central pennsylvania workforce development corporation … · 2015. 7. 7. · cpwdc wioa isy rfp...

Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation

WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT

(WIOA) TITLE I IN-SCHOOL YOUTH PROGRAM

Request for Proposals for the Central Region Centre · Clinton · Columbia · Lycoming · Mifflin · Montour · Northumberland · Snyder ·

Union

Issue Date: July 7, 2015 Submission Deadline: August 11, 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.

CPWDC WIOA ISY RFP of 26

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 ................................................................................................................................. 6

Proposal Submission ................................................................................................................................. 6

Review Process ......................................................................................................................................... 6

Section 3: WIOA Eligibility and Required Youth Program Elements ........................................................... 7

WIOA In-School Youth Eligibility ............................................................................................................... 7

WIOA Youth Service Delivery.................................................................................................................... 8

WIOA Youth Required Program Elements ................................................................................................ 8

Other Requirements .................................................................................................................................. 9

Scope of Work ......................................................................................................................................... 13

Required Outcomes ................................................................................................................................. 17

Section 4: Proposal Budget........................................................................................................................ 18

Estimated Allocations .............................................................................................................................. 18

Leveraging Resources ............................................................................................................................. 19

Proposal Budget ...................................................................................................................................... 19

Section 5: Proposal .................................................................................................................................... 20

I. Cover Sheet/ Agreement and Checklist .......................................................................................... 20

II. Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 20

III. Proposal Narrative .......................................................................................................................... 20

A. Organizational Capacity and Relevant Experience .................................................................... 20

B. Staffing Plan ................................................................................................................................ 20

C. Relationships and Collaboration ................................................................................................. 21

D. Facilities ...................................................................................................................................... 21

E. Youth Recruitment Strategies ..................................................................................................... 21

F. WIOA Youth Service Delivery- Program Design ......................................................................... 22

G. WIOA Required Program Elements ............................................................................................ 22

H. Program Delivery and Implementation of the Program Design .................................................. 22

I. Performance and Outcomes ....................................................................................................... 23

IV. Budget ......................................................................................................................................... 23

A. Budget Narrative ......................................................................................................................... 23

B. Budget Form................................................................................................................................ 24

VI. Disclaimer .......................................................................................................................................... 25


Section 1: Introduction

CPWDC The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the authority of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998

(WIA) establishes 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. Each 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 WIA and WIOA Youth Title I workforce development programs. According to the Workforce

Innovation and Opportunity Act, summarized in the next section, WDBs are not required to maintain a Youth

Council, however, CPWDC plans to proceed with a Youth Council in place. 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 provides for

comprehensive, year-round youth programs for eligible in-school youth. Program providers under WIA are

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-

http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/wia/act.cfm

http://www.doleta.gov/wioa/pdf/WIOA-enrolled-bill.pdf

http://www.doleta.gov/WIOA

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/04/16/2015-05530/workforce-innovation-and-opportunity-act


act. As in WIA, Title I of the Act provides for comprehensive, year-round youth programs for eligible in-

school youth but 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 WIA and its regulations until superseded by WIOA. ISY programs will adhere to WIOA requirements effective July 1, 2015. 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. ISY are defined as eligible youth who are attending secondary or post-secondary school

between the ages of 14 and 21 at the time of enrollment, are low income, and meet one or more of a list of

seven criteria. The CPWDC ISY program focuses on youth during their junior and senior years in high

school.

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 and work readiness services that are based on the principles of preparation for post-

secondary opportunities, linkages between academic and occupational learning, and connections to the

local job market. Attainment of a high school diploma and sustained employment or post-secondary

education or military enlistment are the overall goals of the program.

CPWDC seeks a provider who will ensure ISY participate in a year-round service strategy that will intervene and assist youth in attaining meaningful goals of skill attainment, educational attainment as well as post-secondary education, advanced training and job placement outcomes. The selected provider will drive career development initiatives established to provide a consolidated and integrated youth employment network that provides youth with the 21st century skills needed to perform at the highest standard in the region’s premier industries. Youth enrolled prior to July 1, 2015 and active or in follow up on July 1, 2015 will be expected to successfully transition to new services under WIOA.

CPWDC seeks a provider who can offer the following services:

1. Career development and work readiness services during the academic year for enrolled youth in

grades 11 and 12. Services must, at a minimum, comply with WIOA and other requirements

outlined within this RFP.

2. Recruit additional eligible youth in 11th and 12th grades from the region’s highest priority school

districts in fall 2015 (optional).

3. Provide 12 months of follow up for exited ISY.

4. Guide graduating seniors to success in transitioning to employment, post-secondary or military

between June and September 2016.

5. Recruit additional eligible youth in 10th and 11th grades from the region’s highest priority school

districts in spring 2016.

6. Directly, or through the use of a subcontractor, coordinate a summer youth work experience for

eligible youth during the summer of 2016.

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/04/16/2015-05530/workforce-innovation-and-opportunity-act


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.

Awarded contracts will be cost-allocation with a performance based component.

Funds released through this RFP will be contracted to provide WIOA Title I ISY services in the Central

Region from October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016, with an option to extend funding annually for

up to three years through September 30, 2019 based on successful performance outcomes and available

funding. The 12-month contract will allow proposers to plan for a minimum 3 month post-graduation period

during which the participants will receive services needed for employment and educational outcomes. By

submitting a proposal, an organization agrees that 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 youth programs to the identified eligible youth 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 3.

Expected Timeline

RFP Released:

(Available at www.cpwdc.org ) July 7, 2015

Questions Submitted by: ongoing until July 24, 2015

Answers Posted by:

(Available at www.cpwdc.org) ongoing until July 29, 2015

Notify CPWDC of Intent to Submit Proposal by: (emailed to

[email protected]) July 29, 2015

http://www.cpwdc.org/


mailto:[email protected]


Proposals Due: August 11, 2015

Evaluation Committee Review and Negotiations Begin: August 12, 2015

Recommendation to WDB and LEO Board: September 9, 2015

Notification on Status of Proposals: September 9, 2015

Contract(s) Start: October 1, 2015

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 4:30 P.M. on July 24, 2015 to:

Korrie Lucas, Operations Manager, [email protected], and

Vina Davis, Communications Coordinator, [email protected]

Answers to submitted questions will be posted on www.cpwdc.org within 4 business days of receipt and all

questions will be answered by July 29, 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 V 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 In-School Youth Proposal

One copy should be submitted electronically to:

[email protected]

RE: In School Youth Proposal

Proposals that are in response to this RFP are due no later than 4:00 P.M. on August 11, 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 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 In-School Youth Eligibility WIOA outlines eligibility for enrollment as an ISY as follows (refer to WIOA Section 129(a)(1)(C) for complete detail): 1. Attending school; 2. Age 14 – 21; 3. Low Income; and 4. One or more of the following barriers:

Basic Skills Deficient

Offender

Pregnant or Parenting

Homeless, runaway, foster care, aged out of foster care, eligible for assistance under sec 477 SS Act, or out of home placement

English Language Learner

Disability

Requires Additional Assistance to complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment

Limitation: Only 5% of ISY enrolled may be those made eligible according to “Requires Additional Assistance” barrier. Until further guidance is available, the definition of this eligibility measure is not yet defined. Low Income according to WIOA is defined as meeting one or more of the following:

Receives, or in the past 6 months has received, or is a member of a family that receives or in the past 6 months has received, assistance through SNAP, TANF, or the supplemental security income program, or State or local income-based public assistance;

Is in a family with total family income that does not exceed the higher of— (I) the poverty line; or (II) 70% of the lower living standard income level;

Is a homeless individual, or a homeless child or youth

Receives or is eligible to receive a free or reduced price lunch

Is a foster child on behalf of whom State or local government payments are made

Individual with a disability whose own income meets the income requirement, but who is a member of a family whose income does not meet this requirement.

Note that “Requires Additional Assistance” has not yet been defined as of the release date of this RFP. According to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making, if the state does not define this and a local area


chooses to, the local area will define it. CPWDC will plan to define this criterion if the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not. Providers must refer youth who either do not meet the enrollment requirements for the program or cannot be served by that program for further assessment, if necessary, or to appropriate programs to meet the skills and training needs of the participant.

WIOA Youth Service Delivery WIOA requires the service strategy be linked to one or more of the indicators of performance in WIOA sec. 116(b)(2)(A)(ii). Also, the service strategy must identify career pathways that include appropriate education and employment goals. WIOA outlines a program design that must provide the following (refer to WIOA Section 129(c)(1)(C)(1) and WIOA Notice of Proposed Rule Making (Labor Only) for complete detail):

Objective Assessment of Academic Levels, Skill Levels, and Service Needs For the purpose of identifying appropriate services and career pathways for participants, must include a review of basic skills, occupational skills, prior work experience, employability, interests, aptitudes, supportive service needs, and developmental needs.

Service Strategies Shall be directly linked to indicators of performance and shall identify career pathways that include education and employment goals.

Activities Leading to Attainment of Secondary School Diploma/Recognized Equivalent or Postsecondary Credential

Preparation for Postsecondary Educational and Training Opportunities

Strong Linkage between Academic Instruction and Occupational Education

Preparation for Unsubsidized Employment

Effective Connections to Employers

WIOA Youth Required Program Elements WIOA outlines required program elements, each of which must be made readily available to any and all enrolled youth who have a need for the program element (refer to WIOA Section 129(c)(1)(C)(2) for complete detail):

Tutoring, Study Skills Training, Instruction and Evidence-Based Dropout Prevention/Recovery Strategies Lead to completion of the requirements for a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent (including a recognized certificate of attendance or similar document for individuals with disabilities) or for a recognized postsecondary credential

Alternative Secondary School Services or Dropout Services

Paid and Unpaid Work Experiences that have academic and occupational education as a component of the work experience May include summer employment opportunities and other employment opportunities throughout the school year, pre-apprenticeship programs, internships, job shadowing and on-the-job training opportunities

Occupational Skills Training Shall include priority consideration for training programs that lead to recognized post-secondary credentials that are aligned with in-demand industry sectors


Education Offered Concurrently with and in the same Context as Workforce Preparation Activities and Training for a Specific Occupation or Occupational Cluster

Leadership Development Opportunities May include community service and peer-centered activities encouraging responsibility and other positive social and civic behaviors, civic engagement and activities that place youth in a leadership role

Supportive Services May include services that increase access to and opportunities for employment, education, and training needed to succeed in the labor market; needs-related payments and assistance with educational testing and accommodations

Adult Mentoring Implemented during the period of participation and for no less than 12 months; must be provided by an adult other than the case manager

Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling May include drug and alcohol abuse counseling as well as referrals to services provided by partner programs, as appropriate

Financial Literacy Education Supporting ability of participants to create household budgets, initiate savings plans, and make informed financial decisions about education, retirement, home ownership, wealth building, or other savings goals; see WIOA sec. 129(b)(2)(D) for additional activities

Entrepreneurial Skills Training Education and information regarding the development of small businesses

Labor Market Information (LMI) Services Labor market and employment information about in-demand industry sectors or occupations available in the Central Region

Activities that Help Prepare Youth for Transition to Postsecondary Education and Training

Follow-Up Services Must be provided for a minimum of 12 months after completion of participation; follow-up services are more than just a contact and must provide necessary support to ISY

Note the following are prohibited by WIOA: use of WIOA funds to be used to develop or implement

educational curricula for school systems; use of WIOA funds for designated school-to-work programs; and

ISY programs or activities that interfere with or replace regular academic requirements of youth.

Other Requirements To assist high school juniors and seniors to make connections between school and careers, encourage

youth to graduate from high school and help bridge the gap between high school and the future. CPWDC

created an ISY program design, Bridges to the Future, which can be found in Attachment 1. The model is

connected to the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Career Education and Work. The mission of the

ISY program, according the CPWDC Youth Council, is as follows:

The CPWDC ISY program will prepare youth for the transition to employment and/or post-secondary

education following high school graduation through a focus on career awareness and exploration,

structured and relevant work experiences, practical workshops and connections to academic and

leadership competencies.


In addition, ISY should be directed based on individual skills, needs and goals; all will be at different stages

of ability to reach those goals. Youth providers will be measured not only on individual outcomes, but also

on how well they connect to other providers, social services, etc. on behalf of the youth’s needs.

The CPWDC Youth Council expects that, at a minimum, all proposals will comply with WIOA and the

additional program requirements described below. Proposers are encouraged to review the Bridges to the

Future Framework to better understand the Youth Council’s vision for service delivery. Proposers are not

required to follow Bridges to the Future and are encouraged to suggest additional elements beyond the

existing framework and incorporate all WIOA required elements and other activities that will be of value.

Any suggested model must be connected to the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Career Education

and Work. Note CPWDC reserves the right to approve or deny, in part or full, any program model

suggestions.

CPWDC will consider various staffing patterns including the use of part-time vs. full-time staff, shared staff,

etc., but expects that an adequate amount of time is dedicated to the ISY program and dedicated to serving

individual ISY.

The following list outlines general expectations of the program provider(s) regarding overall roles and

expectations. This list is in addition to the requirements outlined in WIOA, including Service Delivery and

Required Program Elements.

Objective Assessment

A requirement according to WIOA, all youth active in the program as of the October 1, 2015 contract

start date will have already been assessed in at least some areas. Assessment results conducted

prior to the start of the contract will be included in the case files which will transfer to the selected

provider(s). The selected provider(s) will be required to implement additional assessments as

needed in order to understand the needs of individual youth in accordance with WIOA. All newly

enrolled youth will require an objective assessment according to WIOA.

Individual Service Strategy (ISS)

The Individual Service Strategy (ISS) will be key to the overall case management strategy and on-

going development and re-assessment of goals. For each participant, proposers must agree to

work with individual youth to help them develop a written plan of long and short-term goals

addressing educational, employment and leadership development priorities, appropriate

achievement objectives, and appropriate services for the participant taking into account the

assessment conducted. CPWDC has an ISS template but will consider approving a different

template with the selected provider(s). All active youth in the program as of October 1, 2015 will

have an ISS in place, but note that the ISS is a living document that will be updated throughout a

youth’s enrollment. The provider will ensure the ISS is a living document that is pulled for meetings

with youth ensuring changes and revisions are discussed and documented. According to WIOA,

the ISS must directly link to performance.

Data Management From Enrollment Through Exit

The Commonwealth Workforce Development System (CWDS) is an internet based system of

services for use by customers and potential customers of the PA CareerLink® offices and youth

service providers. CWDS is the system of record for all WIOA funded programs in Pennsylvania.

All successful providers funded through this RFP will be required to record and track all youth

activities, program services, case notes, and outcomes in CWDS. It is the provider’s responsibility

to ensure on-going staff expertise and cooperation.


In addition, providers will be asked to provide additional documentation or information not

accessible through CWDS in order to evaluate performance outcomes as well as program strengths

and weaknesses. Specifically, providers will be required to input data into Excel spreadsheets

CPWDC will develop and house on a Microsoft SharePoint website. SharePoint allows users to

upload information onto secure websites and will allow real-time data to be collected and available

for all youth participants.

Case File Management

Proposers are responsible for maintaining and securing youth participant case files at all times.

Included in the files are regular maintenance of forms and documentation of activities. The case

files will include identification and contact information, assessment information, supportive service

needs, documentation of customer contacts and other forms required by CPWDC and the PA

Department of Labor & Industry. Case files are the property of CWPDC and must be available at

all times for review. Files must be retained for three years after CPWDC reports final expenditures

to the US Department of Labor.

Case Management

All proposers are responsible for providing intensive and on-going case management both during

the program and retention phase of the program. Case management will be engaging and based

on the needs of individual youth according to the ISS and immediate needs. Case management

will have an approach that guides youth to recognize possible discrepancies in their thinking and

lead them to determine on their own what the best course of action and next steps will be. Youth

who falter off the path to goals will be encouraged to proceed and see for themselves why it’s in

their best interests to do so.

Time Spent Directly with Enrolled Youth

Proposers are responsible for ensuring a majority of each day involves staff spending time with

enrolled youth facilitating quality activities including WIOA Required Elements, providing case

management, helping youth develop and revise plans, and providing all other aspects of the

program.

Supportive Services

Supportive services will be offered to participants who need them. The providers will be expected

to seek and exhaust such services through referrals to other community organizations prior to using

WIOA funds. The CPWDC Youth Support Services Policy can be found in Attachment 2.

Collaboration

Proposers are expected to demonstrate ability to collaborate with partners to provide resources

and services to youth and help youth attain the performance benchmarks of the program design.

Specifically, proposers should demonstrate evidence of collaborative partnerships to support high

school graduation, the successful placement of youth in employment and/or education within one

quarter of high school graduation, and retention.

Impact on all Students/ PA CareerLink® Awareness

Proposers will ensure that enrolled youth are always the priority and will coordinate services to

ensure that non-enrolled students receive services such as career exploration, career planning

activities, and access to job fairs. The successful proposer will ensure collaboration with the PA

CareerLink® and will ensure as many students as possible in each school receive engaging and

quality information regarding the services available at the PA CareerLink®, even if they don’t need

to access those services at present.


Employer Connections

Connections to employers are essential to effectively assist youth to become highly skilled and

employable. These connections should lead to placements in employment as well as meaningful

exposure to the world of work with resulting measurable skill increases. Proposers should

demonstrate relationships with employers from the region’s key industries, including but not limited

to advanced manufacturing, health care and natural gas so youth can experience relevant and

realistic career exploration, job shadowing, internships, mentoring, paid work experience and

volunteer opportunities.

Project Duration

Ideally, enrollment will occur prior to the start of the junior year and continue through placement

within one quarter after high school graduation. For at least the first year of program operations,

providers will be working with a mix of youth entering their junior and senior years. The program

design identifies the minimums for contact with youth during their enrollment; however, more

frequent contacts should be made according to individual youth needs. Youth will receive 12

months of follow-up.

Staff

Staff must be certified or specially trained to work with youth with employment barriers. Case

managers, teachers, job developers, job coaches and employment specialists who are trained to

work with the target population are examples of qualified staff.

In the event of a change in program providers as a result of this RFP, CPWDC will require the

selected provider to interview current staff to help determine the appropriate staffing level and aid

in the transition to benefit the youth.

The provider will adhere to all current laws including those for background checks and clearances.

All staff assigned to work with youth under age 18 must have no record on the following:

Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check (Act 34)

Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151)

Federal Criminal History Record

Communication with CPWDC

The provider must designate a point of contact for all communication with CPWDC.

Facilities The selected provider is required to house direct program staff at locations convenient to serving targeted youth such as schools, existing community based youth program facilities, or other proposed locations. Current providers have worked with school districts to secure office space within the schools during the academic year. This allows staff to integrate into the school itself, be easily accessible when ISY are free to set up appointments or stop in, interact with teachers and administration, be available for school meetings as invited, foster a relationship where the school finds the program to be a helpful resource, and be a resource to all students including to increase awareness of PA CareerLink® services. Proposers are encouraged to work with the schools in which WIOA youth will be enrolled in order to set up office space. Note that CPWDC is not suggesting or requiring programs to be staffed by personnel from school districts, rather CPWDC requests that the preferred office location for provider staff is on-site within the schools according to negotiations with the schools.


The provider will ensure office spaces are welcoming and youth friendly. Signage listing the schedule of the staff will be posted so students know staff availability. To the extent possible, PA CareerLink® signage should be posted along with signage that outlines the resources and services that are available to all students.

Providers may choose, but are not required, to rent space at one or more PA CareerLink® sites.

Associated costs for one Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) within these facilities are pre-determined and

must be included in the proposed budget; estimated costs and more detailed information are provided

in Section V. The locations are as follows:

PA CareerLink® Centre County, 240 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte PA CareerLink® Clinton County, 8 North Grove Street, Suite F, Lock Haven PA CareerLink® Columbia/Montour Counties, 415 Central Road, Suite 2, Bloomsburg PA CareerLink® Lycoming County, 329 Pine Street, Williamsport PA CareerLink® Mifflin County, 6395 SR 103 North, MCIDC Plaza, Building 58,

Lewistown PA CareerLink® Northumberland/Snyder/Union Counties, 225 Market Street, Sunbury

WorkKeys® and WINtm

WorkKeys®, developed by ACT, Inc., is a job skills assessment system measuring “real world” skills

that employers believe are critical to job success. The Central Region utilizes three WorkKeys

assessments that measure skills needed in the majority of jobs according to ACT: Applied

Mathematics, Locating Information and Reading for Information. In addition, WorkKeys offers a

Personal Skills Assessment that the Central Region uses to help participants learn more about

themselves and recognize strengths and areas for growth.

Worldwide Interactive Network (WINtm), a self-paced study and courseware curriculum designed to

assist individuals, is a supplemental courseware for individuals who are preparing for the WorkKeys

assessments or for individuals interested in brushing up on skill areas. Proposers are encouraged

to consider when and how WIN and WorkKeys may be appropriately integrated into the service mix

for ISY.

Scope of Work All youth will be in 11th or 12th grade when the contract commences. All youth will have been made eligible

according to WIA since they will have been enrolled prior to implementation of WIOA on July 1, 2015. They

will have completed a paid work experience in July and/or August 2015 or will have secured their own

unsubsidized part-time summer employment. Providers will be asked to identify the county(ies) in which

they will provide services. The following is an estimated distribution of the currently enrolled youth by

county:

County Estimated Number of

Currently Enrolled

Active ISY

Estimated Number of

Current ISY in Follow Up

Centre 30 20

Clinton 22 10

Columbia/Montour 45 20

Lycoming 25 10

Mifflin 35 25

Northumberland 70 20

Snyder 20 10

Union 0 0


CPWDC seeks a provider(s) who can provide the services described below: 1. Career development and work readiness services during the academic year for enrolled youth

in grades 11 and 12.

The current program design, Bridges to the Future, was implemented under the Workforce Investment

Act and can be found in Attachment 1. Changes to the program design in order to align programming

with the requirements of WIOA are welcome as are new innovative designs. At a minimum, services

must incorporate PA Career Education & Work Standards.

Note that the Bridges to the Future program design was developed to provide increasingly more

intensive and customized career awareness and planning activities for youth as they approach high

school graduation. During the junior year, youth spend time learning about who they are and how their

interests, skills and experiences relate to their career goals. During the senior year, youth progress

through a series of activities to prepare them for their placement and career goal: employment, post-

secondary education or military. Mixed throughout the program are opportunities for youth to gain work

experience through job shadowing, paid work experiences, internships, volunteerism, and service

learning. It is preferred that a proposer’s recommended program design keep these considerations in

mind.

ISY services delivered during the academic year are currently offered on site in the youth’s school.

Proposers are encouraged to develop creative delivery options that:

a. Include opportunities for youth to meet together in groups to facilitate shared career

exploration and peer support;

b. Demonstrate integration within the school community by making the world of work relevant

to academic work;

c. Build on the paid work experiences by offering activities to help the youth understand more

about themselves and their career goals as a result;

d. Reach as many seniors and other students as possible within the school district served,

with a focus on educating them on the services and resources available at the PA

CareerLink®.

ISY staff are not required to provide services every day in each school. CPWDC supports a staffing

design that allows for individual staff to serve more than one district with scheduled office and

appointment times on a weekly or other basis.

2. Recruit additional eligible youth from the region’s highest priority school districts

While it is not required, respondents may propose to recruit and enroll additional youth in 11th and 12th

grades in October 2015 and provide the same services as proposed in above #1 through June 2016.

New youth need to be assessed for WIOA eligibility and program suitability and/or be non-WIA youth

who could be served with leveraged funds identified by the selected provider(s). In addition, recruitment

of new ISY, especially upcoming juniors, will be required in spring 2016.

CPWDC performed a geographic analysis that identified the highest need school districts across the

Central Region. It was based on indicators of youth eligibility requirements set forth by the Workforce

Investment Act. Respondents are encouraged to find ways to align recruitment strategies for additional

youth and participant cohorts with the areas of highest need.

Berwick Area School District Columbia County

*Millville Area School District Columbia County

Keystone Central School District Clinton County


Midd-West School District Snyder County

Mifflin County School District Mifflin County

Milton Area School District Northumberland County

Mount Carmel Area School District Northumberland County

Shamokin Area School District Northumberland County

Shikellamy School District Northumberland County

*Jersey Shore Area School District Lycoming County

Williamsport Area School District Lycoming County

* Identified in fall 2014 as high priority; ISY staff are not currently integrated with these districts and

there is no current caseload.

The Youth Council supports the integration of WIOA programming across all nine counties of the

Central Region, therefore, although Centre County does not have school districts that rank highest

across the Region, CPWDC performed an analysis to determine those that are highest need in Centre

County. Respondents are encouraged to find ways to align recruitment strategies for additional youth

and participant cohorts with those areas of highest need.

Bald Eagle Area School District Centre County

Bellefonte Area School District Centre County

Please note that in addition to integration with all of the above named school districts, current youth are

also served in Career and Technical Education programs associated with the highest priority school

districts.

Providers will be responsible for the recruitment of eligible ISY and are expected to include innovative

marketing and contact techniques, making programs youth friendly and age appropriate while

encouraging youth participation and feedback into continuous program improvements.

3. Provide follow up to exited ISY

The selected provider(s) will be responsible for providing 12 months of follow up for youth (estimated

at 130 across the region) who have been exited from the program. Actual numbers will be discussed

upon award of contract. Note that contacts and brief conversations do not meet the definition of follow

up services.

All youth should receive 12 months of follow up services according to WIOA. Providers will be expected

to:

a) provide intense and on-going job retention support for both the employer and participant once

the participant is employed;

b) facilitate communication and problem resolution between employers and youth;

c) provide immediate intervention for both the employer and participant if problems are identified

at the worksite;

d) support youth in their transition to post-secondary education; and

e) connect youth to lifelong resources (e.g. the PA CareerLink®) for continued employment,

retention and career advancement support.

4. Guide graduating seniors to success in transitioning to employment, post-secondary or military

during between June and September 2016.


The provider will provide transition services, including but not limited to job placement assistance and

post-secondary readiness based on individual youth goals, to ensure successful placement outcomes

by September 30, 2016. The provider will utilize the resources of the PA CareerLink® to help

accomplish this goal.

5. Directly, or through the use of a subcontractor, coordinate a summer youth work experience for

eligible youth during the summer of 2016.

Providing summer work experiences or internships must remain a major component of the program

design. CPWDC currently leverages TANF Youth Development funds to cover the cost of wages and

associated benefits to TANF eligible ISY. The WIOA ISY allocation will be used to cover the direct

costs for WIOA Youth who are not TANF eligible. In anticipation of funds being made available in July

2016, CPWDC seeks providers who can directly, or through a partnership or subcontractor relationship,

coordinate a summer youth work experience for youth in July and August 2016. Work experiences will

be provided for ISY completing 11th grade as well as newly enrolled youth completing 10th grade to be

recruited from targeted school districts as determined by CPWDC and negotiated with the selected

provider. CPWDC anticipates that at least 200 youth will participate in the summer work experience

across the region. The number of slots per county will be negotiated.

Providers are not required to provide a summer work experience to all youth (e.g. youth able to obtain

unsubsidized summer employment) but should assume the majority of youth will participate in a

summer employment experience. All summer employment components should be planned to last for

approximately 8 weeks and may not exceed 240 hours in total. Youth may spend no more than 30

hours in a work experience in a one week period of time. At no time may the hours of participation

interfere with the youth’s academic schedule or violate the conditions of the Child Labor Laws.

Providers are responsible for recruiting, orienting and monitoring all worksites throughout the summer

employment experience. The provider will be responsible to follow minor wage agreements and post

requirements, obtain I9 forms, parent consent forms, and work permits for minors. Providers must

establish partnerships with local businesses. Work site agreements are required to be in place prior to

youth starting employment (including obtaining cooperative agreements with existing bargaining

agreements if applicable). WIOA youth program participants cannot displace or jeopardize the status

of current employees.

Participants will receive a minimum wage ($7.25/hour) for hours spent in a summer employment

experience. The provider, or the provider’s designee, will act as the employer of record for all youth

placed in summer employment and will be responsible for payments to the participants, all applicable

withholdings and adequate insurances to cover participating youth.

Proposers are encouraged to think creatively about methods for offering summer employment

experiences including but not limited to:

a. Individual placements linked to career goals;

b. Team placements where a crew leader either employed by the provider or the host worksite

oversees the work and teaches work readiness skills;

c. Internships where the employer pays a portion of the participant wages;

d. Team service learning projects where youth are led through a variety of short-term and

long-term projects with multiple agencies; and/or

e. Wrap around activities that provide academic enrichment, leadership development

opportunities, mentoring and/or work readiness instruction.


In addition, the provider should plan to hold group events that bring the summer paid work experience

to an end with a celebration for the ISY. The event should be an opportunity for ISY to connect with

one another and discuss what they learned from their experiences.

6. Coordinate services for schools that do not receive access to the full scope of WIOA Services

The provider may elect to be responsible for outreach to all school districts across the nine counties in the Central Region. For those schools in which the ISY program is not offered and integrated, the provider will provide outreach and increased awareness of the PA CareerLink®, with a focus on reaching seniors. Workshops and or information about PA CareerLink® services including the OSY program, career awareness, and in-demand occupations will be provided. The provider will assist classes with resume review, interviewing skills, job search, senior projects, and setting up job shadows. The provider will be a resource to schools by assisting with drop-out prevention efforts, offering workshops to classrooms, scheduling employer speakers, serving on planning committees and assisting with job fairs and career days.

Required Outcomes WIA Common Measures WIA Common Measures will remain in effect for the first year of WIOA, that is, July 1, 2015 through June

30, 2015. Note that WIA Common Measure rates indicated are those that CPWDC negotiated with the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the current program year 2014. It is expected that the selected provider

will meet or exceed the negotiated rates for program year 2015.

Attainment of a Degree or Certificate – at least 85% of participants enrolled in education on the date of participation or at any point during the program must attain a diploma, GED, or certificate by the end of the third quarter after exit. Placement in Employment or Education - at least 68% of participants not in post-secondary education, employment or the military at the date of participation must enter post-secondary education, employment, or the military in the first quarter after exit.

WIOA Common Measures WIA Common Measures will be replaced by WIOA Common Measures effective July 1, 2016. For more information, see WIOA Section 116 and note that the selected provider agrees to meet all required measures. It is expected that the selected provider will begin to immediately incorporate service delivery that would result in positive outcomes for each of the WIOA Common Measures in preparation for July 1, 2016.

Placement Percent of participants in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit; for ISY/OSY, also includes those in training Retention Percent of participants in unsubsidized employment during the fourth quarter after exit; for ISY/OSY, also includes those in training Median Earnings Median earnings of participants in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit Credential Rate Percent of participants who obtain a recognized postsecondary credential, or a secondary school diploma or equivalent during participation or within one year after exit. Secondary school diploma/equivalent are positive only if also obtained employment or in training leading to a credential within one year after exit In Program Skills Gain


Percent of participants who, during a program year, are in an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or employment and who are achieving measurable skill gains toward such a credential or employment Services to Employers Indicators of effectiveness in serving employers (yet to be defined) Additional Indicators A State may identify additional performance (yet to be defined)

Proposers must be prepared to have systems in place to track, document, and report outcomes. In addition to meeting Common Measures, CPWDC requires the following outcomes:

Attainment of enrollment goals for minimum number of youth served for both fall and spring

Quality of case files and career portfolio information including resumes, cover letters, and job

applications

Commitment to execution of the approved program design as demonstrated by the information

entered on SharePoint and CWDS

Documentation of added value to school districts, including the ability to support career

development of non-WIOA eligible youth

Exits with placement for graduating seniors by September 30, 2016

Performance Sanctions:

Aligned with Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Workforce Investment Information Notice No.

1-11 dated July 15, 2011, a provider fails to meet at least 80% of the negotiated level for a specific

performance measure for one year, will be considered as having unacceptable performance. In the event

that the provider has unacceptable performance, CPWDC, at a minimum, will require the provider to submit

a performance improvement plan with specific steps that will be taken to improve performance. If provider

fails to meet 80% of the negotiated level for a specific performance measure for a second consecutive year,

provider may be subject to sanctions in the amount of 1% for each failed measure. In addition, provider

will be required to comply with all available Technical Assistance and all State and CPWDC determined

requirements and be at risk for having the contract revoked.

Section 4: Proposal Budget Under this contract, performance measures are based on 100% enrollment. To that end, successful

respondents will receive a percentage of their contract operating award via cost reimbursement invoicing,

fulfillment of its enrollment targets, and monthly data entry. The balance of the funds will be accessible

upon the achievement of negotiated outcomes (e.g. GED attainment, post-secondary education placement,

job placement and retention, literacy/numeracy skills gains, etc.). The structure of the hybrid cost

reimbursement/performance-based contracts will be finalized during final contract negotiations with

successful respondents.

Estimated Allocations For budgeting purposes, respondents should use the funding estimate of approximately $580,000 in WIOA

ISY funds for the period from October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016. Funds can be used for:

Staffing and staff support costs

Participant support services

Administrative overhead (not to exceed 10%)

Other costs allowable and related to the program design


NOTE: THE ESTIMATED FUNDS AVAILABLE DO NOT INCLUDE FUNDS THAT WOULD COVER THE

WAGES AND BENEFITS COSTS OF YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN THE SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE.

PROPOSERS SHOULD DEVELOP A BUDGET FOR STAFF AND OPERATING COSTS NECESSARY

TO COMPLETE THE SCOPE OF WORK ONLY.

Note that these funds are estimates and are provided for planning purposes only. The actual allocation for

the contract period is not yet finalized.

CPWDC reserves the option to modify contracts on a year-to-year basis. Funding for subsequent years of

the contract will be determined on an annual basis and may increase or decrease based on the new WIOA

guideline that a maximum of 25% of the WIOA Youth funds can be used for ISY programs.

Leveraging Resources Funds are limited. Linkages and partnerships with existing programs are encouraged and will be

necessary to make the program cost effective. Proposers are strongly encouraged to partner with other

organizations to maximize funding. Proposers are also strongly encouraged to prove they will match

WIOA funding with non-WIOA funds in cash and in-kind donations. Examples include other grants and

staff assigned to this project who are funded in whole or part through a non-WIOA Title I source.

Proposers must describe the linkages, match and alternate funding sources in their response. To sustain

this program and identify adequate resources to build a comprehensive program, proposers must

leverage both financial and programmatic resources.

Proposal Budget The purpose of the Project Budget is to demonstrate how the proposer will implement their plan with the

funds available through this program. The budget is the basis for management, fiscal review and audit.

Project costs must be directly related to the objectives and activities of the project. The budget must cover

the entire contract period. In the Project Budget, proposers will be asked to distinguish between costs that

will be charged to WIOA funds and those that will be included in identified leveraged funds.

The proposer shall develop a line-item budget that will enable the proposal to meet the intent and

requirements of the program, ensure successful implementation of the project and be cost-effective. The

proposer should prepare a realistic and prudent budget avoiding unnecessary or unusual expenditures

that would detract from the accomplishment of the objectives and activities of the project. The following

information is provided to assist in the preparation of the budget. Strict adherence to all required and

prohibited items is expected.

All activities, services, facilities and/or equipment, including leased items, which will be subcontracted by the proposer, must be competitively procured following applicable regulations. CPWDC has final approval of all contract costs before funds are dispersed. All contracts require:

Line item budget for invoicing, program monitoring and audit;

Monthly invoices for actual costs incurred; and

Sufficient documentation for all costs incurred.


Section 5: Proposal

I. Cover Sheet/ Agreement and Checklist Found in Attachment 3, complete the Cover Sheet in its entirety. Indicate agreement with/ability to comply

with each requirement listed on the Agreement to Basic Requirements. Use the Checklist to ensure all

requested information is provided with your proposal.

II. Executive Summary Include a one to two page summary of your proposal.

III. Proposal Narrative Respond to all of the questions asked in the order they are asked. Do not weave your answers into the

text; instead, use the question and answer format in your proposal (include the corresponding section letter

and number of each question in the narrative response, example: A.1.). Including attachments as indicated

in the questions will not count toward the page limitations of each section. The narrative cannot exceed 20

pages.

A. Organizational Capacity and Relevant Experience

1. Please describe your organization’s mission and philosophy and how this proposal relates to your

organization’s goals and to the purpose of WIOA ISY programs.

2. Describe your organization’s relevant experience and outcomes serving youth who have barriers

to employment, are economically disadvantaged or have little or no work experience. If your

organization has no experience providing programs for youth, please provide brief descriptions of

other relevant programs and services provided within the past two years.

3. Describe your organization’s success in meeting and exceeding performance measures. Attach

Performance Outcomes to your response (please make sure that the required level and the level

achieved are both clearly marked). Please ensure that the data, if aggregated with the performance

of other organizations, distinguishes the performance outcomes specific to your organization. What

were your greatest challenges in achieving your outcomes and how did you overcome them?

4. Describe your process for conducting program monitoring and evaluation processes, including

customer satisfaction surveys, throughout the contract period.

5. Explain your organization’s philosophy regarding on-going staff training and professional

development. Describe how training will occur and how it will relate to successful youth program

delivery. Provide a list of training provided in the current program year (if you operate a workforce

program currently).

B. Staffing Plan

1. Explain the staffing plan including:

a. Whether positions are full time or are cost-shared with other funding streams; if cost-

shared, describe the portion of time each staff person will spend dedicated to Central

Region ISY activities


b. Whether it will allow for one staff person to serve more than one school district through

the scheduling of services and office time, and if so, how many schools one staff

person will serve

c. Duties, experience, and qualifications of known staff members (resumes may be

attached and will not count against page limitation)

d. Job descriptions and minimum and desired qualifications for other staff members (job

descriptions may be attached and will not count against page limitation)

e. How many ISY each direct staff person will carry on a caseload; include a breakdown

according to active youth and youth in follow up and include explanation regarding the

caseload and how it’s manageable and efficient.

2. Describe strategies you will employ to ensure youth and staff develop a positive working

relationship. Also, describe your policies for ensuring youth and staff safety during face-to-face

and electronic communication.

3. Please attach a chart showing your organization’s management and staffing structure and

demonstrating how each school/service area will be served. The chart should also demonstrate

how your organization will communicate with CPWDC.

C. Relationships and Collaboration

1. Identify key partners and how each will contribute to the attainment of WIOA performance

measures for participating youth. If applicable, identify and explain any subcontracting

relationships.

2. Demonstrate how coordination will be accomplished with other youth serving agencies, including

but not limited to school districts, law enforcement agencies, human service agencies and

community/faith based organizations.

3. How do you plan to leverage additional resources to supplement WIOA Youth Services? Discuss

plans to simultaneously serve WIOA and non-WIOA youth.

D. Facilities

1. Please describe the location(s) where program activities will take place, including whether the facilities are ADA compliant. Describe the hours that the facilities are available for use. Include whether staff will be housed at the same facility, and if not, describe where staff will be housed. Describe plans to transport youth and/or staff to the facilities, if applicable. Include a description of how many staff will be located or will be providing services in each of the proposed facilities. If staff will be located in facilities other than schools, describe the benefits of such locations.

E. Youth Recruitment Strategies

1. Describe your overall recruitment strategy and how it will take advantage of the full spectrum of

WIOA eligibility.

2. Describe your plans, if any, for recruiting additional youth in October 2015. Include all school

districts from which you plan to recruit youth and the expected number of eligible youth you will

enroll from each school district.

3. Describe your plans for recruiting youth to participate in a summer work experience beginning in

July 2016.


F. WIOA Youth Service Delivery- Program Design

1. Describe how your program will deliver services that align with the WIOA Youth Service Delivery

requirements. Organize your response by outlining each Element as provided in the WIOA Youth

Service Delivery section of this RFP.

2. Describe your plan to ensure the service strategy is linked to one or more indicators of performance.

3. Describe your plan for incorporating career pathways into the service delivery; be specific regarding

how participants will be exposed to career pathways.

G. WIOA Required Program Elements

1. Please describe in detail your comprehensive plan to deliver each of the 14 WIOA Required

Program Elements. Organize your response by outlining each Element as provided in the WIOA

Youth Required Program Elements section of this RFP. At a minimum for each Element, include

the following in this order: whether your program will provide the element directly and if not, how

you will coordinate services to ensure youth needs are met; how you will identify an individual

participant’s need for each; how each will be made available to any and all youth who needs it; and

a description of what the services provided for each element will look like. Include all aspects of

how the elements will be provided; for example, leadership development can include civic

engagement and activities that place youth in a leadership role.

H. Program Delivery and Implementation of the Program Design The provider will be required to deliver services throughout the academic year and in the summer

months. Where applicable within the questions below, specify how the WIOA Required Elements are

blended into your proposed model for program delivery. Include your plan to provide services in-house

or leverage resources.

1. An overview of the current ISY program design is included as Attachment 1. Describe your plans

to use the existing model, implement changes, or recommend a different model. Include how you

will ensure incorporation of the Pennsylvania Career Guide and identify other curricula that will be

used with youth. Describe the methods you will use to involve ISY in the design and leadership of

the program. Include your plan to evaluate the effectiveness of the program design. A single paged

attachment may be provided along with your response in order to allow you to show in flowchart

form how the model will look and how youth will move throughout activities.

2. Describe how you will ensure that all currently enrolled ISY receive continuous services with

minimal disruption throughout the commitment CPWDC made to them so they receive services

through to graduation, placement and follow up.

3. Describe the standards and expectations that will be required of youth participating in the program

and how they will be conveyed.

4. Describe the experience an ISY participant in the Central Region will have. Be specific in

describing how many staff the youth will interact with, when and how the youth will be referred to

other services, and the number of hours and sequence of program components. Explain your

innovative approach that will ensure a positive, motivating experience for all ISY. Include your

case management and communication philosophies and strategies.

5. Explain how you will be a resource to the schools you propose to enroll ISY and include how you

will partner with schools to increase the likelihood that students graduate from high school.


6. Outline the amount of time each participant will spend with ISY staff each month. Outline the

percentage of time ISY staff will spend working directly with ISY on average each day.

7. Describe the amount of time ISY staff will spend attending school administration meetings and

providing activities that benefit not only the enrolled ISY but also the school as a whole.

8. Describe how you will ensure TANF eligibility for the summer paid work experiences.

9. Describe how your program will develop the Individual Service Strategy, including detail regarding

how a participant’s individual goals will be developed, evaluated, and coordinated. Also include

how it will be linked directly to performance indicators and maintained as a living document.

10. Explain your strategy for recruitment, enrollment and retention of youth.

11. Explain how you will be a resource to the schools you propose to offer outreach services to,

including how you will provide non-enrolled youth with access to services and activities. In

particular, describe how you will ensure that as many students as possible, especially seniors,

receive information about the resources available at the PA CareerLink®; describe what your

message will be.

I. Performance and Outcomes

1. Successful completion of high school is expected; describe how your program will employ

methods that will encompass attitudinal, motivational, behavioral and competency goals that will

lead to a greater likelihood for success.

2. For each WIA Common Measure, describe how you will meet or exceed negotiated rates for each

quarter in PY15 (July 1, 2015- June 30, 2016).

3. For each WIOA Common Measure, describe how you will incorporate services that will ensure

positive outcomes if the measures were in place in PY15 and how you will ensure positive

outcomes for each when they are mandated in PY16 (July 1, 2016- June 30, 2017).

4. ISY are expected to graduate from high school with a plan for the future and the ability to

successfully transition to post-secondary education, employment or the military. Describe your

plan to find appropriate placements (employment, education, or military) within the first quarter

following high school graduation. Describe how you will ensure participants have access to the

full array of resources available through partnership with the PA CareerLink®.

5. Please describe other performance objectives that your program will measure itself against

including any additional detail regarding how your program will ensure successful implementation

of WIOA.

IV. Budget

A. Budget Narrative

(Limited to 2 Pages)

Proposer is required to submit a narrative with the Project Budget. The narrative must describe:

1. How the project’s proposed budget supports the stated objectives and activities in the project;


2. How funds are allocated to minimize administrative costs and support direct services to

participants;

3. Indirect cost rate (if applicable);

4. Any unusual expenditures;

5. For each staff, the annual salary, the percent of time that will be charged to WIOA Youth, the

employer of record, and the primary location of staff (Attachment 4 – Budget Forms);

6. All proposed subcontracts, including the subcontracting organization, the amount that will be

subcontracted and the function the subcontractor will fulfill (Attachment 4– Budget Forms); and

7. The source and use of all matching funds (Attachment 4 – Budget Forms).

B. Budget Form – Attachment 4

Complete the required form with the following definitions in mind:

Administrative Costs: personnel and/or operational costs required and incurred for official

business in coordination of administrative functions under WIOA. Some examples include

accounting, financial, procurement and purchasing, payroll, personnel management and general

legal services. Administrative/indirect costs are capped at 10%.

Program Costs: personnel and/or operational costs required and incurred for delivering workforce

services for the purpose of furthering the program objectives defined in the scope of work.

Equipment: purchases for items with a useful life greater than one year which may include

computers, furniture, cameras, Smartboards, vehicles, etc. Please note: equipment purchased is

considered the property of the CPWDC and will be required to be returned at the conclusion or

termination of the contract.

Direct Participant Costs: those costs that are spent directly on individual participants and are

tracked by individual enrollment. Possible costs include participant supportive services, wages

and benefits and supplies directly provided to youth.

Matching Funds: Proposers are expected to seek in-kind contributions and/or leveraged funds

from non-WIOA sources to assist in the operation of this project, including but not limited to in-

kind services, equipment or space, employer contributions toward work experience/internships,

etc.

Basis for Calculations:

Facility Costs: CPWDC has not set aside any funds to cover the cost associated with staff

being located in a PA CareerLink® site because ISY staff currently have offices at the local

education facilities. For each FTE that will be housed in one or more PA CareerLink® sites,

budget $19,000 in the Operational Expenses line item.

o The $19,000 covers the following:

Staff Support

The PA CareerLink® Administrator provides direction, management and coordination

of all operations within the site to ensure that services are operated efficiently and

are in compliance with the CPWDC strategic plan.


Support staff provide assistance with administrative tasks; managing customer

traffic; direct customer support as needed in open computer labs; and instruction in

PA CareerLink® workshops open to the public.

Facility

Rent; utilities, including heat and air conditioning, electric, water, sewer; local and

long-distance telephone service; high-speed internet; and parking.

Technology/Business Equipment

One staff computer; IT maintenance and support; computer network access;

computer labs with internet access; copier(s), including routine maintenance and

supplies; fax machine(s).

Furniture

Office cubicle furnishing for one staff member, including desk, desk chair, and filing

cabinet.

Operations

Basic office supplies; standard business postage, not to include mass mailings.

Proposer and any subcontracted entity of the proposer are responsible for all applicable

liability coverage and content coverage for any furniture/materials purchased by the

proposer/subcontractor and stored at the PA CareerLink® site(s).

Direct Participant Costs:

o All ISY and OSY participating in a paid work experience will be paid minimum wage of

$7.25/hour. The employer of record must pay the required withholdings and applicable

workers’ compensation insurance.

o For each youth participating in WorkKeys® assessments, providers should budget

$25.75, which includes the costs associated with the battery of three assessments plus

the National Career Readiness Assessment. If providers include the WorkKeys®

Personal Skills Assessments, those should be budgeted at $10 per assessment (Talent,

Performance and/or Fit).

Proposers must also attach one copy (either electronic or hard copy) each of the last two years’ audited

financial statements and one copy (either electronic or hard copy) of the current business license if

applicable.

VI. Disclaimer CPWDC reserves the right to cancel or modify this request for proposal or the scope or funding of an

approved WIOA program to any extent necessary to ensure compliance with state and/or federal guidelines

regarding WIOA or if available WIOA funding is impacted due to the federal and/or state budget

appropriations. All successful proposers must demonstrate the capability to modify the program design in

order to comply with new regulations and/or changes to available funds, and by submitting a proposal,

agree to do so.


CPWDC may, at its discretion, request presentations by, or meetings with, any or all respondents, to clarify

or negotiate modifications to the respondent’s proposal. However, CPWDC reserves the right to make an

award without further discussion of the proposals submitted.

CPWDC may decide not to fund part or all of a proposal even though it is found to be in the competitive range

if, in the opinion of CWPDC, the services proposed are not needed, or the costs are higher than CWPDC

finds reasonable in relation to the overall funds available, or if past management concerns lead CPWDC to

believe that the respondent has undertaken more services that it can reasonably provide.

CPWDC reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, in whole or in part, received as a result of this

request or to negotiate separately with respondents. A contract for the accepted proposal will be based

upon the factors described in this RFP.

CPWDC has the right to fund a lower ranked proposal over a high ranked proposal because of valid policy

considerations, including but not limited to, organizational experience, geographical considerations,

leveraging of outside resources and target populations.

Providers will allow local, state and federal representatives access to all WIOA records, program materials,

staff and participants. In addition, providers are required to maintain all WIOA records for three years after

CPWDC submits the final expenditure report to the US Department of Labor.

CPWDC reserves the right to determine both the number and funding levels of contracts financially awarded.

Such determination will depend upon overall fund availability and other factors arising during the review

process. Proposals submitted which are over the maximum amount of funds specified for this RFP will be

rejected.

CPWDC is not responsible for any costs incurred by respondents prior to the selection. The cost to develop

and submit a proposal in response to this RFP is not reimbursable.

This RFP is being solicited based on available funds.

Materials submitted with the proposal, and the proposal itself, become the property of the CPWDC and will

not be returned.

CPWDC must comply with Pennsylvania’s Right-To-Know Law, Act 3 of 2008, effective January 1, 2009,

and may be requested and required to release information from proposals received in response to this RFP.

All proposals submitted will receive a response as to the action taken by the CPWDC. Respondents may

request a briefing on the action taken on the proposal.

The submission of a proposal to the CPWDC does not assure or imply an award of a contract to the firm

submitting the proposal. CPWDC reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, in whole or in part,

to negotiate any offer made, and/or to cancel or amend any part of this application package for whatever

reason.

central pennsylvania workforce development corporation … · 2015. 7. 7. · cpwdc wioa isy rfp...

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