Invitation To Negotiate For Welding Training Provider ISSUED September 24, 2014 ITN No. 15-1163 PURPOSE The purpose of this Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) is to elicit responses from qualified training providers interested in developing and providing a classroom welding training and employment services at the CareerSource Tampa Bay Career Prep Academy. BACKGROUND Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance, Inc. d.b.a. CareerSource Tampa Bay is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance, Inc. Governing Board was appointed and designated by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners to act as the Hillsborough County Workforce Development Board under provisions of the Workforce Innovation Act of 2000. Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance, Inc. has requested and received certification as the Region 15 Workforce Development Board by Workforce Florida, Inc., the State of Florida Workforce Development Board. This publicprivate partnership supports and promotes economic growth through workforce development. Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance, Inc. is one (Region 15) of twenty-four regional workforce boards in Florida. The Board of Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance, Inc. is comprised of representatives of businesses in Hillsborough County, local educational entities, labor organizations, community-based organizations, economic development agencies, one-stop partners, and other individuals deemed appropriate. All Board members are appointed by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners and membership composition requirements are reviewed 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 Federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and the State of Florida s Workforce Innovation Act of 2000. The Board of Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance, Inc. serves as the Administrative and Fiscal Agent for the region.
SCOPE OF WORK This solicitation requests the selected training provider to place up to two Welding instructors with the capability and experience to prepare and provide all lecture and laboratory instruction according to the employer customized curriculum. Instructors are responsible for teaching students in classroom and hands-on lab settings, ensuring that they gain the knowledge and skills that are required for entry-level employment in the Welding field. Instructors are also responsible for sound educational practices and the academic development of each student. Instructors will also manage their classroom environment and promote a positive and engaging learning experience, provide support, tutoring and other assistance as needed. TYPICAL WORK HOURS Typical full-time work hours - 40 hours per work week. Instructors will follow the CareerSource Tampa Bay Holiday schedule. QUALIFICATIONS Through this ITN, CareerSource Tampa Bay intends to select and negotiate a formal agreement with a training provider within the following parameters: 1. Training provider must demonstrate knowledge of federal, state, and accreditation regulations applicable to the welding industry. 2. Training provider must have experience in providing welding training curriculum. 3. Training provider must collect and track and organize data into reports. 4. Training provider must deliver instructors who have the following qualifications: a. valid High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) b. welding vocational training c. valid welding certification d. previous experience teaching in an education setting and/or experience with training employees in the industry e. ability to work in an observation/coaching style environment f. strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills with demonstrated success in collaborating with diverse groups SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES Qualified individuals interested in submitting a response to the Invitation to negotiate must submit the following to: Edward Peachey, President/CEO CareerSource Tampa Bay 5100 W. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 300 Tampa, Florida 33609 Submissions must contain the following: CareerSource Tampa Bay ITN No. 15-1163 Welding Training Provider Page 2
1. Questionnaire: One signed paper original and three paper duplicate copies of the completed questionnaire. The questionnaire form may be re-created. Do not submit the entire ITN document, only the Questionnaire (pages 6-7). Include copies of any and all documents referenced in the questionnaire. The original questionnaire and attachments should be stamped or marked original. No fax or email copies will be accepted. 2. One CD-ROM or USB containing the completed Questionnaire in a Word document and all referenced attachments. PDF submissions of attachments will be accepted. 3. The proposal must be submitted in a sealed package with ITN Welding Training Provider prominently displayed on the front or top of package. The delivery of the response is solely and strictly the responsibility of the Respondent. Proposals received after the due date or 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. The rights reserved by CareerSource Tampa Bay, which shall be exercised in its sole and absolute discretion, and shall be at no fault, cost or liability whatsoever to CareerSource Tampa Bay, include without limitation, the right to: a) accept or reject any or all responses b) re-advertise, postpone, cancel or waive irregularities in the process or in responses thereto c) change or modify the project schedule at any time d) supplement, amend or otherwise modify or cancel any provisions e) disqualify any respondent that submits an incomplete or inadequate response or is not responsive to the requirements f) require additional information and/or oral presentation from one or more respondents to supplement or to clarify the response submitted. g) determine whether the respondent s written or oral representations are true, accurate and complete or whether the respondent has adequately responded and has the necessary experience, including seeking and evaluating independent information on any respondent. h) consider any information submitted that is not requested by CareerSource Tampa Bay in a proposal response as supplemental information and not subject to evaluation by the selection committee or President/CEO. i) unless otherwise specifically proposed by the respondent, CareerSource Tampa Bay reserves the right to hold such pricing as effective for the entire intended contract term. j) end contract negotiations if acceptable progress, as determined by the President/CEO, is not being made within a reasonable time frame. k) change specifications and modify contracts as necessary to (a) facilitate compliance with the legislation, regulations and policy directives, and (b) to manage funding. CareerSource Tampa Bay ITN No. 15-1163 Welding Training Provider Page 3
SELECTION The selection committee, comprised of CareerSource Tampa Bay staff, will review and score each response. See breakdown of selection criteria below. The Selection Committee reserves the right to request clarification on submitted responses. Should CareerSource Tampa Bay be unable to negotiate a final contract, negotiations with that individual will be formally ended. CRITERIA 1. Required Qualifications- No marked in any category indicates the proposal is not responsive and will not be considered. Approved to do business in the State of Florida and have not been suspended or debarred from doing business with the state or federal government. Yes No WEIGHT MANDATORY Sound Financial Condition-Proposer show evidence of sound financial condition-dunn & Bradstreet Number or most recent financial statements provided. Yes No 2. Organization s experience with delivering short-term welding training through employer customized curriculum. 3. Organization s experience in teaching welding training in a classroom setting/hand-on lab setting and preparing the student for entry-level employment in the welding field. TOTAL SCORE 50 Points Maximum 50 Points Maximum 100 Points Maximum CONTRACT The individual entering into agreement with CareerSource Tampa Bay must agree to allow CareerSource Tampa Bay and any organization approved by CareerSource Tampa Bay 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. CareerSource Tampa Bay 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 CareerSource Tampa Bay Board. CONTACT CareerSource Tampa Bay ITN No. 15-1163 Welding Training Provider Page 4
Inquiries regarding this ITN should be directed to rfp@careersourcetampabay.com. No phone calls please. All requests for interpretation or clarification of this ITN must be submitted in writing to the contact email address above by no later than 10/2/14. Inquiries received after this response will not be addressed. CareerSource Tampa Bay 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 completed Questionnaire and any or all items listed in completed questionnaire. The response deadline for this ITN is 12:00 pm eastern daylight time on October 9, 2014. Responses will be opened at 1:00 pm eastern daylight time on October 9, 2014. CareerSource Tampa Bay ITN No. 15-1163 Welding Training Provider Page 5
Invitation to Negotiate Welding Training Provider QUESTIONNAIRE Organization Name: Street/Mailing Address: City: ZIP: County: Organization Contact Person: Title: Phone: Ext. Fax: Email Address: Website Address: Date of Inception: Years in Business: Total # Full-time Employees at this location: Legal Structure of Sole Proprietor Partnership Corporation Business: 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:
QUESTIONNAIRE: DESCRIPTION OF QUALIFICATIONS 1. Describe your organization s experience with delivering short-term welding training through employer customized curriculum. 2. Describe your organization s experience in teaching welding training in a classroom setting/hand-on lab setting and preparing the student for entry-level employment in the welding field. 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: Email Address: CareerSource Tampa Bay ITN No. 15-1163 Welding Training Provider Page 7