Invitation to Negotiate For TAMPA BAY H-1B TECHNICAL SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM: PROGRAM EVALUATION SERVICES

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1 Invitation to Negotiate For TAMPA BAY H-1B TECHNICAL SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM: PROGRAM EVALUATION SERVICES ISSUED JANUARY 29, 2014 PURPOSE The purpose of this Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) is to elicit responses from qualified service providers for the provision of conducting independent evaluation services of the Tampa Bay H-1B Technical Skills Training Program. The Tampa Bay H-1B Technical Skills Training Program is funded by a U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration grant to provide specialized services for certification training to unemployed and incumbent workers. This program targets the training of unemployed, long-term unemployed and incumbent workers to pursue career pathways in technical skills occupations in the healthcare and information technology sectors. This program aims to help participants overcome the gaps in knowledge, skills, and credentials necessary to fulfill the Tampa Bay region s need for a skilled and employed workforce. WorkNet seeks to procure an evaluation provider experienced in assessing federal employment and training grant programs. The Tampa Bay Technical Skills Training Program (Healthcare) grant period of performance is November 14, November 30, The program will serve 125 unemployed participants and 484 incumbent worker participants over a three-year period. The evaluation of a second H-1B grant program awarded to Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance, the Tampa Bay Hi-Tech Training Program (Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunications) will be provided by the proposer as contributed services. This program will serve 658 unemployed and 1,682 incumbent workers in the information technology and telecommunications sectors. The grant period of performance for this program is April 2, April 1, Funding for evaluation services is provided by the U.S. Department of Labor grant awarded to WorkNet Pinellas and will be limited to an amount not to exceed $48, BACKGROUND WorkNet Pinellas, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The WorkNet Pinellas, Inc. Governing Board was appointed and designated by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners to act as the Pinellas County Workforce Development Board under provisions of the Workforce Innovation Act of WorkNet Pinellas, Inc. has requested and received certification as the Region 14 Workforce Development Board by Workforce Florida, Inc., the State of Florida Workforce Development Board. This publicprivate partnership supports and promotes economic growth through workforce 1

2 development. WorkNet Pinellas, Inc. is one (Region 14) of twenty-four regional workforce boards in Florida. The Board of WorkNet Pinellas, Inc., comprised of representatives from businesses in Pinellas County, local educational entities, labor organizations, community-based organizations, economic development agencies, one-stop partners, and from other individuals deemed appropriate, are appointed by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners and certified by the Governor of the State of Florida once every two years. Criteria for composition of the Board are set forth in Section 117, Chapter 2, Subtitle B, Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of The Board of WorkNet Pinellas, Inc. serves as the Administrative and Fiscal Agent for the region. SCOPE OF WORK The proposed evaluation plan will have four components: 1. Evaluation of the impact on the individual participant. 2. Evaluation of success in meeting objectives and in accomplishing the specified activities. 3. Evaluation of the program management. 4. Evaluation of the program return on investment. Evaluation of the accomplishment of these purposes includes evaluating the success of the programs in improving academic achievement, retention, graduation, job placement, and/or career advancement. The evaluation methodology will provide comprehensive evaluation outcomes, both quantitative and qualitative, which can then be used to meet reporting requirements and to make programmatic changes as required. The procured evaluator will make one on-site visit each year near the end of the program year to assure all needed data is available at the end of each reporting period, reviewing progress against objectives, procedures, record keeping, and financial management. The evaluator will also agree to share the information outcomes and to participate in a program evaluation facilitated by the U.S. Department of Labor upon request. An annual report for each year of the grant and a final evaluation report will be provided by the contractor for each program (Healthcare and IT and Telecommunications). QUALIFICATIONS Through this ITN, WorkNet intends to select and negotiate a formal agreement with one organization within the following parameters: 1. Respondents must have experience assessing federal employment and training grant programs. 2. Respondents must have experience providing comprehensive, documented evaluation plans and reports. 2

3 3. Respondents will be required to provide contributed resources of evaluation services for the Tampa Bay Hi-Tech Training program (IT and Telecommunications). 4. Respondents will be required to provide an annual report for each year of the grant and a final evaluation report for each program (Healthcare and IT and Telecommunications). 5. Eligible respondents must be in good financial standing and be able to provide a DUNS number or most recent financial statements. SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES Qualified evaluation training service providers interested in submitting a response to this Invitation to Negotiate must submit the following documents to: Edward Peachey, President/ CEO WorkNet Pinellas, Inc th St. N Suite Clearwater, Florida Submissions must contain the following information: 1. Questionnaire: One signed paper original and three paper duplicate copies of the completed Questionnaire. Do not submit this entire document, only the Questionnaire (pages 5-7). 2. One CD- ROM or USB containing the completed Questionnaire in a Word document. PDF submissions will be considered non-responsive. The delivery of the Response is solely and strictly the responsibility of the Respondent. Proposals received once funding is obligated will be returned, unopened to the sender. The cost of preparing a response to this ITN shall be borne entirely by the Respondent. WorkNet Pinellas, Inc. reserves the right to reject any or all responses, to re-advertise this ITN, to postpone or cancel this process, to waive irregularities in the process or in responses thereto; and to change or modify the project schedule at any time. Any proposal received that does not include resources and/or leveraged funds will be considered non responsive and will not be included with the proposals to be reviewed by the committee. SELECTION The selection committee, comprised of WorkNet Pinellas, Inc. staff, will review and score each response. The Selection Committee reserves the right to request clarification on submitted responses. Should WorkNet be unable to negotiate a final contract, negotiations with that firm will be formally ended. CONTRACT The term of agreement shall terminate by April 15, The organization entering into agreement with WorkNet Pinellas must agree to allow WorkNet Pinellas, Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance, The Department of Economic Opportunity, USDHHS, and 3

4 the USDOL access to any records directly related to this program. Records must be maintained for three (3) years subsequent to the conclusion of this program. The successful Respondent may not make an assignment of their obligations resulting from award of a contract in response to this ITN. WorkNet Pinellas, Inc. reserves the right to request additional services. If the Respondent is to be engaged to perform these additional services, the scope and fee will be negotiated in a separate contract to be awarded as a result of this solicitation. Such contract modification agreements, including provisions for additional fees are valid only if approved by both the Respondent and the WorkNet Pinellas, Inc. Board. CONTACT Inquiries regarding this ITN should be directed to Michelle Schultz, Programs Director, WorkNet Pinellas, via at the following address: schultzm@workforcetampa.com. No phone calls please. All requests for interpretation or clarification of this ITN must be submitted in writing to the contact address above at least 10 business days prior to the due date of the proposal. WorkNet Pinellas will make a good-faith effort to provide a written response to each question or request for clarification within five business days and post on our website. RESPONSE DEADLINE All responses must include the complete items listed in the Questionnaire of this ITN. The response deadline for this ITN is 12:00 pm eastern daylight time on February 20, Responses will be opened at 12:00 pm eastern daylight time on February 21,

5 Invitation to Negotiate QUESTIONNAIRE Organization Name: Street/Mailing Address: City: ZIP: County: Organization Contact Person: Title: Phone: Ext. Fax: Address: Website Address: Date of Inception: Years in Business: Total # Full-time Employees at this location: Legal Structure of Business: Sole Proprietor Partnership Corporation Non-profit Leased Other(please indicate) Employer s Federal ID #: Unemployment Comp ID #: Dun and Bradstreet. #: Is your company current on all State of Florida tax obligations? YES NO Organization s mission: History of the organization: 5

6 Description of Qualifications 1. Describe the organization s experience with assessing federal employment and training grant programs. Describe experience in managing evaluations of similar scope and scale. 2. Describe the organization s ability and experience regarding: a. Development of evaluation design plans. b. Choosing the appropriate type of evaluation rigor. c. Creating and implementing data collection and sampling plans. d. Conducting analyses. e. Writing reports and disseminating results. 3. Describe the proposed methodologies to accomplish the specified evaluation activities for each program (Healthcare and IT and Communications): a. Evaluation of the impact on the individual participant (unemployed and incumbent worker). b. Evaluation of success in meeting objectives and in accomplishing the specified activities. c. Evaluation of the program management. d. Evaluation of the program return on investment. 4. Credentials of staff to be involved with the program. Summarize the names, titles, and roles of key staff and provide their full resumes in an appendix. 5. Provide a detailed timeline and staffing plan that matches the proposed evaluation strategy for each program (Healthcare and IT and Telecommunications). 6. Describe the organization s experience working with workforce development boards, government agencies, and community-based organizations. 7. Describe the organization s experience with providing comprehensive, documented evaluation plans and reports. 6

7 COST PROPOSAL Annual and Final Evaluation Reports for the Tampa Bay H-1B Technical Skills Training Program (Healthcare): Year 1 Report: Year 2 Report: Year 3 Report: Final Report: Total: * *The total cost proposal includes contributed services for the annual and final evaluation reports for the IT and Telecommunications program. Costs must be listed for each year and may include a two-month planning period although WorkNet reserves the right to begin immediately upon contract. Certification by Authorized Company/ Institution Representative The individual signing the application below must have authority to enter into contracts on behalf of the applying organization/company. As an authorized representative of the company/institution listed above, I hereby certify that the information listed above and attached to this application is true and accurate. I am aware that any false information or intended omissions may subject me to civil or criminal penalties for filing of false public records and/or forfeiture of any training award approved through this program. Signature: Date: Print Name: Title: Address: 7