COUNTY OF PASSAIC

Request For Proposal For Funding Of Youth Programs

Under The Workforce Investment Act of 1998

Proposal Application Guidelines

General Information for Offerors

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) is to provide workforce investment activities that increase the employment, earnings, job retention, and occupational skill attainment of participants, improve the quality of the workforce, and reduce welfare dependency.

The Workforce Investment Act charges local areas with developing an array of youth related services. Under this legislation, Passaic County has been selected as a workforce investment area. The Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders is the grant recipient for the WIA.

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit proposals for the provision of services for eligible youth. The purpose of these services is “to provide to eligible youth seeking assistance in achievingacademic and employment success, effective and comprehensive activities, which shall include a variety of options for improving educational and skill competencies and provide effective connections to employers.”

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

  • All public “for-profit” and “not-for-profit” entities with demonstrated effectiveness for the provision of services to target populations, are eligible to apply, including community-based organizations, labor organizations and women’s group. All groups, at a minimum, are required to comply with the approval and certification regulations as stated under New Jersey Law and the procedures established through the Center for Occupational Employment Information for eligibility of training providers for customers of the One-Stop system.

NOTE: All entities, including school districts, must submit complete proposal packages.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Project proposals submitted will be considered for implementation as appropriate for service proposed and will not exceed one year. Out-of-School youth programs should be prepared to start May 2001.

LIMITATIONS ON REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

  1. The RFP does not commit the County of Passaic, the Workforce Investment Board of Passaic County (WIB) nor the Passaic County Workforce Development Center (PCWDC) to award a contract or to pay any cost incurred in the preparation of a proposal in response to this request.

2. The Workforce Investment Board of Passaic County /Passaic County Workforce Development Center reserves the right to:

a) accept or reject any and all proposals received as a result of this request;

b) negotiate with all qualified sources;

c) negotiate any and all parts of proposals submitted in response to these guidelines; and

d) cancel any or all parts of this request for proposals in the best interests of the Workforce Investment Board of Passaic County/Passaic County Workforce Development Center.

3. The Workforce Investment Board of Passaic County /Passaic County Workforce Development Center may require that the selected proposers participate in negotiations and submit technical, price and other revisions to the respective proposals. Failure to follow the required format will be considered a reflection of the proposer’s ability.

4. Proposals must adhere to the format established in this request. Format, clarity, legibility and completeness are essential. This document includes directions that should be utilized when completing the proposal package.

5. Proposals must include all requested information and cannot refer to prior or other submissions. Each proposal must be complete and must respond to all questions and requirements.

6. Submission of a proposal does not guarantee its acceptance. Acceptance of a proposal does not guarantee its funding. Funding is provided on the basis of delivery of services at a mutually agreed upon cost. Funding is also contingent upon the level of resources granted to the area.

7. Agreements entered into as a result of this process may either be based on reimbursement of costs or based upon performance. The WIB/PCWDC retains the right to decide which form of agreement is in the best interest of the WIB/PCWDC and its customers.

COMPREHENSIVE YOUTH SERVICES UNDER THE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT

Under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, the framework for comprehensive youth services consists of ten program elements that focus on four major themes:

  • improving educational achievement
  • preparing for and succeeding in employment
  • supporting youth through adult mentoring, guidance and counseling
  • offering services intended to develop the potential of youth as citizens and leaders

WIA moves the workforce development system away from short-term interventions by emphasizing the long-term development of youth through a systematic approach that offers a broad range of coordinated services. Programs must reflect an age continuum of services that plans for the needs of youth as they move through the workforce development system. In total, youth activities must provide a menu of services that may be provided in combination or alone at different stages of the youth’s development. Priority will be given to those programs that demonstrate coordinated comprehensive youth services.

The delivery of youth services in Passaic County must include a variety of the ten required program elements as described in WIA section 129 ( c ) ( 2):

  1. tutoring, study skills, training and instruction leading to completion of secondary school, including dropout prevention strategies;
  2. alternative secondary school services, as appropriate;
  3. summer employment opportunities that are directly linked to academic and occupational learning;
  4. as appropriate, paid and unpaid work experiences, including internship and job shadowing;
  5. occupational skill training, as appropriate;
  6. leadership development opportunities, which may include community service, peer-centered activities encouraging responsibility and other positive social behavior during non-school hours, as appropriate;
  7. supportive services;
  8. adult mentoring for a period of participation and a subsequent period, for a total of not less than 12 months;
  9. followup services for not less than 12 months after the completion of participation, as appropriate; and
  10. comprehensive guidance and counseling, which may include drug, alcohol abuse counseling and referral, as appropriate.

Programs funded by sources other than WIA may be included in the program mix and will be viewed as an in-kind contribution to the youth service offerings. The overall goal is to maximize the youth’s access to all program elements and workforce investment opportunities. These opportunities do not need to be fully realized under this solicitation, rather they should be included as part of the entire workplace preparation strategy for the youth. Youth may participate in more than one of the ten required program elements and all youth must receive a minimum of twelve months of follow-up services.

The law stipulates three program design features for funded youth activities:

  • provide an objective assessment of the academic levels, skill levels, and service needs of each participant, which assessment shall include a review of basic skills, occupational skills, prior work experience, employability, interests, aptitudes (including interests and aptitudes for nontraditional jobs), supportive service needs, and developmental needs of such participant, except that a new assessment of participants is not required if the provider carrying out such a program determines it is appropriate to use a recent assessment of the participant conducted pursuant to another education or training program
  • develop service strategies for each participant that shall identify an employment goal (including, in appropriate circumstances, nontraditional employment), appropriate achievement objectives, and appropriate services for the participant taking into account the assessment conducted pursuant to subparagraph (A), except that a new service strategy for a participant is not required if the provider carrying out such a program determines it is appropriate to use a recent service strategy developed for the participant under another education or training program; and
  • provide:
  • preparation for post-secondary educational opportunities, in appropriate cases;
  • strong linkages between academic and occupational learning;
  • preparation for unsubsidized employment opportunities, in appropriate cases; and
  • effective connections to intermediaries with strong links to the job market and

local and regional employers.

NOTE: The WIB/PCWDC intends to satisfy the requirements for objective assessment and the development of service strategies. A new assessment is not necessary if there is a recent assessment of the youth developed by another education or training program, however, objective assessments must include all elements as specified in the law.

All enrollees must satisfy the requirements of the law, however, the Passaic County Youth Investment Council has targeted the hardest-to-serve out-of-school youth for services, including those who have special needs, such as juvenile offenders, disabled and school dropouts.

PERFORMANCE ACCOUNTABILITY

Under WIA, a comprehensive performance accountability system is developed to assess the effectiveness of local areas in achieving continuous improvement of workforce investment activities. The core measurements are defined as the key indicators of success in achieving legislative goals of the WIA.

Core indicators of performance for youth are:

YOUTH AGES 19-21

  • entry into unsubsidized employment
  • retention in unsubsidized employment 6 months after entry into employment
  • earnings received in unsubsidized employment 6 months after entry into employment
  • attainment of a recognized credential relating to achievement of educational skills, which may include attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, or occupational skills, by participants who enter unsubsidized employment, or by participants who are eligible youth age 19 through 21 who enter postsecondary education, advanced training, or unsubsidized employment

YOUTH AGES 14-18

  • attainment of basic skills and, as appropriate, work readiness or occupational skills
  • attainment of secondary schools diplomas and their recognized equivalent
  • placement and retention in postsecondary education or advanced training, or placement and retention in military service, employment, or qualified apprenticeships

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

The WIA requires inclusion of Customer Satisfaction measures. To meet this requirement, customer satisfaction surveys conducted after the conclusion of participation in workforce investment activities will be used to gauge satisfaction for employers and participants. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ASCI) will be used to measure customer satisfaction.

FOLLOW-UP

Follow-up services for a minimum of 12 months after program termination are required under WIA. The follow-up should be linked to the additional needs of the youth as well as the economic conditions in the region. Programs need to be designed in consideration of follow-up as a required component.

SUMMER PROGRAM SERVICES

The Workforce Investment Act does notauthorize stand alone summer programs and participation should be integrated into a comprehensive strategy for addressing each youth’s employment and training needs. The comprehensive strategy should be based on developing the skills that each youth needs to become an active part of the economy. All youth must receive some form of follow-up services for a minimum of twelve months after exit from one of the ten program elements. The scope of follow-up services may be less intensive for youth that participate in the summer, however, follow-up remains a requirement. Performance indicators will be the same for youth participating in services primarily conducted during the summer as for those in year-round activities.

YOUTH ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT

To be considered eligible for services under the Workforce Investment Act, youth must:

  • be 14 to 21 years of age, and
  • meet low income requirements, and
  • face the challenges associated with at least one of the following:

(1)school dropout

(2)basic literacy skills deficient (one or more grade levels below the age appropriate level)

(3)homeless, runaway or foster child

(4)pregnant or parenting

(5)offender

(6)an individual (including disabled youth) who requires additional assistance to complete an educational program or secure and hold employment

(Workforce Investment Act, Section 101, 13.)

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

For purposes of submitting a proposal, a complete package is one that includes original signatures from an individual authorized to enter proposer into an agreement, signed Assurances and Certifications (Attachment A), required cost information, and all supporting documentation as requested. The top page of the submission must be page 1, Youth Program Proposal; please do not return the instructions, General Information for Offerors, pages A-H. A separate proposal must be submitted for each program proposed.

For each training program/service offered, please submit one original and six copies of the proposal as described.

Regardless of compliance with proposal constraints, the Workforce Investment Board of Passaic County/Passaic County Workforce Development Center reserves the right to reject any proposal that presents false, misleading or inaccurate information. It is incumbent upon the proposer to be able to document any claims or results discussed in a proposal. That which cannot be substantiated may be cause for rejection of the entire proposal. Please note: proposals cannot be accepted by fax or e-mail.

All proposals must be submitted by 12:00 noon on Monday, March 12, 2001 to the

PCWDC Planning Department at 388 Lakeview Avenue, Clifton, New Jersey 07011.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Technical assistance is available through the Planning Department (973) 340-3400 extension 7113. Please be advised that the PCWDC can only entertain questions related to the preparation and context of a proposal. To ensure consistency with procurement regulations, at no time will responses be given to questions regarding the potential approval or disapproval of a proposal. Any questions regarding proposal preparation should be directed to the Planning Department. It is suggested that offerors review the RFP package prior to preparing their response.

There will be an optional Technical Assistance meeting on

Tuesday, February 27, 2001 at 3:00 p.m. at 388 Lakeview Avenue, Clifton.

Prior to the technical assistance meeting, questions should be sent to the PCWDC Planning Department in writing by mail, fax, 973-340-7214, or e-mail, before noon on February 27th.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated based upon their content and appropriateness. To determine service utilization, a review team will evaluate offers for consistency with organization needs, regulatory requirements and appropriateness of services and results. The following criteria will be considered in the review process:

SERVICE APPROVAL (Yes/No)

All services subject to accreditation will be reviewed for the appropriateness of approval. Approvals must come from the applicable State of New Jersey office, must be current and renewable for the proposed time period. If a program is subject to approval but does not currently have it, the offeror must be approved prior to use of the service/course/program. Procedures for the eligibility of training providers as described by the New Jersey Department of Labor must be followed. Any additional information, where requested or applicable should be included.

I. PROPOSAL DISCUSSION AND DESIGN (40 points)

The reviewers will assess the content of the proposal, its logistics, structure and method of operation. Offerors should clearly indicate how the service will be provided, its structure and how it will benefit the target groups. Reviewers will assess this section based upon the discussion for the proposed service and consistent with client needs and stated objectives. This includes the opportunities the service provides and the ability to provide customers with skills and outcomes required for self-sufficiency.

Services in remedial fields must be geared towards attaining a high school diploma or equivalency. Occupational training must be provided in fields where there is a demand in the area served. The review will assess the proposal for details supporting the demand for the specific training in the local market area. The offer should include a discussion of employment opportunities, career and advancement growth and demonstrate consistency with the intent of the Workforce Investment Act. A complete discussion of the skills, including skills standards and competencies, is required for services offering training.

The evaluation will include the discussion of: targeted population, program objectives, curriculum, implementation schedule, qualifications and technical capacity of the proposer. Services must be designed consistent with the skills needs of the targeted population and area employers.

II. DEMONSTRATED EFFECTIVENESS AND OUTCOME DISCUSSION (20 points)

This criteria considers an assessment of the proposer’s demonstrated effectiveness in providing this or similar services in the past. Results indicate past successes and the proposed potential for future success. The discussion must include a description of the way services work to maintain relationships with participants. The analysis will include a review of these results and consider its potential consistency with the population served by Passaic County.

Any services for individuals who are not full-time, in-school students must present a clear discussion of the steps taken by the proposer to assist the customer in job search. The PCWDC should be able to understand how the offeror will ensure that individuals receiving a service from the proposal will be prepared for a job search process and what job seeking skills any client/customer in the service may attain. Programs providing job placement for out-of-school youth are required to work with the One-Stop system.

Reviewers will assess the placement issue based upon the offeror’s ability to adequately explain the placement process/assistance. Evaluation will also consider the appropriateness of the field for customers, the potential for growth and, where applicable, references from employers who have given jobs to individuals who have received the proposed services.

The Workforce Investment Act requires follow-up activities for youth for a minimum of 12 months following program exit. A follow-up plan must include the specific services, the frequency and length of services as well as a discussion of the resources that will be used for the services.

  1. BUDGET, COST EFFECTIVENESS AND FINANCIAL STATUS (20 points)

The reviewers must be able to determine the financial viability of the offeror. The offeror must provide evidence of the ability to cover any disallowed costs; ability to exist without funding; cover expenditures prior to reimbursements or performance payments; and safeguard any funds which are received as a result of any agreement. Adequacy of the offeror will be assessed based on the ability to clearly demonstrate financial solvency, structure and capacity.