Workforce Centers Services Provider. Judy McDonald, Executive Director Due Date: May 4, 2017 Time Due: 10:30 A.M. CDT

Transcription

1 Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County 1320 S. University Drive, Suite 600 Fort Worth, TX Workforce Centers Services Provider March 16, 2017 Judy McDonald, Executive Director Due Date: May 4, 2017 Time Due: 10:30 A.M. CDT

2 Contents SECTION I. GENERAL INFORMATION Party Requesting Services Services Sought Grant Authority Who Can Apply? Contract Type Contract Period Proposal Options The Letter of Intent to Apply Transition Plan Equal Opportunity... 7 SECTION II. RFP TIMELINE SCHEDULE... 7 SECTION III. COMPETITIVE PROPOSAL PROCESS... 8 SECTION IV. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS... 8 SECTION V. RFP RETRIEVAL, UPDATES, AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION... 9 SECTION VI. AMENDMENT OR WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSAL SECTION VII. ACCOUNTABILITY AND INCENTIVE MEASURES VIII. SCOPE OF PROPOSAL IX. PROPOSAL NARRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS X. PROPOSAL NARRATIVE CRITERIA QUESTIONS XI. BUDGET, BUDGET NARRATIVE, AND FUND CONDITIONS XII. CONDITIONS OF BID, ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS, AND GRIEVANCES XIII. EVALUATION, RATING AND SELECTION PROCESS XIV. BASIS FOR AWARD XV. REQUIRED FORMS AND ATTACHMENTS... 38

3 APPENDIX Proposal Instructions, Sequence, and Required Documents APPENDIX BUDGET FUNDING ESTIMATED TOTAL FUNDING TO BE USED FOR FY 18 BUDGET APPENDIX BUDGET INSTRUCTIONS... 42

4 SECTION I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. Party Requesting Services Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County (WSTC) Is the brand-name adopted for the workforce development system in Tarrant County that is operated by the Tarrant County Workforce Development Board. Our system is alternately referred to, in this document, by the acronyms WSTC and TCWDB, or abbreviated as simply the Board. Our 29-member volunteer Board is appointed by the Workforce Governing Board (WGB) which is comprised of Chief Elected Officials of the cities of Fort Worth and Arlington, and the Tarrant County Judge. It operates all facets of services in accordance with established WSTC Policies and Procedures. The WSTC Board is composed of a majority membership of individuals from the private sector along with individuals representing labor, education, social services, community based organizations, rehabilitation agencies and other local interests. WSTC serves as grant recipient and administrative unit for the Tarrant County workforce development system under the direction of the Workforce Development Board and the Workforce Governing Board. This procurement is being conducted by WSTC under the policy direction of these governing bodies. The mission of Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, as a partnership of community resources, is to ensure the economic vitality of our community by building and maintaining a quality workforce development system that strengthens and provides economic, educational and developmental opportunities for all people, including children and youth. More information about WSTC is available at WSTC is an equal opportunity organization and encourages all vendors who wish to propose to do so. WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS FOR TARRANT COUNTY BOARD GOALS Goal 1: Goal 2: Goal 3: Goal 4: Goal 5: Goal 6: Enhance Governing and Workforce Boards leadership in meeting the mission of improving workforce quality to support economic development. Advance a Workforce Intelligence system to achieve vertical and horizontal alignment with Tarrant County employer and targeted industry demand. Exercise proper fiduciary stewardship, budget for new opportunities, and ensure adequate Board oversight of financial concerns. Improve the quality of the existing, potential, and future workforce in Tarrant County through strategic partnerships. Develop and offer responsive Business Services to help Tarrant County businesses, especially smaller businesses, meet their human resource needs and improve the quality of the workforce available to them. Improve the quality of the future workforce to ensure that Tarrant County businesses have a longer-term, vibrant, and qualified talent pipeline. 3 P age

5 Goal 7: Goal 8: Expand the talent pool available to Tarrant County employers by reaching, serving and preparing untapped talent markets. Continue to improve the workforce services delivery system to increase the number of Tarrant County workforce system customers employed at higher wages. WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS FOR TARRANT COUNTY VISION AND ROLES FOR WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA) AT THE BOARD AND CENTER LEVEL WIOA Requires: Align workforce education, training and center services to the needs of employers. Identify existing talent pipelines for current and projected job openings in demand industries. Assist employers in back-mapping talent flows and identify providers or processes now supplying the best talent. Support employers in communicating their competency and credentialing requirements to training entities, funding entities and job seekers and to enhance mapping of career pathways. Request employer validation of mapped career pathways within their industries. Empower and incentivize students and workers with employer-validated pathways in demand industries, consumer information on preferred providers, funding, and flexibility to access career pathways. Encourage employer engagement in providing work-based learning opportunities. Encourage employer engagement in enhancing Workforce Center (Center) services. Further develop partnerships to provide a seamless continuum along career pathways for ALL job seekers. Define WSTC s role on career pathways, identify partners to fill all pathway roles and align programs and employer engagement for a seamless continuum. Ensure multiple entry points that enable well-prepared students, as well as targeted populations with limited education or English skills and work experiences, to successfully enter the career pathway. (Targeted populations served by career pathways may include adult education or other lower-skilled adult students, English Language learners, offenders or ex-offenders, high school graduates, disconnected youth, former military personnel, unemployed or under-employed adults, college graduates, and all others). Ensure multiple exit points at successively higher levels that lead to self- or family-supporting employment and that are aligned with subsequent entry points. Ensure well connected and transparent education, training, support services, and credentials within specific sectors or cross-sector demand occupations. Allocate resources to maximize outcomes and impact. Expand student and worker access to employer-validated career pathways by directing funding and targeting resources. Provide needed supportive services to support successful participation. 4 P age

6 Roles in the Tarrant County Workforce System Expectations of our Workforce Centers under WIOA: Create an environment of how can we help you? Not, why we can t help you. This will be partially accomplished by opening eligibility for the Adult program to include all job seekers, while giving priority to the WIOA priority groups. Conduct consistent and non-duplicative assessments of participants education, skills, and assets/needs. Eliminate all artificial barriers (sequence of service, job search requirements, etc.) to enrollment in services at all Workforce Centers. Ensure processes to enrollment and service provision are efficient and appropriate for customers who may be working. Reduce the number of trips and appointments necessary to enroll in services. Ensure consistency across centers in processes leading to services. Improve the quality and consistency of Career Services available in the Centers. Utilizing career pathways and industry intelligence, provide professional level career counseling, and career navigation services. Provide employer informed Work-Readiness instruction. Provide and/or refer participants to support services needed for successful participation. Refer to most appropriate entry point for chosen career pathway. (Occupational training, workbased learning, apprenticeships, integrated basic education and skills training, job placement, etc.) Expand available Career Services customized to targeted groups based on lessons learned in competitive pilot projects. Provide Job Placement Assistance. 2. Services Sought MANAGEMENT OF TARRANT CO. WORKFORCE CENTERS SERVICES The Workforce Centers Services Provider, hereafter known as Selected Proposer, will be the awarded Proposer best suited to perform the required and necessary services identified in this RFP. 3. Grant Authority The Selected Proposer shall implement this grant award in compliance with the following: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) CFR 603 CFR 688; Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933, as amended, [29 USCA S. 29 et seq.]; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Final Rule [45 CFR, Parts 261, et al.]; Food Stamp Act of 1977 [7 USC 2000 et. seq.]; Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity and Reconciliation Act of 1996 [Public Law ] as amended by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005; Federal regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human for Services at 45 CFR Parts 270 through 275, inclusive, for services funded by Temporary Assistance to Needy Families; federal regulations issued 45 CFR Part 260, et al.; Federal regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at 7 CFR 271 through 273 Food Stamp employment and training services; Federal laws and regulations concerning nondiscrimination and equal opportunity; Federal labor and employment laws; The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) WD Letters; 5 P age

7 State and Federal guidance and regulations on Financial Management including appropriate OMB circulars, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (hereafter known as Uniform Administrative Requirements ), found in 2 CFR 200; State legislation Senate Bill 642 as amended by House Bill 1863; Sections of the Texas Administrative Code Title 40, Part 20 and the Texas Government Code Ch. 2308, as they pertain to Center systems, operations and programs; Policies of the Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County Board related to Center programs and operation. Additional Resources Referenced in RFP: Texas Workforce Commission (TWC): TWC Financial Manual for Grants and Contracts: TWC WD Letters: Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards 4. Who Can Apply? Proposers may be governmental units, public agencies, business organizations, labor organizations, public or private not-for-profit corporations, and private for-profit corporations organized in accordance with state and federal laws. Proposer may not be a deliverer of occupational or basic skills training in accordance with Texas House Bill A Proposer who is currently a training provider but agrees to divest all training activities may apply under this proposal with a statement to that effect. 5. Contract Type The Board expects to execute a single contract as a result of this RFP. The Board will use a costreimbursement contract, unless a different type of contract is determined by the Board to be more advantageous. All contracts are contingent upon the receipt of sufficient funding by WSTC from the Texas Workforce Commission and other funding sources. Negotiated contract amounts will be contingent upon funding actually received. Final contracts are also subject to any changes in legislation, regulations, or policies issued by funding sources. WSTC reserves the right to vary or change the terms of any contract executed as a result of this RFP. This includes funding levels, the scope of work, performance standards, and shortening or extending the contract period as it deems necessary and in the best interest of WSTC. 6. Contract Period The initial contract will be for one year, beginning October 1, 2017 and ending September 30, The Board may renew the contract for up to three (3) additional year periods. In no event, shall the total term of the contract exceed four (4) years. Contract renewals are the sole discretion of the Board, based on satisfactory performance, compliance and contractual obligations, and other factors as determined by the 6 P age

8 Board. The Board reserves the right to terminate the contract annually or earlier based on contractor performance and compliance with contractual terms and conditions. 7. Proposal Options This RFP does not limit responsive offers to a single type of management structure or service delivery arrangement. If the proposer uses a managing director approach in conjunction with a Professional Employment Organization (PEO) or staff leasing company, the managing director, must contract directly with the PEO or the staff leasing company. 8. The Letter of Intent to Apply A letter stating the Proposer s Intent to Apply is recommended and appreciated. The Letter of Intent to Apply (included in RFP Package 2) should be submitted and received by WSTC by 5:00p.m., on Thursday, April 6, Transition Plan All Proposers must include a transition plan with all activities to be completed by September 30, The Budget for the transition period must be included with the proposal. The Board expects that all parties involved in the transition will work together to ensure that services to customers are not impacted. 10. Equal Opportunity WSTC is an equal opportunity employer. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired customers may contact Relay Texas: (TD) and 711 (Voice). SECTION II. RFP TIMELINE SCHEDULE Release RFP Document Thursday, March 17, 2017 Bidders Conference Thursday, March 30, 2017 Deadline for Questions Thursday, April 6, 2017, 5:00 p.m. (CDT) Letter of Intent to Apply Thursday, April 6, 2017, 5:00 p.m. (CDT) Post Responses to Questions Thursday, April 13, 2017 PROPOSAL DUE Thursday, May 4, 2017, 10:30 a.m. (CDT) Workforce Delivery Systems Committee Approval Recommendation Thursday, August 17, 2017 Workforce Development Board Executive Committee Authorization Wednesday, August 30, 2017 Workforce Governing Board Contract Approval Wednesday, August 30, 2017 NOTE: All dates are subject to change 7 P age

9 SECTION III. COMPETITIVE PROPOSAL PROCESS WSTC will exercise its right to a closed competitive RFP process for proposal review/analysis, presentations of responsive proposals, and award recommendation procedures in the best interest of, and the best benefit to, WSTC as well as ensure the best competitive edge for all parties. SECTION IV. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS Solicitation and selection of proposals via this Request for Proposal (RFP) shall conform to all federal and state laws and regulations governing procurement of services. Proposers are responsible for familiarizing themselves with such laws and regulations. Failure to comply with or violation of any of the following conditional limitations regarding this RFP process may invalidate a proposal or lead to its rejection. All proposals must be received on time at the address indicated and must be responsive to all RFP instructions. WSTC will not be held responsible for late submissions or non-delivery of mail, carrier, or other forms of delivery. WSTC considers any proposal submitted in response to this RFP to be the property of WSTC, and is not obligated to return proposal responses, binders, or exhibits to Proposers. WSTC also recommends Proposers not include proprietary information or trade secrets with submitted proposals since information submitted may be subject to disclosure under the Texas Open Records Act. Submitted proposals must have original signature(s) of person(s) having authority to bind the submitting organization/agency/company to a contract (hereafter known as sub-award, as redefined per Uniform Administration Guide, when relating to binding agreement between WSTC and Selected Proposer). NOTE: Sub-award negotiation addresses both programmatic and budgetary issues, and any proposal unable to be successfully negotiated for sub-award will not be funded. Format Proposals must be typed, single spaced, 12 pt. font size, one-sided only, and submitted on 8½ x 11-inch white paper. Please use binder clips to separate the copies. Proposal Cover Sheet All items on the Proposal Cover Sheet (included in RFP Package 2) must be completed. A proposal liaison or primary contact person, as well as a signatory authority (i.e. person with the legal authority to negotiate and sign a contract on behalf of the proposing organization) must be identified. The signatory authority must also sign all required certification forms. Emphasis must be placed on addressing all the requirements of the RFP in a clear and concise manner, and in the exact order and requested. Total Narrative optimal page limit is 50 pages, excluding attachments, budgets, and other required forms. An original and eight (8) copies of your proposal must be received in the WSTC office no later than 10:30 A.M. (CDT), Thursday, May 4, Proposals may either be mailed or hand-delivered. Faxed or ed proposals will not be accepted. Proposals submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS. 8 P age

10 Mailing and hand-delivered address: Judy McDonald, Executive Director Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County 1320 S. University Drive, Suite 600 Fort Worth, TX Hand delivered Proposals All hand delivered copies must be received at the WSTC office by 10:30 a.m. (CDT), Thursday, May 4th, All overnight mailings will be considered hand-delivered and must be received at the designated place by 10:30 a.m. (CDT), Thursday, May 4th, Proposals not received at the designated place by the specified date and time will not be accepted. Proposals submitted via courier or overnight mail services will be considered to be hand-delivered and must be received by the deadline. Incomplete proposals and proposals not in adherence to any RFP guidelines, specifications, and requests put forth in this RFP, and proposals missing required original signatures may be deemed null and void, disqualified for award consideration, and treated as a No Bid. Proposer MUST write in bold, all caps: RFP in the bottom left-hand corner of the sealed proposal mailing envelope or shipping package envelope/box to insure proper handling. WSTC will not be held responsible for misplaced or mishandled RFP proposals if packaging is not properly marked for identification. SECTION V. RFP RETRIEVAL, UPDATES, AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A copy of RFP, RFP updates and any additional information pertaining to this RFP may be obtained online from the WSTC website by going to the Request for Proposals page at and clicking on the RFP of interest. In addition, Proposers may also request a RFP copy via to Tillie Taylor at: tillie.taylor@workforcesolutions.net. Proposer questions and/or requests for additional information regarding this RFP must be in writing. No verbal requests for clarifications will be addressed, no exceptions. As referenced in Section IV. RFP Timeline Schedule, (p. 7), the strict deadline for questions and/or requests for clarification or additional information must be ed to Tillie Taylor at: tillie.taylor@workforcesolutions.net by Thursday, April 6, Responses/answers to any requests/questions received by the deadline will be posted on the WSTC website, in the Procurement section no later than Thursday, April 13, Deadline Reminder: Questions must be received by 5:00 P.M. (CDT), Thursday, April 6, 2017 to assure Post Responses to Questions. NOTE: Any questions or inquires after the deadline date will go unanswered with no response, no exceptions. Any correction, alterations or answers to questions concerning the RFP will be posted at NOTE: It is the sole responsibility of Proposers to review the web site periodically for corrections, alterations or answers to questions. Bidders Conference The Bidders Conference will be held 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2017, at the Arlington Workforce Center 140 W. Mitchell Arlington, TX P age

11 Questions posed outside of the Bidders Conference must be in writing or ed as described earlier. Workforce Center tours will be made available after conclusion of the Bidders Conference. A formal question and answer document will be posted at no later than Thursday, April 13, Other than described above, WSTC Board members, officers, staff and authorized representatives are precluded from answering questions concerning this RFP or the procurement process. Contact with Board members or staff regarding the RFP (except as noted above) from the date that this RFP is released until a contract is awarded is strictly prohibited. Violations of this prohibition will result in the automatic disqualification of the offending Bidder. SECTION VI. AMENDMENT OR WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSAL A Proposer may not amend their proposal after its receipt by WSTC. However, WSTC may waive an error in/or omission from a proposal if the error or omission is not material. Proposers may withdraw their proposal if there is a material mistake in the proposal and resubmit the proposal with the mistake corrected before the due date deadline for proposal submissions. SECTION VII. ACCOUNTABILITY AND INCENTIVE MEASURES ACCOUNTABILITY OF PROGRAM PERFORMANCE The Workforce Commission (TWC) establishes a performance accountability system to assess effectiveness of state and local areas in continuously improving workforce activities and to optimize the return on the investment of federal taxpayer dollars in such activities. The Selected Provider must have a thorough knowledge of the programs and their performance requirements. The Selected Provider will be responsible for achieving performance standards and providing quality services to Workforce Center customers. At a minimum, the Selected Provider must meet assigned TWC contracted performance measure and be competitive with other large boards in Texas. The Board may pass down to the Selected Provider additional performance measure or changes as received by TWC. The Board reserves the right to adjust, change and/or add additional performance measures or changes received by TWC. The Board reserves the right to adjust, change and/or add additional measures as deemed appropriate. 10 P age

12 Program Performance Measures - Year 2016 Contracted measures are those formally contracted between boards and Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), and they are reported on the TWC Monthly Performance Report. The targets are set by TWC. The following are the contracted measures for BCY16. MEASURE EOY TARGET Reemployment and Employer Engagement Measures Claimant Reemployment within 10 Weeks 55.10% # of Employers Receiving Workforce Assistance 6,444 Program Participation Measures Choices Full Work Rate - All Family Total 50.00% Avg. # Children Served Per Day - Discretionary 5,119 WIOA Outcome Measures Employed/Enrolled Q2 Post Exit All Participants 63.10% Employed/Enrolled Q2-Q4 Post Exit All Participants 80.90% Median Earnings Q2 Post Exit All Participants $4,520 Credential Rate All Participants n/a Employed Q2 Post Exit Adult 80.90% Employed Q4 Post Exit Adult 77.50% Median Earnings Q2 Post Exit Adult $5,000 Credential Rate Adult 77.30% Employed Q2 Post Exit DW 87.30% Employed Q4 Post Exit DW 81.80% Median Earnings Q2 Post Exit DW $8,070 Credential Rate DW 85.60% Employed/Enrolled Q2 Post Exit Youth 71.90% Employed/Enrolled Q4 Post Exit Youth 79.40% Credential Rate Youth 72.30% WIOA Customer Serve Levels WIOA Adults 892 WIOA Dislocated Worker 913 WIOA Youth 498 BCY 17 Incentive Criteria not yet established. TWC Board Incentive Measures It is expected the Selected Proposer will achieve noteworthy performance in the TWC Board Incentive Measures. Board Incentive Awards The Texas Workforce Commission s (TWC) Integrity of the Texas Workforce System rule provides a flexible framework for providing incentives to boards and rewarding strong performances by boards in key areas that TWC identifies yearly. Incentive awards are based on performance rankings within a board s quartile. 11 P age

13 VIII. SCOPE OF PROPOSAL This is a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the operation of the WSTC centers. The Selected Proposer shall have the responsibility to manage six full service Workforce Centers. The Selected Proposer shall have full responsibility for operation of the following programs: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth), the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) (including the Choices Program and other TANF funded activities), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Employment Services (ES) Program, National Emergency Grant (NEG) Program, the Non-Custodial Parent Program (NCP), and the Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) Program. The Selected Proposer will be responsible for upholding, honoring, and working with WSTC to implement the mission and vision of the Board which found in Section 1. General Information. POPULATION, SERVICE AREA, AND PROGRAM SERVICES OVERVIEW Population Served: WSTC serves a broad array of populations through the programs named above. The Board actively seeks competitive funding around service projects. Therefore, the populations served will include targeted populations from competitive awards. Also, the Board expects its Center Management Contractor to work cooperatively with community organizations that win competitive awards and serve target populations of our center customers. As resources are maximized by co-enrollment and service sharing, the Board seeks active cooperation with the Board and Community regarding competitive grants. The Center Contract Management will be actively involved in the development of these grants on the Workforce Solutions Board side and in cost discussions of outside competitive contract management regarding any additional costs associated with working with community agencies regarding their grant awards. Area Served by Location: The service area is Tarrant County, Texas which is one complete workforce board area. Tarrant County is in North Texas and is commonly referred to as the western portion of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The county is 902 square miles with a population estimated at million as of The two largest cities in Tarrant County are Fort Worth and Arlington, but the county is actually home to 41 cities. Tarrant County is diverse in population, industry, communities and topography. It is Texas third most populous county and the sixteenth-most populous in the United States. Part of this growth is fueled by a strong and diverse economy. The Alliance Airport and the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport make Tarrant County a logistics hub for North America. The Health Care sector continues to grow and includes Baylor Scott and White, Cooks Children s Medical Center, Texas Health Resources and John Peter Smith Hospital. Hospitality and Leisure is also growing in Tarrant County as entertainment attractions, sporting teams, and world class hotels and spas draw people to the Dallas-Arlington-Fort Worth attractions. Aerospace has a strong presence in Tarrant County led by Lockheed Martin and Bell Helicopter Textron. Tarrant County is home to 21 Independent School Districts and multiple higher education universities and colleges such as Tarrant County College, Texas Christian University, University of Texas at Arlington, and the University of North Texas Health Science Center. 12 P age

14 Breakdown of Tarrant County Industries by Super Sectors 5% 1% Tarrant Super Sector Breakdown Trade,Transportion & Utilities Information 6% 6% 11% 9% 20% 23% 12% Sector Percentages based on 4 th Quarter 2016 Industry Sectors Reports in EMSI. 6% The Tarrant County Board staff and contractor staff work with companies within Industries such as Aerospace, Manufacturing, Construction, and Healthcare, but seek outlets to connect center job seekers with jobs within any industry for which that individual s career pathway fits. With a strong economy and unemployment below 4%, our center customers are largely individuals with barriers to employment. Since the 3 rd Quarter of 2014, the percentage of those identifying a barrier to employment has been approximately a third of our center jobseekers. These populations include individuals who are homeless, re-entering employment from incarceration, have low educational achievement or other situational barriers. Besides the RISK factors identified above, age has begun to play a factor in employment. Both older workers and younger workers are having a hard time finding employment. Our youth unemployment is traditionally double that of adult workers and workers over 40 find it difficult to find employment after a lay-off or job loss. While educational attainment in Tarrant County indicates that about 80% of our working population has a high school diploma or above, that is not the case in our centers. Forty-nine percent of our workforce job seekers do not have a high school diploma as the table on the next page demonstrates. 1% Financial Activities Professional & Business Serv. Education, Health Care & Social Services Leisure annd Hospitality Other Services Construction Manufacturing Public Administration Natural Resources and Mining 13 P age

15 2015 Tarrant Population and Center Customers by Percentage of Educational Attainment Education Level 2015 % of Population 2015% of Center Customers Less Than 9th Grade 10% 1.8% 9th Grade to 12th Grade 6% 47.2% High School Diploma 24% 29.6% Some College 24% 3.9% Associate's Degree 7% 12.9% Bachelor's Degree 20% 4.5% Graduate Degree and Higher 9% 0.1% One of the reasons for this is the close relationship between our WIOA program and the Adult Education and Literacy Program (AEL) in Tarrant County. The Board actively supports the co-enrollment of AEL students in WIOA for occupational training. Poverty in Tarrant County Blue Pins-Workforce Centers Red Pins- 40% Poverty or higher Orange Pins- 30 to 39% Poverty Yellow Pins- 20 to 29% Poverty Collaboration with Other Providers for the Benefit of Tarrant County Customers In Tarrant County, we understand that the Workforce Center staff are not equipped to remove all barriers to employment. Some of the barriers that our customers face requires the expertise of a highly skilled individual and sometimes requires us to braid funding. It was decided to issues a Request for Proposal to address the gaps that were missing from our Workforce System. The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to secure the services of multiple, qualified organizations to provide services to residents of Tarrant County who are receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) benefits, Food Stamp benefits 14 P age

16 (SNAP), or who qualify for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult, Dislocated Worker, or Youth Programs. The services sought are expected to complement, not duplicate, the services provided to job seekers through the Tarrant County Workforce Centers. WSTC refers to these services as ancillary or niche services. Since its establishment in the late 1990 s, the Tarrant County Workforce Development Board has worked to establish a tradition of partnering with other human services agencies and non-profits in Tarrant County to offer a comprehensive array of services to workforce system clients. Through these partnerships, the Board has been able to engage the community in providing services to clients that have ranged from disability inclusion assistance to mental health and substance abuse evaluation, to intensive case management and mentoring, and to specialized educational, employment, and supportive services. This Ancillary Services Request for Proposals (RFP) reflects the continuation of this philosophy to engage the community in providing services. The RFP is intended to provide an accessible opportunity for communitybased organizations, faith-based organizations, and others that are close to targeted populations to submit productive, innovative proposals that respond to the challenges of providing services under several Federal and/or State funded programs. The following services were procured because of that need: Mental Health Alternative Education to Disconnected Youth Mentoring, job retention & advancement assistance Disconnected Youth and TANF Intensive co-case management & assistance with barrier removal Education offered concurrently with Paid Work Experience for Disconnected Youth The follow Ancillary Partners were chosen to deliver services: Pathfinders of Tarrant Co., Inc. Family Mentoring Program: Match families and individuals who are employed with volunteer mentors from the community who will provide post-employment mentoring for a one-year period. Guinn Healthcare Technologies, LLC Behavioral Health Assistance Program: Therapeutic partnership between client, counselor, and Career Center staff to reduce/eliminate MH employment barriers and transition to self-sufficiency. Services to Workforce customers include mental health outreach/screening, assessment, counseling, and coping skills group interventions targeting mental health. Customers are also assisted in accessing needed community supports. Case consultations and/or training is provided to Workforce Center staff. The Women s Center Strengthening Families Program: To increase work readiness and employability of TANF/TANF eligible customers with significant barriers to employment through the delivery of niche services such as Workforce orientation, workshops to build skills and motivate, cocase management and assistance with barrier removal to help customers dealing with catastrophic and perpetual conditions. Cassata High School in partnership with Catholic Charities: A non-profit outreach school that provides educational and developmental services. In addition to a high school diploma or GED, they also provide mentoring, leadership development, college prep mentoring, and guidance and counseling. Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth: Goodwill s E2 program provides out-of-school youth with intensive, one-on-one educational opportunities and life skills/job readiness training, while simultaneously facilitating a paid work experience and on-the-job skills development for each participant on-site within a Goodwill location. The goal for each participant within the program will be to connect their classroom learning with authentic work experience to advance individualized personal career pathways. E-Squared also provides mentoring, leadership development, college prep mentoring, and guidance and counseling. 15 P age

17 Preparation for Adult Living (PALS) and Transition Resource Action Center (TRAC) through this partnership we assist youth 16 to 24 aging out of Foster Care. TRAC is a contractor of Family and Protective Services to provide support to youth aging out of Foster Care. TRAC has an office in South Fort Worth that assist those returning to Tarrant County with successful transition and planning. Both TRAC and PALS refer youth to WSTC Centers to assist with employment planning. WFS along with PALS and TRAC meet quarterly to discuss strategies on engaging youth that are transitioning out of foster care. For BCY 16 Tarrant County served a total of 81 foster youth. WSTC has assumed lease commitments to workforce property locations and the Selected Proposer will be responsible for adhering to previous lease commitments. The WSTC locations that must be staffed and serviced by the Selected Proposer are below. WSTC is the process of relocating our Northside Workforce Center. A new location is still to be determined. 16 P a g e

18 Level of Income Requirements: Identifiers for determining eligibility of funds contingent upon client income levels. Funding sources include: (1) Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (Adult, Dislocated Worker, Youth and Rapid Response); (2) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (Choices) Program; (3) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); (4) Employment Services (ES) Program; (5) Veterans Program; (6) Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) Program; Job Driven National Emergency Grant Program (JDNEG); and (8) Non-custodial Parent Program (NCP). Program Summaries: Program overviews and their corresponding requirements are provided as a level of understanding for the scope of workforce centers services provider operations. NOTE: This overview of programs is not intended to be a fully comprehensive list of the requirements which will be applicable for the Selected Proposer. NOTE: Proposers must access individual program guides for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Choices), Supplemental Assistance Program (SNAP), Employment Services (ES), and Non-Custodial Parent (NCP) and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) to gain understanding and guidance for implementation of the various programs in Tarrant County. A link is provided following a brief summary of the various workforce programs. (1) Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) offers an integrated and comprehensive range of services consisting of workforce development activities benefiting employers, incumbent workers, job seekers, laid-off workers, youth veterans, new workforce entrants and persons with disabilities. WIOA s objective is to promote and improve participant s employment, job retention, earnings, and occupational skills. WIOA has three funding streams serving the following three distinct client populations: Adults, Dislocated Workers, Youth (Primarily Out- of-school Youth Ages 16-24). For Adults and Dislocated Workers, WIOA establishes two levels of employment and training services for adults and dislocated workers; career services and training services. Other than a determination of need made using an employment plan, there is no requirement additional services be provided before an individual enrolls in training. If individuals are determined to be in need of training consistent with WIOA 134 (c) (3), the individuals maybe be placed in training services. WIOA places an emphasis on out-of-school youth enrollments in the Work Experience activity. WIOA requires at least twenty percent (20%) of the total WIOA youth funds (less administrative costs) be expended in this activity. An estimate of the 20% requirement may be found in the Budget Instruction section (Appendix 3). Work Experience (WE), whether paid or unpaid, is a planned, structured learning experience taking place in a workplace for a limited period of time. WE is designed to enhance the employability and work maturity skills of a participant by promoting the development of good work habits and basic work skills. The expected outcome is unsubsidized employment. WE is based upon the need of the participant documented in the participants employment plan. Individual WE positions are designed to move participants quickly into hourly or salaried employment. The activity may not exceed six (6) months. The Selected Proposer is responsible for contacting public or private sector, profit or non-profit organizations to develop Work Experience Training Provider Agreements. The Selected Proposer will be the employer of record and responsible for the wages paid to the participants. 17 P age

19 WIOA programs and activities must be implemented in accordance with the Texas Workforce Commission Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Guidelines for Adults, Dislocated Workers and Youth. The WIOA guide and Q A are available by accessing the following links. WIOA Guide: Q A: WIOA Level of Income Requirements: The WSTC identifies the level of income which constitutes selfsufficiency for adults: Self-Sufficient Wage Family Size Wages 1 $12,060 2 $16,240 3 $20,420 4 $25,062 5 $29,579 6 $34,595 7 $39,611 8 $44,627 >8 Add $5,016 for each family member Additional Information Regarding WIOA Occupational Skills Training For occupational skills training, once the IEP is developed, a training provider is selected and presented an Individual Training Account (ITA) to pay for the cost of training. WSTC has an ITA policy that includes customers who are below the Lower Living Standards to be considered self-sufficient and eligible for training assistance. NOTE: Training Services may also be provided through non-wioa sources. Participants are referred to occupational skills training only for occupations which are on the Local Targeted Occupations List for the Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County Board Area with training providers on the Statewide Eligible Training Providers List. For youth, the WIOA Guidance states, Occupational skills training, which includes priority consideration for training programs that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials that align with in demand industry sectors or occupations in the workforce area. A list of Targeted occupations is available on the Board s website: Demand_TargetOccupList_Web_final.pdf NOTE: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) require training providers apply to a workforce development board for certification to receive WIOA funds. The publicly accessible Statewide List of Certified Training Providers includes all training programs that are currently approved by one or more boards and certified by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). Training Providers must submit and receive approval of a Provider Assurance Statement to obtain access to the online application system. 18 P age

20 An overview of the Eligible Training Provider System may be found at this link on the TWC website at: IMPORTANT: The Selected Proposer shall be expected to include funding for training in their budget. Upon sub-award award, these funds will be withheld and paid directly to the training providers through WSTC. (2) Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) (Choices) provides immediate services to individuals applying for and/or receiving cash assistance in an effort to meet the Choices goal, which is to end the dependence of needy parents on public assistance by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage. Strategies for employment, job retention, prevention and reduction of out-of-wedlock pregnancies, and the encouragement of the formation and maintenance of two parent families are the goals for the TANF (Choices) program. Choices services are designed to ensure the workforce needs of local employers are identified, and met, and services provided are consistent with the goals and purposes mandated. Support services including transitional child care are offered. The Choices program and its activities must be implemented in accordance with the Texas Workforce Commission Choices Program Guide available at: (3) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers services to assist food stamp recipients in obtaining employment, including entering employment and training activities promoting long-term selfsufficiency. Employment placement services and supportive services are provided to the General Population (Nonexempt food stamp recipients ages 16 through 59 who are members of a household) and the ABAWD population (Nonexempt Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents ages 18 to 50) utilizing a systematic process to accomplish expected performance outcomes for our fourteen-county workforce area. The SNAP program and its activities must be implemented in accordance with the Texas Workforce Commission SNAP Program Guide available at: (4) Employment Services (ES) focuses on providing a variety of employment related labor exchange services including, but not limited to, job search assistance, job referral, and placement assistance for job seekers, reemployment services to unemployment insurance claimants, and recruitment services to employers with job openings. Depending on the needs of the labor market, other services such as job seeker assessment of skill levels, abilities and aptitudes, career guidance, job search workshops, and referral to training are provided. The ES program and its activities must be implemented in accordance with the Texas Workforce Commission ES Program Guide available at: (5) The Trade Adjustment Assistant Act (TAA) provides financial assistance to individuals who are unemployed due to foreign product competition or the out-sourcing of jobs overseas. Eligible individuals can receive re-employment services, job search/relocation allowances, and job training. The TAA program and its activities must be implemented in accordance with the Texas Workforce Commission TAA Program Guide available at: 19 P age

21 (6) Veterans Employment Services (VS) purpose is to provide; quality assistance and priority service to veterans seeking employment; veterans with necessary tools to re-enter the workplace after exiting from military service; and, identification of employment opportunities available to veterans through outreach, education and training. The program addresses the unemployment and underemployment among veterans by implementing policies and programs for veterans to obtain employment, job training, counseling and job placement services. Additional Programs Referenced: (7) National Emergency Grant Program (NEG)-serves dislocated workers with a particular emphasis on the oil and gas industry. NEG is a work-based and training model. (8) Non-Custodial Program (NCP) is a collaborative effort of the Texas Workforce Commission, the Office of Attorney General (OAG) of Texas, local workforce boards, Workforce Solutions Centers and family court judges. It was initiated in August The program targets low-income unemployed and underemployed NCPs who are behind on their child support payments. The goal of the program is to help NCPs overcome substantial barriers to employment and career advancement while becoming economically self-sufficient and making consistent child support payments. The NCP program and its activities must be implemented in accordance with the Texas Workforce Commission NCP Program Guide available at: Proposer Services - Required: A. Employer Services The Selected Proposer will be responsible for: recruitment assistance, out-placement assistance, labor market information, and other customized services upon request. Services should be aligned with the needs of the business customer. The Selected Proposer shall institute a plan for continuous improvement through assessment of the local labor market. Other activities may include: conducting seminars/workshops; coordinating with training providers and businesses on skills requirements; provision of space for testing and interviewing; outreach and coordination with economic development activities. B. Job Seeker Services The primary purpose of the career center is to provide job seekers with easy access to a broad array of services and information to help them get a job, keep a job or get a better job leading to economic selfsufficiency. Services are to be provided through a seamless and integrated system. The idea is to customize services for each customer seeking assistance, so that the mix and intensity of services provided varies based on the needs of the individual customer. The Board expects the Contractor to implement strategies that further promote integration and streamline services through improved customer flow processes, use of technology, integration of staff, and other innovative solutions to continuously improve the quality of services and customer experience. The goal is for Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County to be recognized as best in class. C. Recruitment and Eligibility Determination including Intake: 20 P age

22 Eligibility determination provided in the Workforce Centers must meet the requirements of the funding streams supporting the program activities. The Proposer selected to develop and operate the Workforce Centers will have the financial responsibility and liability for eligibility determination for the WIOA, NEG, TAA and NCP programs. TANF (Choices) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) will be determined by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). All Workforce programs previously described will include verification of program eligibility, data collection and data entry into TWIST data systems. All participants are to be fully informed about the complete array of program and training options available. Participants are guided to make their own choices within the menu of options available to them in the community. D. Assessment of all Eligible Applicants: The WIOA, TANF, SNAP, NCP and TAA programs require all participants be assessed prior to receiving services. An assessment instrument approved by WSTC must be used in determining: 1. If an individual is eligible to receive services. 2. The support services needed to participate in the program. 3. The training program into which an individual may be enrolled. For Choices clients, SNAP, NCP and TAA the Selected Proposer will offer assessment in accordance with the rules for the program for which the participant has been deemed eligible. This will be the basis for decisions concerning training and service options for individuals. The Selected Proposer must make available other appropriate testing materials based upon an individual s disability. The Individual Employment Plan (IEP) is the primary tool for WIOA case managers and is used to document and justify progressions through the different services for adults and dislocated workers. The IEP is an ongoing strategy developed jointly by the WIOA customer and a workforce professional that identifies the appropriate combination of services for the participant to achieve his/her employment goals for selfsufficiency. The Individual Service Strategy (ISS) is the primary tool for WIOA out-of-school youth participants. The ISS for Youth participants must be linked to one or more indicators of performance, identifies appropriate career pathways that include education and employment goals, prescribes achievement objectives and services for participants, and provide case management, including follow-up for youth. Contractor shall, at a minimum, use the WSTC approved assessment documents for all targeted populations. The Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) locator and TABE Testing Instrument shall be used to document basic skills levels. E. Referral Services: The referral of participants to other contractors of the Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County Board Area who provide appropriate universal, intensive individualized, and/or training services. The referral of participants enrolled in a Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County Board Area funded training program to other agencies in the community to supplement support services necessary for the individual to participate in the program. 21 P age