LAB24RPRAP-001-rfp.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR PROFESIONAL SERVICES

PRE-APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS

ISSUED BY DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DIVISION

OF EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

RFP NUMBER: LAB-24R-PRAP-001

PERFORMANCE PERIOD: November 1, 2024 - December 31, 2026

I. Overview

The State of Delaware, Division of Employment and Training, (“Delaware”) seeks professional services to provide high quality Pre-Apprenticeship programs to create a qualified pipeline of Registered Apprentices and to expand the underrepresented, disadvantaged, or low-skilled population that participates in Registered Apprenticeship (RA) This request for proposals (“RFP”) is issued pursuant to 29 Del. C. §§ 6981 and 6982.

We are soliciting for pre-apprenticeship programming that:

• Pre-apprenticeship programs in a broad nature to serve any apprenticeable occupation with a focus on women in trades.

The proposed schedule of events subject to the RFP is outlined below:

Public Notice:

Pre-Bid Meeting:

Deadline for Questions:

Response to Questions Posted:

Deadline for Receipt of Proposals:

Review Period:

Estimated Notification of Award:

Contract Start:

September 9, 2024

September 12, 2024 at 1:00 PM

September 19, 2024

September 27, 2024

October 10, 2024 no later than 1:00 PM

October 10, 2024 to October 17, 2024

October 23, 2024

November 1, 2024

Pre-Bid Meeting

A pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for September 12, 2024 at 1:00pm. The meeting will take place virtually via

TEAMS. The link to the virtual meeting is:

Join the meeting now

This is not a mandatory meeting and attendance is not required. The pre-bid meeting is very important for applicants and those who desire a compliant submission. This meeting will explain the RFP, the RFP process, and address any questions or concerns.

http://delcode.delaware.gov/title29/c069/sc06/index.shtml https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NjQ4NGMzODAtOWY2NS00MDRhLTkyY2ItNWZhMzZkMGQ2ZTM2%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%228c09e569-51c5-4dee-abb2-8b99c32a4396%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%224d3930c4-1da3-4c88-ba87-3256a82069df%22%7d

A. Scope of Services

For definitions of terms used throughout this RFP, refer to Appendix A, Definitions.

The Department will solicit and invest in high quality Pre-Apprenticeship programs to create a qualified pipeline of Registered Apprentices and to expand the underrepresented, disadvantaged, or low-skilled population that participates in Registered Apprenticeship. Pre-Apprenticeship programs provide programming aimed to close the gap in qualifications for individuals not qualifying for a Registered Apprenticeship position. This helps the construction, hospitality, transportation and logistics and healthcare industries primarily tap into another pool of potential talent and support an increase in diversity in our Registered Apprentices. Pre-Apprenticeship program have heavy employer involvement as well as require wrap around services to support both employers and pre-apprentices prepare and succeed in their registered apprenticeship or unsubsidized employment in these industries. Individuals will work with an Apprenticeship Navigator who will case manage them and support their targeted job search and placement efforts with Registered Sponsors to maximize their ability to become a

Registered Apprentice.

We plan to issue RFPs that solicit programs and intend to have:

1. One that will solicit Pre-apprenticeship programs in a broad nature to serve any apprenticeable occupation for those who are unemployed, underemployed, and those seeking skills that leads to a position with greater opportunities for economic advancement. Does not exclude women

B. Funding

The source of funds for this solicitation are received from The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The anticipated aggregate amount for funding available for all programs to be funded through this RFP is $750,000.

The available funding will support multiple programs who respond to this RFP and are selected for funding. The funding level identified is an estimate, the estimate is subject to change without notice.

A. Population – broad (this does not exclude woman)

A Registered Pre-Apprentice must:

1. Be age eighteen (18) years or older;

2. Be eligible to work in the United States;

3. Be a Delaware Resident

4. Be unemployed, underemployed or looking to upskill and;

5. Meet the definition of one of the following

a. Underrepresented (defined as “a population that does not represent the majority, or a proportional share as indicated by appropriate data, of current participants in Registered Apprenticeship. For example, veterans may be an under-represented population in Registered Apprenticeship. The intent of this term is to encourage Pre-Apprenticeship programs to be inclusive of all populations that may benefit from

Registered Apprenticeship, including those that do not, proportionally participate in Registered

Apprenticeship regardless of the reason”)

b. Disadvantaged (defined as “a broad category witch embraces any individual who would be considered to have fewer opportunities than his/her peers. Some examples include individuals with disabilities, low-income individual/family, or socially disadvantaged individuals. Socially disadvantaged are those who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias within American society because of their identities as members of groups an dwithout regard to their individual qualities”)

c. Low-Skilled Populations (defined as “those individuals who possess less than 1 years’ work experience in relevant trade. Typically, these individuals’ education attainment isnot greater than a high school diploma or recognized quivalent”).

Delaware strongly encourages proposals where underrepresented, disadvantaged, or low-skilled populations represent no less than 50% of the population being served. Definitions of these populations can be found in Appendix A. However, proposals that do not meet this criterion will still be considered.

All Registered Pre-Apprentices served must be determined and documented as eligible prior to enrolling by the

Provider

• Registered in Delaware Joblink (DJL)

• Focus on Delaware Residents

• Eligible to work in the United States

• Must be at least 18 years of age or older

• Males age 18-26 Must be Registered with Selective Service. Those that did not register must submit a

Status Information Letter: Found Here: Status Information Letter (SIL) | Selective Service System

: Selective Service System (sss.gov)

B. Goals

The intent of this RFP is to fund programs that:

1. Create a qualified pipeline of Registered Apprentices;

2. Expand the underrepresented, disadvantaged, or low-skilled population that participates in RA; and

3. Allow for successful completers to either meet any required prerequisites of an RA Program or receive related instruction advanced standing in an RA Program.

4. Increase the number of women who enter and advance in the construction trades.

C. Required Components of a Pre-Apprenticeship Program

The following are the required components for a Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Program.

1. Employer Engagement

Objective: Demonstrate that the Pre-Apprenticeship Program is engaging with RA Sponsors (employers).

All Pre-Apprenticeship programs must:

i. Be aligned with at least one RA program. A letter of support from at least one RA Sponsor (employer) must accompany application.

ii. Include job placement support for participants focused on RA employer(s).

In addition, other examples of Employer Engagement include:

i. Formalized agreements with RA Sponsors to agree to hire Pre-Apprentices upon successful completion;

ii. Collaborative promotion of RA as a preferred means for employers to develop a skilled workforce and create career opportunities for individuals; and

iii. Use of employers including established industry councils/program advisory committees to inform curriculum, placement, etc.

2. Established Curriculum

Objective: To prepare individuals with the skills and competencies needed to enter into and be successful in a

RA program.

Training and curriculum must be approved and the following are required and will be demonstrated in the application:

i. Training and curriculum aligns with the industry or occupational standards/needs (including reading and math skill needs);

ii. Program design provides training in work-readiness or “soft skills” as integrated parts of the training curriculum. These should be taught and reinforced continually as important and interrelated parts of the program;

iii. Program design includes career exploration activities such as occupational interest assessment and/or specific career and industry awareness workshops;

iv. Program design includes meaningful hands-on training. The hands-on training will accurately simulate the industry and occupational conditions while observing proper supervision and safety protocols.

Some examples include: simulated lab experience, job shadowing, and paid internship/work experience opportunities that do not displace existing paid positions;

https://www.sss.gov/verify/sil/ https://www.sss.gov/verify/sil/

v. Program design includes or demonstrates linkages to supportive services to alleviate employment barriers. This would include expungement programs, how to communicate criminal background to employers, support in obtaining a driver’s license, transportation assistance, assistance with stable housing or other public assistance, and addressing mental health and substance abuse needs;

vi. Application includes outline of curriculum; and

vii. Application includes a letter of support or formalized agreement between the Pre-Apprenticeship

Program and the related instruction provider of at least one of the RA Sponsors included in the application, which includes any details for articulation agreements, if applicable (e.g. completion of

Pre-Apprenticeship program leads to advanced placement for related instruction of RA).

3. Inclusion of Underrepresented, Disadvantaged, or Low-Skilled Populations

Objective: Underrepresented, disadvantaged, or low-skilled individuals will be prepared to meet the entry requirements and be successful in an RA program.

Programs are required to include one (1) of the following:

i. Provides or refers individuals to educational and pre-vocational services. These would be targeted to the population such as specific services for English Language Learners or women, or workshops for parents and/or high school students to educate on RA as a post-secondary option; or

ii. Recruitment and outreach focused on underrepresented, disadvantaged, or low-skilled populations.

D. Additional Requirements and Policies

In order to implement programs, the following are considered additional requirements and policies that will be required of successful Providers:

1. All Providers are responsible for recruitment, determining and documenting eligibility, and data entry of participant information and activities into Delaware JobLink (DJL) and in accordance with Delaware’s policies and procedures.

2. All Providers are required to provide some type of assessment that is relevant to the proposed program. This includes an objective assessment of the academic and skill levels, service needs, and/or developmental needs of the participant in order to identify appropriate services and career options as well as good fit for the program. Basic language and numeric skills training will be provided concurrently with skills training as appropriate. Assessments provided by the local education agency (e.g. Smarter Balance, PSAT, and SAT) may be used to assess reading and math skills. Providers will describe their assessment process in their

Proposal.

3. All Providers are required to develop Individualized Service Strategies (“ISS”) for each participant. The ISS will include an ultimate employment goal, along with incremental work readiness, academic steps and credentials needed to achieve the goal. The ISS will be reviewed and updated regularly.

4. All Providers will offer training appropriate to the intended job placement opportunity and demonstrate that the curriculum being offered through proposed training meets the current and projected needs of the local employers.

5. All Providers will utilize DJL to maximize participants’ job search and placement. At a minimum, this will include a jobseeker account with a current updated resume built in DJL.

6. All Providers will have up to ninety (90) days after completion of program/or last day of program attendance to place participants into unsubsidized employment.

7. All Providers will provide supportive services to ensure retention and success. Providers that request funding for supportive services will document linkages with other human service Providers.

8. All Providers will provide retention services, as necessary to meet performance measures for six (6) months after program completion.

9. All Providers will maintain documentation for each participant, including eligibility, assessments attendance, completed work, credentials/certificates, and outcomes. Providers will provide documentation to Delaware and/or their designees upon request. This documentation must be retained for a minimum of five (5) years after the last day of the term of any resulting Agreement from this RFP or if an audit has begun until the audit is finally resolved, whichever is later.

10. All Providers will be required to submit status reports at least quarterly during the performance period. This is a narrative summary of accomplishments, concerns, and technical assistance requests.

11. For the purposes of Pre-Apprenticeship, the Delaware Office of Apprenticeship will approve Pre-

Apprenticeship Programs that can be in partnership with an RA Program. In this instance it must be reasonable that Pre-Apprentices can become Registered Apprentices regionally (Delaware and surrounding states).

12. All Registered Pre-Apprentices who successfully complete a program will receive a Pre-Apprenticeship

Certificate issued by Delaware. Provider will work with Delaware to issue certificates.

13. All Providers will receive a certificate documenting Pre-Apprenticeship approval status. This certificate will be valid for two (2) years. After the expiration, the Organization will need to apply again. Nothing in this clause prohibits Delaware from revoking approval status prior to the expiration.

E. Performance Measures

The Performance Measures for Providers are provided below. All programs must have program designs that support the attainment of these measures. All measures except the Employment Outcome Day 1 Wage are a percentage of the total participants.

Enrollment goal 100%

Program Completion 80%

Day 1 Outcome (unsubsidized employment) 75%

Employment Outcome Day 1 Hourly Wage $15.00

Day 30 Follow-Up 70%

Day 90 Follow-Up 68%

Becomes Registered Apprentice 50%

II. Required Information

The following information shall be provided in each proposal. Failure to respond to any request for information within this proposal may result in rejection of the proposal at the sole discretion of Delaware.

A. Minimum Requirements

1. All Providers shall have the State of Delaware license(s) and/or certification(s) necessary to perform services as identified in the scope of services. Documentation of having a State of Delaware Business License (non-public entities) or non-profit status, if not required to have a State of Delaware Business License shall be submitted with Proposal.

2. Provider shall complete and submit the Proposal Submission Template and all of its required attachments

(Appendix B, Attachment 1-5).

3. Any RA Sponsor who is either included as a Registered Sponsor in the Pre-Apprenticeship application or the applicant itself, must be considered compliant with the Office of Apprenticeship. This includes being up to date on all required documentation. This relates to their RA program.

4. Provider must be aligned with at least one RA program. Provider must submit a letter of support from at least one RA Sponsor with the submission of the Proposal Submission Template.

5. Provider must submit a letter of support or formalized agreement between the Pre-Apprenticeship Program and the related instruction provider of at least one of the RA sponsors, which includes any details for articulation agreements, if applicable (e.g. completion of Pre-Apprenticeship program leads to advanced placement for related instruction of RA) with the submission of the Proposal Submission Template.

B. Prior to Contract Execution

The following will be provided to Delaware prior to contract execution with the successful Providers:

1. Proof of insurance and amount of insurance shall be furnished to Delaware prior to the start of the contract period and shall be no less than as identified in this RFP as indicated in section (V)(G)(5) Insurance.

2. Be considered in compliance by the Department of Labor, Division of Unemployment Insurance, and

Division of Industrial Affairs.

3. Any Provider without a current contract with Delaware Workforce Development Board or Delaware

(specifically the Department of Labor, Division of Employment and Training), will provide a copy of their most recent financial statement to Delaware to enable Delaware to establish their fiscal soundness and eligibility for a contract.

III. Professional Services RFP Administrative Information

A. RFP Issuance

1. Public Notice

Public notice has been provided in accordance with 29 Del. C. §6981.

2. Obtaining Copies of the RFP

This RFP is available in electronic form through the State of Delaware Procurement website at www.bids.delaware.gov . Paper copies of this RFP will not be available.

3. Assistance to Providers with a Disability

Providers with a disability may receive accommodation regarding the means of communicating this RFP or participating in the procurement process. For more information, contact the Designated Contact listed in this

RFP no later than ten days prior to the deadline for receipt of proposals.

4. RFP Designated Contact

All requests, questions, or other communications about this RFP shall be made in writing via email to

Delaware. Address all communications to the person listed below; communications made to other State of

Delaware personnel, or attempting to ask questions by phone or in person, will not be allowed or recognized as valid and may disqualify the Provider. Providers should rely only on written statements issued by the RFP

Designated Contact.

Designated Contact:

Frederick Quick

DOL_DET_Contracts@Delaware.gov

To ensure that written requests are received and answered in a timely manner, electronic mail (email) correspondence is the only acceptable submission method with the exception of questions being asked at the mandatory Pre-bid Meeting. No questions shall be asked after the deadline for questions specified in Section

I. Overview. All questions and answers will be posted on the State of Delaware Procurement website at www.bids.delaware.gov by the date provided in Section I. Overview.

5. Consultants and Legal Counsel

Delaware may retain consultants or legal counsel to assist in the review and evaluation of this RFP and the

Providers’ responses. Bidders shall not contact the State of Delaware’s consultant or legal counsel on any matter related to the RFP.

6. Contact with State Employees

Direct contact with State of Delaware employees other than the State of Delaware Designated Contact regarding this RFP is expressly prohibited without prior consent. Providers directly contacting State of

Delaware employees risk elimination of their proposal from further consideration. Exceptions exist only for http://delcode.delaware.gov/title29/c069/sc06/index.shtml#6981 http://www.bids.delaware.gov/ organizations currently doing business in the State of Delaware who require contact in the normal course of that business.

7. Organizations Ineligible to Bid

Any individual, business, organization, corporation, consortium, partnership, joint venture, or any other entity including subcontractors currently debarred or suspended is ineligible to bid. Any entity ineligible to conduct business in the State of Delaware for any reason is ineligible to respond to the RFP.

8. Exclusions

The Proposal Evaluation Team reserves the right to refuse to consider any proposal from a Provider who:

i. Has been convicted for commission of a criminal offense as an incident to obtaining or attempting to obtain a public or private contract or subcontract, or in the performance of the contract or subcontract;

ii. Has been convicted under State or Federal statutes of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, receiving stolen property, or other offense indicating a lack of business integrity or business honesty that currently and seriously affects responsibility as a State contractor:

iii. Has been convicted or has had a civil judgment entered for a violation under State or Federal antitrust statutes;

iv. Has violated contract provisions such as;

1) Knowing failure without good cause to perform in accordance with the specifications or within the time limit provided in the contract; or

2) Failure to perform or unsatisfactory performance in accordance with terms of one or more contracts;

v. Has violated ethical standards set out in law or regulation; and

vi. Any other cause listed in regulations of the State of Delaware determined to be serious and compelling as to affect responsibility as a State of Delaware contractor, including suspension or debarment by another governmental entity for a cause listed in the regulations.

B. RFP Submissions

1. Acknowledgement of Understanding of Terms

By submitting a bid, each Provider shall be deemed to acknowledge that it has carefully read all sections of this RFP, including all forms, schedules, appendices, and exhibits hereto, and has fully informed itself as to all existing conditions and limitations.

2. Proposals

To be considered, all proposals must be submitted in writing (electronic submission) and respond to the items outlined in this RFP by completing the Proposal Submission Template and all required attachments.

Proposals received after the specified date and time will not be accepted or considered. Delaware reserves the right to reject any non-responsive or non-conforming proposals. Each proposal must be submitted via email using Microsoft Word or PDF attachments. To document compliance with the deadline, Providers will receive a confirmation email confirming receipt of proposal. It is the Provider’s responsibility to ensure timely submission. Provider should contact the RFP Designated Contact if confirmation email is not received. If a Provider is a successful Provider, documents will be requested in Microsoft Word or Excel.

All proposals shall be sent to DOL_DET_Contracts@Delaware.gov and must be received no later than 1:00

PM (Local Time) on October 10, 2024. Providers are directed to enter “BID ENCLOSED- LAB-24R-

PRAP-001” in the subject line of the email. Any proposal received after the Deadline for Receipt of

Proposals date/time shall not be considered. The proposing Provider bears the risk of delays in delivery. The contents of any proposal shall not be disclosed as to be made available to competing entities durin ght enegotation process. The designated email will provide you with an automatic reply that states. This mailbox is used for RFP purposes, if you have received this out of office reply we have received your inquiry. Should you not receive the automactic reply you need to contact Frederick Quick at Frederick.Quick@Delaware.gov or at 302-761-8136. Only inquiries regarding successful receipt fo the proposal may be sent to

Frederick.Quick@delaware.gov .

Delaware may allow paper submissions at its discretion and only after prior written approval has been granted to the proposer for extenuating circumstances. Approval must be requested via email to

DOL_DET_Contracts@Delaware.gov prior to the deadline for Receipt of Proposals specified.

mailto:DOL_DET_Contracts@Delaware.gov mailto:Frederick.Quick@Delaware.gov mailto:Frederick.Quick@delaware.gov mailto:DOL_DET_Contracts@Delaware.gov

Any proposal received after the Deadline for Receipt of Proposals date shall not be considered. The proposing Provider bears the risk of delays in delivery. The contents of any proposal shall not be disclosed as to be made available to competing entities during the negotiation process.

Upon receipt of Provider proposals, each Provider shall be presumed to be thoroughly familiar with all specifications and requirements of this RFP. The failure or omission to examine any form, instrument or document shall in no way relieve Providers from any obligation in respect to this RFP.

3. Proposal Modifications

Any changes, amendments or modifications to a proposal must be made in writing, submitted in the same manner as the original response and conspicuously labeled as a change, amendment or modification to a previously submitted proposal. Changes, amendments or modifications to proposals shall not be accepted or considered after the hour and date specified as the deadline for submission of proposals.

4. Proposal Costs and Expenses

Delaware will not pay any costs incurred by any Provider associated with any aspect of responding to this solicitation, including proposal preparation, printing or delivery, attendance at Provider’s conference, system demonstrations or negotiation process.

5. Proposal Expiration Date

Prices quoted in the proposal shall remain fixed and binding on the bidder at least through December 31, 2026. The State of Delaware reserves the right to ask for an extension of time if needed.

6. Proposal Opening

Delaware will receive proposals until the date and time shown in this RFP.

There will be no public opening of proposals but a public log will be kept of the names of all Provider organizations that submitted proposals. The contents of any proposal shall not be disclosed in accordance with Executive Order # 31 and Title 29, Delaware Code, Chapter 100.

7. Non-Conforming Proposals

Non-conforming proposals will not be considered. Non-conforming proposals are defined as those that do not meet the requirements of this RFP. The determination of whether an RFP requirement is substantive or a mere formality shall reside solely within Delaware.

8. Concise Proposals

The State of Delaware discourages overly lengthy and costly proposals. It is the desire that proposals be prepared in a straightforward and concise manner. Unnecessarily elaborate brochures or other promotional materials beyond those sufficient to present a complete and effective proposal are not desired. The State of

Delaware’s interest is in the quality and responsiveness of the proposal.

9. Realistic Proposals

It is the expectation of the State of Delaware that Providers can fully satisfy the obligations of the proposal in the manner and timeframe defined within the proposal. Proposals must be realistic and must represent the best estimate of time, materials and other costs including the impact of inflation and any economic or other factors that are reasonably predictable.

The State of Delaware shall bear no responsibility or increased obligation for a Provider’s failure to accurately estimate the costs or resources required to meet the obligations defined in the proposal.

10. Confidentiality of Documents

Subject to applicable law or the order of a court of competent jurisdiction to the contrary, all documents submitted as part of the Provider’s proposal will be treated as confidential during the evaluation process. As such, Provider proposals will not be available for review by anyone other than the State of Delaware/Proposal

Evaluation Team or its designated agents. There shall be no disclosure of any Provider’s information to a http://governor.delaware.gov/orders/exec_order_31.shtml http://delcode.delaware.gov/title29/c100/index.shtml competing Provider prior to award of the contract unless such disclosure is required by law or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

The State of Delaware and its constituent agencies are required to comply with the State of Delaware

Freedom of Information Act, 29 Del. C. § 10001, et seq. (“FOIA”). FOIA requires that the State of

Delaware’s records are public records (unless otherwise declared by FOIA or other law to be exempt from disclosure) and are subject to inspection and copying by any person upon a written request. Once a proposal is received by the State of Delaware and a decision on contract award is made, the content of selected and non-selected Provider proposals will likely become subject to FOIA’s public disclosure obligations.

The State of Delaware wishes to create a business-friendly environment and procurement process. As such, the State of Delaware respects the Provider community’s desire to protect its intellectual property, trade secrets, and confidential business information (collectively referred to herein as “confidential business information”). Proposals must contain sufficient information to be evaluated. If a Provider feels that they cannot submit their proposal without including confidential business information, they must adhere to the following procedure or their proposal may be deemed unresponsive, may not be recommended for selection, and any applicable protection for the Provider’s confidential business information may be lost.

In order to allow the State of Delaware to assess its ability to protect a Provider’s confidential business information, Providers will be permitted to designate appropriate portions of their proposal as confidential business information.

Provider(s) may submit portions of a proposal considered to be confidential business information in a separate attachment clearly labeled “Confidential Business Information” and include the specific RFP number. The attachment must contain a letter from the Provider’s legal counsel describing the documents, representing in good faith that the information in each document is not “public record” as defined by 29 Del. C. § 10002, and briefly stating the reasons that each document meets the said definitions. The Provider should also include the confidential attachment information.

Upon receipt of a proposal accompanied by such an attachment, the State of Delaware will open the attachment to determine whether the procedure described above has been followed. A Provider’s allegation as to its confidential business information shall not be binding on the State of Delaware. The State of

Delaware shall independently determine the validity of any Provider designation as set forth in this section.

Any Provider submitting a proposal or using the procedures discussed herein expressly accepts the State’s absolute right and duty to independently assess the legal and factual validity of any information designated as confidential business information. Accordingly, Provider(s) assume the risk that confidential business information included within a proposal may enter the public domain.

11. Price Not Confidential

Providers shall be advised that as a publically bid contract, no Provider shall retain the right to declare their pricing confidential.

12. Multi-Provider Solutions (Joint Ventures)

Multi-Provider solutions (joint ventures) will be allowed only if one (1) of the venture partners is designated as the “prime contractor”. The “prime contractor” must be the joint venture’s contact point for the State of

Delaware and be responsible for the joint venture’s performance under the contract, including all project management, legal and financial responsibility for the implementation of all Provider systems. If a joint venture is proposed, a copy of the joint venture agreement clearly describing the responsibilities of the partners must be submitted with the proposal. Services specified in the proposal shall not be subcontracted without prior written approval by the State of Delaware, and approval of a request to subcontract shall not in any way relieve Provider of responsibility for the professional and technical accuracy and adequacy of the work. Further, Provider shall be and remain liable for all damages to the State of Delaware caused by negligent performance or non-performance of work by its subcontractor or its sub-subcontractor.

Multi-Provider proposals must be a consolidated response with all cost included in the cost summary. Where necessary, RFP response pages are to be duplicated for each Provider.

http://delcode.delaware.gov/title29/c100/index.shtml

a. Primary Provider

The State of Delaware expects to negotiate and contract with only one “prime Provider”. The State of

Delaware will not accept any proposals that reflect an equal teaming arrangement or from Providers who are co-bidding on this RFP. The prime Provider will be responsible for the management of all subcontractors.

Any contract that may result from this RFP shall specify that the prime Provider is solely responsible for fulfillment of any contract with the State of Delaware as a result of this procurement. The State of

Delaware will make contract payments only to the awarded Provider. Payments to any subcontractors are the sole responsibility of the prime Provider (awarded Provider).

Nothing in this section shall prohibit the State of Delaware from the full exercise of its options under

Section IV.B.17 regarding multiple source contracting.

b. Subcontracting

The Provider selected shall be solely responsible for contractual performance and management of all subcontract relationships. This contract allows subcontracting assignments; however, Providers assume all responsibility for work quality, delivery, installation, maintenance, and any supporting services required by a subcontractor.

Use of subcontractors must be clearly explained in the proposal, and major subcontractors must be identified by name.

The prime Provider shall be wholly responsible for the entire contract performance whether or not subcontractors are used. Any subcontractors must be approved by State of Delaware.

c. Multiple Proposals

A primary Provider may not submit more than one (1) proposal. However, primary Providers may be a subcontractor participating in another proposal. Sub-contracting Providers may participate in multiple joint venture proposals.

13. Subcontracting

The Provider selected shall be solely responsible for contractual performance and management of all subcontract relationships. This contract allows subcontracting assignments; however, Providers assume all responsibility for work quality, delivery, installation, maintenance, and any supporting services required by a subcontractor.

Use of subcontractors must be clearly explained in the proposal, and subcontractors must be identified by name. All subcontractors must be approved by State of Delaware.

14. Discrepancies and Omissions

Provider is fully responsible for the completeness and accuracy of its proposal, and for examining this RFP and all addenda. Failure to do so will be at the sole risk of Provider. Should Provider find discrepancies, omissions, unclear or ambiguous intent or meaning, concerning this RFP, Provider shall notify the State of

Delaware’s Designated Contact, in writing, of such findings in the same manner as the submission of questions at least ten (10) days prior to the deadline for the submission of proposals.

Protests based on any omission or error, or on the content of the solicitation, will be disallowed if these faults have not been brought to the attention of the Designated Contact, in writing in the specified manner and timeframe.

a. RFP Question and Answer Process

The State of Delaware will allow written requests for clarification of the RFP. All questions shall be received no later than the date specified in Section I. Overview. All questions will be consolidated into a single set of responses and posted on the State of Delaware’s website at www.bids.delaware.gov by the date specified in file:///C:/Users/Fiamma.Rago/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/WQBW58CC/www.bids.delaware.gov

Section I. Overview. Provider names will be removed from questions in the responses released. Questions should be submitted in the following format. Deviations from this format will not be accepted:

Section number;

Paragraph number;

Page number; and

Text of passage being questioned.

Questions shall be submitted in accordance with Section IV(A)(4).

15. State’s Right to Reject Proposals

The State of Delaware reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals or any part of any proposal, to waive defects, technicalities or any specifications (whether they be in the State of Delaware’s specifications or Provider’s response), to sit and act as sole judge of the merit and qualifications of each product offered, or to solicit new proposals on the same project or on a modified project which may include portions of the originally proposed project as the State of Delaware may deem necessary in the best interest of the State of

Delaware.

16. State’s Right to Cancel Solicitation

The State of Delaware reserves the right to cancel this solicitation at any time during the procurement process, for any reason or for no reason. The State of Delaware makes no commitments expressed or implied, that this process will result in a business transaction with any Provider.

This RFP does not constitute an offer by the State of Delaware. Provider’s participation in this process may result in the State of Delaware selecting your organization to engage in further discussions and negotiations toward execution of a contract. The commencement of such negotiations does not, however, signify a commitment by the State of Delaware to execute a contract nor to continue negotiations. The State of

Delaware may terminate negotiations at any time and for any reason, or for no reason.

17. State’s Right to Award Multiple Source Contracting

Pursuant to 29 Del. C. § 6986, the State of Delaware may award a contract for a particular professional service to two (2) or more Providers if the agency head makes a determination that such an award is in the best interest of the State of Delaware.

18. Potential Contract Overlap

Providers shall be advised that the State, at its sole discretion, shall retain the right to solicit for goods and/or services as required by its agencies and as it serves the best interest of the State of Delaware. As needs are identified, there may be instances where contract deliverables, and/or goods or services to be solicited and subsequently awarded, overlap previous awards. The State of Delaware reserves the right to reject any or all bids in whole or in part, to make partial awards, to award to multiple Providers during the same period, to award by types, on a zone-by-zone basis or on an item-by-item or lump sum basis item by item, or lump sum total, whichever may be most advantageous to the State of Delaware.

19. Notification of Withdrawal of Proposal

Provider may modify or withdraw its proposal by written request, provided that both proposal and request are received by the State of Delaware prior to the proposal due date. Proposals may be re-submitted in accordance with the proposal due date in order to be considered further.

Proposals become the property of the State of Delaware at the proposal submission deadline. All proposals received are considered firm offers at that time.

20. Revisions to the RFP

If it becomes necessary to revise any part of the RFP, an addendum will be posted on the State of Delaware’s website at www.bids.delaware.gov. The State of Delaware is not bound by any statement related to this RFP made by any State of Delaware employee, contractor or its agents.

21. Exceptions to the RFP

Any exceptions to the RFP, or the State of Delaware’s terms and conditions, must be recorded on Appendix

B, Attachment 2. Acceptance of exceptions is within the sole discretion of the evaluation committee.

Delaware reserves the right to deny any and all exceptions taken to the RFP requirements.

22. Business References

Provide at least three (3) business references consisting of current or previous customers of similar scope and value using Appendix B, Attachment 4. Include business name, mailing address, contact name and phone number, number of years doing business with, and type of work performed. Personal references cannot be considered.

23. Award of Contract

The final award of a contract is subject to approval by the State of Delaware. The State of Delaware has the sole right to select the successful Provider(s) for award, to reject any proposal as unsatisfactory or non-responsive, to award a contract to other than the lowest priced proposal, to award multiple contracts, or not to award a contract, as a result of this RFP. Delaware can fund proposals in whole, part, or none.

Notice in writing to a Provider of the acceptance of its proposal by the State of Delaware and the subsequent full execution of a written contract will constitute a contract, and no Provider will acquire any legal or equitable rights or privileges until the occurrence of both such events.

a. RFP Award Notifications

After reviews of the evaluation committee report and its recommendation, and once the contract terms and conditions have been finalized, the State of Delaware will award the contract.

The contract shall be awarded to the Provider whose proposal is most advantageous, taking into consideration the evaluation factors set forth in the RFP.

It should be explicitly noted that the State of Delaware is not obligated to award the contract to the

Provider who submits the lowest bid or the Provider who receives the highest total point score, rather the contract will be awarded to the Provider whose proposal is the most advantageous to the State of

Delaware. The award is subject to the appropriate State of Delaware approvals.

After a final selection is made, the winning Provider(s) will be invited to negotiate a contract with the

State of Delaware; remaining Providers will be notified in writing of their selection status.

24. Cooperatives

Providers, who have been awarded similar contracts through a competitive bidding process with a cooperative, are welcome to submit the cooperative pricing for this solicitation.

C. RFP Evaluation Process

An evaluation team will evaluate proposals. Neither the lowest price nor highest scoring proposal will necessarily be selected.

The State of Delaware reserves full discretion to determine the competence and responsibility, professionally and/or financially, of Providers. Providers are to provide in a timely manner any and all information that the State of Delaware may deem necessary to make a decision.

Proposals will be evaluated pursuant to the selection criteria of the RFP and procedures established in 29 Del. C.

§§ 6981 and 6982. The following is the process proposals will be handled after submission:

1. Initial Review

The Delaware staff will review proposals and reject all that do not meet the minimum criteria as listed in

Appendix B. Those not rejected will be advanced to the next review (“Written Review”).

2. Evaluation Team

The Proposal Evaluation Team shall be comprised of at least one (1) Delaware Workforce Development

Board (“DWDB”) member or DWDB Staff or State Apprenticeship Council member, and other representatives as State of Delaware sees fit.

3. Proposal Review

Proposals who meet the RFP criteria described in Section (C)(1) above, will be reviewed by an Evaluation

Team in up to two (2) phases:

a. Written Review- The Proposal Evaluation Team will individually review and score written proposals.

Points will be awarded based on the Proposal Evaluation Team’s review of the written proposals. The

Proposal Evaluation Team will decide which proposal(s) will move forward and be invited to Proposal

Clarification Day. Those proposals not invited to Proposal Clarification Day will be rejected at this point and not considered for funding. Delaware will notify all Providers of the outcome of this phase.

Delaware and the Evaluation Team reserve the right to not hold a Proposal Clarification and make recommended awards based solely on the Written Review.

b. Proposal Clarification- Selected Providers will be invited to attend a Proposal Clarification with a set date and time per proposal to provide an in-person meeting. Points will be awarded based on the Proposal

Clarification. During this meeting, Providers should be prepared with a maximum five (5) minute presentation. Handouts, promotional materials, videos, presentations, etc. are not permitted at Proposal

Clarification. The Proposal Evaluation Team will be prepared to ask each Provider four (4) to ten (10) questions. These questions will be developed from the Written Review and will be specific questions targeted to each Proposal. It is anticipated that the questions and answers will take the majority of the time allotted.

The Proposal Clarification is will take place on the date specified in Section I Overview. Providers will be invited to attend and be scheduled a specific time. The Proposal representative(s) attending the

Proposal Clarification shall be technically qualified to respond to questions related to the proposal.

Providers are strongly encouraged to bring staff who can answer questions regarding the programmatic components and staff who can answer questions regarding the budget. The State of Delaware recognizes that these may be different staff.

All of the Provider's costs associated with participation in Proposal Clarification are the Provider’s responsibility.

While the Proposal Clarification will be the primary venue to clarify uncertainties or eliminate confusion, the Proposal Evaluation Team or State of Delaware staff designee at the request of the Proposal

Evaluation Team may contact any Provider in order to clarify uncertainties or eliminate confusion concerning the contents of a proposal.

Proposals may not be modified as a result of any such clarification request.

4. Proposal Selection Criteria

The Proposal Evaluation Team shall assign up to the maximum number of points for each Evaluation Item to each of the proposing Provider’s proposals. All assignments of points shall be at the sole discretion of the

Proposal Evaluation Team.

The proposals shall contain the essential information on which the award decision shall be made. The information required to be submitted in response to this RFP has been determined by the State of Delaware to be essential for use by the Proposal Evaluation Team in the bid evaluation and award process. Therefore, all instructions contained in this RFP shall be met in order to qualify as a responsive and responsible Provider and participate in the Proposal Evaluation Team’s consideration for award. Proposals which do not meet or comply with the instructions of this RFP may be considered non-conforming and deemed non-responsive and subject to disqualification at the sole discretion of the Proposal Evaluation Team.

The Proposal Evaluation Team reserves the right to:

• Select for contract or for negotiations a proposal other than that with lowest costs.

• Reject any and all proposals or portions of proposals received in response to this RFP or to make no award or issue a new RFP.

• Waive or modify any information, irregularity, or inconsistency in proposals received.

• Request modification to proposals from any or all Providers during the contract review and negotiation.

• Negotiate any aspect of the proposal with any Provider and negotiate with more than one (1) Provider at the same time.

• Select more than one (1) Provider pursuant to 29 Del. C. §6986. It is anticipated that multiple Providers will be selected. Such selection will be based on the type of services and programming being offered and the existing needs for services and programming for Pre-Apprenticeship.

• For all Providers who have had a contract with Delaware or DWDB in the past, Delaware will provide the

Proposal Evaluation Team with information about past performance, which will be taken into consideration when making funding recommendations.

Criteria Weight

All proposals shall be evaluated using the same criteria and scoring process. Providers are encouraged to review the evaluation criteria and to provide a response that addresses each of the scored items. Evaluators will not be able to make assumptions about a Provider’s capabilities so the responding Provider should be detailed in their proposal responses.

The following criteria shall be used by the Evaluation Team to evaluate proposals:

Criteria Maximum

Points

Demonstrated Ability-

Provider demonstrates the ability to operate like or similar high quality training programs that have resulted in at a minimum high employment rates or similar outcomes or performance measures as described in (II)(F).

Cost/Budget-

Costs are reasonable and competitive as compared to other similar programs. Costs will be reviewed as a cost per proposed enrollment as well as a cost per proposed training hour.

Employer Engagement-

Program design is responsive to the solicited services described in section (II)(D)(1)

Established Curriculum-

Program design is responsive to the solicited services described in section (II)(D)(2)

Inclusion of Underrepresented, Disadvantaged, or Low-Skilled Populations-

Program design is responsive to the solicited services described in section (II)(D)(3)

Oral Clarification/Presentation (if occurs) 15

The following Bonus Points may be awarded where applicable. They are not required, only desired. Proposals may receive Bonus Points in more than one (1) area:

Promise Communities-

Proposal includes service delivery targeted to serve Promise Communities as defined in this RFP.

Population-

Provider proposes to serve underrepresented, disadvantaged, or low-skilled populations which represents no less than 50% of the population being served.

Leveraged Funding/Resources-

Proposal maximizes collaboration through direct financial or in-kind contributions by other programs, employers, investors, stakeholders, etc.

5. Funding Decisions

The Proposal Evaluation Team will total all points allotted per team member, determine the total points allotted per proposal and rank all proposals. The Proposal Evaluation Team may negotiate will one or more

Providers during the same period and may, at its…