Economic Security for All (State), WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker Services

SECTION I: INTRODUCTION

Future Workforce Alliance (FWA), serving as the Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) of Snohomish County, and Workforce Snohomish (WFS), serving as the local board’s fiscal agent, are seeking proposals from a single qualified organization with demonstrated expertise, local area presence and capacity in providing transformative, innovative workforce development practices that embraces and reinforces our mission, vision, and values.

The awarded organization will be quality-focused, outcome-driven, community-engaged and customer-centered. They will be able to demonstrate and show evidence that they understand the intent and vision of the Future Workforce Alliance and Workforce Snohomish of systems transformation.

Snohomish County Future Workforce Alliance (FWA)

The Snohomish County Future Workforce Alliance (FWA) was designated in February 2020 to serve Snohomish County as the Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB). Created to provide strategic direction aimed at bringing together workforce system stakeholders, strengthening local businesses, supporting workers, and assisting unemployed residents to transition and advance in the workplace successfully, the FWA remains focused on providing leadership and fostering collaboration. The FWA strives to achieve a resilient and proactive approach to establish a gold standard workforce development ecosystem.

The FWA is committed to maintaining an inclusive, transparent, and diverse board that represents its population and nurtures a sense of belonging within and among the labor force. This creates an opportunity for active participation as board members, committees, and working groups advance strategic priorities and help implement actions and tactics to drive positive change within the workforce development system.

FWA Vision Statement

The Future Workforce Alliance envisions Snohomish County as a globally recognized hub for talent that supports our regional economy and creates economic opportunity for all.

FWA Mission Statement

The Future Workforce Alliance envisions Snohomish County as a globally recognized hub for talent that supports our regional economy and creates economic opportunity for all.

Snohomish County Strategic Plan

The Future Workforce Alliance has outlined in its Strategic and Local Area Plans the definition of a "Gold-Standard" workforce development system, which is defined as being:

Centered on equity and inclusion:

Equity and inclusion inform all aspects of the development and implementation of the workforce system to ensure historically underserved communities and individuals receive training, education, and support for sustainable wage career opportunities.

Coordinated:

It brings employers, training providers, economic development and workforce organizations, and community organizations together to determine the needs of businesses and workers and to coordinate programs to support economic opportunity.

Data-driven:

Data is used to drive decision-making, identify needs, develop strategies, and support continuous improvement and performance measurement.

Workforce Snohomish (WFS)

Workforce Snohomish serves as the fiscal agent and local grant subrecipient of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and associated funding in Snohomish County. WFS oversees and manages the Snohomish County WorkSource system, provides technical support to subrecipients, and ensures overall compliance with federal and state guidance. Workforce Snohomish in its designated capacity is committed to carrying out the vision, mission and strategy of the Future Workforce Alliance.

SECTION II. PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

The strategy of the Future Workforce Alliance is reflected in this new RFP, focused on building community-engaged practices and capacity involving collaboration between organizations and the communities they serve, emphasizing mutual benefit, shared goals, and sustainable impact. These practices ensure that our initiatives are developed in collaboration with communities, focused on amplifying their voices and perspectives.
This vision was catalyzed by the allocation of funding by Washington State under the Economic Security for All program, encompassing Community Reinvestment Funds.

The purpose of this RFP is to catalyze this vision by engaging an organization that can deliver comprehensive workforce development services in alignment with EcSA and WIOA requirements. In program year 2024 (anticipated start date of mid-December 20204 through June 30th), the initial provision of services will focus on the successful administration of Economic Security for All, including Career Accelerator program (Community Reinvestment Funds), that encompasses incentive and match investment savings account programs. Initial funding provided under this RFP is intended to achieve associated outcomes and impacts of these fund sources and to support eligible participants in achieving their career and financial goals, while provisioning for the expansion of fund sources (pending availability) to catalyze on this model in subsequent months/years.

This RFP invites community-based organizations, workforce development agencies, training providers, and other service-oriented entities with experience with the administration of these fund sources (Reference Exhibit A for Program Descriptions), a commitment to this partnership, connections to Snohomish County communities and a vision of system transformation

SECTION III. SCOPE OF SERVICES

The selected provider(s) will deliver services associated with Economic Security for All (EcSA) and Community Reinvestment Fund programs; as well as WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker services across Snohomish County in alignment with WIOA goals. Core responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

2.1 Community-Based Organization Engagement

• Work in partnership with specific “By and For” organizations¹ to support access and awareness of all available services provided by WIOA, Economic Security for All and Community Reinvestment Fund. We expect that collaborations with these organizations are reciprocal and maintain open and supportive communication in serving populations that are historically impacted by system inequities in accessing workforce development services in alignment with priority populations.
• Conduct outreach and orientation for participants to explain incentive and matched savings program, eligibility requirements, and the process for earning and receiving incentives.
• Inform eligible participants in both EcSA and WIOA Adult participating in Matched Investment Savings Accounts with information on required financial coaching and referrals to available coaching resources.

2.2. System Coordination

• Coordinate with system partners, other workforce and human services programs to conduct appropriate outreach to eligible populations, focusing on underrepresented, underserved, or disadvantaged groups. Support referrals to these partners to support participant success.
• Service delivery staff assigned to WorkSource Snohomish County’s Comprehensive Site will ensure that field-based work is utilized to meet customers where they are and to effectively coordinate with community-based organizations (including by and for organizations), employers and other connections that will yield the intended outcomes and impact.

2.3 Incentive Payments & Matched Investment Savings Accounts

• Perform necessary program enrollments for participants.
• Administer incentive payments for participants based on specific benchmarks, such as program enrollment, training completion, job placement, and retention milestones, in accordance with WA State policy 7005, local procedure 2220b and internal work flow documentation.
• Verify eligibility for each incentive payment, documenting participants’ progress and milestone achievement.
• Ensure timely and accurate disbursement of funds to participants and maintain thorough records of all transactions.
• Work collaboratively with Workforce Snohomish to identify and define scope of work for the administration of Matched Investment Savings Accounts, in accordance with WA State policy 7010
  • Possible activities {subject to negotiation} include, but are not limited to:
    • Establish and manage matched savings accounts for eligible participants, facilitating account setup, management, and closure.
    • Ensure accurate tracking of participant deposits and matching contributions, in compliance with established guidelines and eligibility requirements.
    • Provide regular account statements and updates to participants, empowering them to track their savings progress and goals.
    • Support identification of and referral to appropriate financial coaching for participants.

2.4 Career Services

• Provide customer-centered career counseling, including intake and assessment of job seekers’ skills, work experience, and career goals.
• Develop individual employment plans (IEPs) tailored to each participant’s needs, career aspirations, and barriers to employment.
• Deliver a range of career services, including resume assistance, interview preparation, career navigation, and job search assistance.
• Support co-enrollment across programs to support customer needs.

2.5 Training and Education

• Identify, refer, and enroll participants in approved training programs that align with in-demand career paths and local employer needs.
• Oversee and manage participants’ training plans, tracking progress and addressing barriers to completion.
• Administer WIOA-funded Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) and supportive services in compliance with WIOA regulations and local policies.
• Effectively utilize referrals for customers enrolled in Economic Security for All to WA Grant, as appropriate.

2.6 Job Placement and Retention

• Provide ongoing support to participants during job search and placement, including follow-up services to promote job retention.
• Leverage relationships with local employers to support participant outcomes.
• Track employment outcomes, ensuring program performance goals are met, and adapt placement strategies as needed.

2.7 Supportive Services and Case Management

• Offer supportive services that address barriers to employment, such as transportation, childcare, and work-related tools and clothing.
• Provide case management to support participants throughout their program journey, ensuring consistent follow-up, support, and guidance.
• Implement retention strategies to increase program completion and employment retention rates.

2.8 Data Management and Reporting

• Ensure accurate, timely data entry and reporting in compliance with program performance measures and requirements.
• Track and report program metrics, including enrollment, placement, earnings, credential attainment, and participant demographics.
• Maintain and update records to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local policies.
• Track and report on participant engagement, savings, incentive payments, and other performance metrics as required.
• Provide monthly and quarterly reports to Workforce Snohomish on fund utilization, participant outcomes, overall program performance and collaboration with By and For organizations.
• Ensure data integrity and compliance with confidentiality and data security protocols as required by WIOA and EcSA program regulations.

SECTION IV. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Proposal Narrative. It is our intent that the program narrative is succinct, highlighting organizational capacity to fulfill the scope of this RFP and reflecting the Board’s vison for a subrecipient that operates as a close partner with Workforce Snohomish is developing capacity in Snohomish County to serve populations that are underrepresented in our current system.

To be considered, proposals must address the following components:

3.1 Organizational Information

• Briefly introduce your organization, addressing the following:
  • How long have you operated in Snohomish County? If not currently operating in Snohomish County, please describe your organization’s current operational locations and if applicable your connection to Snohomish County.
  • If your organization does not have a physical location or operations in Snohomish County, please provide a description of your approach and experience in establishing a presence in a new area.
  • Describe your organization’s experience with re-training and re-employment programs within the scope of this RFP, as well as others that are complimentary, such as BFET or WorkFirst.
    • If no direct experience with workforce development programs, please provide information on work with federal and state funded programs or services.

3.2 Proposed Service Plan

• Describe your organization’s current relationships with organizations (community-based organizations, employers, etc.) and/or populations in Snohomish County that align with the priorities of the Economic Security for All, Community Reinvestment Fund and WIOA Adult/Dislocated Worker
  • In addition, provide an example of a partnership or relationship, explaining how your organization works collaboratively to:
    • Prioritize customer voice and ensure services provided are culturally appropriate and relevant.
    • Amplify Black, Latine and Tribal Community voices.
    • If applicable, empowers the partnering organization to lead in their area of expertise.
    • Achieves intended outcomes of program/partnership and individuals served.
• Describe how your organization will approach working with our selected Snohomish County By and For organizations to successfully carry out the intent of Economic 10 Security for All (EcSA) and Community Reinvestment Program (incentives and Matched Investment Savings Accounts), as well as provision access to WIOA Adult for co-enrollment for eligible applicants. Please reference Exhibit A for additional context.
• If applicable, please describe your organization’s current relationship(s) with existing Snohomish County WIOA/EcSA subrecipients that would support coordination of services and referrals as appropriate to meet customer needs.
• Describe other connections in Snohomish County (program, organizational, etc.) that will support your organization in successfully executing on this scope of work.

3.3 Staffing Plan

• Describe qualifications of key personnel, including relevant certifications or experience in workforce development.
  • If hiring new staff for the project describe the organization’s support for onboarding new staff members in alignment with this scope of work. Confirm timeline for commencing services assuming a mid-December 2024 confirmation of award/selection.
• Briefly describe the organization’s capacity to increase high quality staffing to accommodate additional funding within the broader scope of this RFP in the current or future program years.
• Provide resumes for key personnel and/or job descriptions for positions to be hired as key personnel (Upload as instructed under Required Proposal Narrative Attachments).

3.4 Performance and Outcomes

As applicable and aligned with your remitted budget, please describe the following:

• Proposed performance goals for enrollment, placement, retention, and other key metrics in alignment with EcSA and WIOA requirements.
• Strategies for monitoring and meeting these goals, including quality assurance and continuous improvement practices.
• Approach to gathering and analyzing participant feedback to improve service delivery and outcomes.

Required Proposal Narrative Attachments

The below proposal narrative attachments do not count towards Program Narrative Page limit. Page limit recommendations are provided as guidance only, where indicated.

3.5 Key Personnel

• Include an organizational chart that clearly delineates all customer-facing staff, supervisory staff, and fiscal/administrative staff who will have responsibilities connected to your proposed service delivery model and as applicable, the percentage of time being paid through dollars from this agreement.
• Provide resumes and/or job descriptions as requested under the staffing plan section of the narrative.

3.6 References (1 page recommended).

• Contact information for at least two references who can speak to your organization’s relevant experience, preferably related to workforce development programs and community-engaged practices.

3.7 Budget and Budget Narrative

• Budget Forms (F, G & H)
  • Please complete budget forms F, G & H. Download this form at: https://www.workforcesnohomish.org/impact-and-resources/reportsforms/
  • Please complete the budget line items provided form provided in Budget forms F, G & H for Year 1 (December 15, 2024– June 30, 2025) only.²
  • Exhibit F: Please include all expected expenses divided into the categories provided which align to your budget narrative.
    • The planning budget amount of $150,000 - $250,000 should be utilized to support operational costs (personnel, supplies, administrative/indirect costs, travel, participant support costs (excluding incentives and matched savings accounts), etc.
    • The planning budget supporting the EcSA CRF Incentives and MISA should be entered into line 28 and 30 of Exhibit F and lines 38 and 40 of Exhibit H.
    • Participant Costs: Estimate the total amount of participant support dollars, based on your estimated number of people served and the type of services they will receive. EcSA CRF Incentives and Matched Investment Savings Accounts are entered in lines 28 and 30 in Exhibit F and 38 and 40 in Exhibit H.
  • Exhibit G - Personnel: Aligned with the applicable lines in Exhibit F, detail salaries and benefits costs for assigned personnel.
  • Exhibit H to forecast expenditures for all line-item costs entered in Exhibit F (Budget).
  • Leveraged resources are encouraged but not required. Only enter leveraged resources into budget form if they can be quantified.
  • Exhibits F, G and H may be uploaded to the Program Narrative section as a PDF OR uploaded as an excel document (as a separate document under the Program Narrative section).
• Budget Narrative Applicants must demonstrate experience and ability to successfully manage federal, state or local government funds in an effective and compliant manner.
  • The budget narrative should crosswalk with the Budget forms, providing a description of how the categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, and allocation of the proposed costs. Leveraged resources, if applicable, should be noted.
  • Budgets are subject to negotiation. Budgets will be reviewed for reasonableness in relation to the estimated number of participants served (annually) and scope of proposed service delivery model.

3.8 Subrecipient and Grant Management Experience (recommended 5 pages maximum)

1. Please describe your organization(s) experience in managing federal and state grant funds, WIOA-specific federal grant funds. Include the total number of years your organization has been in existence and the number of years managing Federal grants.
2. Please provide information on any training and experience your organization has had with federal Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200). Include the dates and staff position of any training classes attended by current employees. Include any (program and fiscal) staff that have received specific training in U.S. Department of Labor and WIOA-specific guidelines
3. Does your organization(s) operate on a cash or accrual-based accounting system?
4. Please provide a list of your organization’s key finance positions and the longevity of the current incumbents in that role.
5. Please describe your organization(s) experience managing participant support costs and/or support services payments. What key controls does your organization(s) have in place to ensure there is no fraudulent activity?
6. Describe your organization(s) system to collect and process staff time and effort reporting. Describe how this complies with Uniform Guidance requirements.
7. Describe any past fraud charges / fraudulent activity faced by your organization or members of your consortium. How were they addressed?
8. Is there any pending litigation your organization or a member of your consortium is facing? If so, please describe.
9. Is your organization currently or previously suspended or debarred? If so, how have you corrected the deficiencies that led to the suspension or debarment?
10. Does your organization(s) accounting system identify the receipts and expenditures of program funds separately for each award or fund source? If not, how do you plan to address this if selected as a subrecipient?

Notes

¹ The Washington State Department of Commerce defines "by and for community organizations" as organizations that are part of, rooted in, and defined by the identity of the Black, Indigenous, and Latino community. These organizations have leadership and staff who belong to the community, and work to build trust, advocate, and solve problems specific to community members.” Washington State Department of Commerce, Community Reinvestment Plan, Appendix D, p.87. https://deptofcommerce.app.box.com/s/76v6uffhtcy09eucf4du255y0dacen41

² Application Portal: https://www.workforcesnohomish.org/bids/apply/ (Note you may save your application and return to complete)