Green Job SOW .doc

GREEN JOB PIPELINE FOR WOMEN

STATEMENT OF WORK

INTRODUCTION

The energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors (green jobs) are deemed to be emerging and high growth industries. Early indicators reflect low participation of women in green training programs. The purpose of this project is to create a consortium of organizations that will provide a “Workforce Pipeline Model.” This Model will identify activities and resources along a workforce “pathway” connecting women to jobs through

· Employment Opportunities

· Job Testing and Assessment

· Orientation

· Outreach and Recruitment

· Quality Training Programs

Resources provided will include information on the seven energy efficiency and renewable energy industries as defined in Section 171(e) (1) (B) (ii) of the Workforce Investment Act, which include:

· The energy-efficient building, construction, and retrofit industries;

· The renewable electric power industry;

· The energy efficient and advanced drive train vehicle industry;

· The bio fuels industry;

· The deconstruction and materials use industries;

· The energy efficiency assessment industry serving residential, commercial or industrial sectors; and

· Manufactures that produce sustainable products using environmentally sustainable process and materials.

BACKGROUND

The Women’s Bureau (WB), one of the oldest agencies within the U. S. Department of Labor, was created by Congress on June 5, 1920. The WB’s mission is to improve the status of wage-earning women, improve their working conditions, increase their efficiency, and advance their opportunities for profitable employment. The WB, through its strengthening the Family Initiatives – Better Jobs, Better Earnings, Better Living and Value-Added Partner – prepares women for tomorrow’s jobs and promotes an environment that is responsive to the demands and challenges of the 21st Century workforce. Women in the labor force have grown from eight million in 1920 to almost 71 million in 2007. By the year 2012, women are projected to comprise 47 percent of the U. S. labor force. While the current economic downturn has resulted in job looses primarily for men (80 percent as opposed to 20 percent women losing their jobs), in order for women to continue to contribute to the family income and provide for their children as single parents, additional efforts are needed to ensure that women are made aware of opportunities in the emerging and high growth industries.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Region VIII Women’s Bureau is soliciting a Contractor to work with the WB in the Region VIII office to organize a coalition of employers, to include state, local and non governmental organizations (NGOs), which have access to training programs in cities and rural communities.

In this project, the Contractor will design an outreach and recruitment pipeline that targets increasing the number of women who become aware of what and where Green Jobs are and the skills needed, by a minimum of 200 women and girls.

The pipeline will include technical assistance, for recruitment and retention of women (such as linkages to workforce systems, mentoring, changes in the training programs, etc). The targeted area for this project is Colorado statewide.

Contractor should have experience in advancing sustainability in the green industries through collaborations.

TASKS AND DELIVERABLES

1. Schedule a meeting (telephone or face-to-face) with the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) within two weeks of receiving the contract to discuss all the details/questions regarding scheduling and the deliverables.

2. Identify organizations that provide workforce pipeline resources and services:

a. Compile a list of resources available related to each element of the pipeline (e.g., outreach, job training, job placement, etc.).

b. Help disseminate this information to coalition members and other interested organizations and individuals.

3. Convene a working coalition of organizations promoting green jobs;

a. Facilitate round table discussions to identify best practices that help women/girls access job training, internships and job opportunities in the green industry.

b. Facilitate the creation of a collaboration among and between coalition members that help carry out one or more of the identified best practices.

c. Facilitate on-going meetings with the coalition to meet pipeline objectives..

d. Solicit commitment from coalition members to participate in an orientation designed to educate women about training and career opportunities in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries

4. Design an outreach and recruitment model that targets increasing the number of women who become aware of what green jobs are and where the opportunities exist for training and employment.

5. Recruit a minimum of 200 women and girls to participate in an orientation on energy efficiency and renewable energy industries and the education and training requirements for securing employment in these industries. At least five percent will enter green jobs training by close of contract. Orientation should also explore and address the challenges women face and how they might be addressed.

6. If a sub contractor is being used to assist in carrying out these deliverables, please identify the sub contractor(s), his or her qualifications, and the amount being used by this grant to cover the sub contractor fees.

7. Create opportunities for employer’s and potential employees to meet.

8. Provide reports on a quarterly basis to the Women’s Bureau that include:

a. Tracking and reporting the results of outreach and recruitment activities related to this grant.

b. Identify the number of women participants who increased their awareness and knowledge of what and where the green jobs are.

c. Progress on implementing one or more best practices by coalition partners.

9. Provide a final report to the WB on the enrollment of women in green jobs training at the end of the 12 month project. Reporting format will be provided by Women’s Bureau.

PROPOSAL FORMAT

· Introduction of your company

· List each Task and Deliverable along with your proposed plan on fulfilling each one.

· Contractor’s key personnel with qualification listed. Include experience in the area of women’s workforce development such as working with organizations and coalitions that focus on women in the workforce.

CONTRACTING OFFICER’S TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE (COTR)

The COTR shall be Frances E. Jefferson, Regional Administrator, and Women’s Bureau, U. S. Department of Labor, 1999 Broadway, Suite 1620. She can be reached at 303-844-1285, Fax 303-844-1283 or e-mail jefferson.frances@dol.gov.

NOTICE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF DELAY

Whenever the Contractor has knowledge that any actual or potential situation is delaying or threatens to delay the timely performance of this Agreement, the Contractor will notify the COTR within ten days.

STANDARD OF WORK

The contractor agrees that the performance of work pursuant to the requirements of this agreement shall conform to professional standards.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance will extend 12 months from the date of the award.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The Contractor cannot make use of any information obtained through this Agreement for any activity outside the scope of this project.

RIGHTS IN DATA AND COPYRIGHT

Throughout the period of this Agreement, the Government reserves exclusive and unlimited rights to the information provided to the Contractor, except for the information the Government makes available to the public. All data collected and produced for this project belongs to the U.S. Department of Labor.

OUT OF TOWN AND/OR OVERNIGHT TRAVEL

Although, minimum travel is anticipated, any travel expenses incurred must be factored into the original budget for administrative overhead. There are no additional funds available for travel.

INVOICES

The contractor shall submit all invoices to the COTR at the above address. The invoices shall include the current date, name and address of the contractor, employer identification number, purchase order number, and a description of the services rendered.

EVALUATION FACTORS

Proposals will be evaluated by cost and experience. Experience includes demonstrated expertise and experience in the area of women’s workforce development. This will include experience working with organizations and coalitions which focus on women in the workforce. The contractor must promote green sustainability in energy efficiency or renewable energy industries.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (www.ccr.gov) E-mail questions and proposals to:

Mary Smith

Contracting Officer smith.mary@dol.gov

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