ERIE COUNTY REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR ...

ERIE COUNTY
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
FOR PROFESSIONAL TRAINING,
CONSULTATION AND ASSISTANCE IN
IMPLEMENTATION OF LEAN/SIX
SIGMA METHODOLOGIES
ALFRED HAMMONDS, JR.
DIRECTOR OF SIX SIGMA
EDWARD A. RATH COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING
95 FRANKLIN STREET
BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202

COUNTY OF ERIE, NEW YORK
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) RFP#08084VF
FOR PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, CONSULTATION AND ASSISTANCE IN
IMPLEMENTATION OF LEAN/SIX SIGMA METHODOLOGIES
I. INTRODUCTION
The County of Erie, New York (the “County”) is currently seeking proposals for Professional
training, consultation and assistance in the implementation of Lean/Six Sigma Methodologies.
Effective February 7, 2008, the Erie County Control Board approved a Director of Six Sigma for
County of Erie, New York. Erie County Executive, Chris Collins has called for changes to the
proposed operational effectiveness and adopted budgets within the departments & agencies
within the County of Erie, New York, requiring the operational processes be transparent,
quantitatively explicit in terms of outcome measures, and detailed in accounting for all costs and
revenue sources for each area of service delivery. The Director of Six Sigma is seeking firms to
help implement the changes in several phases. The first phase consists of comprehensive “Six
Sigma Green Belt Training” for employees within the various departments and agencies within
Erie County. The subsequent phases will consist of continued training and implementation of
Lean/Six Sigma Methodologies within Erie County departments and agencies. Phase I should be
completed by January 31, 2009. The subsequent phases should be implemented over calendar
years 2009, 2010, & 2011 in time to be fully-implemented and utilized for the 2009 budget and
thereafter. The proposing firms must have demonstrated a minimum of 5 years experience in
implementing Lean/Six Sigma Methodologies within service and transactional environments.
Firms must also submit references of training professionals their firm has provided consulting for.
The County will only contract with firms that do not discriminate against employees or applicants
for employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status,
sexual orientation or citizenship status.
II. PROPOSAL PROCEDURES
A. ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE OF PROPOSAL
Issue RFP: February 25, 2008
Proposals Due: March 10, 2008
Selection Made: March 17, 2008
Contract Signed: Following Legislative Approval

B. REQUIREMENTS
1. All firms submitting proposals must verify they have been in operation for a minimum of
five years.
2. References and resumes of training professionals with the submitting firm who have
provided Lean/Six Sigma consulting.
3. Firms must have a minimum 10 clients of which they have done Lean/Six Sigma training,
consulting, and implementation work with a threshold of $300,000 to $500,000 in hard dollar
verified savings.
4. All proposals must include a proposed timeline.
C. SCOPE OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIRED
The County seeks professional training and consultation services to assist in the
implementation of Lean/Six Sigma Methodologies in a performance based system envisioned
by the County Executive. All proposals must develop recommendations that are practical to
Erie County, meaning the recommendations must not exceed the County’s ability to
implement and properly utilize.
Executive Overview/Champion Training:
Day 1: Executive Overview
Audience: Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Legislators, Union Leadership, & Directors
The overview is designed to give the executive and/or owner of a department or function an
introduction to Lean Six Sigma and Kaizen (continuous improvement) activities. It is presented as
an interactive workshop in which attendees will learn the differences between Lean, Six Sigma
and Kaizen events as a method of implementation. Participants will learn their role and
understand the importance of commitment and support focusing on effective measurement and
management of known aspect critical-to-quality (CTQs). Additionally, attendees will gain insight
to Six Sigma’s formal problem solving methodology and the other tools that green belt candidates
will use in solving organizational issues supporting continuous improvement.
Day 2: Champion
Audience: Deputy Commissioners, Directors, and Managers
Executive and management level commitment is essential for a successful Six Sigma program. A
formal Six Sigma program deployment assigns roles of ownership and responsibility for execution
to many levels within the organization. Starting with the executive/owner, followed by a
champion, and either Advanced Green Belts or Advanced Black Belts, and/or process owner, the
deployment plan is formed and ready to begin. Critical to the success of the Lean Six Sigma
program is the role of champion. In these sessions the Champions role is defined, the “Voice of
the Customer” concept is presented, the DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve and control)
problem solving approach is reviewed, measurement of results (including financials) is presented
and stressed, and project management tools and concepts are taught.

Change Management Training:
Audience: Everyone
This course provides participants with knowledge, skills and tools to successfully manage and
implement change in an organization. With a particular emphasis upon work practice changes
required by a Lean work environment, the course leads participants through a series of topic
presentations and interactive exercises that heighten self-awareness about their own responses to
change and provide information and techniques to lead and support others in their change efforts.
The trainer will request specific examples of Lean implementation activities to bridge content with
actual workplace changes that are ongoing or planned.
Embracing and Supporting Change During this module, you will be introduced to the dynamics of
change within a learning organization. You will participate in a Change Quotient Self-Assessment
to better understand your personal reaction to change. By understanding your own reactions, you
will learn to better support others. Throughout the course, you will also learn how to avoid the
pitfalls of change, as well as the five steps to success.
Lessons:
Truths about Change
• Dimensions of Change
• Characteristics of Effective Change Leaders
• Common Responses to Change
• Managing Responses to Change and Dealing with Resistance
Prerequisites: None
Lean Six Sigma 101 – (Equivalent to a Yellow Belt)
Audience: Everyone
Lean Six Sigma 101 (LSS 101) training will provide an overview of tools from these three
methodologies: Change Management, Lean, and Six Sigma. The curriculum addresses Value
Stream Mapping (VSM), Voice-of-the-Customer, DMAIC, QFD, and FMEA and will demonstrate
how to identify and measure Critical-to-Quality metrics (CTQs) for the trainees and their
respective area(s) of responsibility. The training is divided into two parts. The first phase of LSS
101 training is an eight-hour session of classroom instruction and exercises. The second phase of
LSS 101 training is a four-hour workshop to identify new and/or validate existing CTQs. The
outcomes of the second phase of LSS 101 training will qualify/quantify the key measurable
characteristics (CTQs) of each process or program (by functional area) establishing/confirming
performance standards and/or specification limits that must be met in order to satisfy the patient or
the identified customer.
Classroom (8 hrs) deployment model:
1. One 8-hour day of training
2. Classroom training as a prerequisite to workshop
3. Training conducted within one week of workshop session
Workshop (4 hrs) deployment model:
1. One 4-hr. training session utilizing 2 trainer/facilitators
2, Training planned within one month of classroom session
The trainer/facilitator will analyze the results of the LSS 101 Workshop and present
recommendations that include prioritization of projects, suggested projects for the Advanced
Green Belt Certification training, other information that will need to be made available for projects
implemented during the Advanced Green Belt Certification training, etc.

Green Belt Certification (GBC) Program
Audience: Deputy Commissioners, Supervisors, Managers, Foreman, Sr. Staff, Subject Matter Experts
Using Six Sigma’s Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) methodology, the
GBC training will be delivered over the course of 72 hours of classroom instruction supported by
a Master Black Belt (MBB) mentor. The MBB will mentor each GBC candidate on a weekly
basis spanning the length of training. Each GBC candidate will learn the fundamentals of Lean
Six Sigma systems and understand principles and concepts of quality management, QFD, FMEA,
Value Stream Mapping, and Rapid Cycle Change in their area(s) of responsibility. The GBC
candidates will learn how to apply the DMAIC 5-step problem solving process and 7 basic SPC
tools. Using data collection and display, basic sampling, variable control charts, cause and effect
analysis, and FMEA, course graduates will be able to effectively apply the Lean Six Sigma
DMAIC methodology and tools at an advanced Green Belt level. The CTQ metrics established for
respective functional area(s) during the “LSS 101” training will serve as the target projects for
implementation during the classroom instruction and consultation. GBC candidates will document
their respective projects and create a final report for presentation to management identifying the
process improvement and financial impact for each project.
GBC Training deployment model:
1. Classroom: GBC candidates will attend instructor-led training that structured with
workshop demonstrations and teambuilding exercises.
2. GBC mentoring: Master Black Belt trainer/facilitator meets periodically with each GBC
candidate to validate project progress, effective application of the DMAIC methodologies
and tools, and to achieve financial impact.
3. Prerequisite: GBC candidates should have completed LSS 101 training.
4. Materials requirements: Students will need a laptop loaded with Minitab statistical
software (version 14 or 15)
Bridge-to-Black Belt (BTB) Program
Audience: Deputy Commissioners, Supervisors, Managers, Foreman, Sr. Staff, Subject Matter Experts
The Bridge-to-Black Belt training program to assist certified Green Belts in their goal to become a certified
Black Belt. The Bridge to Black Belt program is presented in conjunction with Black Belt Certification
training. Considering that these courses should run in tandem, and realizing that no two adults learn in the
same manner, it was important to the success of the program to create an open environment by which each
trainee could audit, as needed, the 200 hrs of Black Belt course instruction. The guidelines for each Bridge
to Black Belt trainee are:
(1) Review Green Belt exam results to determine the DMAIC area(s) for opportunities;
(2) use the list of opportunities to review the Bridge to Black Belt agenda and match DMAIC areas
requiring additional learning;
(3) review the Black Belt agenda and list of opportunities to create a Bridge to Black Belt training calendar.
Prerequisite: All trainees must have Green Belt Certification and successfully completed the Green Belt
exam.
OVERALL PROGRAM TIMING
• Green Belt Training, Wave 1 – April, May, & June 2008
• Champion Training - 2nd Quarter 2008
• Green Belt Training, Wave 2 - Fall 2008
• Change Management - 4th Quarter 2008

• Green Belt Training, Wave 3 - Spring 2009
• Yellow Belt Training - 2nd Quarter 2009
• Green Belt Training, Wave 4 - Fall 2009
• Bridge to Black Belt Training - 2nd Quarter 2010
C. NUMBER OF PROPOSAL COPIES
Three (3) copies of the proposal should be submitted.
D. INQUIRIES AND SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
Questions about the RFP and submission of proposals shall be directed to:
Al Hammonds
County of Erie
Director of Six Sigma
95 Franklin Street
Rath Building, 16 th Floor
Buffalo, New York 14202
Phone: 716-858-4746
Fax: 716-858-8411
Email: hammonda@erie.gov
All proposals must be delivered to the Division of Purchasing Office on or before March 10,
2008 at 4:00 p.m. Proposals received after the above date and time will not be
considered. The County is under no obligation to return proposals.
E. TIME AND LOCATION OF PROPOSER’S PRESENTATION
Selected proposers may be requested to provide oral presentations. Those proposers will be
notified to arrange specific times.
F. EFFECTIVE PERIOD OF PROPOSALS
All proposals must state the period for which the proposal shall remain in effect (i.e. how
much time does the County have to accept or reject the proposal under the terms proposed).
Such period shall not be less than 180 days from the proposal date.

G. RIGHT OF REJECTION BY THE COUNTY
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this RFP, the County reserves the right to award this
contract to the firm that best meet the requirements of the RFP and not necessarily, to the
lowest bidder. Further, the County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals prior to
execution of the contract for any or no reason and without penalty to the County.
H. AWARD OF CONTRACT
The County shall select a firm by means of a Notice of Award issued by the RFP evaluation
committee. Neither the selection of a firm nor the issuance of a Notice of Award shall
constitute the County’s acceptance of the proposal or a binding commitment on behalf of the
County to enter into a services contract with the firm, as any binding arrangement must be set
forth in definitive documentation signed by both parties and subject to all requisite approvals.
I. CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
After issuance of the Notice of Award, the County intends to enter into contract negotiations
with the winning firm who shall be required to enter into a written agreement, in a form
approved by legal counsel for the County. The County reserves the right to negotiate the
terms and conditions of the contract(s) with the selected proposer(s). These negotiations
could include all aspects of services and fees.
J. LEGISLATIVE & ECFSA APPROVAL
The County reserves the right to require that acceptance of any proposal and the execution of
the contract are and shall be expressly subject to the approval of the Erie County Legislature
and Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority (ECFSA).