The Workforce Development Board of the Treasure Coast, Inc. d/b/a CareerSource Research Coast (CSRC) is seeking proposals for year-round services for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) eligible out-of-school and in-school youth ages 16-24 who reside in Local Workforce Development Area 20, which includes Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie counties.
The purpose of this RFP is to fund creative and innovative proposals to serve WIOA-eligible in-school and out-of-school youth. Specifically, this solicitation is requesting proposals from bidders who will either directly, or through formal partnerships, provide outreach and recruitment, case management, year-round work-based learning opportunities, particularly in areas aligned with CSRC’s sector strategies in manufacturing, health care, logistics, and distribution, professional business services, skilled trades, and hospitality.
Interested in submitting a proposal? See additional information below.
Questions and Answers (Last updated 2/1/21)
1. What are the performance minimums?
An outline of the WIOA Youth Program’s performance metrics and required elements are included within the ‘Scope of Service’ section of the RFP – see table below for the WIOA Youth Primary Indicators of Performance targets as negotiated for PY2021 – 2022 (July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022).
| Performance Indicator | Target |
|---|---|
| Employment Rate 2nd Quarter After Exit | 80% |
| Employment Rate 4th Quarter After Exit | 78% |
| Median Earnings 2nd Quarter After Exit | $3400.00 |
| Secondary/Post-Secondary Credentials Attainment | 92% |
| Measurable Skills Gains | 73% |
2. How many carryover clients are expected when the contract begins? Are they out-of-school or in-school?
The number of clients carried over will vary from year to year based on market conditions, budget, etc. However, based on the previous three program years, the average number of cases carried over is one hundred fifty (150), the vast majority being out-of-school youth.
3. Do you maintain a waiting list for participation in the program? If yes, how many names are on it and will the new vendor have access to it?
There is no waiting list maintained for the WIOA Youth program.
4. Is there an opportunity for the vendor to be reimbursed on a monthly basis?
Yes. Please see “Contractor Terms and Conditions” on p.8 of the RFP.
5. Is there a required minimum number of participants in internships, or a required minimum dollar amount to be spent on them?
Though there is no required number of participants, WIOA prioritizes work-based learning and requires not less than 20 percent of Youth funds allocated to the local area to be used to provide paid and unpaid work experiences to Youth participants. This amount, based on CSRC’s budget allocation for WIOA Youth, varies and is provided to the Service Provider at the onset of contract negotiations each year.
6. We don’t have an “approved Federally recognized indirect cost rate” – we want to use the “de minimis indirect cost rate (it’s 10%), as outlined in Exhibit A – Definitions – page 17. However, on page 11 it states “Proposers must have an approved indirect cost rate plan in order to use indirect costs”. Question: Are we allowed to use the “de minimis indirect cost rate of 10%.?
Vendors who do not have a federally-approved indirect cost rate (ICR) and request to utilize an ICR (de minimis or other) must submit their cost allocation plan to CSRC for approval and justification for the use of an ICR.