TO: Youth Service Bidders
FROM: Leticia Morales-Perez, Manager
Technical Services Unit
DATE: March 14, 2014
RE:Request for Proposal (RFP) for Program Year 2014
(July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015)
The successful bidder(s) will be awarded a One Year Contract Program
with the possibility of an additional year extension depending on program
performance and availability of funds.
This Request for Proposal seeks youth programs that can deliver year-round training services for Workforce Investment Act (WIA) eligible DuPage County youth.DuPage Workforce Development Division (WDD) is seeking providers that can deliver WIA programs for In-School Youth and/or Out-of-school Youth. For the purpose of this RFP the In-School Youth targeted age is 16-21 and for Out of School Youth the targeted age is 17-21 years old.
To be considered for funding all proposed programs must incorporate all applicable WIA program requirements.
In-School youth programs should include program design that focuses on high school retrieval and/or drop-out prevention for economically disadvantaged, functional disabled or academically low performing youth. WDD will consider in-school programs that incorporate all required/applicable WIA Youth Program Elements (YPE) as well as provide necessary skills that will result in the attainment of WIA Performance Standards. Program design must include activities that will lead to the successful completion of high school diploma or GED in addition to the attainment of one or more of the following outcomes:
Enrollment in post-secondary education/occupational training
Enter unsubsidized employment
Enter an Apprenticeship program
Enter military service
Out-of-Schoolyouth proposalsshould include a program design that focuses in serving youth ages 17 to 21 who arefacing barriers to employment and who are high school dropouts or have received a secondary school diploma or GED, but are basic skills deficient.The proposed program must incorporate short term occupational/vocational skills (in-high growth/high demand occupation) training leading to credential attainment and youth self-sufficiency. A basic skills upgrade and GED preparation components must also be included for those youth with low academic skills and/or lacking high school diploma or GED. The overall program design must allow the achievement of the WIA performance goals that include activities that will lead to the successful completion of the following outcomes:
GED attainment (for all youth lacking HSD/GED)
Literacy and Numeracy Gains (for youth who are deficient in reading and/or math)
Credential attainment
Attainment of unsubsidized employment
Placement in Apprenticeship program
Enter military service
All proposed in-school and out-of-school programs must include, as part of the program design, a Work Experience, Internship, or On the Job Training (OJT) component. In addition proposed programs must incorporate all required/applicable WIA Youth Program Elements (YPE). The overall program design must allow the achievement of the WIA performance goals. Target populations must be capable of successfully accomplishing required outcomes
The Workforce Investment Act has been in effect since July 1, 2000, providers who are not familiar with the WIA program can access the WIA law and regulation information in the Departmentof Labor /Employment and Training Administration website Additional local requirements for youth activities are outlined in this RFP.
We have included an RFP Completion Tip Sheet (page 6). Please review these suggestions before writing your proposal, as they are designed to make the RFP process easier.
The evaluation instrument, which will be used in rating your proposal, is also included in the RFP packet. We strongly urge you to review it prior to completion of the RFP to better understand how points will be awarded. The evaluation is divided into two sections: programmatic and fiscal. The programmatic section measures the proposed program content and objectives, while the fiscal section measures the RFP budget pages and substantiation of bidder costs.
A bidder’s meeting has been schedule to assist with questions and/or technical assistance regarding this RFP. The bidder’s meeting will take place on Thursday March 27, 2014 at 3:00 P.M. at the workNet DuPage Career Center, 2525 Cabot Drive, Suite 302, Lisle, IL 60532. RSVP by contacting Leticia Morales-Perez by e-mail at or by telephone at (630) 955-2060.
Deadline for Submission: 4:30 p.m., Friday April 25, 2014.
Any proposal not arriving by April 25, 2014, will be considered for funding only if funds are available after the initial round of RFPs have been awarded funding.
Submit one (1) original and three (3) unbound copies* of your proposal to:
workNet DuPage Career Center
DuPage Workforce Development
2525 Cabot Drive, Suite 302
Lisle, Illinois 60532
Attention: Leticia Morales-Perez
*Note: Please provide one (1) copy of the material used in substantiating your budget and one (1) copy of the proposed curriculum.
Section I / GUIDELINES / Provides pertinent information for the completion of the RFP.Section II / REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL / Provides the instructions for completing the body of the RFP.
Section III / AGREEMENT SHEETS / Provides supporting documents to be signed and submitted with the RFP.
Section IV / BUDGET WORKSHEETS / Provides worksheets which will reflect those costs needed to support the RFP.
Section V / PROPOSAL CHECKLIST AND EVALUATION FORM / Provides definitions of the weights which will be used by the WIA Staff/Program Committee to evaluate each section of the RFP.
Section VI / ATTACHMENT A / Sample of Contract Boilerplate which includes WIA, State, and County provision requirements for all WIA contracts.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page(s)I. GUIDELINES / 1-7
A.History and Information
B.Eligibility Criteria
C.Description of Youth Activities
D.Youth Performance Measures
RFP Completion Tip Sheet
Proposal Cover Sheet / 1
2-3
3-4
4-5
6
7
II. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL / 8-10
A.Program Summary
B.Program Description
C.Program Curriculum Description
D.Program Outcomes
E.Recruitment Methods
F.Organization Information / 8
8-9
9
9
10
10
III. AGREEMENT SHEETS / 11-18
A.Terms of Request for Proposal
B.Affirmative Action Policy Statement
C.Debarment/Suspension Certification
D.Certification Regarding Lobbying
E.Content Certification / 12-14
15
16
17-17c
18
IV. BUDGET WORKSHEETS / 19-32
Recommended Supporting Fiscal Documentation of Actual Costs
A.Program Staff Costs
B.Program Staff Benefits Costs
C.Program Staff Travel Costs
D.1. Operating Costs
2. Cost Allocation Plan
Suggested Bases for Cost Distribution (Allocation)
E.Youth Wages, FICA WC
F.Contractor Contributions to the Program
G.Other Funding Sources
H.Tuition Costs
I.Budget Summary Page / 20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
V. PROPOSAL CHECKLIST AND EVALUATION FORM
VI. ATTACHMENT A: CONTRACT BOILERPLATE
I.GUIDELINES
A.History and Information
In August 7, 1998, the "Workforce Investment Act of 1998" (WIA) replaced the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) as the country's major employment and training legislation. The intent of WIA is to consolidate and improve employment, training, literacy, and vocational rehabilitation programs. The Act mandated the state to be divided into Workforce Investment Areas (WIAs) to ensure the effective delivery of services. DuPage County is Local Workforce Investment Area (LWIA) 6, and is served by the DuPage county Workforce Development Office, which is a division of the Human Resources Department of DuPage County. The WDD Office (where this proposal originates) is housed in the workNet DuPage Career Center, located in Lisle.
It is the purpose of WIA, funded by the United States Department of Labor, "to provide workforce investment activities that increase the employment, job retention, and earnings increase for participants, as well as increasing occupational skill attainment by participants, resulting in reduced welfare dependency and improvement in the quality of the workforce (Sec. 106 of the Act). The theory behind the partnership is to join the public and private sectors in helping these persons obtain employment.
In general, DuPage Workforce Development funds programs, except as otherwise noted, that provide employment opportunities, development of new careers, and opportunities of non-traditional employment; overall, programs that contribute to the participants’ occupational development and self-sufficiency, while promoting upward mobility to those who can benefit and those who are most in need.
For out-of-school youth, DuPage Workforce Development (WDD) seeks to subcontract youth programming to organizations that work with out-of-school youth, ages 17 to 21, to provide programs that include basic skills attainment (as needed), vocational/occupational skills training (in high growth occupations), GED (as needed), and unsubsidized job placement followed by one year (12 months) of follow-up services. Out-of-school youth is defined by WIA as a youth who; is 16 to 21years old, a school dropout; or has received a secondary school diploma or GED, but is basic skills deficient, unemployed, or underemployed.For the purpose of this RFP we are requesting services to serve out-of-school youth ages 17 to 21.
For in-school youth, DuPage Workforce Development (WDD) seeks to subcontract youth programming to organizations that work with in-school youth ages 16-21 to provide programs that include dropout prevention, high school retrieval, skills attainment, summer earn-and-learn, work experience/internships, diploma attainment, and transition from school to work or post-secondary education, followed by one year (12 months) of follow-up services.
All proposed programs must include all WIA youth program requirementsas part of program design.
The duration of the contract will be from any time after July 1, 2014to June 30, 2015. Depending upon program performance and availability of funds, the contracts may be extended for an additional year.
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B.Eligibility Criteria
All individuals receiving training must meet WIA income eligibility criteria and have one or more barriers to employment. Eligibility is based on documentation of income; i.e., family incomecannot exceed 70% of the lower standard of living based on family size as listed below:
Family Size / Six Months Gross Income1 / $5,745
2 / $7,776
3 / $10,671
4 / $13,175
5 / $15,549
6 / $18,185
Add $2,636 for each additional family member over six (6). Also, welfare recipients, food stamp recipients, foster children, and homeless persons are automatically income eligible.
Youth must also meet one or more of the following barriers to employment:
a)Deficient in basic literacy skills,
b)School dropout,
c)Homeless,
d)Runaway,
e)Foster child,
f)Pregnant,
g)Parent,
h)Offender, or
i)An individual who requires additional assistance to complete an educational program, or to secure and hold employment. The state has determined that this category is to be defined locally.
Policy of local definition of youth requiring additional assistance:
•Household receiving TANF/Food Stamps/Supplemental Security Income/Medical Card
•Youth excessively tardy/absent from school
•Youth enrolled in alternative school
•Youth has less than one year of employment with the same employer
•Youth of incarcerated parent(s)
•Youth who has a parent who is a veteran
•Cumulative GPA of 1.5 or less or a 1.5 GPA drop from previous report card
•Youth who is a minimum of 2 semester credits behind the rate required for graduation
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•Youth has repeated a minimum of one secondary grade level or is a minimum of one year over age for grade
•Youth resides in non-traditional family setting – single parent, grandparents, sibling
•Youth has aged out of foster care
•Youth is lacking vocational/occupational skills to enter labor market
•Youth is unable to obtain full time employment due to current economic recession and is in need of transitional employment
Also, youth whose income exceeds guidelines, but who possess a barrier to employment (dropout, pregnant teen, limited English, etc.) may be admitted under special circumstances.
C.Description of Youth Activities
1.Description of key design components: These key components are required for all programs and must be incorporated into any program design.
a)Recruitment of youth targeted for services. While WDD will refer youth to the programs whenever possible, program providers will have responsibility forthe recruitment of youth to fulfill program enrollment goals
b)Objective Assessment: Assessment of the participant's academic levels, skill levels, that includes a review of basic skills, occupational skills, prior to work experience, employability interest and aptitudes, supportive services needs, and developmental needs of each participant. Family background, income, barriers to employment, must also be analyzed.
c)Individual service strategy: Based on objective assessment results, an Individualized Service Strategy (ISS) will be established for each participant to identify employment goals, appropriate achievement objectives, and other appropriate services to address barriers. The individualized plan will be the guide for the services the youth will receive to achieve program goals.
d)Preparation for post-secondary educational opportunities that include, when appropriate:
i. / strong linkages between academic and occupational learning;ii. / preparation for unsubsidized employment opportunity;
iii. / effective connections to intermediaries with strong links to the job market and local employers.
e)Provide twelve-month follow-up for all youth after exiting the program.
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2.Youth Program Elements: Youth program elements are an essential part of WIA programming and must be incorporated directly or indirectly in any WIA program activities as needed to obtain individual assessment goals. Each program element must be address in the proposal regardless of whether the program will be providing the services directly or indirectly.
a)Tutoring study skills training, and instruction, leading to completion of secondary education;
b)Alternative secondary school services, as appropriate;
c)Summer employment opportunities that are directly linked to academic and occupational learning;
d)As appropriate, paid or unpaid work experience/internship, including internships and job shadowing;
e)Occupational skills training, as appropriate;
f)Leadership development opportunities, which may include community service and peer-centered activities encouraging responsibility and other positive social behaviors during non-school hours;
g)Supportive services, directly or through referral;
h)Adult mentoring for the period of participation and a subsequent period, for a total of not less than 12 months;
i)Follow-up services for not less than 12 months after the completion of participation; and
j)Comprehensive guidance and counseling, which may include drug and alcohol abuse counseling and referral.
The goal of the program is for each youth to successfully achieve all set goals, overcome barriers identified in their ISS, and achieve all relevant performance measures.
D.Youth Common Measures
Bidders must identify the performance goals the participants will attain during their participation in the program, Based on WIA Youth Common Measures (TEGL 17-05).
DuPage Workforce Development requires that at least 75 percent of all program participants successfully achieve WIA Youth Common Measures.
The program must be designed to achieve the following performance measures:
Attain Degree or Credential (ADC)
This measure includes In-school and Out-of-school youth who are enrolled in education at registration or at any point during the program. It measures the number of youth participants who attain a diploma, GED, or credential by the end of the third quarter after they exit the program.
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Placed in Employment or Education (PEER)
This measure includes In-school and Out-of-school youth who are not in post-secondary education or employment at time of registration. It measures the number of youth who are in employment or in advance occupational training in the first quarter after the exit quarter.
Literacy and Numeracy Gains (LNG)
This measure includes Out-of-school youth participants who are basic skills(Math and/or Reading) deficient at program entry. It measures the number of youth who have completed a year in the program and have increase one or more educational functional levels. Youth participants must achieve a nine grade reading and mathfunctioning level to be considered non-deficient. Additional information can be found in the Department of Labor/Employment and Training website
TEGL 17-05.
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RFP COMPLETION TIP SHEET
1.Read the entire proposal before responding to any section.
2.Review Section V, Proposal Checklist and Evaluation Form, before completing the proposal. Keep this for your records. Do not return it to us.
3.Respond to each section in the order that it appears in the proposal.
4.Type, single-spaced, and label all responses with the applicable headings.
5.Section II should be written in easily understood language.
6.Double-check all calculations on the proposal budget pages.
7.The following must be submitted as part of the proposal:
A.Proposal Cover Sheet (with original signatures).
B.Request for Proposal (Section II) (one copy of program curriculum)
C.Agreement Sheets (Section III)
i.Terms of Request for Proposal
ii.Affirmative Action Policy
iii.Debarment and Suspension Certification
iv.Lobbying Certification
v.Content Certification
D.Section IV, Budget Worksheets (one set of fiscal documents substantiating the budget)
E.Most recent audit and management letter.
8.Return one (1) original and three (3) unbound copies of the proposal no later than 4:30p.m. Friday April 25, 2014.
ANY PROPOSAL ARRIVING AFTER THE DEADLINE, WILLbe considerED for funding only if funds are available after initial round of RFPS have been awarded funding.
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PROPOSAL COVER SHEET
Name of Organization______Date______
Address______
Training Site Address______
Program name ______
Program start and end dates ______
Targeted Population(s)(who will be served)______
Person responsible for implementing this program______
Program contact person ______
Telephone ( ) ______Fax ( ) ______
E-mail Address ______
Total Program Cost $______WIA Program Cost $______(request amount)
Number of Youth______(WIA eligible) WIA Cost Per Youth $______
______
Name and Title of Authorized Representative
______
Signature DateTelephone Number
I have reviewed the proposal budget worksheets and certify that they are an accurate reflection of my organization's expenses.
______
Name and Title of Fiscal Contact Person
______
Signature DateTelephone Number
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II.REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
A.Program Summary
Prepare a narrative description of your program. State your program objectives concisely, emphasizing the type of training proposed and provide a summary description of the major outcomes of the program. Describe the proposed program activities that will serve to satisfy WIA program requirements and how they will result on the achievement of WIA Performance Measures. Specify the impact of the program by emphasizing who (targeted populations) will benefit and how.