REGION Q Request for Proposals Bidders’ Conference

1. REGION QRequest for ProposalsBidders’ Conference Workforce Investment Act ADULT & DISLOCATED WORKERS PITT COUNTY Program Year 2007 Thursday, March 29, 2007 11:00 A.M.

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

3. Region Q Website www.regionqwdb.org

4. Overview of RFP • Funding Period • July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008 • Possible Extension of Contract - 1 Year Region Q Workforce Investment Consortium Five County Region: BEAUFORT BERTIE HERTFORD MARTIN PITT RFP PROPOSALS ACCEPTED FOR: PITT COUNTY

5. PURPOSE OF RFP • The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to solicit competitive proposals for the operation of the Workforce Investment Act Adult & Dislocated Worker Program in the following county of the Region Q Workforce Investment Consortium: Pitt County Any governmental, educational, community-based organization or non-profit agency engaged in public service; or any private-for-profit agency may apply. Each entity proposing to provide the employment and training services as prescribed by this RFP must do so as an individual company or agency, and be prepared to either provide the services directly or establish an agreement with the appropriate provider(s) of the services.

6. ONE-STOP DELIVERY SYSTEM • Workforce Investment Act Interim Final Rules were published by the US Department of Labor in the August 11, 2000 Federal Register and are available on the internet at: http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/. On the right side of the page, review the column and locate “Laws and Regs.” Clicking on Laws and Regs will take the viewer to Workforce Investment Act Interim Final Rules. • The WDB, in partnership with our workforce development agencies, has developed a system of comprehensive JobLink Career Centers in the five-county region. The system design currently includes five (5) full-service JobLink Career Centers and 3 JobLink Information Sites. Region Q requires that all adult & dislocated worker contractors operate from the applicable JobLink Career Center. Bidders are expected to meet with the applicable JobLink Center lead agency/operator to discuss provisions for shared space, and costs for this should be reflected in the bidder’s proposal. A letter of agreement from the JobLink Center Manager per coordinated services and physical space commitments must also be included in this proposal.

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

8. ADULT • 663.110To be an eligible adult in the adult and dislocated worker program, an individual must be 18 years of age or older. 664.500(a) Under the Act, eligible youth are 14 through 21 years of age. Adults are defined in the Act as individuals age 18 and older. Thus, individuals ages 18 through 21 may be eligible for both adult and youth programs. Permission must be obtained from the Region Q LA MIS Coordinator prior to co-enrollment.

9. DISLOCATED WORKERS To be eligible for the dislocated worker program, an eligible adult must meet the definition of “dislocated worker” at section 101(9) of the Act. 101(9) The term “dislocated worker” means: (1) An individual who has been terminated or laid off, or who has received notice of termination or layoff, from employment, and is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation, and is unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation. (2) An individual who has been terminated or laid off, or who has received notice of termination or layoff, from employment, and has been employed for a duration sufficient to demonstrate, to the appropriate entity at a one-stop center referred to in section 134(c), attachment to the workforce, but is not eligible for unemployment compensation due to insufficient earnings or having performed services for an employer that was not covered under a State unemployment compensation law, and is unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation.

10. DISLOCATED WORKER (3)An individual who has been terminated or laid off, or who has received a notice of termination or layoff, from employment as a result of any permanent closure of, or any substantial layoff at, a plant, facility, or enterprise. (4) An individual who is employed at a facility at which the employer has made a general announcement that such facility will close within 180 days. (5) For purposes of eligibility to receive services other than training, intensive, or supportive services, an individual who is employed at a facility at which the employer has made a general announcement that such facility will close. (6) An individual who was self-employed (including employment as a farmer, rancher, or fisherman) but is unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the community in which the individual resides or because of a natural disaster (7) An individual who is a displaced homemaker.

11. 3 LEVEL OF SERVICES • CORE • INTENSIVE • TRAINING

12. CORE SERVICES • At a minimum, all core services described in WIA section 134 (d) (2) and 662.240 are offered in each JobLink Career Center. Core services include, but are not limited to the following: • WIA Eligibility Determination • Outreach, Intake & Orientation • Initial Assessment • Job Search & Placement Assistance • Provision of Employment Statistics • Performance Information & Program Cost • Assisting in establishing eligibility for Financial aid & other Services • Supportive Services • UI Information • Follow-Up • Screened Referrals • Job Club • Job Development

13. INTENSIVE SERVICES • Development of IEP • In-depth interviewing & evaluation to identify employment barriers & appropriate employment goals • Comprehensive & Specialized Assessments • Group Counseling • Individual Counseling & Career Planning • Case Management • Short-term pre-vocational services

14. TRAINING SERVICES • occupational skills training, including training for non-traditional employment • on-the-job training • programs that combine workplace training with related instruction which may include cooperative education programs • training programs operated by the private sector • skill upgrading and retraining • entrepreneurial training • job readiness training • adult education and literacy activities provided in combination with services described above, and • customized training conducted with a commitment by an employer or group of employers to employ and individual upon successful completion of the training

15. Performance Measures • ADULT: • Entered Employment • Retention Rate • Average Earnings • Employment & Credential Rate • DISLOCATED WORKERS: • Entered Employment • Retention Rate • Average Earnings • Employment & Credential Rate

16. Program Year 2006Adult/DW ProgramPerformance Goals

17. The 2006 WIA Performance Goals for Region Q Adult and Dislocated Workers are given as a guideline. Region Q has not received Performance Goals for PY 2007 Note: Performance goals are pending WIA reauthorization and the implementation of Common Measures. All Region Q Operators are expected to exceed performance goals. Common Measures proposed to be implemented: Adult Measures: Entered Employment Employment Retention Average Earnings

18. Financial Information Cost Reimbursement Contract • Contract Extension • Budget Plan

19. AdultPY 06Total Program Allocation(Includes Initial Program Award, Carryover, and Additional Funds) Pitt County $ 270,499

20. Dislocated WorkersPY 06Total Program Allocation(Includes Initial Program Award, Carryover, and Additional Funds) Pitt County $ 228,284

21. WIA BUDGET SHEETS • ADULT BUDGET • DISLOCATED WORKERS BUDGET

22. Proposal Instructions Submit proposals no later than 4:00 p.m. EDT on April 20, 2007 to the Region Q Local Area Office. www.time.gov Proposals must include: Page Numbers (1) One copy labeled “Original” (5) Five additional copies of RFP Submitted in 3-ring binder Completion of all forms Proposal Format and Required Forms in Order

23. Proposal Format & Required Forms • 2007 RFP COVER SHEET Solicitation and Offer (cover page of this Solicitation). • 2007 WIA ADULT & DISLOCATED WORKERS PROPOSAL SUMMARY • REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (PROJECT DESCRIPTION) – This portion of the bid should give a clear picture of the design of the program, the anticipated outcomes, and the capability of the offeror to deliver the proposed services. Contractors are to answer each question under Sections A – H. Sections A-H should follow the alphabetical and numerical sequence. Answers to the Request For Proposal Questions should be typed under each question. • BUDGET – Complete the Budget Summary and supporting worksheets for all costs required to implement the program design. • COST ALLOCATION PLAN FOR JOBLINK CENTER • JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND RESUMES – A Job Description – Workforce Investment Act form must be completed for each position funded by WIA Adult/DW funds. • CURRENT ORGANIZATION CHART • AGENCY GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

24. Proposal Format & Required Forms ASSURANCES & CERTIFICATION • LA CODE OF CONDUCT/CONFLICT OF INTEREST - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. • LA GENERAL ASSURANCES & CERTIFICATION FORM - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. • CERTIFICATE REGARDING DEBARMENT, SUSPENSION, INELIGIBILITY AND VOLUNTARY EXCLUSION LOWER TIER COVERED TRANSACTIONS Requires signature of authorized representative & date. • STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE FORM - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. Notary required. • DRUG FREE CERTIFICATION - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. • EQUAL OPPORTUNITY NON-DISCRIMINATION (Complete form) • ASSURANCES NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. • COPELAND ACT CERTIFICATION - Requires signature of authorized representative & date.

25. Proposal Format & Required Forms • OTHER – ATTACH THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: • Federal ID Number • Financial Statement and Copy of last audit • Agency Grievance Procedures • Copy of Bond Coverage (or explanation of planned coverage if an award is made) • Current Organization Chart • Charter and Bylaws of Organization, attach list of Current Board Members • Cost Allocation Plan (if applicable, provide a copy of the agency Indirect Cost Plan) • Letter of agreement from the JobLink Center Manager indicating coordinated services and physical space commitments .

26. Mark Your Calendars Proposals Due Friday, April 20, 2007 by 4:00 p.m. EDT Proposals will not be accepted after that time. • www.time.gov - EDT • Contract Awards: May 9, 2007 • Program Year Starts: July 1, 2007

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

28. QUESTIONS ANDANSWERS

29. REGION Q WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM Region Q Workforce Investment Consortium is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request for individuals with disabilities