21-148 RFA GED Wraparound Services 2021-2023~1.pdf

State of Oregon

OREGON GED® PROGRAM WRAPAROUND SERVICES

Request for Grant Applications (RFA)

Initial Application Due on: March 31, 2022 at 4:00 PM

For questions, clarifications, or if you need this material in a different format, please contact Lisa Kelly- Harriman at lisa.m.kelly-harriman@hecc.oregon.gov mailto:lisa.m.kellyharriman@state.or.us

1. INTRODUCTION

The State of Oregon, acting by and through its Higher Education Coordinating Commission, (“HECC”), is issuing this Request for Applications (“RFA”) to provide funding to programs that offer preparation, instruction and/or Wraparound Services (defined below) to General Educational Development candidates.

In the 2013 Secretary of State Audit Report, the City Club and Chief Education Office reports recommended the need for HECC’s Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development (“CCWD”) to work on creating a system to better support students who need to earn their GED® test credential and move on to jobs or other post-secondary opportunities. The 2015 Legislative Assembly provided funding for this important work. The 2021 Legislative Assembly renewed this funding.

The new system will provide funding to defray the cost of GED® testing and/or provide support in the form of wraparound services to minimize barriers to earning a GED® test credential that many GED® test candidates face.

Additional details on the scope of the activities are included in the Grant Information and Guidelines section.

HECC has committed $1.7 million in funds for this effort and anticipates the award of multiple Grants from this RFA. Regardless of award date, Grants will be structured to allow reimbursement for expenses incurred on July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023.

Organizations eligible to submit an Application under this RFA are: local governments, community colleges and other governmental entities, private organizations exempt from taxes under sections 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code and tribal organizations.

The authority for this RFA is ORS 350.075.

Funds will be distributed based on the State’s need as determined by HECC.

2. DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this RFA, capitalized words will refer to the following definitions.

Capitalized terms not specifically defined in this document are defined in OAR 125-246-0110.

“Applicant” means an entity that submits an Application in response to this Request for Applications.

“Application” means a written response to this Request for Applications.

“GED” refers to the GED® test, that when passed, serves as an equivalent to a high school diploma.

“Wraparound Services” – indicates services that eliminate or reduce barriers for students preparing and earning a GED® test credential. They complement and are aligned with effective GED® test instruction, GED® testing, and other work done by the service provider.

These services – sometimes at or near the physical testing and preparation site – can include (but are not limited to): culturally competent educators, transportation, health promotion, family engagement strategies, academic enrichment, mentoring, and career options awareness.

3. OVERVIEW

The GED® test serves as a bridge to higher education, trade schools, apprenticeship programs and employment opportunities for Oregonians who have not earned a high school diploma. The Oregon GED®

Program provides the GED® test to adults without a high school credential.

The program is administered by CCWD. The office works in partnership with GED Testing Service (“GEDTS”), Oregon’s 17 community colleges and other state, community, county and local partners to provide testing and preparation and instruction across the state. The Oregon GED® Program provides leadership, technical assistance, training, professional development and guidance in support of the new

2014 GED® test series to community colleges, the Oregon Department of Education Option Program, many community programs, and over 70 test sites across Oregon.

4. GRANT INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

HECC acknowledges the need to support students who aspire to earn a GED® test credential and move on to jobs or other post-secondary opportunities. With the launch of the new test series in 2014, the rigor increased to better prepare GED® test graduates for college and career. Funding provided by Grants awarded from this RFA will support activities that will help increase the GED® test taker and GED® test graduate numbers and connect those graduates to jobs or other post-secondary opportunities. Wraparound

Services provided by this Grant help GED® test educators address unique social and non-academic barriers to GED® test student learning and test-taking.

Successful applicants shall offer services (in at least one of the following areas: recruitment, education, GED® testing, graduation, transition) and have track records and histories of serving underserved populations (e.g. immigrant, culturally specific, rural, and low income populations).

Successful Applicants will be required to submit budgetary and narrative mid-project and end of project reports.

Successful Applicants will retain all grant records, including adequate documentation of each transaction, for a period of 6 years, as required by applicable law, after the expiration date indicated in the agreement.

5. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All submissions shall be sent electronically to hecc.procurement@hecc.oregon.gov.

Submissions received after March 31, 2022 at 4:00 PM may not be accepted.

Submissions should be submitted in the format of Attachment A: Application.

6. EVALUATION CRITERIA

The applications will be evaluated on the following criteria. Each item under each heading (for a total of 10 items) is worth 10 points, for a maximum score of 100.

Organization Description o How well do the mission and vision statements identify the purpose of the organization?

Project Plan mailto:hecc.procurement@hecc.oregon.gov o How well is the project plan described?

o How realistic is the project plan?

o Is the timeline realistic?

Focus Area Table o Are the focus areas for the project well-defined?

Evaluation Plan o Is the evaluation plan detailed and time-specific?

o Are the outcome measurements identified?

Budget o Does the budget narrative explain how the costs were estimated, and explain the justification for the costs?

o Is the budget sufficiently itemized?

o How reasonable is the budget in relation to the proposed project?

7. SUCCESSFUL PROPOSER REQUIREMENTS

A. Taxpayer Identification Number

The apparent successful Proposer shall provide its Taxpayer Identification Number on a completed W- 9 form (which can be found here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf). The apparent successful Proposer must provide its backup withholding status on the W-9 form if either of the following applies:

When requested by HECC (normally in an intent to award notice), or

When the backup withholding status or any other information of Proposer has changed since the last submitted W-9 form, if any.

HECC will not make any payment until HECC has a properly completed W-9.

B. Business Registry

If selected for award, Proposer shall be duly authorized by the State of Oregon to transact business in the State of Oregon before executing the Contract. The selected Proposer shall submit a current Oregon Secretary of State Business Registry number, or an explanation if not applicable.

All Corporations and other business entities (domestic and foreign) must have a Registered Agent in Oregon. See requirements and exceptions regarding Registered Agents. For more information, see Oregon Business Guide, How to Start a Business in Oregon and Laws and Rules. The titles in this subsection are available at the following Internet site: http://www.filinginoregon.com/index.htm.

8. PUBLIC RECORDS

All information and records submitted to HECC are subject to disclosure under the Public Records Law, ORS https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf http://www.filinginoregon.com/index.htm

192.311 to 192.478. If Applicant believes that any information or records it submits to HECC may be a trade secret under ORS 192.345(2), or otherwise is exempt from disclosure under the Oregon Public Records Law, Applicant must identify such information with particularity and include the following statement:

“This data is exempt from disclosure under the Oregon Public Records Law pursuant to ORS chapter 192, and is not to be disclosed except in accordance with the Oregon Public Records Law, ORS

192.311 through 192.478.”

If Applicant fails to identify with particularity the portions of such information that Applicant believes are exempt from disclosure, Applicant is deemed to waive any future claim of non-disclosure of that information.

Attachment A | Application

Respond to the following questions or statements. Use only space provided. Addendums will not be considered or read.

Organization Description

1. What are your organization's mission and vision statements?

Project Plan

2. Provide a narrative that describes your proposed GED® wraparound project. Include your goals, activities, timelines, and outcomes.

Focus Area Table

3. Complete the following table, based on your proposed project:

Focus Areas Areas addressed by this project

Briefly describe what and/or how activities will be completed in selected focus area.

Proposed

# of people to be served (in each focus area)

Recruitment

Education

GED® Testing

GED® Graduation Transition

Evaluation Plan

4. Evaluation plan-Provide a detailed evaluation plan for your project that includes how and when you will measure all goals, activities, and outcomes.

Budget

5. Budget narrative- Provide a narrative of how the costs were estimated, and how your project would use proposed funding from the Oregon GED ® Program Wraparound Services grant.

6. Complete the 2021-2023 GED® Wraparound Grant PROPOSED ITEMIZED BUDGET

2021-2023 GED® Wraparound Grant PROPOSED

ITEMIZED BUDGET

Program Name :

Additional items can be listed in blue highlighted section.

GED ® Wraparound Services Amount Requested Brief Description Timeline

Salaries and Wages

Employee Benefits

Books and Supplies

Other Goods and Services

Equipment

Travel

Other

Subtotal

Administrative Costs Not to exceed 10% of the Grant Subtotal

TOTAL GRANT BUDGET

Reporting Requirements

If funded, the following completed items will be required:

(Exhibit B) Due on or before December 23, 2022:

o Mid-project narrative describing the status and overall health of your project to date.

o Mid-project budget report.

o Mid-project Focus Area Table.

And (Exhibit C) Due on or before July 21, 2023:

o End of project narrative describing the status and overall health of your project.

o End of project evaluation, based on evaluation plan.

o End of project budget report.

o End of project Focus Area Table.

APPLICATION CERTIFICATION SHEET

Legal Name of Applicant:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

State of Incorporation: Entity Type:

Contact Name: Telephone: Email:

Any individual signing below hereby certifies they are an authorized representative of Applicant and that:

1. I have knowledge regarding Applicant’s payment of taxes and by signing below I hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, Application is not in violation of any tax laws of the state or a political subdivision of the state, including, without limitation, ORS 305.620 and ORS chapters 316, 317 and

318.

Applicant does not discriminate in its employment practices with regard to race, creed, age, religious affiliation, gender, disability, sexual orientation, national origin. When awarding subgrants, Applicant does not discriminate against any business certified under ORS 200.055 as a disadvantaged business enterprise, a minority-owned business, a woman-owned business, a business that a service-disabled veteran owns or an emerging small business. If applicable, Applicant has, or will have prior to grant agreement execution, a written policy and practice, that meets the requirements described in ORS

279A.112, of preventing sexual harassment, sexual assault and discrimination against employees who are members of a protected class. HECC may not enter into an agreement with an anticipated grant price of $150,000 or more with an Applicant that does not certify it has such a policy and practice. See https://www.oregon.gov/DAS/Procurement/Pages/hb3060.aspx for additional information and sample policy template.

2. Applicant and Applicant’s employees, agents, and subcontractors are not included on:

A. the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” list maintained by the Office of

Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury found at:

https://www.treasury.gov/ofac/downloads/sdnlist.pdf., or

B. the government-wide exclusions lists in the System for Award Management found at:

https://www.sam.gov/SAM

3. Applicant certifies that, to the best of its knowledge, there exists no actual or potential conflict between the business or economic interests of Applicant, its employees, or its agents, on the one hand, and the business or economic interests of the State, on the other hand, arising out of, or relating in any way to, the subject matter of the RFP. If any changes occur with respect to Applicant’s status regarding conflict of interest, Applicant shall promptly notify the State in writing.

4. Applicant certifies that all contents of the Proposal (including any other forms or documentation, if required under this RFP) and this Proposal Certification Sheet are truthful and accurate and have been prepared independently from all other Applicants, and without collusion, fraud, or other dishonesty.

https://www.oregon.gov/DAS/Procurement/Pages/hb3060.aspx https://www.treasury.gov/ofac/downloads/sdnlist.pdf https://www.sam.gov/SAM

5. Applicant understands that any statement or representation it makes, in response to this RFP, if determined to be false or fraudulent, a misrepresentation, or inaccurate because of the omission of material information could result in a "claim" (as defined by the Oregon False Claims Act, ORS

180.750(1)), made under Contract being a "false claim" (ORS 180.750(2)) subject to the Oregon

False Claims Act, ORS 180.750 to 180.785, and to any liabilities or penalties associated with the making of a false claim under that Act.

6. Applicant certifies it will comply with the Pay Equity law, ORS 652.220, if applicable.

Authorized Signature Date

(Printed Name and Title)