Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation
WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA) TITLE I OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH PROGRAM
Request for Proposals for the Central Region
Centre · Clinton · Columbia · Lycoming · Mifflin · Montour · Northumberland · Snyder · Union
Issue Date: October 21, 2015
Submission Deadline: November 19, 2015
The enclosed specifications may be modified as required by the United States Department of Labor, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, the Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board or the Central Pennsylvania Local Elected Officials Board without prior notice to Proposers.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Introduction 3
CPWDC 3
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) 3
Purpose of Request for Proposal 4
Section 2: RFP Process and Instructions for Submitting a Proposal 5
Eligible Applicants 5
Expected Timeline 5
Technical Assistance 5
Proposal Submission 6
Review Process 6
Section 3: WIOA Eligibility and Required Youth Program Elements 7
WIOA Out-of-School Youth Eligibility 7
WIOA Youth Service Delivery 8
WIOA Youth Required Program Elements 8
Other Requirements/Scope of Work 9
Required Outcomes 15
Section 4: Proposal Budget 16
Estimated Allocations 16
Leveraging Resources 17
Proposal Budget 17
Section 5: Proposal 18
I. Cover Sheet/ Agreement and Checklist 18
II. Executive Summary 18
III. Proposal Narrative 18
A. Organizational Capacity and Relevant Experience 18
B. Staffing Plan 18
C. Relationships and Collaboration 19
D. Facilities 19
E. Youth Recruitment Strategies 19
F. WIOA Youth Service Delivery- Program Design 19
G. WIOA Required Program Elements/Other Requirements 19
H. Program Delivery and Implementation of the Program Design 20
I. Performance and Outcomes 21
IV. Budget 21
A. Budget Narrative 21
B. Budget Form – Attachment 6 21
Section 6: Disclaimer 23
Section 1: Introduction
CPWDC
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the authority of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) established the Central Region Local Workforce Area to include Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Mifflin, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties (referred to as Central Region). The Central Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board (WIB), incorporated as the 501(c)(3) non-profit Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation, is the grant recipient and administrator of these and other employment and training funds received for programs operated throughout the Central Region. New authorizing legislation, the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) is effective July 1, 2015 and establishes each WIB as a Workforce Development Board (WDB).
Designated as a WIB and now a WDB, CPWDC has a federal mandate to be the lead organization for workforce development planning and to arrange for a system of service delivery that meets the workforce needs of business and the public alike. Every year, each workforce investment area receives a designated allotment of formula funds designated to serve youth. CPWDC is responsible for developing and implementing strategies around a broad workforce development agenda. CPWDC’s diverse partners in the workforce development system range from public agencies, to private and non-profit businesses, to education and training providers, to community and economic development partnerships, to job seekers using the PA CareerLink® system.
CPWDC is governed by a private sector led Workforce Development Board and one Commissioner from each of the nine counties in the Central Region who serve on the Local Elected Officials Board. The CPWDC Youth Council is a standing committee of the WDB that manages and directs the local operation of contracted WIOA Youth Title I workforce development programs. Comprised of WDB Members and other stakeholder representatives such as those from business, education, juvenile justice, and youth serving organizations, Youth Council members are interested in promoting academic and career readiness of youth in the Central Region. The mission of the Youth Council is to advocate, promote policy and offer services that provide our youth with meaningful opportunities to access the knowledge and skill sets necessary to succeed in careers, as employees and productive members of our communities. The Youth Council is charged to provide oversight, distribute funds, and manage contracts for youth service delivery. Youth funds support programs which serve youth based on eligibility factors as defined in WIOA.
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
The federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), P.L. 105-220 was enacted by Congress on August 7, 1998. Final regulations were issued on August 11, 2000 under 20 CFR Part 652 through 671. Both documents can be accessed at: www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/wia/act.cfm. Title I of the Act provided for comprehensive, year-round youth programs for eligible out-of-school youth. Program providers under WIA were required to develop strategies for innovative, comprehensive programs based on principles such as preparation for post-secondary opportunities, linkages between academic and occupational learning and connections to the local job market.
The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act was signed into law on July 22, 2014. The Act can be accessed at: http://www.doleta.gov/wioa/pdf/WIOA-enrolled-bill.pdf and additional information can be accessed at: www.doleta.gov/WIOA. WIOA Notice of Proposed Rule Making is available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/04/16/2015-05530/workforce-innovation-and-opportunity-act. As in WIA, Title I of the Act provides for comprehensive, year-round youth programs for eligible out-of-school youth but also emphasizes the streamlining of services and improvements to youth programs including strong required connections between academic and occupational learning. In addition, WIOA places a strong emphasis on Career Pathways, as defined in WIOA Section 3 (7) and additional Common Measures of performance that include retention, median earnings and skill gains.
Providers must comply with WIOA and its regulations, however, WIA Common Measures for performance will remain in effect until July 1, 2016 when WIOA Common Measures for performance will take effect.
WIA and WIOA both distinguish between an in-school youth (ISY) program and an out-of-school youth (OSY) program. The Youth Council recognizes that each group, ISY and OSY, have different program design needs. OSY are defined as eligible youth who are not attending any school, including secondary or post-secondary; they must be between the ages of 16 and 24 at the time of enrollment, and meet one or more other barriers further defined in this RFP.
Both WIA and WIOA have required program elements which can be grouped around four major themes. Priorities include:
§ improving educational achievement
§ preparing for and succeeding in employment
§ supporting youth
§ offering services intended to develop the potential of youth as citizens and leaders
Purpose of Request for Proposal
CPWDC, through this RFP, competitively seeks one or more qualified providers to deliver comprehensive career development, work readiness, placement and follow-up services to young people not currently attached to any school and with barriers described herein. The funds under this RFP are intended to build upon existing programs/models in our community and create new services to assist those youth who have dropped out of school, or who have graduated, but are in need of special assistance to become successful in the labor market, or in post-secondary pursuits. CPWDC seeks a provider who will ensure OSY participate in a service strategy that will assist OSY in attaining meaningful goals of skill attainment, educational attainment, advanced training, and job placement outcomes.
CPWDC seeks a provider who will offer program services to targeted populations with recruitment emphasis to include neighborhoods determined to have the most significant populations of OSY. Provider(s) may focus recruitment on towns where Central Region PA CareerLink® sites are located and/or additional towns or areas with an identified need. Proposals may include services in any or all of the Central Region as proposals from multiple respondents will be considered.
Note that this request uses the singular form of proposer, provider, etc. although CPWDC may choose to select more than one proposal/provider. CPWDC will determine the number of contracts awarded based on proposals received. CPWDC has the right to fund a lower ranked proposal over a higher ranked proposal because of valid policy considerations, including but not limited to geographical consideration and target populations.
Funds released through this RFP will be contracted to provide WIOA Title I OSY services in the Central Region from January 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017, with an option to extend funding annually for up to three years through June 30, 2020 based on successful performance outcomes and available funding. Awarded contracts will be cost-allocation with a performance based component. By submitting a proposal, an organization agrees they must adhere to any and all Federal, State, and CPWDC policy changes. CPWDC is an equal opportunity employer.
Section 2: RFP Process and Instructions for Submitting a Proposal
Eligible Applicants
Proposals will be accepted from any private for-profit entity, public or private non-profit entity, government agency, local educational agency, community-based organization, or labor organization that demonstrates the experience and/or capacity to deliver programs to the identified eligible population. The following entities are encouraged to apply: (not limited to)
§ Education entities, including school districts or Career and Technology Centers (CTCs)
§ Community-based organizations, social service agencies, public housing agencies, juvenile probation departments or other related programs dealing with youth
§ PA CareerLink® partners
§ Other for- or not-for-profit organizations
Eligible organizations with or without previous experience as a contractor with CPWDC are encouraged to submit proposals. Proposals from consortia, partnerships or other combinations of organizations are allowable, but proposals must identify one organization as the lead agency with which CPWDC will subcontract directly.
Proposers must agree to a provision of services and demonstrate an ability to fulfill requirements according to Agreement of Basic Requirements found in Attachment 1.
Expected Timeline
Proposers will follow the timeline:
RFP Released:(Available at www.cpwdc.org ) / October 21, 2015
Questions Submitted by: / ongoing until October 30, 2015
Answers Posted by:
(Available at www.cpwdc.org) / ongoing until November 5, 2015
Notify CPWDC of Intent to Submit Proposal by: (emailed to ) / November 6, 2015
Proposals Due: / November 19, 2015
Evaluation Committee Review and Negotiations Begin: / November 20, 2015
Recommendation to WDB and LEO Board: / December 9, 2015
Notification on Status of Proposals: / December 9, 2015
Contract(s) Start: / January 1, 2016
Technical Assistance
Technical Assistance will be provided through a written question and answer format. Applicants will be given an opportunity to identify specific questions and submit them in writing to CPWDC via email only. Questions must be emailed by 4:00 P.M. on October 30, 2015 to:
Korrie Lucas, Operations Manager, , and
Answers to submitted questions will be posted on www.cpwdc.org within 4 business days of receipt and all questions will be answered by November 5, 2015. Consistent with strict procurement policies, CPWDC will provide no technical or program assistance to individual proposers.
Proposal Submission
Responses must be typed, using at least a 10-point font and be single sided with 1-inch margins. Proposals should be stapled in the upper left-hand corner (not bound) and must have page numbers in the lower right hand corner. Proposers are expected to comply with the page limitations for each section of the response as listed in Section 5 of the RFP.
One (1) original copy with signatures should be submitted to:
Korrie Lucas
Operations Manager
Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation
130 Kelly Square, Suite 1
Lewisburg, PA 17837
RE: WIOA Out-of-School Youth Proposal
One copy should be submitted electronically to:
RE: Out-of-School Youth Proposal
Proposals that are in response to this RFP are due no later than 4:00 P.M. on November 19, 2015. Late submissions will not be considered.
Review Process
Stage 1: CPWDC staff will initially evaluate each proposal for acceptability, with emphasis placed on completeness and responsiveness to requisite program criteria.
§ All required services for the program are addressed
§ All requested information and documentation is included
§ The proposal is submitted in accordance with the RFP
§ The narrative meets the minimum review score required for Stage 2
Stage 2: Proposals that have met the minimum criteria will then be reviewed and ranked by an Evaluation Committee. The Evaluation Committee is comprised of Youth Council and WDB Executive Committee members who have no fiduciary interest in competing for the WIOA Youth programs.
Stage 3: The recommendations of the Evaluation Committee will be presented to the full WDB for approval. The WDB will then make recommendations to the Local Elected Officials Board for contracting. Contracts will be issued directly to the selected provider(s) by CPWDC. It is anticipated that cost reimbursement contracts with performance based components will be awarded as a result of this RFP solicitation; providers will be reimbursed actual, allowable and allocable costs not to exceed the maximums stated in the contract.
Section 3: WIOA Eligibility and Required Youth Program Elements
WIOA Out-of-School Youth Eligibility
The selected provider is responsible for ensuring and properly documenting eligibility for each OSY enrolled as of the contract start. Eligibility for enrollment as an OSY is as follows (refer to WIOA Section 129(a)(1)(B) for complete detail):
1. US Citizen
2. Registered for Selective Service, if male and has reached eighteenth birthday
3. Not attending any school
4. Age 16-24
5. One or more of the following barriers:
· School Dropout
· Within age of compulsory school attendance but has not attended for most recent complete school year calendar quarter
· Secondary school diploma or equivalent and *low income and Basic Skills Deficient or English Language Learner
· Offender
· Homeless, runaway, foster care, aged out of foster care, eligible for assistance under Sec 477 SS Act, or out of home placement
· Pregnant or Parenting
· Disability
· Requires Additional Assistance to complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment and *low income. According to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making, “Requires Additional Assistance” may be defined by the state, or the state may allow the local area to define it. The state has not provided guidance as of the release date of this RFP. Until further notice, CPWDC defines “Requires Additional Assistance” for WIOA eligibility in the same way it was defined for WIA:
o Part of a family who has received medical assistance, LIHEAP assistance or public housing/rent subsidy within the past 6 months; or