Workforce Investment Act

Out-of-School Youth Program

LWIA-1

 

Request for Proposals

 

Issued By:

 

Alliance for Business & Training

 

Northeast Tennessee Workforce

Investment Board

 

Northeast Tennessee

Youth Council

 

Submission Date:  Open

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page Number

 

CONTACT PERSON................................................................................................... 2

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS............................................................................... 2

INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................ 3

SCOPE OF SERVICES................................................................................................ 3

LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND............................................................................... 4

SPECIFIC YOUTH PURPOSES OF WIA.................................................................. 5
RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION............................................. 5
BIDDER QUALIFICATIONS.................................................................................... 6

SUGGESTED COLLABORATION AND LINKAGES............................................ 6

ELIGIBLE YOUTH...................................................................................................... 7

WIA REFERENCE TABLE FOR LOW INCOME CRITERIA.............................. 7

REQUIRED YOUTH PROGRAM ELEMENTS...................................................... 8

DESCRIPTION OF YOUTH PROGRAM ELEMENTS.......................................... 9

OTHER PROGRAM COMPONENTS.................................................................... 13

PROGRAM OUTCOMES AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES........................ 15

REQUIRED LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE.......................................................... 16

PROPOSAL REVIEW PROCESS............................................................................ 16

TERMS AND CONDITIONS................................................................................... 17

CONTRACT AWARD............................................................................................... 17

PERIOD OF CONTRACT PERFORMANCE........................................................ 18

OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH PROGRAM RFP TIMELINE.................................. 18

REQUIRED PROPOSAL FORMAT....................................................................... 19

LIST OF REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS................................................................ 21

REQUIRED PROPOSAL BUDGET SHEETS........................................................ 22

APPENDIX................................................................................................................. 28

EVALUATION CRITERIA....................................................................................... 29

DEFINITIONS........................................................................................................... 31

YOUTH COUNCIL VISION, MISSION, AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES............ 33

SCANS FOUNDATION SKILLS............................................................................. 34

SAMPLE CONTRACT.............................................................................................. 35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I.       CONTACT PERSON

         

          All questions concerning this RFP should be directed to:

 

                        Barbara McCray, Youth Coordinator

                        Alliance for Business and Training

Phone: (423) 547-7515 Ext. 140

                        Fax:      (423) 547-7522

E-mail: bmccray@ab-t.org

 

 

II.      SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

 

All proposals must be printed on white 8 1/2” by 11” paper using a 12-point Times New Roman font with pages numbered sequentially.  The original proposal must be placed in a 3 ring binder and each copy of the proposal must be stapled firmly in the upper left hand corner or bound.  Paper clips or other removable fasteners are not acceptable.

 

To be considered for funding, the original proposal, including letter(s) of commitment with original signature(s) of authorized agency signatory, twelve (12) stapled copies, and a labeled computer disk containing the proposal in a Microsoft Word format must be submitted.  Faxed or e-mailed proposals will not be accepted.

 

It is the responsibility of the bidder to ensure that the proposal is received by the Alliance for Business and Training.  This is an open RFP and there is no current closing date for proposals.  Proposals will be reviewed and considered for funding as they are received.  This RFP will remain open until all available funding has been allocated.

 

Proposals may be mailed to:

                        Alliance for Business and Training

                        P.O. Box 249

                        Elizabethton, Tennessee  37644

                        Attn: Request for Proposal

 

Proposals may be hand delivered to:

                        Alliance for Business and Training (2nd Floor)

386 Highway 91

                        Elizabethton, Tennessee  37643

                        Attn: Request for Proposal

 

 

 

 

III.    INTRODUCTION

 

The Alliance for Business and Training, in cooperation with the Northeast Tennessee Career Centers, Northeast Tennessee Youth Council, and Northeast Tennessee Workforce Investment Board, is accepting proposals for the operation of a training and employment program to serve out-of-school youth.  Out-of-school youth are youth between the ages of 17-21 who are either high school graduates or high school dropouts.  Programs will be funded under the Workforce Investment Act, and training may be offered at either a single location or multiple locations in Carter, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and/or Washington Counties.  Program providers will be responsible for recruitment of eligible youth, provision of occupational skills training, and placement of trained youth into unsubsidized employment.

 

 

 IV.   SCOPE OF SERVICES

 

Program youth must be out-of-school youth and must meet the WIA eligibility criteria of low income and be unemployed or underemployed.  Training programs must be skills-based, resulting in attainment of a credential, and must be designed to prepare youth to work in high-demand occupations that will provide a self-sufficient wage.  Highest consideration will be given to proposals that design training programs to meet current employers’ training needs and develop partnerships with area employers to hire youth upon completion of proposed training program.

 

Youth who are basic skills deficient must be provided academic services to assist in skills gains. Any youth who does not possess a high school diploma must be provided GED preparation. This basic skills instruction and/or GED preparation may be provided prior to, or run concurrently with, occupational skills training. All programs must either provide these academic services directly or make referral to academic services to assist in skills gains and/or GED preparation. Work Readiness skills may also be provided to help prepare youth for work by assuring that rained youth are familiar with workplace expectations and exhibit work behaviors and attitudes necessary to compete successfully in the labor market.

 

The proposed training programs cannot exceed a 12-month period.  Total contract period will include time prior to training for recruitment and an additional three months following training to allow placement of trained youth into unsubsidized employment.  A maximum amount per contract will be determined based on the number of proposals received, the type of training proposed, and the total number of youth to be trained.

 

 

 

 

 

V.              LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND

 

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L.105-220) was signed into law on August 7, 1998.  The Northeast Tennessee Workforce Investment Board is responsible for the administration and oversight of WIA programs operated in Local Workforce Investment Area 1 (LWIA 1).   LWIA 1 includes Carter, Johnson, Sullivan, Washington, and Unicoi counties in Northeast Tennessee.  The Act also requires the appointment of a Youth Council, to operate as a subcommittee of the WIB, which is responsible for the planning, oversight, and recommendation of programs and activities for youth, consistent with Title I, Section 129 of the Act.  The Act specifies that program services for youth shall be procured on a competitive basis. This Request for Proposal (RFP) is the method by which potential providers compete for funding.

 

The intent of the Workforce Investment Act as it relates to youth is to increase the basic skills, occupational skills, employment, retention, and earnings for eligible WIA youth. This will result in the improved quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the nation.

 

Youth services are authorized by the Workforce Investment Act to serve eligible youth in two different age categories, older youth ages 19-21 at registration, and younger youth, ages 14-18 at registration. Please note that a youth registered as a younger youth will remain a younger youth throughout the program. A younger youth will not become an older youth when they turn 19. The Act also mandates youth services be provided to in-school as well as out-of-school youth and specifies that a minimum of 30% of youth funds must be spent on out-of-school youth. Youth served through this training program may fall into older or younger youth but must meet the definition of out of school youth.

 

This Request for Proposal is specifically for the operation of WIA training and employment programs for out-of-school youth in LWIA 1.  Out-of-school youth include youth who are high school graduates and are basic skills deficient, unemployed or underemployed and also include dropouts.  Programs will provide recruitment of eligible out-of-school youth, occupational skills training in a high demand occupational area, and placement into full time employment at a self-sufficient wage.

 

A youth who is basic skills deficient must be provided academic services to assist in skills gains. Any youth who does not possess a high school diploma must be provided GED preparation. This basic skills instruction and/or GED preparation may be provided prior to, or run concurrently with, occupational skills training. All programs must either provide these academic services or referral to academic services to assist in skills gains for basic skills deficient youth and/or GED preparation for those without a high school diploma.

 

 

 

 

VI.    SPECIFIC YOUTH PURPOSES OF WIA

 

Activities and projects funded under this Request for Proposal must address the purposes, intent, and program design specifications as defined in Title 1, Section 129 of the Workforce Investment Act.

                                                                                                                    

The Purposes of the Workforce Investment Act as it relates to youth are as follows:

           

·        To provide assistance in achieving academic and employment success;

 

·        To provide effective comprehensive activities to improve educational and skill competencies and to develop effective connections to employers;

 

·        To provide opportunities for training;

 

·        To ensure ongoing mentoring opportunities with adults;

 

·        To provide supportive services;

 

·        To provide incentives for recognition and achievement; and

 

·        To provide activities related to leadership development, decision making,

citizenship, and community service.

 

 

 

VII.   RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

1)       The Workforce Investment Act P.L. 105-220 can be accessed at www.usworkforce.org

 

2)       The U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration can be accessed at www.doleta.gov   

 

3)       The State of Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development WIA Youth Plan can be accessed at www.state.tn.us

 

4)       The Local Workforce Investment Area 1 WIA Youth Plan can be accessed      at www.ab-t.org

 

 

 

               

 

 

 

VIII. BIDDER QUALIFICATIONS

 

 

Any training institution, private-for-profit business entity, private non-profit corporation, or public entity with documented, successful experience providing skills-based workforce development services is eligible to apply.  Bidders must also demonstrate the ability to accept fiscal liability for grant funds.

 

The Alliance for Business and Training reserves the right to accept or reject, wholly or in part, any or all proposals submitted. Only completed Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) will be considered for funding.  A completed RFP will thoroughly respond to all questions and will include all required documentation. Service providers must be recommended by the Youth Council and approved by the Workforce Investment Board.  Providers selected for funding under this request for proposal may be eligible for program extensions dependent upon performance and availability of funds. 

 

 

 

 

IX.    SUGGESTED COLLABORATION AND LINKAGES

 

 

Strategic collaboration among training institutions and employers is highly recommended.  Strong, effective connections to employers are essential in the creation of a system of providers that can effectively assist youth to become highly skilled and employable. Connections with employers should lead to meaningful exposure to the world of work and placements into full time employment in a demand occupation that will provide a self-sufficient wage.

 

A youth who is basic skills deficient must be provided academic services to assist in skills gains. Any youth who does not possess a high school diploma must be provided GED preparation. This basic skills instruction and/or GED preparation in almost all cases must be provided prior to occupational skills training. All programs must either provide academic services or referral to academic services to assist in skills gains for basic skills deficient youth and/or GED preparation for those without a high school diploma.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X.      ELIGIBLE YOUTH

 

Individuals to be served through WIA Title I-B funding for out-of-school youth ages 17 – 21 must be low-income and one or more of the following:

(i)                  Deficient in basic literacy skills (defined as reading, writing, or computing math at a level at or below the eighth grade level based on results of a standardized testing instrument.)

(ii)                A school dropout or

(iii)               Unemployed or

(iv)              Underemployed

 

Low-Income Criteria:

·        TANF recipient or

·        Food Stamp eligible (in past 6 months) or

·        Family income falls within income levels in the WIA reference table below or

·        Individual has a verifiable disability and meets income criteria for family of one in reference table below or

·        Individual 18 or over provides over 50% of own support and files own income tax and meets income criteria for family of one in reference table below.

 

WIA Reference Table for Low Income Criteria

 

Family Size

Poverty Level

LLSIL* Metro

LLSIL* Non-Metro

1

$9800

$7,580

$7,250

2

$13,200

$12,420

$11,880

3

$16,600

$17,050

$16,310

4

$20,000

$21,040

$20,130

5

$23,400

$24,830

$23,760

6

$26,800

$29,040

$27,780

7

$30,200

$33,250

$31,800

8

$33,600

$37,460

$35,820

9

$37,000

$41,670

$39,840

 

 

Add $3,400 for each additional family member

Add $4,210 for each additional family member

Add $4,020 for each additional family member

*Lower Living Standard Income Level 

To use this chart, compare the poverty level for the family size against either the Metro or Non-Metro LLSIL, depending on the county of residence, using the higher of the two.

Note: Metro LLSIL levels can only be used for the following counties in LWIA 1: Carter, Sullivan, Unicoi