued. The success of a MSSC conference depends on a venue that offers these features along with adequate indoor space with six breakout rooms, comfortable guest rooms, strong technology services, and flexible facilities. The venue will preferably be centrally located in Maine for attendees traveling from western, northern, and southern regions.
