TO: Employers’ Training Resource Program Year 2013-14 Youth Subrecipients
FROM: Daniel C. Smith, Director
Employers' Training Resource
DATE: March 31, 2014
SUBJECT: Request for Refunding (RFR) for Program Year 2014-15
Limited to Current Subrecipients under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) for Combined and Farmworker-only Programs
DUE DATE: Monday, April 14, 2014, 3:00 p.m.
A. GENERAL INFORMATION
Employers’ Training Resource (ETR) is accepting Request for Refunding (RFR) applications from entities interested in continuing to provide current program offerings under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) for Program Year (PY) 2014-15 (July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015). This application is limited to subrecipients that currently have reimbursement contracts with ETR to carry out WIA programs or services. Current programs and services may be refunded to serve WIA Adults, Dislocated Workers, Older Youth, and Farmworkers residing in Kern County.
It is expected that subgrant agreements for PY 2014-15 will include all the terms and conditions of the current subgrant agreements. As always, some sections may be updated to comply with Federal, State and/or County requirements and, in some instances, information contained may be updated.
Responses to this RFR must be received at Employers’ Training Resource (Administration), America’s Job Center of California, 1600 East Belle Terrace, Bakersfield, CA, 93307 no later than 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2014. If hand delivered, responses must be taken to the receptionist on the second floor [second floor east wing administrative office].
B. PROGRAM YEAR 2014-15 FUNDING UNCERTAINTY
ETR has not received final PY 2014-15 funding allocations from the United States Department of Labor (DOL) and the State of California. For the purpose of this refunding application, we ask that you propose budgets similar to or lower than current levels. Any proposed budget increases must be justified. You may drop program components or activities if necessary, but may not add any programs not funded in PY 2013-14.
Funding for subgrants under this RFR is available under Title I of WIA and may be supplemented by funds from other sources. Recommended funding to individual agencies may be based on total funding levels, performance, alignment with our Local Workforce Investment Area Five Year Plan found at http://www.etronline.com/wib/wia-five-year-plan.pdf and the industry clusters identified in the Plan, geographical location, economic conditions and other factors. The industry clusters in the Five Year Plan are Healthcare, Manufacturing and/or Logistics, Public Sector Infrastructure/Construction, and Energy and Natural Resources. ETR reserves the right to fund all or portions of this RFR.
C. MOVE TOWARDS VENDOR/TUITION MODEL FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS AND DISLOCATED WORKERS
Faced with continuing funding reductions and in order to comply with our approved Five Year Plan, future funding of reimbursement contracted classroom-size “training” for WIA Adults and Dislocated Workers will be limited. In order to maximize training opportunities and meet required performance measures, most training programs will be offered on a “per client” basis funded via Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) for tuition-based courses through vendors or On-the-Job Training (OJT) with employers. This approach ensures that training dollars are not tied up in reimbursement contracts for programs that are under-enrolled and/or not producing graduates who can be quickly placed in jobs that meet the required wage targets. Classroom-size training procured via the ITA “exception” method may be used for special grants or exceptional circumstances. ETR may continue to fund classroom-size “intensive” services such as English-as-a-Second Language (ESL), basic skills, work experience, etc. Therefore current providers are strongly advised to adapt their training programs to the vendor/tuition model. All training programs must be on the CalJOBS Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) by July 1, 2014, in order to receive referrals. ETR will provide technical assistance with that process.
D. BACKGROUND
ETR is the WIA grant recipient and administrative entity for the Kern, Inyo, and Mono Counties Consortium and is responsible for providing workforce development programs primarily through the America’s Job Centers of California located throughout the consortium. The Local Workforce Investment Board (LWIB) operates in partnership with local elected officials and is responsible for planning and overseeing local programs, developing the local plan, designating local one-stop operators, designating eligible providers of training services, and negotiating local performance measures.
E. WIA PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Below are the Program Year 2013-14 Performance Goals for Employers’ Training Resource (Kern/Inyo/Mono Consortium) issued by the State of California and the Department of Labor. For purposes of this RFR, we will be using these levels in evaluating programs for Program Year 2014-15 funding.
PROGRAM YEAR 2013-14 PERFORMANCE GOALS*
KERN/INYO/MONO CONSORTIUM
Performance Goals / Adult / Dislocated Workers / Migrant/Seasonal Farmworkers1. Entered Employment / 72.0% / 76.0% / 80.5%
2. Retention Rate / 82.0% / 84.5% / 76.5%
3. Average Earnings
At Six Months and
Average Hourly Wage (based on 40 hour week) / $12,700
$12.21/hour / $15,000
$14.42/hour / $10,049
$9.67/hour
Youth Performance Goals (State Common Measures)
1. Placement in Employment or Education / 64.6%
2. Attainment of Degree or Certificate / 60.0%
3. Literacy and Numeracy Gains / 25.0%
* Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth goals per EDD Directive #WSD13-6 (12/10/13)
F. NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS
As a result of the negotiation process, ETR reserves the right to:
· Fund all or portions of this request; and
· Use sources of funds other than WIA to fund all or portions of a program.
G. WITHDRAWAL OF APPLICATION
· Applications may be withdrawn by written request of the authorized signatory on the applicant’s letterhead at any time before the deadline.
H. GENERAL RESERVATIONS
· ETR reserves the right to cancel in part or in its entirety this RFR, if it is in the best interest of ETR to do so.
· ETR reserves the right to extend the submission deadline. In the event the deadline is extended, proposers have the right to revise their applications.
· ETR makes no representation that any contract will be awarded to any applicant responding to this RFR.
· ETR reserves the right to request additional information or documentation. Unclear, incomplete, and/or inaccurate applications may not be considered for refunding.
· ETR reserves the right to verify all information in the application. Falsification of any information will result in disqualification.
· ETR reserves the right to reject any or all applications when they are not responsive to the specifications of this RFR.
· If approved for funding, contracts may be negotiated, and contracts may contain additional terms or terms different from those set forth in this RFR.
· Funding levels for requested programs are contingent upon the final allocations received. If funding is reduced ETR reserves the right to renegotiate subgrants funded through this RFR process.
· The U.S. Congress is considering bills for reauthorization of WIA, which may change elements of program design or objectives. Therefore, acceptance of any proposal under this RFR is subject to negotiated changes required by the final WIA Reauthorization, or State or local requirements resulting from it.
· Funded service providers shall be subject to all applicable Federal, State, and local WIB policies and regulations.
I. APPLICATION REVIEW
All refunding applications will be reviewed by ETR staff to determine if the proposed program changes, if any, meet local workforce development needs; that contractual obligations and performance goals for the current Program Year (PY 2013-14) through December, 2013, and prior Program Year are being met; that costs are necessary and reasonable; and that the program aligns with our approved Five Year Plan.
If performance goals and/or reporting requirements are not being met, agencies must provide 1) an explanation for any deficiencies and 2) a corrective action plan to address such deficiencies before any new contract will be issued. Agencies not meeting contracted goals may receive a reduction in funding or zero funding.
Each agency is encouraged to contact its designated ETR Departmental Analyst before completing the refunding application for any suggested program design improvements or changes.
J. APPEALS PROCESS
When a proposal is not recommended to the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) for refunding, and the agency can show that the application did not receive due consideration or that other irregularities existed, the agency may appeal the recommendation to the WIB. The appeal must be in writing and submitted to the Director of ETR no later than five business days after the Kern, Inyo, and Mono Counties WIB meeting at which the funding recommendations were approved. An ETR “Appeal Request Form” must accompany all appeal requests. Specific reasons for the appeal must be included and should address, and be limited to, the issues of due consideration and/or irregularities of process as noted above.
The ETR Director will forward all appeals to the Executive Committee of the WIB. The Executive Committee will be responsible for reviewing applications, evaluation forms, or other related information to determine if the grounds for the appeal are substantiated. This Committee will have the authority to reconsider funding recommendations if warranted. Decisions of the Executive Committee are final. A decision of the Executive Committee will be made and transmitted to the agency and the WIB no later than three weeks (or 15 business days) after the deadline to submit appeals. The County of Kern Board of Supervisors will be notified of final funding recommendations.
K. CONTRACT TERM
The funding period for this RFR is July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, and is governed under the Request for Proposal dated February 8, 2012. This is the final year of refunding eligibility under Local Workforce Investment Area policy. ETR reserves the right to modify the scope of any program to any extent necessary to insure compliance with State and/or Federal guidelines. ETR reserves the right to extend contracts for future funding periods on the basis of decisions made as a result of this RFR process.
L. MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
ETR will conduct a monitoring review of all contracts at least once each program year. Unresolved previous monitoring findings may result in a contract not being awarded, or may delay the release of funds until all findings are closed.
For further information concerning this application, contact your assigned ETR Departmental Analyst at (661) 336-6893.
REQUEST FOR REFUNDING
PROGRAM YEAR 2014-15
(JULY 1, 2014 - JUNE 30, 2015)
INSTRUCTIONS
A. To be considered for refunding for Program Year 2014-15, submit one original packet with signatures and three (3) copies. Proposals must be received by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2014. Copies of all forms are available in electronic format on www.etronline.com.
B. Provided for your use in preparing your application are the following forms and information:
Attachment A Organizational Summary/Signature Page and Certification of Proposal Content by Authorized Representative
Attachment B WIA Activity Summary for Combined or Farmworker-only programs
(one per activity)
Attachment C Activity Budget (one per activity)
Attachment D Nondebarment Certification (one per agency) and Instructions
Attachment E Certification Regarding Lobbying (one per agency)
Attachment F Drug-Free Workplace Certification (one per agency)
Attachment G Child Support Compliance Act Certification (one per agency)
Attachment H Disallowed Costs Statement (one per agency)
Attachment I Certificate of Good Standing (one per agency)
Attachment J Certificate of Compliance (one per agency)
In addition, applications must be accompanied with the following (as applicable):
1. Financial Statements - Applicants MUST provide a complete copy of their most recent audited financial statements and, if applicable, the accompanying auditor’s report in compliance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-133. ETR will review the audit documents for audit findings and major issues and will take into consideration any audit findings and/or major issues in determining if the agency is at high risk for monitor findings and disallowed costs. Serious financial issues may disqualify the applicant from refunding consideration.
2. Certificate of Insurance with minimum Best’s Rating of A-, VII (or comparable) for commercial general liability; automobile liability insurance, if applicable; workers’ compensation coverage for paid positions; professional liability (errors and omissions, if appropriate); and fidelity bond coverage; and
3. W-9 “Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification” only if any information has changed since last year’s subgrant.
C. Submit applications to: Employers’ Training Resource (Administration)
America’s Job Center of California
1600 East Belle Terrace
Bakersfield, CA 93307
Submission of this application for refunding does not commit ETR to award a contract. ETR reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications received as a result of this request.
For technical assistance related to this application, please call your assigned ETR Departmental Analyst at (661) 336-6893.
Page 2 of 23 Rev. 2-20-2014
Attachment A
ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY/SIGNATURE PAGE
Name of Organization:Legal Name (if different):
Mailing Address:
City, State, Zip:
Tax I.D. Number:
Contact Person/Title:
Phone Number:
Fax Number:
E-mail Address:
Physical Address of Facility:
City, State, Zip:
Billing Address (if different):
City, State, Zip:
How is Organization Certified? / ____ Bureau for Postsecondary Education (BPPE)
____ Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) ____ N/A ___ Other
If N/A or Other, explain:
Are facilities accessible to the disabled or reasonable accommodations available? / ___ Yes ___ No
Is Organization free from political activity? / ___ Yes ___ No
Is Organization covered by a written grievance procedure? / ___ Yes ___ No
Is financial aid available to students? / ___ Yes ___ No
If yes, list types:
Has Organization previously contracted with ETR?
If yes, last year of funding and amount: / ___ Yes ___ No
Year ______Amount $ ______
Does Organization contract with other Workforce Investment Areas? / ___ Yes ___ No
If yes, name of other local areas and programs:
Approval of Authorized Representative
Name:
Title: / Signature Date
CERTIFICATION OF PROPOSAL CONTENT BY AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE