REGION QREGION QRequest for ProposalsRequest for Proposals

Bidders’ ConferenceBidders’ Conference

Workforce Investment Act Title 1Younger & Older Youth

Year Round Youth Programs & Services

Program Year 2007

March 29, 2007

9:00 A.M.

• Welcome & Purpose• Region Q Websites• Overview of Request for Proposal• Performance Standards• Financial Information• Important Dates• Questions and Answers

AgendaAgenda

Region Q WebsitesRegion Q Websites

www.regionqwdb.org

www.regionqyouthatwork.org

Funding Period July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008 Possible Extension of Contract - 1 Year

Five County Region

BEAUFORTBERTIEHERTFORDMARTINPITT

Overview of RFPOverview of RFP

PURPOSE OF RFPPURPOSE OF RFP• The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to

solicit competitive proposals for the operation of the solicit competitive proposals for the operation of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Title I Youth Services in Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Title I Youth Services in one or more of the following counties of the Region Q one or more of the following counties of the Region Q Workforce Investment Consortium: Beaufort, Bertie, Workforce Investment Consortium: Beaufort, Bertie, Hertford, Martin and Pitt Counties. Any governmental, Hertford, Martin and Pitt Counties. Any governmental, educational, community-based organization or non-profit educational, community-based organization or non-profit agency engaged in public service; or any private-for-profit agency engaged in public service; or any private-for-profit agency may apply. Each entity proposing to provide the agency may apply. Each entity proposing to provide the employment and training services as prescribed by this employment and training services as prescribed by this RFP, must do so as an individual company or agency, and RFP, must do so as an individual company or agency, and be prepared to either provide the services directly or be prepared to either provide the services directly or establish an agreement with the appropriate provider(s) of establish an agreement with the appropriate provider(s) of the services.the services.

PURPOSE OF RFPPURPOSE OF RFP

• Proposals are being solicited for services for eligible In-School Proposals are being solicited for services for eligible In-School and Out-of-School Youth. WIA requires that a minimum of and Out-of-School Youth. WIA requires that a minimum of 30 percent of a local area’s WIA youth funds be allocated to 30 percent of a local area’s WIA youth funds be allocated to out-of-school youth programs. However, the Region Q out-of-school youth programs. However, the Region Q Workforce Investment Consortium is placing additional Workforce Investment Consortium is placing additional emphasis on Out-of-School youth and requires that a emphasis on Out-of-School youth and requires that a minimum of 60 percent of the WIA youth funds be spent on minimum of 60 percent of the WIA youth funds be spent on out-of-school youth. Successful bidders will be responsible for out-of-school youth. Successful bidders will be responsible for ensuring that all WIA Youth required services are provided to ensuring that all WIA Youth required services are provided to every WIA-enrolled youth every WIA-enrolled youth andand that all ten of the WIA youth that all ten of the WIA youth program elements are accessible to all enrolled youth as program elements are accessible to all enrolled youth as needed, when needed.needed, when needed.

PURPOSE OF RFPPURPOSE OF RFP

• While eligibility as well as program content and While eligibility as well as program content and elements apply to both in-school and out-of-school elements apply to both in-school and out-of-school youth, WIA creates distinctions between these two youth, WIA creates distinctions between these two populations by creating separate funding streams, as populations by creating separate funding streams, as well as by differentiating performance outcomes by well as by differentiating performance outcomes by age, funding, outcomes and in-school versus out-of-age, funding, outcomes and in-school versus out-of-school program design. Therefore bidders must be school program design. Therefore bidders must be aware of the relationships between ages, funding aware of the relationships between ages, funding streams, outcomes, in-school versus out-of-school streams, outcomes, in-school versus out-of-school program design when describing comprehensive program design when describing comprehensive system program vision. system program vision.

ONE-STOP DELIVERY ONE-STOP DELIVERY SYSTEMSYSTEM

• Workforce Investment Act Interim Final Rules were published by the US Workforce Investment Act Interim Final Rules were published by the US Department of Labor in the August 11, 2000 Federal Register and are available Department of Labor in the August 11, 2000 Federal Register and are available on the internet at: on the internet at: http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/. On the right side of the . On the right side of the page, review the column and locate “Laws and Regs.” Clicking on Laws and page, review the column and locate “Laws and Regs.” Clicking on Laws and Regs will take the viewer to Workforce Investment Act Interim Final Rules.Regs will take the viewer to Workforce Investment Act Interim Final Rules.

• The WDB, in partnership with the workforce development agencies, has The WDB, in partnership with the workforce development agencies, has developed a system of comprehensive JobLink Career Centers in the five-county developed a system of comprehensive JobLink Career Centers in the five-county region. The system design currently includes five (5) full-service JobLink region. The system design currently includes five (5) full-service JobLink Career Centers and 3 JobLink Information Sites. Career Centers and 3 JobLink Information Sites. Region Q requires that all Region Q requires that all youth contractors operate from the applicable JobLink Career Center or in close youth contractors operate from the applicable JobLink Career Center or in close proximity if space is not available in the applicable Center.proximity if space is not available in the applicable Center. Bidders are Bidders are expected to meet with the applicable JobLink Center lead agency/operator to expected to meet with the applicable JobLink Center lead agency/operator to discuss provisions for shared space, and costs for this should be reflected in the discuss provisions for shared space, and costs for this should be reflected in the bidder’s proposal. A letter of agreement from the JobLink Center Manager per bidder’s proposal. A letter of agreement from the JobLink Center Manager per coordinated services and physical space commitments must also be included in coordinated services and physical space commitments must also be included in this proposal. this proposal.

IN-SCHOOL YOUTHIN-SCHOOL YOUTH

IN-SCHOOL YOUTH (ISY)IN-SCHOOL YOUTH (ISY)

The Workforce Investment Act defines an in-The Workforce Investment Act defines an in-school youth (ISY) as a young person whoschool youth (ISY) as a young person who

– has not received a high school diploma or its has not received a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent (GED) recognized equivalent (GED) andand

– is attending school (including alternative is attending school (including alternative secondary school) at the time of WIA registration.secondary school) at the time of WIA registration.

OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTHOUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH

Out-Of-School Youth (OSY)\Out-Of-School Youth (OSY)\

The Workforce Investment Act defines an out-The Workforce Investment Act defines an out-of-school youth (OSY) as a young person of-school youth (OSY) as a young person who:who:

– Is a school dropout, orIs a school dropout, or– Has a high-school diploma or GED, but is basic-Has a high-school diploma or GED, but is basic-

skills deficient, unemployed or underemployed.skills deficient, unemployed or underemployed.

YOUNGER YOUTHYOUNGER YOUTH

YOUNGER YOUTH YOUNGER YOUTH

AGE 14-18 YEARS OF AGEAGE 14-18 YEARS OF AGE

OLDER YOUTHOLDER YOUTH

OLDER YOUTHOLDER YOUTH

AGE 19 – 21 YEARS OF AGEAGE 19 – 21 YEARS OF AGE

1. Outreach, Recruitment and Orientation

2. Eligibility Determination and Registration

3. Objective Assessment

4. Individual Employment Plan (IEP)

5. Case Management

6. Referral

Required ServicesRequired Services

COLLABORATION COLLABORATION Employer ConnectionsEmployer Connections

The Region Q Workforce Development Consortium seeks an increase in The Region Q Workforce Development Consortium seeks an increase in career development experiences that demonstrate meaningful employer career development experiences that demonstrate meaningful employer involvement. Many youth programs have built connections to a wide range involvement. Many youth programs have built connections to a wide range of local employers. Youth are placed in subsidized summer jobs or of local employers. Youth are placed in subsidized summer jobs or internships with area businesses and community based organizations, while internships with area businesses and community based organizations, while other employers participate as job-shadow hosts and mentors for young other employers participate as job-shadow hosts and mentors for young people. However, few initiatives exist to engage specific employers in people. However, few initiatives exist to engage specific employers in comprehensive youth-serving partnerships – i.e. partnerships that use comprehensive youth-serving partnerships – i.e. partnerships that use employer resources to support youth as they explore or progress upon a employer resources to support youth as they explore or progress upon a career pathway. Bidders should include innovative, sustainable employer career pathway. Bidders should include innovative, sustainable employer partnerships in their WIA Youth program implementation plan. These partnerships in their WIA Youth program implementation plan. These connections must lead to increased youth placements in employment and connections must lead to increased youth placements in employment and post secondary education as well as meaningful exposure to the world of post secondary education as well as meaningful exposure to the world of work with measurable skill gains. These experiences must be increasingly work with measurable skill gains. These experiences must be increasingly challenging over the course of a given youth’s participation and be linked to challenging over the course of a given youth’s participation and be linked to recognized career pathways.recognized career pathways.

COLLABORATION COLLABORATION

Target Diverse Population of YouthTarget Diverse Population of Youth when Designing Programs when Designing Programs

Examples may include, but not be limited to, the Examples may include, but not be limited to, the following: a blend of in-school and out-of-school following: a blend of in-school and out-of-school youth working together on common projects and youth working together on common projects and experiences; older youth mentoring younger youth experiences; older youth mentoring younger youth within a given program; a racially and ethnically within a given program; a racially and ethnically diverse group of youth participating in a learning diverse group of youth participating in a learning center; disabled youth working together with non-center; disabled youth working together with non-disabled peers. Diversity enriches programming, disabled peers. Diversity enriches programming, youth experience, and encourages peer development, youth experience, and encourages peer development, understanding, and mutual awareness and respect. understanding, and mutual awareness and respect.

COLLABORATION COLLABORATION

Leveraged Funding and Service Leveraged Funding and Service CoordinationCoordination

Bidders will leverage community resources to create Bidders will leverage community resources to create a seamless network of services that are easily a seamless network of services that are easily accessible and relevant to youth. To have a accessible and relevant to youth. To have a meaningful impact on the quality and breadth of the meaningful impact on the quality and breadth of the youth services system, Bidders must be able to draw youth services system, Bidders must be able to draw upon a resource base that extends beyond WIA upon a resource base that extends beyond WIA funding. Bidders should describe connections to other funding. Bidders should describe connections to other funding sources that will benefit participants and funding sources that will benefit participants and increase the cost effectiveness of federal funds. increase the cost effectiveness of federal funds.

COLLABORATION COLLABORATION

Collaboration and PartnershipsCollaboration and Partnerships

Proposals are sought that demonstrates how partnership and Proposals are sought that demonstrates how partnership and community involvement will be used to meet the WIA youth community involvement will be used to meet the WIA youth program goals. Involving the local community means developing program goals. Involving the local community means developing real partnerships among local schools, community college level, real partnerships among local schools, community college level, community based and faith based organizations, private sector community based and faith based organizations, private sector employers and members of the community. Bidders are employers and members of the community. Bidders are encouraged to leverage resources from partnerships and use them encouraged to leverage resources from partnerships and use them in development and implementation of the program. Key to in development and implementation of the program. Key to providing comprehensive and improved services to more young providing comprehensive and improved services to more young people is the ability to leverage and coordinate a wide range of people is the ability to leverage and coordinate a wide range of funding and community resources to provide quality youth funding and community resources to provide quality youth opportunities. Collaboration and leveraging partnerships can opportunities. Collaboration and leveraging partnerships can meet service gaps, reach more young people, and use resources meet service gaps, reach more young people, and use resources more efficiently. more efficiently.

COLLABORATION COLLABORATION

Skill DevelopmentSkill Development

Successful proposals will clearly emphasize the Successful proposals will clearly emphasize the development of skills, knowledge and competencies development of skills, knowledge and competencies that prepare youth for jobs and careers. Proposals that prepare youth for jobs and careers. Proposals should strongly link academic and occupational should strongly link academic and occupational learning. Key strategies the Youth Committee is learning. Key strategies the Youth Committee is looking for in this area are linkages to apprenticeships looking for in this area are linkages to apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, occupational skills training, and pre-apprenticeships, occupational skills training, OJT (On-the-Job Training), employers, transitional OJT (On-the-Job Training), employers, transitional services and attainment of academic credit and services and attainment of academic credit and credentials, which include work readiness certificates credentials, which include work readiness certificates that lead to employment. that lead to employment.

1. Tutoring2. Alternative Secondary School Offerings3. Summer Employment Opportunities 4. Paid and Unpaid Work Experiences5. Occupational Skills Training6. Leadership Development Opportunities 7. Supportive Services 8. Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling9. Adult Mentoring 10. Follow-up Services

Ten WIA Required ElementsTen WIA Required Elements

Younger Youth 14 – 18 Years Old

Skill Attainment

Diploma Attainment

Retention

Performance MeasuresPerformance Measures

Older Youth Ages 19-21 Years OldEntered Employment Rate

Employment Retention Rate

Earnings Change

Credential Rate

Region Q Workforce Investment Region Q Workforce Investment ConsortiumConsortium

Program Year 2006 Program Year 2006 Youth Program Performance GoalsYouth Program Performance Goals

2006

Performance Standard Goal

Older Youth Entered Employment Rate 75.56%

Older Youth Retention Rate 85.00%

Older Youth Earnings Change $ 3,200.00

Older Youth Credential Rate 44.37%

Younger Youth Skill Attainment Rate 69.00%

Younger Youth Diploma Rate 70.95%

Younger Youth Retention Rate 74.03%

Participant Customer Satisfaction Rate 82.00%

Employer Customer Satisfaction Rate 80.00%

The 2006 WIA Performance Goals for Region Q Youthare given as a guideline. Region Q has not receivedPerformance Goals for PY 2007.

Note: Performance goals are pending WIA reauthorizationand the implementation of Common Measures. AllRegion Q Operators are expected to exceed performance goals.

Common Measures proposed to be implemented:

Youth Measures: Placement in Employment or EducationAttainment of a Degree or CertificateLiteracy or Numeracy gains

Financial InformationFinancial Information

• Contract Extension

• Budget Plan

Cost Reimbursement Contract

YouthYouthPY 06PY 06

Total Program AllocationTotal Program Allocation(Includes Initial Program Award and Carryover)(Includes Initial Program Award and Carryover)

Beaufort $ 323,993Bertie $ 248,114Hertford $ 244,205Martin $ 295,426Pitt $ 246,091

WIA BUDGET SHEETSWIA BUDGET SHEETS

• IN-SCHOOL BUDGETIN-SCHOOL BUDGET

• OUT-OF-SCHOOL BUDGETOUT-OF-SCHOOL BUDGET

Proposal InstructionsProposal InstructionsSubmit proposals no later than

4:00 p.m. EDT on April 20, 2007 to the Region Q Local Area Office.

www.time.gov -EST

Proposals must include:Page Numbers

(1) One copy labeled “Original”(5) Five additional copies of RFP

Submitted in 3-ring binderCompletion of all forms

Proposal Format and Required Forms in Order

Proposal Format & Required FormsProposal Format & Required Forms• 2007 WIA RESPONSE PACKAGE COVER SHEET - Complete the information

and indicate the type of activities proposed and funds requested, counties, and number of participants to be served, performance outcomes, and budget. The Response Package Cover Sheet Page must be completed entirely and Notarized.

• PROGRAM – PROPOSAL NARRATIVE RESPONSE SECTION– This portion of the bid should give reviewers a detailed and clear picture of the design of the program, the anticipated outcomes, and the capability of the offeror to deliver the proposed services. Proposers should follow the alphabetical and numerical sequence of the attached format. If a section does not apply, write “N/A” or “Does not apply” by the respective section. Responses to questions should be typed under each question. and follow the alphabetical and numerical sequence.

• PROGAM AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SECTION – • BUDGET – Complete the Budget Summary and supporting worksheets for all

costs required to implement the program design. If there is no answer, please indicate N/A or zero (0).

• JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND RESUMES – A Job Description – Workforce Investment Act form must be completed for each position funded by WIA Youth Funds.

Proposal Format & Required FormsProposal Format & Required FormsASSURANCES & CERTIFICATION ASSURANCES & CERTIFICATION

• EQUAL OPPORTUNITY NON-DISCRIMINATIONEQUAL OPPORTUNITY NON-DISCRIMINATION (Complete form) (Complete form) • LA CODE OF CONDUCT/CONFLICT OF INTERESTLA CODE OF CONDUCT/CONFLICT OF INTEREST - Requires signature of - Requires signature of

authorized representative & date. This form has to be completed by all WIA funded authorized representative & date. This form has to be completed by all WIA funded staff and submitted to the Local Area. staff and submitted to the Local Area.

• LA GENERAL ASSURANCES & CERTIFICATION FORMLA GENERAL ASSURANCES & CERTIFICATION FORM - Requires signature of - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. Notary Required. authorized representative & date. Notary Required.

• CERTIFICATE REGARDING DEBARMENT, SUSPENSION, INELIGIBILITY AND CERTIFICATE REGARDING DEBARMENT, SUSPENSION, INELIGIBILITY AND VOLUNTARY EXCLUSION LOWER TIER COVERED TRANSACTIONSVOLUNTARY EXCLUSION LOWER TIER COVERED TRANSACTIONS - Requires - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. signature of authorized representative & date.

• STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE FORMSTATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE FORM - Requires signature of authorized - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. Notary required. representative & date. Notary required.

• DRUG FREE CERTIFICATIONDRUG FREE CERTIFICATION - Requires signature of authorized representative & - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. )date. )

• ASSURANCES NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMSASSURANCES NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS - Requires signature of - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. authorized representative & date.

• COPELAND ACT CERTIFICATIONCOPELAND ACT CERTIFICATION - Requires signature of authorized - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. representative & date.

Proposal Format & Required FormsProposal Format & Required Forms

• OTHER – ATTACH THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:– Federal ID Number– Financial Statement and Copy of last audit– Agency Grievance Procedures– Copy of Bond Coverage (or explanation of planned

coverage if an award is made)– Current Organization Chart– Charter and Bylaws of Organization, attach list of

Current Board Members– Cost Allocation Plan (if applicable, provide a copy

of the agency Indirect Cost Plan)– Letter of agreement from the JobLink Center

Manager indicating coordinated services and physical space commitments .

Mark Your CalendarsMark Your Calendars

Proposals Due Friday, April 20, 2007 by 4:00 p.m. EDT

Proposals will not be accepted after 4:00 pm., on Friday, April 20, 2007.

www.time.gov - EST

Contract Awards: May 09, 2007

Program Year Starts: July 1, 2007

REMEMBER…….REMEMBER…….

AFTER THE BIDDERS’ CONFERENCE, AFTER THE BIDDERS’ CONFERENCE, STAFF WILL NOT RESPOND TO ANY STAFF WILL NOT RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS ASKED IN WRITING, QUESTIONS ASKED IN WRITING, PERSON OR BY TELEPHONE!PERSON OR BY TELEPHONE!

QUESTIONS QUESTIONS ANDAND

ANSWERSANSWERS

REGION Q WORKFORCE REGION Q WORKFORCE INVESTMENT CONSORTIUMINVESTMENT CONSORTIUM

Region Q Workforce Investment Region Q Workforce Investment Consortium is an Equal Opportunity Consortium is an Equal Opportunity

Employer/ProgramEmployer/Program

Auxiliary aids and services are available Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request for individuals with upon request for individuals with

disabilitiesdisabilities