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National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA)
Request for Proposal
Book Publishing Company for
NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management Publications
BACKGROUND OF NASCLA
The National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) was formed in 1962 as a
not-for-profit organization. The association is comprised of states agencies that have enacted laws to
regulate the business of contracting. It is dedicated to the mutual assistance of the member states in
striving for better regulation of the construction industry to protect the health, safety and welfare of
the general public.
The association’s membership is comprised of state and local contractor licensing agencies,
construction firms, construction trade associations and others associated with the construction
industry.
In 1990, the NASCLA Board of Directors voted to develop a national contractor’s business
management guide. The NASCLA Board of Directors felt that the use of a common guide would not
only help provide a basic understanding of business management subjects to license applications, but
also could promote the standardization of licensing examinations, aid in reciprocity agreements
among states, and reduce the reference materials required of license exam candidates.
The NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management guides are designed to
provide an overview of business management subjects for contractor examination candidates applying
for a license. It is also written to act as a reference guide for licensed contractors.
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Business and Law Publications
The business and law publications are divided into three (3) major sections, which are described
below. For the state specific editions there is state specific content imbedded throughout the chapters
and appendices within each book.
Part 1 “Getting Your Business off the Ground” focuses on business planning and start up. This
section will help contractors formulate a business plan, choose a business structure,
understand licensing and insurance requirements, and gain basic management and marketing
skills.
Chapter 1 – The Plan
Chapter 2 – Choosing Your Business Structure
Chapter 3 – Becoming a Licensed Contractor
Chapter 4 – Managing Risk
Chapter 5 – Your Business Toolbox
Chapter 6 – Marketing and Sales
Part 2 “Fundamentals for the Field” covers fundamentals contractors will need to know to
operate a successful construction business. This section covers estimating, contract
management, scheduling, project management, safety and environmental responsibilities and
building good relationships with employees, subcontractors and customers.
Chapter 7 – Bidding and Estimating
Chapter 8 – Contract Management
Chapter 9 – Scheduling and Project Management
Chapter 10 – Customer Relations
Chapter 11 – Employment Management
Chapter 12 – Jobsite Safety and Environmental Factors Chapter
13 – Working with Subcontractors
Part 3 “Office Administration” provides valuable information to assist contractors in managing
the administrative functions of their business. Financial management, tax basics and lien laws
are covered. Effective management of these areas of business is vital and can create serious
problems if they are not given the proper attention.
Chapter 14 – Financial Management
Chapter 15 – Tax Basics
Chapter 16 – State Specific Mechanics’ Lien Law
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The Appendices at the end of each guide provide the full text of the statutes, rules and
regulations that control the major activities of contracting in a specific state, as well as other
relevant information such as: Glossary, Business Plan Template, Useful Links and a New
Business Checklist.
Appendix A – Glossary
Appendix B – Business Plan Template Appendix
C – Useful Links
Appendix D – New Business Checklist
Appendix E – State Specific Contractors Licensing Law Appendix
F – State Specific Rules and Regulations
Each publication also includes Supplemental Forms and Links located online at
http://nasclaforms.org. The online website is updated annually around the first around the first
of the year for standard information such as IRS forms, etc. However, state specific updates
would be applied when a new edition is released.
NASCLA Supplemental Forms and Links (Online Access) Resource Links
Interactive Tools:
Business Entities Business Planning
Contractor Licensing Employee
Management Lien Law
Safety & Environment Tax Basics
eBook/Online Versions of Publications
NASCLA has offers eBook/Online Versions of Publications when requested by the
state agency. Although eBooks (electronic devices) are not allowed in the testing
center, NASCLA provides this option for use on a 3
rd
party platform, for candidates to
be able to study and/or have access to the publication online, with certain printing,
copy/pasting, etc. limitations included. If your company has an opportunity to provide
this product as well to NASCLA, please include this information in your proposal. This
however is not a requirement to have to contract as a Publisher for NASCLA.
Complimentary Publications & Resources for RFP Respondents
The association currently has 30 business and law publications. One (1) complimentary copy of the
NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management is available upon request.
NASCLA can also grant a respondent, upon request, permission to access and view the NASCLA
Supplemental Forms and Links located online at http://nasclaforms.org/.
For a copy of the complimentary publications and online access, please contact Jacquie Wilberscheid,
NASCLA Education Manager, at (623) 587-9354 or via email at [email protected].
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PURPOSE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
RFP OPTION – FULL SERVICE PUBLISHERS
Overview
NASCLA is seeking a publishing company who can: 1. update the existing content and 2. write new
content areas when needed in the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project
Management publications, sections, etc. based on state agency needs. NASCLA owns the copyrights
and contents of the business and law manuals, which will be provided to the selected publisher in
Adobe InDesign and PDF file formats.
Publisher Key Responsibilities
The selected publishing team would, ideally, have an expert or team of experts that would review the
business and law content and construction terms bi-annually and make updates as needed for
NASCLA’s Basic Edition. They should also have a graphic designer to work on current designs and
modify the materials, when needed. This work may include page layout and column formatting,
artwork within chapters, cover artwork, and page and chapter numbering. NASCLA can provide input
and recruitment of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), if needed.
The publisher will also need to collaborate with NASCLA’s Staff as they work with state licensing
agencies on the desired content, modify existing content areas and remove content as requested. The
publisher will have a NASCLA Staff member as their primary contact. Ideally, the publisher will need to
take a pro-active approach in reviewing state agency websites for updated laws, rules and regulations
to begin incorporating into the state specific publication when the update process begins; this is not a
requirement. They will also need to work with NASCLA’s Staff on any additional modifications that
might be needed from the applicable testing company on new editions and updates so that the new
information can be incorporated into their examination. NASCLA will be the liaison between the
Publishing Company, state licensing agencies, and testing companies.
Bi-annual revisions are typically required by the state agencies to accommodate updates from
changing laws, rules and regulations and the addition of new industry information, when applicable.
The publisher would have to coordinate with NASCLA Staff on such updates, possibly working in
multiple publication updates at the same time. Ideally, the publisher would take a proactive approach
in researching and communicating bi-annually with NASCLA Staff to ensure that content and materials
are being updated in a timely manner.
The publisher would be responsible for working with NASCLA’s preferred printer and providing the
“print ready” version of the publications to the printer. NASCLA will make sure that the printer has the
information needed and will be the liaison between each to make sure that file compatibility and
printer proof copies of the publications are complete to ensure quality control and accuracy, when
needed.
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Contract
NASCLA would enter a 5 to7 year agreement with the company that is selected to publish and update
the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management publications.
Publication Update Schedule
NASCLA typically updates/revises an estimate of 5 – 7 existing state specific publications each year,
with possibly 1 – 2 new state specific publications annually if a new state agency wishes to utilize a
NASCLA publication. This is on a rolling schedule based on state specific needs.
Process for Updating/Revising Existing Business & Law Publications (goal is 6 – 8 week
turnaround based on revisions/updates needed and approvals)
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NASCLA sends an annual alert to all state agency’s that utilize a NASCLA Business &
Law Publication to request if specific changes are needed, to coordinate and schedule
for the year.
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Based on the revisions requested, NASCLA receives this information from the state
agency and/or is guided to their website where their laws, rules, and regulations can
be found.
-
Once information is received, NASCLA sends this information to the Publisher to begin
incorporating into the chapters, where needed, and/or the appendices where full
laws, rules, and regulations are found.
-
Once a 1
st
draft is completed, NASCLA & state agency then reviews, provides feedback
on changes for the Publisher to incorporate for a 2
nd
draft, if needed.
-
Once approved by NASCLA & state agency, publication is sent to testing provider for
final review as it relates to the items on the examination.
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Once approvals are made from all parties, publication is completed and is sent to print
by NASCLA’s printer.
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Supplemental Forms & Links are then updated and sent to NASCLA to incorporate on
the website.
Process for a Brand-New State Specific Edition
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NASCLA receives a request by the new state agency to create a state specific edition.
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NASCLA receives laws, rules, and regulations from the state agency.
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Publisher then uses the Basic Edition as a base content and incorporates state specific
information into the appendices and where applicable into certain chapters.
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The same steps are then followed as outlined above for an existing NASCLA Business &
Law publication.
There are some state agencies who only update their publications every two (2) years, or as new laws,
rules, and regulations are approved in which examinee test questions for licensure are affected. Most
changes occur within the appendices; however, the other chapter content updates will average around
20% for updates/revisions.
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Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
Ideally, the selected Publisher will have a content expert on staff that can assist in making sure the
content for the Basic edition is still current and accurate for building a business, best practices, and
information as it relates to the construction industry. NASCLA can assist in the recruitment of SMEs if
needed, for areas that need further review or if a new section is needed, as requested by the state
agency.
NASCLA PUBLICATION REFERENCE LIST
Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Basic Edition, an overview of
construction business and project management subjects.
Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, (State Edition), an overview of
business, law and project management subjects, as well as state specific contracting requirements.
◼
Alabama, General Contractors
◼
Alabama, Residential
◼
Arizona
◼
Arkansas
◼
Connecticut
◼
Florida, Contractors
◼
Georgia Construction
Industry Licensing Board
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Georgia State Licensing Board
for Residential and General
Contractors
◼
Louisiana Master Plumbers
◼
Maryland Home
Improvement Commission
Edition
◼
Mississippi
◼
New Jersey
◼
North Carolina, Electrical
◼
North Carolina, Plumbing,
Heating & Fire Sprinkler
◼
North Carolina, General
Contractors
◼
North Carolina, Landscape
◼
Ohio
◼
South Carolina, Commercial
◼
South Carolina, Residential
◼
Tennessee
◼
Utah
◼
Virginia
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MANDATORY PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
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One Original and 10 Copies of the Proposal
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Cover Letter
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Table of Contents
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Consultants Qualifications & Client Reference List
Each proposal should describe its company philosophy, its key players, its past
experience/qualifications and the past experience/qualification of staff who will be
assigned to the project. Explain why you believe your company is qualified to perform the
work described in this RFP. Previous projects similar to the current project should be
discussed. References will be checked.
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NASCLA Requirements
NASCLA will require full disclosures of major owners and stockholders, and disclosure of
any potential conflicts of interest.
NASCLA will require disclosures on any use of subcontractors, which will require prior
approval by NASCLA.
NASCLA will retain ownership of current and future content that is provided. NASCLA will
need to review and approve the new content that is included within the publications.
NASCLA will not need printing, housing of inventory, or marketing from the publishing
company. All publishing sales of the publication are done by NASCLA.
NASCLA will retain all copyrights to the material. On the copyright page, we can provide a
notation on the publisher.
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Workplan / Timeline
The proposal should outline proposed tasks and activities, including a work plan and
schedule for completion of deliverables. Please include options for eBook platforms, if
available by your company; however, is this not a requirement.
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Cost Proposal
The proposal should include a breakdown of costs for deliverables, general book
maintenance and annual updates.
NASCLA is looking for a flat pricing structure for existing publication revisions/updates. In
addition, pricing is needed when a new state agency is interested in creating a business and
law manual, a flat pricing structure for this collaboration. Royalty payments on publication
sales will not be considered.
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RFP CONTACT PERSON
Responses and questions should be sent or directed to the following official contact person:
Jacquie Wilberscheid, NASCLA Education Manager
233090 N. 17
th
Drive, Suite 110
Phoenix, Arizona 85027
Phone: (623) 587-9354
Fax: (623) 587-9625
Email: [email protected]
RFP TIMELINE
April 19, 2021 RFP Release Date
May 14, 2021 RFP Questions Deadline Date from Potential RFP Bidders – emailed to
May 21, 2021 RFP Answers to Questions Deadline Date from NASCLA Staff
June 4, 2021 Publishing RFP Submissions Due Date
June 7 – 25, 2021 RFP Review Committee by NASCLA Publications Task Force
July 2021 Schedule Virtual Presentations and Interviews from top two (2)
Finalists
August 2021 Recommendation to be presented to the NASCLA Board of Directors
at the NASCLA 2021 Annual Conference.
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SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL
An original and 10 physical copies of the consultant’s proposal must be received no later than
3:00 PM (ET), Friday, June 4, 2021. An electronic copy can be sent via email to
Proposals not received by the date and time specified will be rejected. Incomplete or late
proposals will not be considered. NASCLA reserves the right to refuse all bids. Inadequate
responses to the mandatory requirements may result in rejection of the Proposal.
Proposal must be submitted to:
Jacquie Wilberscheid, NASCLA Education Manager
233090 N. 17
th
Drive, Suite 110
Phoenix, Arizona 85027
Email: [email protected]
