CTT_Programs_RFP-_1630DC-17-R-00011.doc

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

1630DC-17-R-00011

4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION

SEALED BID (IFB)

X NEGOTIATED (RFP)

5. DATE ISSUED

07/24/2017

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

1631-OJC-17-ODC-0075

7. ISSUED BY

CODE

white.dayle@dol.gov

US Department of Labor Division of Job Corps Procurement 200 Constitution Ave, NW Room N-4643 Washington DC 20210

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

9. Sealed offers in original and

SOLICITATION

copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if hand carried, in the depository located in until

1400 ES

local time (Hour)

09/08/2017

(Date) CAUTION: LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

10. FOR INFORMATION

CALL:

A. NAME

Dayle White

white.dayle@dol.gov

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

AWARD (To be completed by government)

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) ( 41 U.S.C. 253 (c) (

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

ITEM

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7)

CODE

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) Eric Vogt

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

28. AWARD DATE

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice. AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION Previous edition is unusable

STANDARD FORM 33 (Rev. 9-97) Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

1630DC-17-R-00011

PAGE

OF

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

ITEM NO.

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

The National Office of Job Corps requests an initiation of a competitive procurement for a provider of electrical; facilities maintenance; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; and plumbing Career Technical Training program.

Product/Service Code:

U006

NSN 7540-01-152-8067

OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

B.1 GENERAL

B - SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

Solicitation/Contract Title: Operation of CTT programs at Job Corps Centers – Electrical The U.S. Department of Labor is soliciting a contractor to provide comprehensive career development services to students, including academic education, career technical training, social and independent living skills, and career readiness and support services. The unique combination of services provided in the Job Corps program is intended to prepare youth to attain and hold gainful employment, pursue further education or training, or satisfy entrance requirements for careers in the Armed Forces.

B.2 COST/PRICE SCHEDULE

The contractor shall complete a Cost and Price Proposal, ETA Form 8555, for the Base Year and each Option Year (See Section J). The contractor shall bill the Government in arrears for work performed under the contract at intervals of no more than once every month.

COST

Base Period – Period of Performance: TBD

IAW SOW – Electrical Total Costs

Total Estimated Costs including Fee

Option #1 - Period of Performance: TBD

IAW SOW – Electrical Total Costs

Total Estimated Costs including Fee

Option #2 – Period of Performance: TBD

Total Estimated Costs including Fee

Option #3 – Period of Performance: TBD

Total Estimated Costs including Fee

Option #4 – Period of Performance: TBD

IAW SOW – Electrical Total Costs

Total Estimated Costs including Fee

TOTAL CONTRACT COST

C. 1 GENERAL

A. Background

C - DESCRIPTIONS/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

Job Corps is a national residential training and employment program administered by the U. S. Department of Labor to address multiple barriers to employment faced by eligible youth throughout the United States. Eligibility is defined by Job Corps’ essential admissions requirements, as outlined in PRH Exhibit 1-1. Job Corps was originally established by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The current authorization for this program is Title I, Subtitle C, of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, passed on July 22, 2014.

Job Corps provides comprehensive career development services to its students, including academic education, career technical training, social and independent living skills, and career readiness and support services. The unique combination of services provided in the Job Corps program is intended to prepare youth to attain and hold gainful employment, pursue further education or training, or satisfy entrance requirements for careers in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The NTCs are a group of training contractors for Job Corps on the national level that provide comprehensive training and placement services to students in multiple occupations in three industries: construction, transportation, and automotive services. The number of programs operated by each NTC is expected to fluctuate according to program changes during the contract period.

B. Objectives

The NTC shall provide materials, services, and all necessary personnel to operate contracted Job Corps career technical training programs. The NTC shall provide Job Corps students with a comprehensive range of career technical training and career development services leading to employment and long-term attachment to the workforce.

C. Governing Regulations and Handbook To the extent that adequate resources are made available, the NTC shall provide all necessary administrative and training personnel, services, off-center administrative facilities and materials, and staff travel and subsistence required to accomplish contracted training services with Job Corps, in accordance with the:

· Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014, as amended, and implementing regulations;

· High Growth Job Training;

· Job Corps Policy and Requirements Handbook (PRH), as well as other Job Corps instructions and policy issuances;

· Section C – Description/Specifications/Statement of Work, accessible to center directors and corporate staff hosting one or more NTC programs.

D. Centers, Programs, and Slots The NTC shall provide contracted career technical training programs in conformity with the following number of centers (including agency centers), programs, and slots:

Program Offerings:

The charts in section C.1.D above and C.1.E below illustrate current program offerings. It is the expectation of the government that these offerings as listed will continue upon award of this contract until such time as the government modifies the awarded contract to (1) add, delete, or move individual programs; or (2) increase or reduce the size (slot number) of individual programs. Any change to the size of individual programs would necessitate an adjustment to the slot-instructor ratio defined in the chart below in section C.1.E. Changes to program locations and sizes are dependent on physical configurations of centers and the number of students currently enrolled in each program. Since the achievement rate of students as related to curriculum is widely variable, eliminating and/or relocating individual programs is costly and complex. Program changes are subject to policy changes by the National Office of Job Corps. This would include formally approved changes to regional and center configurations. Unless requested by the government, NTC programs that are closed as a result of a center closure will not be relocated, and remaining funds will be recouped by the U.S. Department of Labor.

E. Student/Instructor Ratios With adequate justification supported by the industry, the NTC shall maintain the following student/instructor ratios:

Facilities Maintenance

HVAC

Landscaping

Plumbing 24 for all programs

The NTC shall maintain student/instructor ratios established by the industry. Ratios may be adjusted if they do not correlate with industry and/or safety standards for the designated training programs.

C.2 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

A. Reporting

(l) NTC Operational plan – The NTC shall develop, in conjunction with centers and regional offices, as appropriate, an annual NTC Operational Plan and submit it to the Job Corps National Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) within 90 days of the report template being available following final contract award in the base year. For the four option years, the NTC shall revise its Operational Plan and submit a summary of all changes, if applicable, to the NTC COR within 60 days of option award date. In accordance with Job Corps policy, regulations and requirements, the NTC Operational Plan shall:

· Contain detailed descriptions of the awardee’s administrative structure, operational systems and processes for recruitment, training, placement (including registered apprenticeship programs), and follow-up services to students;

· Justification of the current, approved staff-to-student ratios, as they apply to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and industry-based training standards;

· Staff qualifications and annual professional development plans; and

· Coordinated travel activities; and activities to align training to the latest industry skills/training standards.

Attention shall also be given to tracking and measuring individual performance for Registered Apprenticeship placements on an annual basis. The format of the NTC Operational Plan can be similar to a Job Corps Center Plan. The NTC COR will review and request for changes, if applicable, to Operational Plans within 60 days of submission.

(2) NTC Quarterly Report - The NTC is required to submit to the COR an NTC Quarterly Report reflective of progress toward goals outlined in the Operational Plan. The schedule for quarterly reporting will be dependent upon the contract execution date. Through the NTC Quarterly Reports, the NTC shall update the National Office of Job Corps about their progress in meeting Job Corps requirements and implementing activities in curriculum upgrading and program management, major personnel changes related to the contract, results in linkages and placement with employers/unions/ apprenticeship programs, and actions/results in performance monitoring and improvement. It is also a tool for the NTC to inform the National Office of Job Corps of their major achievements, issues, or concerns. The NTC COR shall provide the template of the NTC Quarterly Report by the time of the contract award.

(3) Miscellaneous Requests and Reports – The NTC shall respond, in a timely fashion, to verbal and/or written requests by the NTC COR for information or reports related to program operation and performance outcomes.

B. Requirements for NTC Programs and Services

(1) As Job Corps' programs evolve and strategies develop, NTC leadership will be kept informed. Collectively, NTCs will be invited to contribute to relevant Job Corps policy changes and initiatives in the same manner as other Job Corps contractors.

(2) Industry Skill/Training Standards – The NTC shall provide training programs that lead to high growth, high demand, and high wage positions in the construction, automotive service, and transportation industries. The NTC shall align all its technical training programs with the latest skills/training standards of their industry, and where applicable, U.S. Department of Labor approved registered apprenticeship training standards.

(3) Training Outcomes – The NTC shall provide assigned students training in career technical skills and career success standards so that they become agile workers with expanded career options, and maintain long-term attachment to the labor market or educational opportunities. Specifically, training outcomes from NTC programs include the following categories:

a. Students enter a registered apprenticeship training program leading to full journeyman status, a customized employer-based training program that leads to career opportunities, or

b. Students enter a specific area of the craft/trade that pays sustainable wages and offers the opportunity for long-term employment and career-advancement, or enter the U.S. Armed Forces, or

c. Students enter a community college or technical training school-level program to pursue further technical training or degree-based education, if they choose not to pursue further training or job placement in the occupation for which the NTC has provided the training, or

d. Students earn a passing score on written and/or performance tests associated with nationally recognized certification and/or state licensure. Instructors certify students have completed necessary training and certification(s) to fulfill program requirements.

(4) Placement Services - The NTC shall ensure that graduates of the transportation service worker, rail mechanical service worker, and machinist programs are knowledgeable of what constitutes a job-training match within those industries, and assist students in seeking advanced training, applying for full-time employment in the field they have been trained, or pursuing a career in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The NTC may also provide career transition support services to graduates, such as making arrangements for housing and transportation, where the NTC has the capability to effectively deliver such services and the provisions of such services has first been coordinated with the designated Career Transition Services (CTS) provider.

Instructors and field staff shall work collaboratively with Job Corps regional officials and center staff to ensure that NTC-provided job placement and, as applicable, career transition support services, are coordinated with the development and implementation of each center's training goals.

(5) MOU with Operators/Agencies –The NTC will be included in a single MOU, which outlines the basic requirements of all NTC contracts. A link to Section C - Descriptions/Specifications/ Statement of Work will be housed on the Job Corps Community Web Site.

(6) Collaboration with Other Job Corps Entities - It is imperative that all NTC staff cultivate strong communicative relationships with DOL regional officials, center staff, center operators, and Outreach and Admissions (OA) and CTS contractors. The National Office of Job Corps encourages the NTC to work within established protocol to address and resolve areas of concern prior to seeking the involvement of the NTC COR and the National Office.

(7) Enrollment of Female Students and Instructors – As an entity that provides instruction and job placement in trades predominantly occupied by males, the NTC shall make every effort to recruit female students to achieve meaningful improvement in the number of female graduates.

In an effort to achieve the above objective, the NTC shall develop and use creative and effective techniques and strategies during OA and the Career Preparation Period, to educate and interest female students about careers in construction. As applicable, the NTC will work closely with Job Corps regional office officials, recruitment contractors, the national public relations contract staff and center staff who manage the Career Preparation Period (CPP) about adopting such recommendations.

The NTC is also encouraged to seek and develop meaningful partnerships with local, state, and national organizations that provide assistance in recruiting qualified female instructors, as vacancies occur.

(8) Center Curriculum Development – The NTC shall have appropriate staff fully participate in the curriculum development process at each center where the NTC operates a career technical training program. This includes serving as an active member of the center Curriculum Development Committee and, if authorized by NTC leadership, sharing developed instructional resources, techniques, and methods that contribute to student success.

Standards Based Education and Training – The NTC shall fully support the advancement to standards-based education and training across all Job Corps Centers. When fully integrated, centers will have incorporated some or all of the following components: Industry or CTT Foundations courses, student cohorts, evening studies, revised career technical training schedules for students, multi-step instruction for students, and assigned collaboration time for staff. NTC staff will be required to participate in the associated staff development sessions and collaborative meetings, as applicable. The NTC will work collaboratively with the Job Corps centers, Job Corps Regional Offices, and National Office staff to implement required Job Corps policies applicable to NTC career technical training providers.

(9) Center Industry Council and Business Community Liaison Functions – The NTC shall fully support the functioning of the Center Industry Council and the Business and Community Liaison (BCL) in improving the quality of career technical training programs and creating meaningful linkages with individual employers, labor and business organizations, American Job Centers/partners, state and local Workforce Investment Boards, and local Youth Councils.

On centers where NTC career technical training programs operate, the NTC Instructors or Field Coordinator shall serve as primary contact for communications with NTC affiliated union, district council, association, or organizations and employers signatory to NTC local and national agreements. Further, NTC Instructors and Field Coordinator shall fully assist BCLs, CTS contractors, and center staff in obtaining accurate graduate placement and placement upgrade verification information through Center Information System (CIS) case notes and other methods of contact.

(10) Disability Issues – The NTC shall follow all federal laws, government regulations, and Job Corps policy related to accommodations for students with disabilities. The NTC will work closely with the center director’s designee for disability issues to ensure that students with disabilities who are interested in NTC trades are provided reasonable accommodations/modifications, if needed, to perform the trade-related skills required by the Training Achievement Records (TAR). The NTC shall ensure that no Job Corps students with disabilities are denied entry into NTC programs for any discriminatory reason.

(11) Safety – The NTC shall follow all federal, state, local, center, and NTC-specific safety regulations and requirements during the technical training process, and ensure all training areas are clean and well-maintained. The NTC shall advise the centers and NTC COR, in writing, of current industry standards and employer-partner specifications in terms of safety design, requirements, and operation in the training facilities on centers.

(12) New Initiatives and Directions – The NTC shall work closely with the National Office of Job Corps and other related entities to assist in the development and implementation of new initiatives, instructions, and directives from the U. S. Department of Labor and the National Office of Job Corps. For instance, the National Office of Job Corps is requiring a new training direction focusing on the Energy sector. As an example, offerors would propose training either as the primary provider or in partnership with energy based entities to prepare Job Corps student participants for some or all of the following occupations as appropriate:

· Energy Auditor – Residential, Commercial, and Industrial

· Energy Efficiency Installer

· Weatherization Technician

· Solar Installer

· Wind Turbine Technician

· Geothermal Technician

· Green Building Professional – LEED accredited professional for new and existing construction

· Energy Advisor – Residential and Commercial

· Gas and Distribution Line Mechanic

· Arial and Underground Line Technicians

With an aim toward permanent job placement and livable wages, the National Office of Job Corps strongly encourages partnerships and on-the-job training arrangements for this new emphasis on energy as an expansion of Job Corps’ current offerings in construction or as an entirely new stand-alone training focus. Offerors should discuss labor market demand, geographical placement of specific training, and infrastructure-based requirements.

(13) Collaboration with Job Corps Partners – The NTC shall collaborate, as applicable, with local Workforce Investment partners, employers/unions/ registered apprenticeship programs, and the business community, to maximize training and placement opportunities for Job Corps students.

(14) Consulting Services to Job Corps - As requested, the NTC shall provide the NTC COR and other Job Corps officials with consultant services concerning, but not limited to: Labor Market Information (LMI) for specific unions or labor organizations; training techniques, including Career Technical Skills Training (CTST) and work-based learning (WBL); industry standards for quality job performance; trade-safety issues; equipment, tools, materials, and supplies required in the trade; and curriculum enhancement.

(15) Recruits from Industry/Businesses - As applicable, the NTC shall inform local unions, Home Builders Associations, major providers of transportation services, auto/truck repair businesses, other established business/industry affiliates, apprenticeship committees/councils, contractors, and individual employers of the opportunity to refer potential employees, who are eligible for Job Corps, to related NTC training at Job Corps centers. NTC staff shall coordinate with the appropriate OA contractor(s) and center staff to ensure the availability of program openings prior to finalizing arrangements for potential enrollees.

C. Staff Qualifications The NTC shall provide highly-trained and qualified personnel to direct, manage, operate, and teach each contracted training program at designated Job Corps centers. The qualification criteria for different levels of staff are as follows:

(1) Senior Leaders

The national/executive directors and senior management staff are expected to be visionary, and have a strong background or experience in organizational development, program development, program management, and program evaluation. They should be knowledgeable about their respective industries, and have strong business connections. They should have the ability to interpret and translate Job Corps policy changes into action. They are expected to have the willingness, capability, and professionalism to collaborate with all Job Corps partners, internal and external, to improve training programs and coordinate placement services for students, and resolve issues. They shall have the insight, willingness, and capability to lead organizational and programmatic modifications to meet the ever-changing demands of the industry and employers. Technical skills are also required in the areas of budgeting and financial management. Senior leaders directly responsible for technical training programs should have a background in curriculum development, professional development, and program design/ implementation/monitoring/evaluation. All the above-mentioned qualifications must be evidenced through at least two of the following elements:

· Academic credentials from accredited post-secondary educational institutions

· Direct or related training

· Direct or related experience

(2) Field Staff/Coordinators

Field staff/coordinators are expected to have the same teaching and technical credentials and capabilities as instructors [illustrated in C (3)]. They shall attain and maintain industry or employer specific certifications or credentials required by specific partnerships. They shall have a strong background or experience in program management and evaluation and possess the ability to translate policy into action items.

Field staff/coordinators are expected to have the willingness and capability to collaborate with center staff and management to resolve issues, and create integrated and coordinated training programs and placement services for students. They should have a background in curriculum development, professional development, and program design/implementation/monitoring/ evaluation. All the above-mentioned qualifications must be evidenced through at least two of the following elements:

· Academic credentials from accredited post-secondary educational institutions, or

· Direct or related training, or

· Direct or related experience

(3) Career Technical Instructors

(A) Credentials - NTC instructors must possess an industry-based and/or state issued teaching credential in the career technical training field that they are hired to teach. All instructors shall possess adequate and valid professional or industry skill certification(s), equivalent to that of a union journeyman level, and have demonstrated the ability to apply effective training techniques and skills, including the use of information technology, in the classroom, through related education and/or relevant experience. Certifications and licenses must be renewed and/or maintained at no cost to this contract.

In geographical areas where it is difficult to recruit instructors with all the above-mentioned qualifications, the NTC may request written approval from the NTC COR to hire an individual with an understanding that he or she must attain the required qualifications within 2 years. If the instructor fails to comply with the qualification requirement within 2 years, the NTC COR may choose to, in consultation with the NTC, regional office, and center management, either extend the time limit or request the NTC to terminate employment of the instructor.

(B) Professional Competency - All instructors shall be competent in the skills, techniques, and practices of the trade, including every item addressed in the Training Achievement Record(s). Instructors are expected to have the professional training and ability to apply curriculum development and instructional delivery techniques. Instructors are required to integrate the use of Internet and other technology into career technical training processes.

(C) Knowledge in Safety - All instructors shall be knowledgeable of trade-related OSHA, state (where students are most likely to be employed) and industry-related safety rules, regulations, and guidelines, and fully trained to be capable of instructing students in understanding and applying these safety mandates in the shop, on Career Technical Skills Training (CTST) projects, and employer work sites. Instructors will work closely with the Center Safety Officer in this regard.

(D) Ability to work with the eligible youth population - All instructors must have the interest, desire, experience, and ability to work patiently and effectively with youth from various economic, social, and cultural backgrounds regardless of their race, sex, national origin, or religious preference. Instructors must also have the willingness and ability to effectively teach students with disabilities.

(E) Background Investigations –The NTC shall strictly adhere to the clearance process established by the National Office of Job Corps. All new hires must complete a federally sponsored background clearance, as outlined in Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12: Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors. The NTC shall require all instructors to immediately notify appropriate senior management of any criminal arrests or investigations occurring while employed by the NTC. Once notified, senior management will take immediate action to contact the Center Director and regional COR, investigate the matter and issue a report to the contracting officer. The NTC and Job Corps shall consult on any appropriate action to be taken with respect to an affected employee, so long as such action is consistent with the nature of the employee’s work under the contract, the mission of Job Corps, and the EEOC’s “Enforcement Guidelines on the Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Decisions Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” No. 915.002, issued April 25, 2012.

For staff assigned to a US Forest Service operated Job Corps Center, employees must immediately begin the clearance process outlined in Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12: Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors. All other current employees will adhere to the U.S. Department of Labor schedule for implementing the directive.

For those trades/industries requiring a driver’s license and/or Commercial Driver’s License, a background check shall also be conducted to ensure the license is current and valid.

All NTC instructors and field staff shall meet all federal, state and local law requirements for background investigations that are mandatory for center-operated staff working with children and youth. Center operators may opt to pay for the background investigations of NTC instructors and include them as part of the center’s obligation. However, it is the NTC’s choice whether to accept. If the NTC chooses to process an investigation internally, the request must be submitted immediately, so as to coincide with the timing of the center staff clearances. Whenever a new center contract begins, NTC instructors will be required to provide an updated background check (current within last11 months) as a condition of being rehired. NTCs must notify the COR of any such activity as it occurs on respective campuses.

(4) Notification of Personnel Changes - It is incumbent on the NTC to notify the NTC COR of employment changes of its Job Corps-related staff at all levels, and its plan/actions to ensure continued compliance to qualification requirements, through emails and the NTC Quarterly Reports. The center director shall be notified by the field staff, or other appropriate official, in a timely manner, of any proposed instructor change so that related center administrative, operational, and logistical matters can be adequately addressed.

D. Professional Development

(l) Staff Training – Professional development tied to industry, licensing/credentials, or teaching certifications shall not be charged to this contract.

Instructors will complete all applicable Job Corps training requirements, as outlined in PRH, Exhibit 5-4. Utilizing all available methods of training, the NTC shall plan, budget, and execute quality professional development activities for all instructional, support, and administrative staff. Training topics may include, but are not limited to the following:

· Latest policy changes and associated resources from the National Office of Job Corps

· Latest trends in career technical education/training, including technological teaching and learning methodologies

· Latest skill/training standards and/or certification requirements in specialty training areas

· Latest technology advances in specialty training areas

· Computer skills: word processing, Internet, email, and technology integration in the career technical training environment

· Learning theories

· Classroom/shop instructional delivery techniques

· Evaluation of student competencies

· Student performance proficiency

· Skills for effective student engagement to positively affect classroom behavior

· Skills for working with students with disabilities

· Skills for networking with industries and employers

· Multicultural awareness

· Skills to provide career technical training to English Language Learners (ELL)

· Knowledge of trade-related OSHA safety rules and regulations

· First Aid and CPR

· Other student-based career development concepts

E. Staff Responsibilities

(1) Senior Leaders

National/executive directors and senior management staff are expected to perform leadership and management functions which include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Direct all subordinates to fully implement all applicable policy, regulations, directions, and initiatives set by the National Office of Job Corps,

· Lead actions to facilitate successful performance of all NTC programs at or above requirements per PRH Appendix 501D.

· Lead proactive actions to align all applicable programs to current industry training standards and, as applicable, certification requirements.

· Hire and retain staff at all levels who meet the qualification requirements established by the National Office of Job Corps.

· Plan and execute ongoing professional development activities for all staff.

· Take the initiative to address issues or barriers that are common to all or most NTCs, in conjunction with the National Office, Regional Offices, operators, centers, and other NTCs, as appropriate.

· Advise the NTC COR and the National Office about specific LMI, common issues and challenges, and best practices in all applicable areas of technical training, placement, program management and program operations.

· Submit an annual travel plan for approval by the contracting officer. Plans must be structured by ETA/Job Corps region, efficiently targeting resources. Center visits that require air travel will be limited to one per year for programs performing at a “B” or higher. Each region should also be budgeted for 2 unexpected visits annually. These estimates will account for instructor turnover, industry representative visits to centers or partnering facilities, requests for meetings with center directors, and any other approved travel category.

· Submit an annual training plan for approval from the contracting officer, which covers all staff training, as well as individual requirements for instructors.

(2) Field Staff/Coordinators

The following tasks make it essential that field staff reside in areas of the country that are within reasonable commuting distance from assigned Job Corps centers.

The NTC will annually submit sufficient information to the NTC COR, describing all field staff assignments and corresponding residence locations (city/town of residence and proximity to training programs that they supervise), the impact on costs, and related information as described in item (G) in this part. The NTC shall make arrangements to ensure that the tasks below are adequately performed.

(A) Monitoring Performance - Field staff shall be fully knowledgeable about the performance of NTC programs and instructors. As outlined in PRH Chapter 5, Appendix 501(d), individual training programs performing below established standard or on probation, the NTC will require CTT Continuous Improvement Plans (CTT-CIPs), developed using SMART analysis. Quarterly follow up will be required by field coordinators. Field staff shall actively participate in the Regional and National Appeal Processes for their programs facing sanctions, including closure and reduction. Slot utilization is a cost effectiveness issue that must continually be monitored; when warranted, field staff shall collaborate with centers and regional offices to effectively address issues related to slot utilization.

(B) Efficiency of Travel - In meeting these responsibilities, it is extremely important that field staff first make productive use of all available means of communications, including electronic, and fully assess performance reports generated by the Job Corps Data Center and the NTC, before center visits are planned. Center travel shall be limited to situations where face-to-face contact is absolutely essential and shall stay within budget limitations. Exceptions shall be adequately justified by following the procedures described in item G of this part. The NTC shall submit to the NTC COR documentation of charges, beginning from the first month of the new contract cycle, which requires the NTC to include a summary of all business trips incurred during the reported month. The contractor will maintain all receipts and provide copies to the COR when requested (through PDF format).

(C) Technical Assistance – The NTC will supply structured training in classroom management. Instructors will be expected to deal effectively with a wide range of student behaviors. When necessary, regional field staff shall provide additional training in a timely fashion.

(D) Interaction with Center Activities - Field staff shall ensure that instructors are contributing to the effectiveness of center training plans and the goals of the overarching program. Performance standards shall reflect a team approach with center and career transition staff ensuring that students have every opportunity to achieve their career goals.

(E) Actions on Staff Issues - Where significant problems associated with a particular instructor are verified, either in the performance of his/her basic responsibilities or as a participant in other center activities and programs, field staff shall take immediate and appropriate corrective action. If warranted, such action may ultimately include the permanent removal of an instructor. However, before a final decision of this type is made, the center director and assigned regional COR/project manager shall be notified. These individuals shall have the opportunity to expeditiously assess the impact of such a decision on the operations and administration of the center, and to share this information with the appropriate NTC official(s) for consideration prior to a final decision being made by the NTC.

(F) Business Linkages - Field staff shall play a vital role in establishing meaningful relations with business agents and other local union officials, business councils, and affiliated organizations in labor markets where students return to seek employment. Such efforts are intended to promote and establish registered apprenticeship and other career opportunities for qualified graduates.

(G) Organizational Support and Report - The NTC’s organizational structure and assignments of staff responsibilities shall be established and reported so as to ensure that all applicable career technical programs are performing satisfactorily. To this end, NTC officials shall make certain that (a) the workload among field staff is full, balanced, and manageable; and (b) as previously discussed, the location of field staff work stations, in relation to their assigned Job Corps centers maximizes their ability to function effectively and does not create excessive or unreasonable costs to the Government, when travel is warranted.

(H) Communication with Center Directors during Visits - As stated above, while effective use of desk monitoring, conference calls, and electronic mail is strongly encouraged, field staff will visit centers when justified. To the extent practicable in these situations, the center director shall be notified in advance of visits. Further, following each visit, field staff shall conduct an exit-conference with the center director, or her/his designee, and other officials, as appropriate, to review significant findings, and address issues affecting program performance, particularly if the program is on probation and/or under a CTT-CIP.

(I) Communication with Regional CORs/Project Managers – Field staff shall also establish and maintain contact with appropriate regional CORs/project managers concerning program and instructor performance, as well as significant findings/issues resulting from monitoring that could not be resolved at the center level. Field staff members are encouraged to share monitoring reports with appropriate CORs/project managers. For CTT programs on a CTT-CIP, quarterly updates are required to be submitted by centers.

(J) Meeting with Regional Directors - Field staff and their executives shall meet with the regional directors via teleconferencing or videoconferencing at least once each program year to share LMI and economic factors that impact program performance, review program outcomes, and discuss program change options, etc. Results of these meetings shall be documented in the quarterly report.

(3) Instructors

(A) Career Technical Training - Instructors shall plan, deliver, and evaluate career technical training to Job Corps students in various specialty areas, including both classroom instruction (theory learning) and hands-on practices (CTST and work-based learning). Instructors are expected to provide all students the opportunity to complete all TARs in their chosen program. Instructors are expected to train students and provide them with the opportunity to be sufficiently competent to enter a registered apprenticeship training program, enter a high growth/high demand/high wage occupation for career development, enter a community/technical college for advanced training, or enter the U.S. Armed Forces, and earn a passing score on written and/or performance tests associated with nationally recognized certification and/or state licensure, as applicable.

(B) Professional Development - Instructors shall participate in all professional development activities, sponsored by the NTC, centers, regional offices, and the National Office, as applicable, to increase their effectiveness in developing and delivering standards-based, integrated instruction; coordinating instruction; utilizing evidence-based instructional techniques; and implementing student engagement strategies.

(C) Role-Modeling - Instructors are expected to serve as role models for students. Any abusive or other inappropriate behavior by instructors towards students or staff, failure to properly supervise students and maintain order, effectiveness, and safety, or a disregard for center rules and regulations, will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action or loss of employment. Field and headquarters officials shall take immediate and appropriate action when such incidences are verified. Where the NTC fails to respond expeditiously and adequately, the NTC COR will become involved and initiate whatever corrective actions/measures may be needed.

(D) Communication with Center Staff - Instructors shall have routine communications with other center staff who serve NTC students in other program areas (e.g., academic and residential). The purpose of such contact is to determine if NTC students are meeting their responsibilities in these other required activities, and especially to identify students having problems that could lead to early separation if not dealt with immediately and effectively. Where this appears to be the case, the NTC instructor, acting as a role model, shall endeavor to positively influence the student and steer him/her in a better direction.

The responsibility described above is in addition to the NTC instructors’ participation in the Evaluation of Student Progress (ESP) panels, and is primarily intended to prevent Zero Tolerance (ZT) terminations, AWOLs, etc., and increase the number of career technical training graduates and placements.

(E) Center Activities - Instructors are expected to support and participate in pre-planned, scheduled activities/projects that have been established by center officials and staff to support center goals and objectives. Such activities/projects, which usually involve most center components, may take place outside of normal working hours, including weekends, and at sites other than the Job Corps center.

(F) Business Linkages - Instructors shall play a vital role in establishing meaningful relations with business agents and other local union officials, business councils,…