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, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, 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 IPL0362881 Aug 5,12 2026