8-RFP260177 Specifications.pdf

Louisville Jefferson County

Metro Government

KentuckianaWorks

Construction Trade Pipeline Program Service Provider

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

RFP # 260177

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Instructions to Proposers

2. Specifications

3. Evaluation Criteria

4. General Provisions

5. Hold Harmless Agreement and Indemnification Clause and Insurance Requirements

6. Human Relations Commission Required Documentation

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SECTION 1

INSTRUCTIONS TO PROPOSERS

1.1. Introduction

The Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government (“Metro Government”) is now accepting Proposals for Construction Trade Pipeline.

The process of accepting Proposals and choosing the successful proposer shall be by sealed Requests for Proposals (“RFP’s”) using the competitive negotiation process under KRS 45A.370. The Metro Government, if it chooses to award a contract based on this Proposal, shall do so on the basis of the Proposal which is most advantageous to it based upon the Evaluation Criteria set forth herein.

(KRS 45A.370(5)).

The Metro Government finds that a purchase through competitive negotiation is necessary because specifications cannot be made sufficiently specific to permit an award on the basis of either the lowest bid price or the lowest evaluated bid price.

The Metro Government shall conduct written or oral discussions with all responsible proposers who submit Proposals determined in writing to be reasonably susceptible of being selected for award, except as otherwise provided by law. Where the Metro Government can clearly demonstrate and document from the existence of adequate competition or accurate prior cost experience with the particular supply, service or construction item, the Metro Government may make an award on the basis of the original submitted Proposals.

1.2. Considerations Prior to Submitting a Proposal

1.2.1. Revenue Commission

If you are a Metro Government vendor or you are doing business in Metro Louisville, you should already be registered with the Revenue Commission and have all of your required taxes paid. If you become the successful Proposer, you must be properly registered with the Revenue Commission and have all of your required taxes paid prior to the award of a contract.

You must provide your Revenue Commission Number on the Proposer Information and Proposal Signature Document, unless you do not yet have one.

Contact the Louisville Metro Revenue Commission at (502) 574-4860 for information related to obtaining an account number or verifying current compliance.

1.2.2. Human Relations Commission

There are two affirmative action requirements which apply to Metro Government Contracts: a) Affirmative Action in Employment and b) Affirmative Action in the subcontracting of Minority, Female and Handicapped-owned businesses.

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1.2.2.1. Affirmative Action in Employment

1.2.2.1.1. The Louisville Metro Human Relations Commission (“HRC”) is required determine whether contractors’ employment policies assure employment opportunities are available to all citizens without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, handicap, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, or age.

1.2.2.1.2. To make this determination, the HRC will make an inquiry of the successful Proposer pursuant to Louisville Metro Ordinances Section 37.27.

1.2.2.1.3. If you are contacted by Purchasing Division staff notifying of award, and you have not already been “HRC Prequalified”, you will need to contact the HRC at 502-574-3631 for information and assistance on procedures to follow in becoming approved and qualified.

1.2.2.1.4. Proposer acknowledges that the resulting Agreement from this RFP is subject to Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government Ordinances §37.25-§37.36 and failure to comply with the terms of those Ordinances will be cause for suspension, termination or cancellation of a contract executed hereunder, or rejection of Proposer’s Proposal.

1.2.2.2. Affirmative Action in Subcontracting

1.2.2.2.1. Generally, either a Proposer will use subcontractors or it will do all the work itself.

1.2.2.2.2. If Not Using Subcontractors, you must complete and sign Form GFE-1, which is included with this Proposal in the HRC’s “Good Faith Efforts Requirements” document, to indicate work will be self-performed.

1.2.2.2.3. Failure to include a completed Form GFE-1 with your proposal will cause the proposal to be rejected and deemed nonresponsive.

1.2.2.2.4. If Using Subcontractors, you must follow the instructions and complete the forms in the “Good Faith Efforts Requirements” document included with this Proposal. This includes but is not limited to making the required good faith effort, as that term is defined in the document.

1.2.3. LMCO Louisville Metro Codified Ordinance Policy Certifications LMCO 112.30

1.2.3.1. Per LMCO 112.30(D):

1.2.3.1.1. Vendors who apply for business with Louisville Metro must follow the practice that initial vendor employment applications not contain a "box" or a question of inquiry on the initial application regarding an applicant's prior criminal history and applicants shall not be required to check or otherwise fill in a "box" or respond to an inquiry regarding an applicant's prior criminal history on the vendor's initial employment application, unless as otherwise provided by or required by state and federal law.

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1.2.3.1.2. Failure to adhere to this requirement shall cause your submission not to be considered for award. Louisville Metro shall retain at all times the authority to deny, rescind, revoke, terminate or not renew a contract with a vendor for failing to comply with the standards established by LMCO 112.30.

1.2.4. Requirements Regarding Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment in the workplace, per

LMCO 39.220-224:

1.2.4.1. Per LMCO 39.222: An Organization executing a contract valued at $50K or more (“Covered Entities" shall not execute any settlement agreement concerning workplace sexual assault, sexual harassment, failure to prevent same or which concern claims of retaliation against a person reporting such matters if such an agreement prevents or restricts the disclosure of factual information related to such claims filed in a civil action or a complaint filed in an administrative action.

1.2.4.2. Reporting Requirements. Per LMCO 39.221: Each covered entity shall annually report to Louisville Metro internal complaints of workplace sexual harassment and sexual assault by employees who reside or work in Louisville/Jefferson County. The report shall be submitted to the Office of Equity.

1.2.4.3. Nondisclosure Agreements. Per LMCO 39.223: No covered entity shall, in exchange for a raise or bonus, or as a condition of employment or continued employment, require an employee to sign any agreement that prohibits the disclosure of information about unlawful acts in the workplace. “Information about unlawful acts in the workplace" includes, but is not limited to, information pertaining to harassment or discrimination or any other conduct that the employee has reasonable cause to believe is unlawful.

1.3. Preferences

1.3.1. Minimum Wage Preference

1.3.1.1. Per Louisville Metro Ordinance Chapter §37.56, preferences shall be given to businesses, which provide their employees a minimum wage equal to or exceeding the minimum wage set forth in §37.55 ("minimum wage business") which is currently $10.10/hour. This minimum wage rate is the rate set by Louisville Metro Council for all full-time Louisville Metro employees.

1.3.1.2. If a business provides its employees at least $10.10/hour, regardless of location or position, the offer price in the Proposal shall be reduced by 5% for the purpose of determining which offer is most advantageous to Metro Government.

1.3.1.3. If this Proposal is for services, and the business intends to use subcontractors to perform all or part of the work required under the contract, the business shall not subcontract more than 20% of the work to non-minimum wage businesses unless such services are not available from minimum wage businesses.

1.3.1.4. If a business receives the Minimum Wage Preference and is awarded a contract under this Proposal, then it must post a sign of the $10.10 minimum wage rate in a conspicuous place and manner so as to inform employees and the public of your minimum wage policy.

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1.3.1.5. If you certify your business as a minimum wage business, are subsequently awarded a contract, and the Metro Government discovers you do not pay your employees at least $10.10 per hour, your business will be liable to the Metro Government for 30% of the amount of the contract awarded.

1.3.1.6. You must complete the Minimum Wage Preference Certification on the Proposer Information and Signature Page included in this Proposal.

1.3.2. Local Vendor Preference

The Metro Government gives Proposals submitted by local vendors a preference.

1.3.2.1. To qualify as a local vendor, a company must:

1.3.2.1.1. Be established in the Louisville Metropolitan Statistical Area (“MSA”), as defined by the United States Census Bureau for twelve (12) consecutive months.

1.3.2.1.2. Possess a current Louisville Revenue Commission account number.

1.3.2.1.3. Have its headquarters located in the Louisville MSA or have a branch office currently located in the Louisville MSA for at least twelve (12) consecutive months prior to the broadcast date of this Request for Proposal.

1.3.2.1.4. Determine whether the City or County within the Louisville MSA in which your business is located has the required reciprocal ordinance which recognizes business located within the Louisville MSA as local businesses for the purpose of a procurement preference. If that City or County does have such an ordinance, you must include a copy of that document in your response to this

RFP.

1.3.2.1.5. Utilize local businesses to furnish at least 75% of the services under a contract awarded hereunder unless such services are not available locally.

1.3.2.2. If the Metro Government determines your business is a local business, based on the standards described here, then your business shall receive a 5% reduction of the total amount you propose or 5 points added to your evaluated Proposal total, depending on the type of proposal evaluation process the Metro Government has decided to use.

1.3.2.3. If the Metro Government concludes your business is a local business for the purposes of this Proposal, and that determination is based on false information, the Proposer shall be subject to a fine equal to 25% of the price quoted in this Proposal.

1.3.2.4. Any petition challenging the designation or award of local vendor preference shall follow the procedures set forth in LMCO §37.03.

1.3.3. Kentucky Statutory Preferences

The Commonwealth of Kentucky requires the Metro Government to apply certain purchasing preferences as set forth in Kentucky Revised Statutes (“KRS”) Sections 45A.470, 45A.490, 492 and 494.

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1. Kentucky Correctional Industries: Products made by the Department of Corrections, Division of Prison Industries, shall receive a preference equal to twenty (20) percent of the maximum points awarded to a bidder in a solicitation. (KRS 45A.470, 200 KAR 5:410)

2. Qualified bidder status: Kentucky Industries for the Blind, Incorporated, any nonprofit corporation that furthers the purposes of KRS Chapter 163, or a qualified nonprofit agency for individuals with severe disabilities as described in KRS 45A.465(3) shall receive a preference equal to fifteen (15) percent of the maximum points awarded to a bidder in a solicitation.

a. A bidder claiming qualified bidder status shall submit along with its response to a solicitation a notarized affidavit which affirms that it meets the requirements to be considered a qualified bidder. The required affidavit form can be obtained by going to Metro Louisville Metro Government’s Purchase webpage:

https://louisvilleky.gov/government/management-budget/procurement.

3. Reciprocal Preference (KRS 45A.490-494)

a. KRS 45A.490 Definitions for KRS 45A.490 to 45A.494.

1. "Contract" means any agreement of a public agency, including grants and orders, for the purchase or disposal of supplies, services, construction, or any other item; and

2. "Public agency" has the same meaning as in KRS 61.805.

b. KRS 45A.492 Legislative declarations. The General Assembly declares:

1. A public purpose of the Commonwealth is served by providing preference to

Kentucky residents in contracts by public agencies; and

2. Providing preference to Kentucky residents equalizes the competition with other states that provide preference to their residents.

c. KRS 45A.494 Reciprocal preference to be given by public agencies to resident bidders -- List of states -- Administrative regulations.

1. Prior to a contract being awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder on a contract by a public agency, a resident bidder of the Commonwealth shall be given a preference against a nonresident bidder registered in any state that gives or requires a preference to bidders from that state. The preference shall be equal to the preference given or required by the state of the nonresident bidder.

2. A resident bidder is an individual, partnership, association, corporation, or other business entity that, on the date the contract is first advertised or announced as available for bidding:

https://louisvilleky.gov/government/management-budget/p

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a. Is authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth; and

b. Has for one (1) year prior to and through the date of the advertisement, filed Kentucky corporate income taxes, made payments to the Kentucky unemployment insurance fund established in KRS 341.490, and maintained a Kentucky workers' compensation policy in effect.

3. A nonresident bidder is an individual, partnership, association, corporation, or other business entity that does not meet the requirements of subsection

(2) of this section.

4. If a procurement determination results in a tie between a resident bidder and a nonresident bidder, preference shall be given to the resident bidder.

5. This section shall apply to all contracts funded or controlled in whole or in part by a public agency.

6. The Finance and Administration Cabinet shall maintain a list of states that give to or require a preference for their own resident bidders, including details of the preference given to such bidders, to be used by public agencies in determining resident bidder preferences. The cabinet shall also promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A establishing the procedure by which the preferences required by this section shall be given.

7. The preference for resident bidders shall not be given if the preference conflicts with federal law.

8. Any public agency soliciting or advertising for bids for contracts shall make KRS 45A.490 to 45A.494 part of the solicitation or advertisement for bids.

A notarized affidavit form for Bidders, Offerors, and Contractors Claiming Resident Bidder Status can be obtained by going to Metro Louisville Metro Government’s Purchase webpage:

https://louisvilleky.gov/government/management-budget/procurement if a proposer wishes to include in their proposal. Unless there are proposal from vendors from states that have a designated percentage or point procurement preference in that state, this preference will not apply.

1.4 Proposal Submittal Requirements

1.4.1 All Proposals must be signed by a duly authorized officer, agent or employee of the Bidder

(See the “Request for Proposal Signature Page” document). Bidder promises that the individual signing the Proposal document for the Bidder has the authority to bind the Bidder.

1.4.2 Sealed Proposals will be accepted until 3:00 p.m. EST on March 20, 2026.

Louisville Metro Government uses a web-based portal for accepting and evaluating proposals digitally (https://louisvilleky.bonfirehub.com/portal). Documents may be uploaded at any https://louisvilleky.gov/government/management-budget/p

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time during the open period. We strongly recommend that you allow sufficient time to complete uploading, submit and finalize your submission before the closing deadline.

If you have any technical questions related to your submission, please contact Bonfire at Support@GoBonfire.com.

You can also visit their help forum at https://bonfirehub.zendesk.com/hc.

1.4.3 Proposals cannot be submitted through the portal after 3:00 p.m. EST on March 20, 2026.

1.4.4 Any inquiries about this RFP shall be addressed in writing on the Bonfire portal.

1.4.5 Changes, Clarifications, Errors, Addenda:

1.4.5.1 Should a prospective Proposer find a discrepancy in or omissions from the specifications or be unclear as to what the specifications mean, the Proposer shall notify Metro Purchasing through the Bonfire portal. The Buyer will provide written clarification to all prospective Proposers. Proposer agrees that the Metro Government will not be responsible for any oral instructions.

1.4.5.2 Clarification of Submittal: The Metro Government may obtain clarification or additional information from a Bidder.

1.4.5.3 Changes/Alterations: Proposer may change or withdraw its Proposal at any time prior to Proposal closing date and time.

1.4.5.4 The Proposer must respond as required in this Proposal; failure to make any required response or provide required information may cause rejection of the Proposal as nonresponsive.

1.4.5.5 Once this Proposal has been signed by Proposer and officially submitted to the Purchasing Department of the Metro Government, Proposer will not be allowed to alter or withdraw its Proposal except with the written permission of the Director of Purchasing.

1.4.5.6 Addenda: The Metro Government may issue an addendum, or addenda, changing some aspect of the Proposal. All addenda, if any, shall be considered in making the Proposal, and such addenda shall be made a part of this Proposal. Before submitting a Proposal, it is incumbent upon each Proposer to be informed as to whether any addenda have been issued, and the failure to cover in the Proposal any such addenda may result in disqualification of that Proposal.

1.4.6 The Metro Government shall not permit a Proposer to withdraw its Proposal for sixty (60) days after Proposals are opened, unless the Metro Government makes a specific exception in writing. Further, Proposal prices shall be firm for a minimum of six (6) months after the Proposal closing date.

1.4.7 Metro Government shall not be responsible for any cost incurred by the Proposer in the preparation of its Proposal.

1.4.8 If the award is divided among or between vendors, written notification will be given to each vendor of the specific items covered on their respective contracts.

1.5 Buyer Information

Name: Kim Henry Email: kim.henry@louisvilleky.gov Phone: 502-574-3491 mailto:Support@GoBonfire.com https://bonfirehub.zendesk.com/hc

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SECTION 2

SPECIFICATIONS

General Proposal Information

RFP Overview

The Greater Louisville Workforce Development Board, hereinafter referred to as KentuckianaWorks, requests proposals to be service providers for the Construction Trade Pipeline program within the Kentucky Career Center (KCC) system in its seven-county region, including Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties.

The Board is seeking an innovative and committed partner to administer and staff a Construction Trades Pipeline program. The program intends to recruit, prepare and place individuals in construction trades occupations.

The contract duration for activities solicited by this Request for Proposal (RFP) for the first year will be from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Service delivery to customers is to begin on July 1, 2026.

The contract is renewable for up to four additional terms on a July 1 through June 30 schedule based upon performance, funding availability, and local needs.

The Kentucky Education and Workforce Cabinet and KentuckianaWorks have co-funded the program since its inception in 2016. The funding source is the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

This contract is funded through the Department of Labor's Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014. The WIOA was created to provide state and local areas the flexibility to collaborate across systems to better address current employees, job seekers, and employers' employment and skill needs. Available funding for the program is $450,000 per year. This amount will be used for staffing, training, and providing basic services.

Procurement schedule

(Dates subject to change with notice from KentuckianaWorks)

RFP Issue Date: Week of February 16, 2026

Bidders Conference: Friday, February 27, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

Virtual – Google Meet

Last Day for Questions: Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Answers Submitted: Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Proposals Due: Friday, March 20, 2026

Oral Interviews: Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 1 – 4 pm

Contract Award Date: On or about April 13,2026

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Contract Start Date: July 1, 2026

Eligibility

The successful bidder may be a for-profit, non-profit, private, or public organization. The servicer must provide services locally. A single entity or consortium of entities may apply. Should a for-

Profit entity (or a consortium that includes a for-profit entity) be selected, the profit will be negotiated as a separate element of price not to exceed 5% of the total contract.

An organization can be a member of any number of consortium organizations submitting bids but cannot be the lead organization in more than one proposal.

Consortium bidders must identify a lead entity responsible for the management, coordination of services, operations, financial accountability, performance measures, legal obligations, and all reporting requirements. A signed partner Memorandum of Understanding must include specifying each partner's roles and responsibilities.

Workforce Development Board

KentuckianaWorks is the workforce development board for a seven-county area in and around Louisville, Kentucky, that includes Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties. The Board is made up of community leaders appointed by local elected officials representing the seven-counties. The Board oversees federal, state and local workforce development funding and determines strategic goals for the region's workforce development efforts.

The Board's mission is "engaging employers, educators and job seekers with resources to build a stronger community through the dignity of work." The Board's vision is "a fully prepared and engaged workforce that is aligned with the needs of employers." KentuckianaWorks values a relentless drive to test out ideas, methods, and activities to fulfill its mission and vision and welcomes innovative proposals for the construction trades pipeline program.

(For more information on KentuckianaWorks, including the latest annual report and Local Plan, go to https://www.kentuckianaworks.org/

The Board contracts for workforce services rather than functioning in the capacity of a direct services provider. The Board will work with the awarded service provider in an administrative capacity to ensure the contract's execution and adherence to the Board policies by providing leadership, direction, guidance, technical assistance, and oversight.

Kentucky Career Centers

There are two adult Kentucky Career Centers (KCC’s), one in Louisville and one in Shelbyville Kentucky and a mobile service delivery team that serves the six regional counties of Bullitt, Henry, Oldham, Shelby Spencer, and Trimble counties. There are also three youth KCCs (youth are primarily ages 18-24 and out of school), one in each county of Bullitt, Henry, and Jefferson with mobile services provided in Oldham, Spencer, and Trimble.

Additionally, a KCC-affiliated site in Jefferson County provides TANF services. A Business Services http://www.kentuckianaworks.org/

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Team (BST) works across the system, led by KentuckianaWorks. It takes all KentuckianaWorks service providers and system partners to coordinate employer outreach, service to employers, and opportunities to connect job seekers with employment opportunities.

Below is a map of KentuckianaWorks Career Center locations as of February 2026

The Construction Pipeline Program will be expected to coordinate and collaborate with all the career centers in the KentuckianaWorks system. However, it should be noted that the Construction Pipeline Program is currently housed within the facility of the current service provider. Bidders will need to provide a location for the training. A portion of rent, utilities and other expenses can be charged to the contract and should be included in the proposed budget.

Background

Sector Strategies

The Aspen Institute's Workforce Strategies Initiative (WSI) describes sector strategies as a workforce development approach that targets a specific industry or cluster of occupations. Also, it supports workers in improving their range of employment-related skills, meets the needs of employers, and creates lasting change in the labor market system to the benefit of both workers and employers.

KentuckianaWorks' Construction Trades Pipeline program is a continuation of this approach to Sector Strategies. KentuckianaWorks currently employs sector strategies in construction, healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology. Specifically, KentuckianaWorks regularly convenes employer advisory groups. In every case, there is a focused effort to help program participants gain relevant skills based on employer input through advisory groups called around the respective sector initiative.

As a construction trades sector strategy, the Construction Trades Pipeline supports program participants in improving their employment-related skills. It also provides a foundational construction skillset for those with no background in construction and then connects graduates to employment directly or refers individuals to additional training if needed before connecting them to work. In addition to the more conventional construction trades such as carpentry, ironwork, and pipefitting, to name a few, graduates could be referred to training. In all cases, a successful bidder would work closely with employers to ensure that the program is responsive to their needs and produce individuals with the skills needed to be successful and in numbers proportional to the labor https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/workforce-strategies-initiative/

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demand. Additionally, a successful bidder should also describe how they will connect individuals to employment who already have the required skills through experience or other training.

Strategic Approach

1. Sector Focus and Skill-Based As described above, KentuckianaWorks adopts a sector-focused strategy in order to connect job-seekers to skills and skilled job-seekers with employers. KentuckianaWorks serves as an intermediary between the various components of the workforce system to facilitate maximum connectivity between those elements. Since 2018, KentuckianaWorks created the Construction Career Advisory Group (CCAG) to support the Construction Trade Pipeline Program. The desired effect is that employers are able to clearly articulate their needs, education and training providers provide relevant training and job-seekers possess the requisite skills and demonstrate critical attributes.

2. Continuous Improvement and 21st Century Tools KentuckianaWorks adopts a continuous improvement approach to its communication, data, and program processes. This translates to increasingly adopting online platforms, and high-tech tools for soft skill training, resume development, communication needs, applicant tracking, and data reporting.

3. Employer Relationship Building Key to delivering on an effective sector strategy is the relationship that KentuckianaWorks and its programs have with employers. Cultivating these relationships builds trust, makes us smarter about the industries we serve and makes our job-seekers more successful.

4. System Integration A fully functioning workforce system is able to deliver a range of services from a range of providers. Key to leveraging it is linking the various elements together. While the Construction Trades Pipeline will be focused in one sector, it will best be able to serve job-seekers and employers by maintaining strong connections to the larger workforce system.

Scope of Work

The KentuckianaWorks Board is seeking proposals from qualified, professional organizations with experience delivering workforce services. The successful bidder will be able to develop and operationalize effective recruiting, orientation, assessment, training, and placement strategies, emphasizing underrepresented populations in the construction trades. The training is intended to prepare individuals with no experience in the construction trades to operate on a job site and/or enter an apprenticeship program.

Below is a summary of services to be provided to KentuckianaWorks in the program.

1. Identify underrepresented individuals who want to enter the industry but are less likely to have connections to the opportunities in the industry, so in order to expand the professionals who make up the construction workforce leverage. Major construction and infrastructure projects that this program seeks are open to inexperienced and those familiar. The Construction Trades Pipeline Program should expand recruitment to include underrepresented communities in the skilled trades an orientation to the program. This should include an overview of the construction industry, expectations on the job site, an overview of the possible occupations, and an overview of program

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eligibility requirements and services available through the Construction Trades Pipeline Program.

Staff must be prepared to capture all attendees' names, date of birth, and UI status at these orientations. The date of birth should be verified via a driver's license, state ID, or other acceptable ID forms. This information, along with an orientation activity, will be entered into the state system of record.

2. Determine eligibility for services. WIOA has specific eligibility requirements for participants. A successful bidder will have the ability to determine and document program eligibility according to KentuckianaWorks policies and state and federal regulations.

3. Provide case management to include documentation in all record systems. A successful bidder will have the ability to document program services according to policies and regulations in the appropriate management systems. KentuckianaWorks will provide access to the systems and training in the use of these systems.

4. Evaluate individual employment barriers and work readiness in the following areas as defined in the Commercial and Industrial Construction Competency Model (http://www.careeronestop.org/competencymodel/competency-models/construction-commercial.aspx). These evaluations may happen through any combination of test-based assessment, resume review, and individual interview.

4.1 Personal Effectiveness Competencies

4.2 Academic Competencies

4.3 Workplace Competencies

4.4 Industry-Wide Technical Competencies

4.5 Industry-Sector Technical Competencies

5. Develop individualized career plans that include pathways in the Construction trades and across occupational clusters into career fields with related skills.

The career plans should be based on the individual work readiness evaluation and focus on areas where the individual is deemed not to be "job ready." Based on the career plan, individuals will be referred to additional pipeline services as needed. For example, an individual with no construction experience but with an employment track record with the requisite math and reading functional levels may be referred internally to the training described in item 7 below. Depending on the employer and individual needs, this person may then be referred to specialized training as described in item 9 before being referred to employment in item 10. An individual with no construction and a limited work history who also does not have the requisite test scores will be referred to a partner for basic academic skills as in item 8 below before returning for the Pre-Construction program in item 7.

An individual with a long background in construction may just need specific technical training as in an apprenticeship program or a short-term training program administered through an eligible training provider in the construction trades or as a telecommunications line installer. Alternately, this individual may be referred directly to employment if they are fully job ready, as in item 10.

Another key feature of these plans is flexibility. As part of their interactions with the Construction Trades Pipeline Program, individuals should receive counseling on a career pathway for advancement and related fields that the program participants could explore. The O-Net Resource http://www.careeronestop.org/competencymodel/competency-models/construction-

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Center publishes career exploration tools to research related occupations. The associated occupations make use of similar skills and experience. Workers should be able to transfer from their current job to one in a related field with minimal additional preparation.

6. Provide instruction in the form of a "Pre-Construction" training programs that cover the following areas at a minimum:

6.1 Personal Effectiveness Competencies

6.1.1 Interpersonal Skills

6.1.2 Integrity

6.1.3 Professionalism

6.1.4 Initiative

6.1.5 Dependability & Reliability

6.1.6 Willingness to Learn

6.2 Academic Competencies

6.2.1 Reading

6.2.2 Writing

6.2.3 Mathematics

6.2.4 Science

6.2.5 Communication: Visual & Verbal

6.2.6 Basic Computer Skills

6.3 Workplace Competencies

6.3.1 Teamwork

6.3.2 Following Directions

6.3.3 Following Plans & Schedules

6.3.4 Problem Solving & Decision-Making

6.3.5 Working with Tools & Technology

6.3.6 Checking, Examining & Recording

6.3.7 Craftsmanship

6.3.8 Sustainable Practices

6.4 Industry-Wide Technical Competencies

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6.4.1 Building & Construction Design

6.4.2 Material Resources

6.4.3 Operation, Installation & Repair

6.4.4 Regulations & Quality Assurance

6.4.5 Health, Safety & Security

6.5 Industry-Sector Technical Competencies

6.5.1 Construction of Commercial/Industrial Buildings

6.5.2 Materials & Installation

6.5.3 Heavy Equipment Operations

6.5.4 Customer Service & Contractual Relationships

6.5.5 Green Building Practices

7. Refer individuals for academic basic skills education as needed. This training is provided through the local Adult Basic Education provider.

8. Refer individuals for specific technical training as needed. Graduates of the pre- construction program or individuals with extensive construction experience may be referred for apprenticeships or specialized short-term training provided through an eligible training provider. This training may be in a construction trade or as a telecommunications line installer.

9. Refer individuals to both union and non-union employers in relation to the demand for employment.

10. Refer individuals elsewhere within the Kentucky Career Center system as needed. Individuals looking for employment but who are not candidates for construction trade jobs can benefit from the services provided at Kentucky Career Centers throughout the KentuckianaWorks area.

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Roles and Responsibilities

Workforce Development Board

Responsibilities of the Board relative to the operation of the Construction Trades Pipeline Program include:

1. Ensure that Federal, state, local and board policies, procedures and guidelines are correctly implemented for WIOA-funded services.

2. Provide technical assistance on all U.S. Department of Labor, Commonwealth of Kentucky and Louisville Metro Government policies, procedures and rules that impact the operation of programs and give assistance as needed for compliance.

3. Develop and provide technical assistance to build capacity to help service providers meet quality and consistency standards as well as to meet or exceed performance goals.

4. Conduct fiscal and programmatic monitoring to ensure compliance within Federal, State, local and private grant fund or standards.

5. Manage the local data system for WIOA programs and activities, with linkages to the State system.

6. Provide the computer network, personal computers, printers, internal and external electronic mail, internet access, and technical support for these resources.

7. Approve customer satisfaction survey tools throughout the system and other evaluation tools.

8. Maintain a grievance procedure for customers to access if the service provider grievance procedures do not produce a resolution.

10. Meet with the Construction Trades Pipeline Program service provider regularly to listen to suggestions, discuss issues and resolve concerns.

11. Monitor and report on quality, performance, and cost effectiveness, through on-site visits, records review, evaluations, expenditure review, and other methods as needed.

12. Approve all marketing material funded by the Board or containing information about Board programs.

13. Promote the identity of the Construction Trades Pipeline through logo, signage, marketing materials and social media.

14. Ensure connectivity between the Construction Trades Pipeline Program and the Kentucky Career Center System, local and regional entities such as the chamber of commerce, public educational institutions, economic development entities, unions, etc.

15. Provide labor market information, skills standards and other comparative data.

16. Provide furniture and equipment. No costs should be included for furniture and equipment.

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Performance and Accountability

WIOA Performance

The Depart of Labor's Employment and Training Agency (DOLETA) has published WIOA regulations for common performance measures. Specifically, the Training and Employment Guidance Letters (TEGL) 10- 16, Change 1 describes primary indicators of performance. Bidders are expected to meet the negotiated performance targets for the WIOA performance indicated below. KentuckianaWorks has negotiated the following performance targets with the Kentucky Education & Workforce Cabinet. The Construction Trades Pipeline Program participants will be WIOA participants and therefore contribute to KentuckianaWorks' overall performance targets.

Adult PY26

Employment Rate 2nd Quarter After Exit 77%

Employment Rate 4th Quarter After Exit 78%

Median Earnings 2nd Quarter After Exit $8,722

Credential Attainment within 4 Quarters After Exit

74%

Measurable Skill Gains 60%

Dislocated Worker PY26

Employment Rate 2nd Quarter After Exit 80%

Employment Rate 4th Quarter After Exit 80%

Median Earnings 2nd Quarter After Exit $9,951

Credential Attainment within 4 Quarters After Exit

75%

Measurable Skill Gains 74.30%

Contract Performance

In addition to WIOA performance standards, KentuckianaWorks has established additional program targets to evaluate the Construction Trades Pipeline Program's overall effectiveness, listed below. Final targets will be negotiated as part of contract negotiations and will be based on projected workforce needs. KentuckianaWorks and the Construction Trades Pipeline Service Provider will work with project leads to determine workforce needs proactively then scale the Pipeline's output accordingly.

Measure Goal

Recruited and documented potential training participants 240 https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=3255 https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=3255

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Individuals assessed 125

Successful training participant completions 80

Successful training completions - Minorities (Not less than 50%) 40

Successful training completions - Women (Not less than 20%) 16

Placed in construction trades, employment (75% of successful training completions)

Average wage of employment per hour $17

Additional Performance Measures

The Board reserves the right to negotiate other measures not listed here if deemed necessary or imposed as a funding requirement. It is expected that subcontractors meet or exceed all standards set for performance. The chosen service provider will also be responsible for services to customers still considered "active" and those who have exited to follow up status. If performance goals are not met, the Board can provide additional technical assistance, require corrective measures, issue financial sanctions, or terminate the contract.

WIOA provides the following guidance and definitions of customers accessing the One-Stop system, of which the Construction Trades Pipeline Program is a part:

"Adults" - defined as anyone who is eighteen (18) years of age or older.

"Dislocated workers" - defined as any worker who has lost employment due to any of the following reasons:

• Terminated or laid off, eligible to receive Unemployment Insurance and unlikely to return to his/her previous occupation or industry.

• An employee of a plant, facility, or enterprise experiencing a permanent closure or substantial layoff.

• A self-employed worker who is unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the community or because of a natural disaster, including farmers, fishers, and ranchers.

• A displaced homemaker who has been providing unpaid services to family members in the home and has been dependent on another family member's income but is no longer supported by that income and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment.

"Universal customers" – Anyone seeking to access One-Stop services.

Tracking and Reporting

Organizations responding to this request will be required to use data collection systems prescribed by the Board, State, or Federal government. These systems, which will likely change and grow over time, enable the Board to collect, evaluate, and disseminate workforce development information

- including costs, number of customer transactions, and performance data, by funding source to community stakeholders and customers.

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Organizations responding to this request should NOT include the costs of setting up, supporting or maintaining these required technologies. However, they should consider that a percentage of staff time will be devoted to data entry into the following system:

KENTUCKY ENGAGEMENT ENTERPRISE SUITE (KEE SUITE)

KEE SUITE is a Salesforce database system resulting from cross-cabinet collaboration to provide more holistic workforce training and education services for Kentuckians. As the state system of record, it's a required case management system to record all customers' activities and services.

Baseline Eligibility

Requirements for Bidders

The KentuckianaWorks Board will not fund any organization that fails to demonstrate adequate technical, managerial, and financial capacities.

To be considered a responsive bidder, every bidder must provide the following:

Two (2) years of audited financial history. Adequate documentation could include recent audit reports, the entity's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), an independent CPA review, tax records, or another recognized review of accounting process and procedures.

Bidders shall provide the status of any costs that have been disallowed by any state and/or federal agency within the past three years. Bidder must provide the name of the agency, the amount of disallowed costs that are in dispute, the bidder's position as to the disputed disallowed costs, and the current status of any review process, dispute process, and/or corrective action plan that is in place related to the disputed disallowed costs. Bidders who fail to provide complete and accurate information shall be disqualified.

Consortium bidders only: Provide Memorandum of Understanding signed by all entities in the consortium that outlines the roles and responsibilities, including lead entity (see Eligibility section)

Proposals must be:

o Submitted by 3:00 PM on March 20, 2026 o Double spaced o Typed on 8 ½" x 11" single-sided paper o One inch (1") margins o Size twelve font o Sequentially numbered pages

Not more than Twenty pages (20) (attachments not included)

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REQUIRED SUBMITTALS

1. Organizational Capacity & Demonstrated Success

a. Operational experience and documented success in designing and operating workforce projects. Competitive proposals will include a discussion of the organization's mission, vision, and history. Narratives will demonstrate their expertise with workforce development and/or community development in serving similarly sized quantities of individuals from low-income and diverse communities.

2. Staffing Plan

a. Staff experience and proposed structure can support operational oversight, tracking, and reporting requirements. Competitive proposals will draw direct connections between their proposed staffing and the work outlined within their proposal.

Respondents should emphasize their staffing and management structure to the extent that it supports the Construction Trades Pipeline program and its objectives.

3. Scope of Work

a. The proposed recruiting strategy meets target job seeker populations and is flexible enough to scale to need. The recruiting plan should clearly articulate targeted populations and the channels and relationships by which the contractor will get, keep and grow their base of potential students.

b. The proposed assessment strategy is sufficient to identify individual work readiness needs. The plan should be based on research, best practices in workforce development, and/or clearly articulated industry standards.

c. The proposed career planning strategy will result in flexible career plans able to support progression along a career pathway or across occupations with related skills. The strategy should be based on research, best practices in workforce development, and/or clearly articulated industry standards.

d. Proposed training activities effectively prepare program participants to start a career in the construction trades. Training activities are based on industry standards or through clearly articulated employer needs. If the program will align with a specific curriculum or result in an industry-recognized credential, please describe it. Ideally, the training approach should fit within a stackable credential model. Provide a schedule of training classes for the year.

e. The proposed job placement strategy effectively connects employers to program participants. The job placement strategy should clearly articulate how the service provider will target potential employers and the channels and relationships that will allow them to get, keep and grow employer partners. Furthermore, the job placement strategy should describe how the contractor will connect program participants to employers and ensure their success on the job.

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f. A proposal to explain how the service provider will strategically engage union employers for program participants' job placements.

g. The proposed project plan is sufficient to support a contract start date of July 1, 2026, with first placements occurring not later than the 4th quarter of the calendar year 2026.

The project plan should lay out in detail how the contractor proposes to achieve the goals as stated there. A contractor may submit a plan with alternative timings so long as that plan can reasonably contract performance measures as outlined above.

4. Budget & Budget Narrative

a. Bidders should complete the attached Budget form, providing a detailed line-item budget for the program.

b. Bidders should provide a budget narrative that explains and supports the budget. For instance, it should describe the adequacy and number of staff to support program strategies. A competitive proposal will address the programmatic, systematic, and staffing needs outlined in the organization's proposal. Proposed costs should be reasonable and align with the services described.

c. Experience and capacity to fiscally control similar programs. This should include a description of the organization’s history of fiscal responsibility in managing contract work similar in nature to that described in the RFP.

PREBID MEETING INFORMATION

You are invited to a Google Meeting.

When: February 27, 2026 2:00 PM- 3:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for the meeting meet.google.com/ohj-knqk-nxp

Join with Google Meet https://meet.google.com/ohj-knqk-nxp?hs=122&authuser=0

RFP # 260177 23

SECTION 3

EVALUATION CRITERIA

3.1. Evaluation Process

After receipt of proposals the Metro Government shall evaluate all responses based on the criteria below. During that evaluation, the Metro Government shall rank all responses, again based on the criteria described below. Once the RFP Responses are ranked, the Metro Government shall determine in writing which responses are reasonably susceptible of being awarded the work. The Metro Government shall thereafter conduct negotiations with each of those “reasonably susceptible” Proposers, unless the Metro Government concludes that an award may be made without negotiations, as allowed by KRS 45A.370 (3).

The Metro Government will conduct a multi-stage process for selecting proposals that are determined to be reasonably susceptible to award.

Pre-Stage

There are two affirmative action requirements which apply to Metro Government contracts: a) Affirmative Action in Employment and b) Affirmative Action in the subcontracting of Minority, Female and Handicapped-owned businesses. The Louisville Human Relations Commission (HRC) is responsible for compliance of these requirements. Failure to submit the HRC “Good Faith Effort” requirements identified in this RFP document will cause the proposal to be deemed non-responsive.

Stage 1

The RFP evaluation committee shall score all proposals based upon the evaluation criteria detailed herein as well as any preferences authorized in Louisville Metro County Ordinance identified in this RFP. Upon completion of the scoring, the committee shall recommend short-listing the proposals that are reasonably susceptible of being awarded.

Stage 2

Vendors whose proposals have been identified as reasonably susceptible to award may be invited to…