1. education

ISSUED
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION
NOON
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014
(Late proposals will not be accepted and incomplete proposals will
not be reviewed)
The Lehigh Valley Business Education Partnership, Inc., (LVBEP) reserves the right to
modify any of the enclosed specifications as required by the United States Department
of Labor and/or the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and/or the
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTIONS
SECTION 1: Overview and Background
SECTION 2: CareerLinking Academy Program Priorities
SECTION 3: CareerLinking Academy Model Program Components
SECTION 4: Performance Requirement
SECTION 5: Contract Information
SECTION 6: Proposal Submittal
SECTION 7: Budget Information
ATTACHMENTS
ATTACHMENT 1: Performance Measures
ATTACHMENT 2: Pre-Test
ATTACHMENT 3: Post-Test
ATTACHMENT 4: Subcontractors Performance/Outcomes Summary
ATTACHMENT 5: Notification of Intent to Apply
ATTACHMENT 6: Proposal Cover Sheet
ATTACHMENT 7: Proposal Check List
ATTACHMENT 8: Debarment Suspension Certification
ATTACHMENT 9: Budget Narrative and Budget Form
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SECTION 1: OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND
The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to solicit proposals to plan, coordinate,
and implement career awareness and preparedness programs called CareerLinking
Academies during the 2014-2015 school year. All academies must be completed on or
before June 30, 2015. This program will serve Lehigh and Northampton County high school
students. Proposers may submit more than one proposal. The CareerLinking Academy
model and its components can be innovatively integrated into the school year curriculum,
can be offered as a week-long continuous project, and/or any combination that best meets
the needs of the students.
CareerLinking Academy is an initiative that provides youth with the opportunity to
participate in a structured program where they will explore career interests and become
linked to the world of work and education.
CareerLinking Academy curriculum includes, but is not limited to, career awareness
activities, interest assessments, continuing education in the 21st century, leadership
skills, job and labor market information, interviewing skills and resume preparation,
cover letters, briefs, job applications, interviewing with human resource managers to
discuss skills, interests, employer needs and expectations, college and career and
technical school tours, resources connections, and much more. It includes workshops
for youth on continuing education and financial aid.
CareerLinking Academy is aligned to the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s
Academic Standards in Career Education and Work and adheres to federal, state, and
local career education initiatives.
CareerLinking Academy is supported by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, PA
Department of Education, PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley, and the Society for Human
Resource Management, Lehigh Valley Chapter. The CareerLinking Academy model
was awarded a National Pinnacle Award for innovativeness from the National Society
for Human Resource Management.
Proposers selected for funding under this Request for Proposals (RFP) should focus on
career awareness in the following Lehigh Valley targeted industry clusters:
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Healthcare and Life Sciences
Diversified Manufacturing and Services
Business and Professional Services
Information and Communication
Financial Services
Green or Energy Related Manufacturing and Services
Click on: Lehigh Valley Industry Clusters
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To assist proposers in responding to this RFP, youth demographics and job and labor
market information can be found on the links below.
Click on: Youth Demographic Snapshot
Click on: Outlook
Additional resources can be found on the links below.
Click on: WIKISPACE
Click on: Employability Skills
SECTION 2: CAREERLINKING ACADEMY PROGRAM PRIORITIES
The LVBEP will support proposals that focus on the following priorities:
1. Innovative models and creative approaches to deliver CareerLinking Academy to
high school students.
2. Career awareness, including job and labor market information and employment
opportunities.
3. Design and initiate individual career plans and career pathways.
4. Continuing education and training information and higher education options
including admissions criteria and financial aid information.
5. Operate CareerLinking Academy(s) at sites located in Lehigh and Northampton
Counties.
SECTION 3: CAREERLINKING ACADEMY MODEL PROGRAM COMPONENTS
The CareerLinking Academy Model is designed to provide career awareness
information to youth in Lehigh and Northampton County High Schools. The program
provides 35 hours of intensive career awareness and encourages a hands-on approach
to actively engage youth in the learning process.
The CareerLinking Academy curriculum must align with the three PA Academic
Standards for Career Education and Work and include any or all activities listed in the
standards, it should also include information on Lehigh Valley’s Labor Market and
Industry Clusters outlined in the Lehigh Valley CareerLink Outlook.
Click on: PA Academic Standards for Career Education and Work
Click on: Lehigh Valley CareerLink Outlook
Click on: Lehigh Valley Industry Clusters
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1.
Career Awareness and Preparation – PA Standard 13.1
Lehigh Valley Job and Labor Market Information
Lehigh Valley targeted industry clusters
Web based interactive career resources
Click on: Career Cruising Software
Career Gates A hard copy will be provided.
Common Employability Skills
2.
Career Acquisition – PA Standard 13.2
Information and exposure to career pathways
Design and initiate individual career plans and career pathways
Information and exposure to career ladders
®
Information and exposure to JobGateway
Click on: https://www.jobgateway.pa.gov
Resume and cover letter skills
Understanding and completing employment applications
Business etiquette
Interviewing skills including one-on-one practice interviews with human
resource professionals
3.
Career Retention and Advancement – PA Standard 13.3
Employer tours
Employer guest speakers
Employer panels
Volunteering and service learning awareness
Networking
Online job search techniques
Tours of career and technical schools
Tours of Lehigh Valley community colleges
Continuing education and training information and higher education
options including admissions criteria and financial aid information
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SECTION 4: PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
LVBEP Measures and Required Program Outcomes:
The LVBEP Performance Measures (Attachment 1) are governed by the LVBEP, and
are designed to assess program outcomes for future funding. The attachments below
must be submitted within 30 days of the contract end date.
1. Pre-test must be administered as first program activity. (Attachment 2)
2. Post-test must be administered immediately prior to culminating activity.
(Attachment 3)
3. Subcontractor Performance/Outcomes Summary. (Attachment 4)
SECTION 5: CONTRACT INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION:
The LVBEP reserves the right to cancel or modify the RFP, and/or the scope of
programming to ensure compliance with state and/or federal.
Proposer(s) may be public or private not-for-profit corporations, local educational
agencies, business and/or trade associations, private for profit corporations, community
based organizations, labor organizations and governmental units including
municipalities. Minority and women-owned businesses are encouraged to submit
proposals.
Entities must have been in business in the United States for at least two (2) years prior
to submission of an application. If proposer(s) is a foreign corporation (not a PA
Corporation), they must have a certificate from the PA Secretary of State showing that
they have filed the necessary documents to do business in this state.
INCURRING COSTS
LVBEP is not responsible for any pre-proposal costs incurred prior to the selection of
service providers.
DISCLOSURE OF PROPOSAL CONTENTS
Proposals will be held in confidence and will not be revealed or discussed with
competitors. All materials submitted with the Proposal and the Proposal itself, become
the property of the LVBEP and will not be returned. The LVBEP reserves the right to
use any or all ideas presented in any proposal. Selection or rejection of the proposal
does not affect this right.
MEDIA RELEASES AND MARKETING MATERIALS
All successful proposers must receive prior written approval from the LVBEP for all
media releases and marketing materials.
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PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
Based on availability of funds, cost-reimbursement contracts will begin on or after
November 21, 2014 and be in effect no longer than June 30, 2015.
REPORTING AND PROGRAM OVERSIGHT
LVBEP requires data collection to validate performance. Successful proposers will be
responsible for documentation that tracks youth participation and performance
outcomes. The documentation of efforts and outcomes is critically important to the
LVBEP and will be outlined in detail, with successful proposers, during contract
negotiations.
Program performance oversight and monitoring will be the responsibility of the LVBEP.
RECORDS RETENTION
Proposer(s) will assure that all records pertinent to this agreement, including financial,
statistical, property, and supporting documentation, shall be retained for a period of six
(6) years from the date of: 1) final payment of the agreement, and 2) when all audits
and litigation are complete and resolved.
PROPOSAL VERIFICATION
Proposals will be reviewed to verify that they are complete and consistent with the
guidelines set forth in this RFP. No incomplete, faxed, e-mailed or late proposals will be
reviewed.
PROPOSAL TIMELINE
Activity
RFP Release Date
RFP Information Session
Notice of Intent to Apply
Proposal Due Date
Review and Selection Period
Notification
Contract Negotiations
Contract Dates
Timeline
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Tuesday, October 21, 2014—3:00 pm
Friday, October 31, 2014
Friday, November 21, 2014—Noon
Friday, November 21, 2014—Monday, December 1, 2014
Friday, December 12, 2014
Monday, December 15, 2014
Friday, December 19, 2014—Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Notification to successful proposers will be made following Lehigh Valley Business
Education Partnership (LVBEP) approval. The LVBEP reserves the right to negotiate
contract awards with all successful proposers.
NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO APPLY
Please submit the attached Notification of Intent to Apply found in (Attachment 5). The
form may be faxed to LVBEP at 610-437-3527 or email cevans@lvwib.org and is due
by 4:00 pm on Friday, October 31, 2014. While failure to notify the LVBEP through
the Notice of Intent to Apply will not disqualify you, it will provide us needed information
for planning purposes.
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AN RFP INFORMATION SESSION
A RFP information session will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at 3:00 pm, at
Lehigh Valley Business Education Partnership, 555 Union Boulevard, Allentown, PA
18109. Please RSVP your attendance by contacting Cindy Evans, Lehigh Valley
Business Education Partnership at 610-841-1004 or email cevans@lvwib.org.
Attendance is strongly encouraged.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RFP
Questions regarding this RFP may be submitted in writing to cevans@lvwib.org
through noon Friday, October 31, 2014. Phone call inquiries will not be accepted. It is
the responsibility of the Proposer to visit the website at www.lvwib.org to review the
questions and answers.
REVIEW PROCESS
Lehigh Valley Business Education Partnership will rate proposals based on a scoring
rubric and reserves the right to request additional information and schedule interviews
or location visits as necessary.
The scoring rubric is as follows for each Proposal:
Criteria
Organizational Capacity/Experience, Qualifications and
History of Past Performance and Outcomes
Total Possible Points
25
Proposed Program Narrative
50
Budget and Other Resources
25
Total
100
QUALIFICATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Those selected for funding will need to provide the following documents at time
of contract negotiations:
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Lobbying Certification Statement (form to be provided)
Drug Free Work Place Statement (form to be provided)
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Checklist signed by
authorized representative (form to be provided)
Concurrence of Collective Bargaining Agent if applicable
Equal Employment Opportunity statement
Grievance Procedures
Most recent Liability Insurance Certificate
The most recent year’s independent auditors’ report and accompanying financial
statements
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COMPLIANCE
• Organizations must assure compliance with all applicable health and safety
standards established under Federal, State and local laws governing working or
training conditions of eligible youth. Provisions must be made for accessibility of
individuals with disabilities to the training and/or work facility and as required by
Section 504 of the rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended.
• Activities for youth under the age of 18 must comply with Child Labor Laws.
• Programs must provide Priority of Service for Veterans and Eligible Spouses.
• Organizations operating programs must comply with all requirements/ directives
issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry or other
appropriate state departments.
• Staff working directly with youth under the age of 18 must have child abuse
clearance, criminal background checks and FBI clearances.
SECTION 6: PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL
Each proposal must include the following USING THE ORDER BELOW:
1. Proposal Cover Sheet: Please complete (Attachment 6) and use as the cover
page of your proposal.
2. Proposal Check List. (Attachment 7)
3. Organizational Capacity/Experience, Qualifications and History of past
Performance and Outcomes (25 points)
Please describe the following:
a. Provide an overview of the organization(s) including the experience and capacity
to deliver innovative programming to youth
b. Programs who previously received funding should provide demonstrated
outcomes
c. Provide an overview (resume) of the program staff who will be delivering the
innovative program to the youth
d. Describe the accounting system to be used. Include the types of ledgers,
journals, payroll records, time and attendance records and indicate who will have
the fiscal responsibility
e. Explain how a satisfactory audit trail, listing documentation used to justify all
expenditures, will be maintained
f. Explain how facilities and equipment to be utilized are in compliance with
the Americans with Disabilities Act. Accessibility to building, classrooms,
and restrooms should be included in explanation
g. A signed copy of the Debarment/Suspension Certification Statement must be
submitted with your proposal. Please complete (Attachment 8)
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4. Proposed Program Narrative (50 points)
a. Provide a one page summary highlighting the program contents
b. Provide a daily schedule outlining times and locations of activities. Daily lunch
break is not included in the 35 hours. Only exception to this is the Business
Etiquette activity
c. Describe how students will be selected for program participation
d. Describe how individual youth assessments will be conducted to determine
individual interests and future plans
e. Include type and sources of career and labor market information and
employment opportunities to be provided and how this information will be
incorporated into targeted Lehigh Valley Industry Cluster career-related activities
f. Explain how youth will access a computer lab in order to enhance web-based
career research
g. Describe how the CareerLinking Academy(s) location is conducive to a safe
learning environment for youth and accessible to public transportation
h. Explain how youth will be transported to employer, and educational facility tours
i. Provide a career planning template
j. Explain how you will design and initiate individual career plans and career
pathways during the CareerLinking Academy
k. Describe the Career Awareness and Preparation activities of the proposal and
which skills under the Career Awareness and Preparation Academic Standards
will be obtained- (PA Standard 13.1)
l. Describe the Career Acquisition (Getting a Job) activities of the proposal and
which skills under the Career Acquisition Academic Standards (PA Standard
13.2) will be obtained
m. Describe the Career Retention and Advancement activities of the proposal and
which skills under the Career Retention and Advancement Standards (PA
Standard 13.3) will be obtained, must include continuing education and training
information and higher education options including admissions criteria and
financial aid information
n. Describe innovative models and creative approaches to deliver PA CareerLinking
Academy to youth
o. Provide a detailed description of all partnerships and responsibilities of each
partner
5. Budget and Other Resources (25 points)
a. Program Budget and Budget Narrative- (Attachment 9)
b. List all cash and in-kind resources the organization will provide
The Proposal Submission must meet the following specifications:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Formatted using a 1” margin and no smaller than a 12-pt. font
Include a table of contents
Typed single-sided, single spaced pages
Pages should be numbered and include a header/footer identifying the
Proposer’s name
e. Proposals must be submitted in the order listed in Section 7
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f. One original copy, five hard copies and one electronic copy (flash drive or CD)
must be submitted by mail or delivered to appropriate address below
g. The hard copies should not be placed in a binder, stapled or bound in any way
Please use binder clips only
h. All proposal applications must be received by Noon, Friday, November, 21, 2014
i. Late proposals will not be accepted and incomplete proposals will not be
reviewed
Mail or deliver to: Lehigh Valley Business Education Partnership
555 Union Boulevard, Allentown, PA 18109
Contact person: Cindy Evans, Youth Program Manager
(610) 841-1004 cevans@lvwib.org
SECTION 7: BUDGET INFORMATION
Budget Forms: All budget sheets are provided in a separate Excel Workbook named
CareerLinking Academy Budget in (Attachment 9) and must be included in the
proposal.
Budget Narrative: In addition to the Budget Sheet, proposers must submit a Budget
Narrative (Attachment 9). The Budget Narrative must provide a detailed description of
costs associated with each line item on the budget sheet.
(IF YOUR BUDGET NARRATIVE DOES NOT FULLY EXPLAIN ALL COSTS, YOUR
PROPOSAL WILL NOT RECEIVE THE MAXIMUM BUDGET EVALUATION POINTS.)
Formulas: The formulas will automatically calculate the totals so Proposers should only
fill in applicable cells.
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