San Mateo County Workforce Investment Board Summer Youth Employment Programs Request for Concept Papers. Overview and Submission Guidelines

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1 Summer Youth Employment Programs Request for Concept Papers Overview and Submission Guidelines Responses Due By March 13, 2009 at 5:00 P.M. PST Background The San Mateo County Workforce Investment Board (hereinafter WIB) is seeking concept paper submittals from qualified youth employment providers to conduct Summer Youth Employment programs this summer. In brief, this means providing paid internship opportunities for youth this summer. These programs are anticipated to be funded from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known as the Economic Stimulus Package. Mirroring the intent of the Economic Stimulus Package, the WIB is seeking to make this funding and resulting services available to our community as quickly and effectively as possible. Therefore, the WIB has decided to follow this simplified Request for Concept Paper process in order to facilitate the rapid deployment of the funding and resulting services. It is the intent of the WIB to award funding based upon the evaluation of these concept papers. Submittal Details 1) Submittals are due no later than March 13, 2009 by 5:00 PM PST. 2) All submittals must include a cover page, and an electronic version of the concept paper, with submittal being preferred. 3) Concept papers may be no longer than two pages, with 10 point font minimum. Any material in excess of this limit will not be considered. (The budget and any letters of recommendation are not included in this two page limit) 4) All concept papers must include a program description, as described later in this document, and a budget or they will not be considered. 5) Submittals should be sent to the following addresses: a) to Dennis Myers, address: DMyers@co.sanmateo.ca.us b) Hard copy: Workforce Development, 260 Harbor Blvd, Belmont, CA ) Questions may be sent to Dennis Myers at the above . Requirements and Discussion Respondents should be aware that the formal requirements for these programs have not yet been released and there may be unanticipated changes or requirements for this funding created by the State of California or the U.S. Department of Labor. The WIB is

2 operating with some degree of uncertainty in moving forward in order to be as prepared as possible to utilize the funding. General Information and Requirements Total available funding under this request is estimated to range from $400,000 to $1,000,000. The WIB is recommending that internships funded under these programs begin on, or after May 1, 2009 and end no later than August 31, The WIB will consider programs that wish to end later than August 31, Note that the WIB is not likely to be able fund programs beginning earlier than May 1, 2009 due to funding availability. The WIB also understands that some program activities, such as follow up, may continue after the end of internship activities are completed in August. Performance Measure: Providers will be required to document that the youth served through these programs have achieved work readiness skills. These skills has not yet been fully defined, but will be similar to prior Workforce Investment Act requirements and will most likely include a range or subset of skills such as work awareness, positive work habits, labor market knowledge, occupational information, career planning, and job search techniques. Programs must serve Workforce Investment Act eligible youth, ages Workforce Investment Act eligibility criteria are listed at the end of this document. (Note that the age limit was increased from 21 to 24 solely for this funding) Programs must provide paid work experience for the youth. Youth cannot be hired to replace existing workforce. At this time, funding may be proposed for staffing as well as for internship funding, however note that may change once the program requirements are finalized by the State and Federal governments. Concept Papers These papers should be no longer than two pages. Papers must also include a budget, which is not included in the two page limit. Concept papers should include the following information: 1) A brief description of the program. Include information regarding how many youth will be served, what communities or areas of the County will be served, what services will be provided, any additional information about barriers or needs of the population you will be serving and the start and end dates for the program 2) Brief statement of qualifications: Describe your qualifications to perform the work described, including your experience and past successes 3) A Budget: Please indicate the total funding requested and provide line item detail for major expense categories.

3 Limitations of the Request for Concept Papers The following limitations and issues apply for all applicants under this Request: 1. This Request does not commit the WIB to fund any proposals nor is the WIB liable for any costs incurred in the preparation of responses to the Request. Funding activities described in this solicitation are subject to the availability of funds. 2. In the event that issuance of this Request results in a failed procurement (i.e., the WIB receives an insufficient number of proposals or they are non-responsive to the Request), the WIB reserves the right to extend the Request deadline so that additional bids may be obtained; or to allow applicants to modify their proposals and resubmit them for WIB review and rating. 3. An applicant may not be recommended for funding, regardless of the merits of the proposal submitted, if it has (1) a history of contract non-compliance with the County, the WIB or any other funding source; (2) or, current disputed or disallowed costs with any funding source; (3) or, the costs are unreasonable after analysis; or (iv) negotiation proves unsuccessful. 4. The contractor will be required to comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies, procedures and management information system (MIS) reporting requirements and any subsequent amendments thereto. 5. If an applicant knowingly and willfully submits false performance or other data, the WIB reserves the right to reject that proposal. If it is determined that a contract was awarded as a result of false performance or other data submitted in response to this Request, the WIB reserves the right to terminate that contract and to seek damages as appropriate. 6. If a contractor is unable to provide services as proposed or otherwise perform according to their contract, the WIB reserves the right to take any of the following actions: (a) notify the contractor of program deficiencies and require that a corrective action plan be implemented; (b) withhold or recapture funds; (c) require changes in the general scope of the agreement; or (d) terminate the agreement. 7. The WIB reserves the right to retain all submitted proposals, and the proposals shall become the property of the WIB. All proposals will be considered public documents, subject to review and inspection by the public. 8. The WIB reserves the right to fund all or portions of an applicant's proposal. An applicant may elect to specify minimum funding levels for which it would consider contracting with the WIB. The contract offer of the WIB may contain additional terms different from those set forth herein. 9. The WIB reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received as a result of this Request, to negotiate with all qualified applicants, or to cancel in part or in its entirety this Request if it is in the best interest of the County to do so.

4 Eligibility for Youth Services under WIA Title I Note: The following eligibility information is intended for informational purposes and as such, may not be complete. In the event that there are differences in this description and existing law and regulations, the existing law and regulations shall take precedence. Basic Eligibility Requirements Residents of San Mateo County who are: 1. Not less than age 14 and not more than age 24; 2. Low income individual (as defined under the WIA regulations) and; 3. Individuals with one or more of the following characteristics: a) Deficient in basic literacy skills; b) School dropout; c) Homeless, runaway, or foster child; d) Pregnant or parenting; e) Offender; or f) Require additional assistance to complete an educational program, or to secure and hold employment (inclusive of disabled youth). Everyone must meet these basic eligibility criteria before they can enroll in a WIAfunded program under Title I. Out-of-School Eligibility Requirement The following requirement is mandatory. At a minimum, 30% of funds at the local level must be used to provide youth activities to out-of-school youth [WIA Section 129 (c)(4)]. The WIA defines an out-of-school youth as: 1. A youth who is a school dropout; or 2. A youth who has graduated from high school or holds a GED, but is basic-skills deficient, unemployed or underemployed. Please note: A youth who is attending an alternative school is not considered a dropout under WIA Title I.

5 Summer Youth Employment Programs Request for Concept Papers Cover Sheet Responses Due By March 13, 2009 at 5:00 P.M. PST Organization s name Organization s address, phone number, general fax number, and website Head of organization s name and title Contact person s name, title, phone number, fax number, and Funding Amount Requested Start Date Completion Date Start Date: Completion Date: Date Submitted