Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board, Inc.

also known as Lehigh Valley Workforce DeveloPMent Board

Request For Proposals

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Title I Career Services

For

Adults, Dislocated Workers

and

Employment Advancement and Retention Network (EARN)

JULY 1, 2017 TO JUNE 30, 2018

ISSUED: Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Deadline for Submission: Friday, May 26, 2017

Lehigh Valley Workforce Development Board

555Union Boulevard
Allentown, PA 18109

Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board, Inc. reserves the right to modify any of the enclosed specifications

THIS IS NOT AN RFP FOR THE ONE-STOP OPERATOR

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION / PAGE
INTRODUCTION / 4
SECTION l / DESCRIPTION OF REQUESTED EARN & CAREER SERVICES / 5
SECTION 2 / EMPLOYMENT, ADVANCEMENT AND RETENTION NETWORK (EARN) / 8
SECTION 3 / POPULATION TO BE SERVED / 11
SECTION 4 / TRAINING / 11
SECTION 5 / SUPPORT SERVICES / 12
SECTION 6 / BUSINESS SERVICES / 12
SECTION 7 / ONE-STOP LOCATIONS / 13
SECTION 8 / FUNDING / 13
SECTION 9 / CONTRACT PERIOD AND CONTRACT PERFORMANCE / 13
SECTION 10 / PROPOSAL APPLICATION CRITERIA & INSTRUCTIONS / 14
1 / Who May Apply / 14
2 / Accessing the RFP Document and Attachments / 14
3 / Number of WIOA Title I Services Providers / 14
4 / Due Dates / 14
5 / The RFP Response Package / 15
6 / Staffing / 17
7 / Inquiries and Questions About the Application / 17
8 / Proposer(s) References / 18
9 / Cure Process / 18
10 / Selection Criteria / 18
11 / Administrative Requirements / 19
12 / Progress Reports / 23
13 / The Agreement and Budget / 23
14 / Cost Parameters / 24
15 / Subcontracts / 25
16 / Grievance and Procedures / 25
17 / Conflict of Interest / 25
18 / Interference with the Procurement Process / 26
19 / Compliance / 26
20 / LVWDB Right to Reject or Accept / 26

ATTACHMENTS

ATTACHMENT 1: APPLICATION FOR WIOA TITLE I OPERATOR SERVICES
FUNDS/PROPOSAL APPLICATION FORMS

ATTACHMENT 2: BUDGET FORMS

ATTACHMENT 3: Required Federal and Commonwealth Forms

Attachment 4: WIOA/EARN Staffing chart

APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1: ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

APPENDIX 2: REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (rfp) RATING AND EVALUATION FORM

introduction

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has designated Lehigh and Northampton Counties in Northeast Pennsylvania as the Lehigh Valley Workforce Development Area in accordance with provisions of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The Lehigh and Northampton County Executives are the Chief Elected Officials as defined in the WIOA. Together with the Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (LVWIB also referred to as the Lehigh Valley Workforce Development Board or LVWDB) they are responsible for developing a workforce system in the Lehigh Valley and for selecting provider(s) of Adult and Dislocated Worker services consistent with the WIOA.

The LVWDB is comprised of representatives appointed by the Lehigh and Northampton County Executives as Chief Elected Officials representing private sector, education, labor, economic development, community-based and other organizations and, is responsible for setting policy, determining the vision and mission of the workforce system, and developing a strategic plan to ensure a Lehigh Valley world-class competitive workforce.

This is a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the delivery of WIOA Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker, and EARN services in the Lehigh Valley workforce area. The selected provider will be responsible for: 1) the delivery of career services to the general population in concert with Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (PA DLI) staff funded through the Wagner-Peyser Act; 2) WIOA eligible adults and dislocated workers; 3)WIOA LVWDB led Business Services;4)Rapid Response; and5)the case management of EARN welfare recipients required to meet work activity requirements under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWOR) which includes intensive employability-focused services and placement.

In addition, the LVWDB receives discretionary grants from time to time that require workforce services for special populations. Funds may be added to the selected proposer’s contract so that the selected proposer may provide employment and training services to individuals targeted by those grants.

The LVWDB is seeking a single proposer to provide these services.

To assist proposers in responding to this RFP, demographics, job and labor market information for the LVWDBworkforce area are available for review at: click on 2016 Lehigh Valley Regional/Local Transitional Plan.

This RFP is electronic and can be downloaded from the LVWDB website Paper copies will not be available.

This is not an open RFP, therefore, responses must be received by 4:00 p.m. on
May 26, 2017, after which time LVWDB will not accept additional proposals. The LVWDB will maintain all proposals on file for three (3) years in the event negotiations with the selected proposer cannot be finalized, additional funds become available through WIOA, or the selected proposer is not able to perform contracted activities. Proposer(s) who do not submit proposal responses will not be considered for funding after the proposal deadline for submission. Proposers must score a minimum of 70% to be considered for funding.

A Proposers’ Conference to review the RFP is scheduled forMay 8,2017 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the PA CareerLink®Lehigh Valley located at 555 Union Blvd., Allentown, PA 18109.

Questions regarding this RFP should be submitted in writing via email to . Questions will be accepted until May 18,2017, 4:00 p.m.and answers will be posted on the website. Phone call inquiries will not be accepted. Answers to questions asked at the Proposers’ Conference will be made public on the LVWDB website,

We thank you in advance for your time and effort and look forward to reading and reviewing your proposal(s) due by 4:00 pm on Friday, May 26, 2017.

Section I: DESCRIPTION OF REQUESTED CAREER SERVICES

WIOA requires that one-stop centers be the front door for accessing career services under WIOA or from related federal and local workforce funding streams represented by other one-stop partners co-located or in the region. Services are provided tojob seekers needing training and /or job placement as well as to employers looking for employees, employee training, information about workforce services and labor market information. There is one full service comprehensive PA CareerLink®Lehigh Valleyone-stop center in the LVWDB workforce area and threePA CareerLink®satellite one-stop centers.

The LVWDB is interested in fostering an integrated approach to assisting individuals and employers while also avoiding duplication of services among the one-stop required partners. This will result in better more effective services to the client and an expanded capacity withinthe community to increase the number of individuals being served.

The LVWDB is looking for one provider to staff and provide WIOA Title I career services in the full service comprehensive PA CareerLink®Lehigh Valley one-stop center, and to staff and provide services or access to WIOA and one-stop partner services in thePA CareerLink®satellite centers as described in WIOA and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Job seekers enter the PA CareerLink®Lehigh Valley one-stop, now also referred to as American Job Center (AJC), through the resource room. The selected proposer will be expected to coordinate with PA DLI to maintain and provide labor exchange services through the resource room, before being referred to a one-stop partner or WIOA individualized services for those meeting WIOA eligibility requirements.PA DLImaintains JobGateway®, the job bank, provides job referral services and solicits employers to list jobs. All direct placement, replacement and assistance in placing individuals following completion of training is coordinated with PA DLI staff assigned to the one-stop. Proposer’s staff will be expected to assist with these functions and augment capacity already available in the one-stop centers.

Proposer will be responsible for providing information in formats that are usable by and understandable to one-stop center customers.

The traffic in the LVWDB comprehensive AJC CareerLink®One-Stop center averages 3,000 visits a month. The satellites average a combined 375 a month.Currently 32WIOA/EARNstaff and eight (8) Wagner-Peyser PA DLI staff are assigned to the full service American Job Center in Allentown. Three (3)WIOA staff are assigned to the three satellite locations with minimal PA DLI staff presence.

Individuals with one or more of the WIOA barriers which interfere with their ability to be employed and self-sufficient or who are dislocated workers receive individualized services and may already be utilizing a variety of social and human services in addition to those available through WIOA.Case workers/counselors (Career Advisors) are responsible for coordinating the services needed with those already being delivered.

The proposer selected will be responsible for case management and counseling during participation in WIOA and EARN funded activities and through the 12-month follow up/ retention period in unsubsidized employment.

While there is no mandated order in the delivery of services, services available under WIOA Title I should be appropriate to meet the needs of the job seeker including EARN recipients and employers.

Required Career Services

Listed below are the career services the LVWDB requires be delivered by the selected proposer through the AJC PA CareerLink®Lehigh Valley One-Stop Comprehensive and Satellite Centers. Many of the services are informational or self-help or are available through technology.

General informationthrough orientations to services available through the one-stop system for the general public
Orientation on the requirements for participation in WIOA adult, dislocated worker and youth programs
EARN orientation which provides information on requirements of the EARNprogramincorporating the importance and benefit of gainful employment and explaining job search limitations and work activity requirements
General labor exchange services to the universal population and employers in coordination with PA DLI Employment Service staff as well as WIOA funded staff
Local, regional and national labor market information to job seekers and employers including job vacancy listings
Employment statistics for the LVWDB Labor Market
In-demand occupations lists to job seekers(these are provided by PA DLI)
Information relating to local occupations in demand and the earnings, skill requirements, and opportunities for advancement for such occupations
Information and assistance regarding unemployment compensation
Outreach, intake (including worker profiling), and the coordination of outreach with the one-stop partners, recruitment, and determination of WIOA eligibility of adults, dislocated workers, and youth
Referral of individuals to other one-stop partners as appropriate
Referral to English language acquisition and integrated education and training programs
The referral of WIOA eligible “out-of-school youth” and “in-school youth” to training, placement or to other LVWDB youth providers
Initial assessment of skill levels, including literacy, numeracy, and English language proficiency, aptitudes, abilities including skills gaps, and supportive service needs
Make performance and cost information available as it applies to training providers including youth providers, adult education providers, post-secondary career and technical education and vocational education providers available in the community (Information will provided by the LVWDB)
Referral of individuals for information regarding the availability of financial aid for education not provided by WIOA
“Work First” services to EARN clients, including but not limited to work registration, career counseling, four weeks of job search, assessment, screening, placement into a work activity, job club, job development, referral to educational activities, job placement and job re-placement
Job Club/job search activities for Wagner-Peyser and WIOA customersin coordination with PA DLI
Job Development, placement and replacement into unsubsidized employment in coordination with PA DLI for the universal population, WIOA and EARN participants
Access to and the provision of computer-based technologies related to workforce activities such asfinancial literacy, digital literacy and basic skills remediation
Coordination and referral to short-term prevocational services, including development of learning skills, communication skills, interviewing skills, punctuality, personal maintenance skills, and professional conduct, to prepare individuals for unsubsidized employment or training
Services to assist WIOA adults, dislocated workers and youthto obtain or retain employment, that may include as appropriate, assessments of individual skill levels andsupport service needs, interviews and evaluations to identify employment barriers and employment goals, development of an Individual Employment Plan, identifyappropriate employment goals, and the services needed to achieve the employment goals, provide information on eligible training providers and career pathways to attain career objectives
An economic analysis to develop an employment goal targeted toward attainment of self-sufficiency or a livable wage
Development of EARN and WIOA client individual service strategies
Individualized counseling which include elements of employability life skills,job and career counseling as appropriate to the client
Case managementduring program participation which includes flexible work hours for counselors to suit a working clientele and allows for evening and weekend accessibility between the client and their case manager
Referral of clients needing assistance beyond the case manager’s expertise to other one-stop partners and agencies providing assistance such as but not limited to mental health, substance abuse or domestic violence
Referral to occupational skills training provided by an eligible training provider with a recommendation to the LVWDB for an Individual Training Account
Development of internships and work experiences that are linked to careers for adults, dislocated workers and youth
Referrals of WIOA participants to work based training options such as On-the-Job and Customized training
Data entry into Commonwealth’s data base for WIOA and EARN participants to record all services provided
Post-services employment follow-up case management, counseling, advocacy and replacement into unsubsidized employment for WIOA and EARN participants throughout the 12-month retention period
Services to employers, including but not limited to assistance with employee recruitment,knowledge of employer incentives, and assistance with employer recruitment

Section 2: THE EMPLOYMENT, ADVANCEMENT AND RETENTION NETWORK
(EARN)

The EARN program addresses the needs of welfare recipients with barriers to employment by coordinating existing employment and training programs available for them.The primary focus of the program is to move clients into the workforce, and to provide other activities that will aid in attaining self-sufficiency.

EARN recipients must receive comprehensive case management, and be offered remediation, education with special emphasis on individuals with limited English proficiency, skills training, work activities, job placement and retention activities.

Work activities in EARN include unsubsidized employment, subsidized employment, paid work experience, and community service. The hours of participation are determined by the household composition for TANF.

EARN recipients enroll through the local County Assistance Office (CAO) and are referred to the CareerLink® for required work activities and an appointment date is set. The EARN provider must act on the CAO referral within 14 days of the referral date. The selected provider will be required to arrange for services in accordance with EARN program rules beginning with making contact with the client prior to the appointment date, explaining the program, ensuring the recipient knows where and when to report, and assist in securing childcare and addressing transportation issues.

Referrals occur every day. EARN programs may set their orientation start time; however, clients must be given every opportunity to report to the program. Sanctions referred to as “referral rejections” need to be coordinated with the CAO. In the case of employed individuals referred to EARN for additional participation hours, case managers are required to make reasonable accommodations to meet with the client at a time that does not interfere with recipients’ work hours.

Provider must create a file for EARN participants containing the following information:

Agreement of Mutual Responsibility (AMR) / Education level
Age of youngest child / Child care and transportation arrangements
Family and social history focusing on household composition / Medical information, physician, clinic, and hospital records (if applicable)
Work history / Identified barriers
Current and past participation in Employment & Training programs / Educational activities and the outcome of those experiences

During the client’s initial enrollment period, the selected service provider will review the following with the recipient:

EARN policies / Hourly requirements
The service provider’s responsibility in developing and monitoring the client’s active service plan and progress / Authorization for Release of Information

All information must be entered into CWDS. Below are the required participation hours and activities for participants.

SINGLE PARENT
HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION / MINIMUM HOURS per WEEK
Child under age 6 / 20 hours in a core activity
All children over age 6 / 30 hours with at least 20 in a core activity
Pregnant/no other children / 30 hours with at least 20 in a core activity
Under age 22, head of household / Meeting participation requirement if satisfactory attendance at a secondary school or GED program.Enter 20 hours
TWO PARENT
HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION / MINIMUM HOURS per WEEK
Both parents under age 22 heads of household / Meeting participation requirement if satisfactory attendance at a secondary school or GED program. Enter 20 hours for each parent
Not receiving federally-funded child care / 35 hours combined. One parent must participate in at least 30 hours in a core activity
Receiving federally-funded child care / 55hours combined, at least 50 hours in a core activity. One parent must participate in at least 30 hours in a core activity. Either parent may participate for any remaining activity hours in non-core activities
One parent DS, NS or DF not receiving federally-funded child care / One parent must participate in 35 hours, at least 30 hours in a core activity
One parent DS, NS or DF receiving federally-funded child care / One parent must participate in 55 hours, at least 50 hours in a core activity
One parent disabled - J parent
(receiving SSI) / 20 or 30 hours depending on the family composition One parent must participate for 20 hours in core activities and child care does not affect the number of participation hours
One parent ETP code 53 / 30 hours. One parent must participate for 20 hours in core activities and child care does not affect the number of participation hours

THE WORK ACTIVITIES