T3151 Bid Solicitation 11.5.26.docx

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T3151 Workforce Development Case Management Solution
Solicitation number
27DPP01356
Issued by
New Jersey

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This is a Bid Solicitation document issued by the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Purchase and Property, on behalf of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, for a comprehensive, web-enabled Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Software as a Service (SaaS) Workforce Development Case Management Solution to replace the current America's One-Stop Operating System (AOSOS). The State seeks to replace its existing case management system with leading-edge technology that integrates federal, state, and local workforce programs, services, and activities into a centralized solution, providing self-service and virtual service delivery capabilities, document imaging, electronic signatures, automated referrals, data conversion and migration, federal and state reporting functionality, and ongoing adaptability to legislative mandates. The solicitation is for a single award contract with a one-year implementation timeline including planning, design, configuration, conversion, training, implementation, and maintenance operations. The electronic question and answer period closes November 23, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time, with an optional pre-quote conference scheduled for November 16, 2026 at 1:30 PM. Quote opening is scheduled for February 4, 2027 at 2:00 PM. The contract term and extension options are subject to mutual agreement between the State and Contractor post-award, with the State's objectives focused on ensuring career-seeking New Jerseyans access quality employment and training services while supporting employer talent needs across New Jersey's 24 One-Stop Career Centers serving over 100,000 unique stakeholders annually.

Pricing is structured in four sections: Section A includes one-time deliverable costs for tasks and deliverables (Price Lines 1-18) with firm-fixed pricing payable upon completion and State acceptance; Section B covers training and implementation site support (Price Lines 19-24), including one-time costs and 180 business days of post-go-live support; Section C contains annual recurring costs (Price Lines 25-26) for years 2-7, with Line 25 covering all-inclusive software licensing and subscription fees regardless of user count; and Section D provides labor rates for system upgrades and additional modules (Price Lines 27-33) applicable only to post-award State-approved enhancements outside original specifications. All pricing must be all-inclusive and firm-fixed, with bidders required to complete all price lines or face rejection as non-responsive. The solicitation includes set-aside subcontracting provisions for New Jersey Small Business Enterprises and/or Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses, requiring bidders to make good faith efforts to solicit and hire eligible subcontractors and document such efforts. No incumbent contractor is identified; the current system (AOSOS) is managed through a consortium with New York, and supplemented by multiple ancillary systems managing specific programs. Bidders must demonstrate financial capability, experience implementing configurable COTS SaaS solutions in states comparable to New Jersey's population, and knowledge of WIOA, Wagner-Peyser, TAA, RESEA, SNAP E&T, and other workforce program requirements, with references required for all similar-sized and scoped contracts previously completed.

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Bid Solicitation #

27DPP01356

T3151 Workforce Development Case Management Solution

Date
Time

Due Date For Electronic Questions Refer to Bid Solicitation Section 2.1 for more information.

November 23, 2026
2:00 PM

Optional Pre-Quote Conference Refer to Bid Solicitation Section 2.5 for more information.

November 16, 2026
1:30 PM

Mandatory/Optional Site Visit Refer to Bid Solicitation Section 2.4 for more information.

NOT APPLICABLE

Quote Opening Date Refer to Bid Solicitation Section 3 for more information.

February 4, 2027
2:00 PM

Dates are subject to change. All times contained in the Bid Solicitation refer to Eastern Time.

All changes will be reflected in Bid Amendments to the Bid Solicitation posted on www.njstart.gov.

SET-ASIDES

Small Business Set-Aside For Goods and Services:

☒ I ☒ II ☒ III

For Construction:

☐ IV ☐ V ☐ VI

☐ Not Applicable ☐ Entire Contract ☐ Partial Contract ☒ Subcontracting Only ☐ Preference

Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Set-Aside
☐ Not Applicable

☐ Entire Contract ☐ Partial Contract ☒ Subcontracting Only ☐ Preference

Bid Solicitation Issued By:

State of New Jersey Department of the Treasury Division of Purchase and Property Trenton, New Jersey 08625‑0230 On Behalf of:

State of New Jersey New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Division of Workforce Development

Date: 11/2/2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY OF THE BID SOLICITATION1
1.1PURPOSE AND INTENT1
1.2BACKGROUND2
1.2.1WORKFORCE PROGRAMS2
1.2.2ONE-STOP CAREER CENTERS4
1.2.3CURRENT SYSTEM OVERVIEW8
1.2.4TO-BE BUSINESS MODEL11
1.3CONTRACT AMOUNT12
1.4ORDER OF PRECEDENCE OF CONTRACTUAL TERMS12
1.5INTRASTATE COOPERATIVE PURCHASING12
2PRE-QUOTE SUBMISSION INFORMATION13
2.1ELECTRONIC QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD13
2.2EXCEPTIONS TO THE STATE OF NJ STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS (SSTC)13
2.3BID AMENDMENTS13
2.4MANDATORY/OPTIONAL SITE VISIT13
2.5OPTIONAL PRE-QUOTE CONFERENCE13
2.6PRE-QUOTE DOCUMENT REVIEW14
3QUOTE SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS15
3.1QUOTE SUBMISSION15
3.2BIDDER RESPONSIBILITY15
3.3ANNOUNCEMENT OF QUOTE INFORMATION15
3.4QUOTE ERRORS15
3.5QUOTE WITHDRAWAL PRIOR TO QUOTE OPENING15
3.6QUOTE WITHDRAWAL AFTER QUOTE OPENING, BUT PRIOR TO CONTRACT AWARD15
3.7JOINT VENTURE16
3.8SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE CONTRACTS16
3.9DISABLED VETERANS’ BUSINESS SET-ASIDE CONTRACT16
3.10BID SECURITY16
3.11BIDDER ADDITIONAL TERMS SUBMITTED WITH THE QUOTE16
3.12QUOTE CONTENT16
3.13FORMS, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS TO BE SUBMITTED WITH QUOTE16
3.13.1OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE PAGE17
3.13.2OWNERSHIP DISCLOSURE FORM17
3.13.3DISCLOSURE OF INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES IN IRAN FORM17
3.13.4DISCLOSURE OF INVESTIGATIONS AND OTHER ACTIONS INVOLVING BIDDER FORM17
3.13.5MACBRIDE PRINCIPLES FORM17
3.13.6SERVICE PERFORMANCE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES18
3.13.7CONFIDENTIALITY/COMMITMENT TO DEFEND18
3.13.8SUBCONTRACTOR UTILIZATION PLAN18
3.13.9RESERVED19
3.13.10AFFIRMATIVE ACTION19
3.13.11RESERVED19
3.13.12STATE OF NEW JERSEY SECURITY DUE DILIGENCE THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION SECURITY QUESTIONNAIRE19
3.13.13BUSINESS REGISTRATION20
3.13.14Certification of Non-Involvement in Prohibited Activities in Russia or Belarus20
3.14TECHNICAL QUOTE20
3.15MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW20
3.16CONTRACT MANAGEMENT20
3.17CONTRACT SCHEDULE21
3.18MOBILIZATION PLAN21
3.19ORGANIZATIONAL EXPERIENCE21
3.20LOCATION21
3.21ORGANIZATION CHARTS21
3.22RESUMES21
3.23EXPERIENCE WITH CONTRACTS OF SIMILAR SIZE AND SCOPE22
3.24FINANCIAL CAPABILITY OF THE BIDDER22
3.25STATE-SUPPLIED PRICE SHEET INSTRUCTIONS22
3.25.1USE OF “NO CHARGE” ON THE STATE-SUPPLIED PRICE SHEET24
3.26ORAL PRESENTATIONS24
4SCOPE OF WORK25
4.1REQUIRED FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS25
4.2CUSTOMER & EMPLOYEE ROLE-BASED SYSTEM25
4.2.1USER ROLES/ACCESS25
4.3SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS26
4.4REPORTS27
4.5INTERFACES27
4.6CONTRACTOR STAFF27
4.7PROJECT MANAGEMENT LIFECYCLE27
4.8PROJECT PLANNING AND INITIATION28
4.8.1KICK-OFF MEETING29
4.8.2DETAILED PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN AND PROJECT SCHEDULE29
4.9REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS AND SYSTEM DESIGN30
4.9.1DESIGN AND CONFIGURATION DOCUMENT30
4.9.2SYSTEM ENVIRONMENT CONFIGURATION30
4.9.3REQUIREMENTS TRACEABILITY MATRIX AND INTERFACE CONTROL DOCUMENTS31
4.9.4DATA CLEANSING, CONVERSION AND MIGRATION31
4.9.5SOFTWARE LICENSING AND DISTRIBUTION32
4.10TESTING33
4.10.1TEST PLAN33
4.10.2TEST REPORT34
4.11TRAINING34
4.11.1WORKFORCE STAFF USER TRAINING35
4.11.2PORTAL USER TRAINING35
4.11.3ADMINISTRATOR-TECHNICAL SUPER USER TRAINING35
4.11.4TRAINING – GENERAL35
4.11.5USER MANUALS36
4.12IMPLEMENTATION37
4.12.1PRODUCTION SITE PREPARATION AND IMPLEMENTATION37
4.12.2IMPLEMENTATION PLAN37
4.12.3IMPLEMENTATION SITE SUPPORT37
4.12.4DISASTER RECOVERY, BACKUP, AND CONTINGENCY PLAN38
4.12.5HELP DESK SUPPORT39
4.12.6PROBLEM ESCALATION PROCEDURES41
4.12.7SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION41
4.12.8POST-IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW REPORT41
4.13DEPLOYMENT AND PROJECT CLOSEOUT42
4.13.1READINESS DOCUMENT42
4.13.2DELIVERY OF THE CONFIGURED SOLUTION42
4.13.3SYSTEM UPGRADES/ENHANCEMENTS42
4.13.4PROJECT CLOSEOUT42
4.14MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT43
4.15DELIVERABLES AND TASKS45
4.15.1DELIVERABLE SUBMISSION45
4.15.2DELIVERABLE REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE/REJECTION45
4.15.3PROJECT DELIVERABLES TABLE45
4.16ADDITIONAL POTENTIAL MODULES AND NEW TECHNOLOGY55
4.17KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PLAN57
5GENERAL CONTRACT TERMS58
5.1CONTRACT TERM AND EXTENSION OPTION58
5.2CONTRACT TRANSITION58
5.3PERFORMANCE SECURITY58
5.4OWNERSHIP OF MATERIAL59
5.5SUBSTITUTION OF STAFF60
5.6DELIVERY TIME AND COSTS60
5.7AUTHORIZED DEALER AND/OR DISTRIBUTORS60
5.8LIQUIDATED DAMAGES60
5.9RETAINAGE60
5.10ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS60
5.11PROCUREMENT EFFICIENCY PROGRAM60
6DATA SECURITY REQUIREMENTS – CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY62
6.1INFORMATION SECURITY PROGRAM MANAGEMENT62
6.2COMPLIANCE62
6.3PERSONNEL SECURITY62
6.4SECURITY AWARENESS AND TRAINING62
6.5RISK MANAGEMENT63
6.6PRIVACY63
6.7ASSET MANAGEMENT64
6.8SECURITY CATEGORIZATION64
6.9MEDIA PROTECTION64
6.10CRYPTOGRAPHIC PROTECTIONS64
6.11ACCESS MANAGEMENT64
6.12IDENTITY AND AUTHENTICATION65
6.13REMOTE ACCESS65
6.14SECURITY ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE65
6.15CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT65
6.16ENDPOINT SECURITY65
6.17ICS/SCADA/OT SECURITY66
6.18INTERNET OF THINGS SECURITY66
6.19MOBILE DEVICE SECURITY66
6.20NETWORK SECURITY66
6.21CLOUD SECURITY67
6.22CHANGE MANAGEMENT67
6.23MAINTENANCE67
6.24THREAT MANAGEMENT67
6.25VULNERABILITY AND PATCH MANAGEMENT67
6.26CONTINUOUS MONITORING67
6.27SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND ACQUISITION68
6.28PROJECT AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT68
6.29CAPACITY AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT68
6.30THIRD PARTY MANAGEMENT68
6.31PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY68
6.32CONTINGENCY PLANNING69
6.33INCIDENT RESPONSE69
6.34TAX RETURN DATA SECURITY69
7MODIFICATIONS TO THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS71
7.1INDEMNIFICATION71
7.2INSURANCE72
7.2.1PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE72
7.2.2CYBER BREACH INSURANCE72
8QUOTE EVALUATION AND AWARD73
8.1RIGHT TO WAIVE73
8.2DIRECTOR’S RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR REJECT A QUOTE73
8.3RECIPROCITY FOR JURISDICTIONAL BIDDER PREFERENCE73
8.4CLARIFICATION OF QUOTE73
8.5ORAL PRESENTATION73
8.6TIE QUOTES73
8.7STATE'S RIGHT TO INSPECT BIDDER’S FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT73
8.8STATE'S RIGHT TO CHECK REFERENCES74
8.9EVALUATION CRITERIA74
8.9.1TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA74
8.9.2PRICE EVALUATION74
8.10QUOTE DISCREPANCIES74
8.11NEGOTIATION74
8.12BEST AND FINAL OFFER (BAFO)74
8.13“REQUEST FOR REVISION” WITHIN NJSTART75
8.14POOR PERFORMANCE75
8.15RECOMMENDATION FOR AWARD75
8.16CONTRACT AWARD75
8.17NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD75
8.17.1ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS (SOFTWARE SERVICE AGREEMENTS, END USER LICENSE AGREEMENTS)75
8.17.2ACCEPTANCE OF SOFTWARE SERVICE AGREEMENTS, END USER LICENSE AGREEMENTS75
9GLOSSARY76
9.1CROSSWALK76
9.2DEFINITIONS76
9.3CONTRACT-SPECIFIC DEFINITIONS81
9.3.1CONTRACT-SPECIFIC ACRONYMS88

ATTACHMENTS:

ATTACHMENT 1 – Combined State of New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions (10/21/2026) ATTACHMENT 2 – Standard Procurement Forms Packet ATTACHMENT 3 – State-Supplied Price Sheet ATTACHMENT 4 – State of New Jersey Due Diligence Third-Party Information Security Questionnaire

APPENDICES:

APPENDIX A – NJ Workforce Modernization Requirements APPENDIX B – NJ Workforce Program Overview APPENDIX C – NJ AOSOS Application APPENDIX D – Interface Reference Document vii

INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY OF THE BID SOLICITATION

This Bid Solicitation is issued by the Department of the Treasury, Division of Purchase and Property (Division), Procurement Bureau, on behalf of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), Division of Workforce Development (Workforce). Quotes submitted in response to this Bid Solicitation shall be through the State of New Jersey’s eProcurement system, NJSTART. Bidders are advised to thoroughly read all sections of this Bid Solicitation and follow all instructions.

Bidders are strongly encouraged to visit the NJSTART Vendor Support Page, which contains Quick Reference Guides (QRGs), supporting videos, a glossary of NJSTART terms, and helpdesk contact information. Bidders should utilize the QRGs before attempting to submit a Quote through NJSTART. It is the Bidder’s responsibility to ensure that the Quote and attachments have been properly submitted. Inquiries concerning the use of NJSTART may be directed to njstart@treas.nj.gov. The Division will not respond to substantive questions related to the Bid Solicitation or any other Contract via this email address.

PURPOSE AND INTENT

The purpose of this Bid Solicitation is to solicit Quotes for the NJDOL for a comprehensive, web-enabled Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) Software as a Service (SaaS), statewide Workforce Development Case Management Solution (the “Solution”) to replace the current workforce case management system, known as America’s One-Stop Operating System (AOSOS) that meets the business objectives of the NJDOL, established by State and federal requirements. It is the goal of the State of New Jersey (State) to implement the Solution within one (1) year of Contract award. This timeline includes, but is not limited to, planning, design and configuration, conversion, training, implementation, and maintenance and operations. The proposed timeframe of implementation shall be mutually agreed upon between the State and Contractor after Contract award.

It is the intent of the State to award a Contract to that responsible Bidder whose Quote, conforming to this Bid Solicitation, is most advantageous to the State, price and other factors considered. The State may award any or all price lines. The State, however, reserves the right to separately procure individual requirements that are the subject of the Contract during the Contract term, when deemed by the Director of the Division (Director) to be in the State’s best interest.

All Quotes shall include all-inclusive pricing. The State may consider a phased implementation approach for additional program functions/modules as requested in Scope of Work, Section 4.0. The State does not wish to procure a software application still under development. The Solution shall be operational (i.e., not under development) and generally available before the due date of the Quote.

The Solution will:

· Replace the existing case management system of record, known as AOSOS and ancillary workforce systems with leading-edge technology that will meet or exceed all business and technical requirements;

· Integrate, scale, and consolidate the case management of federal, State, and local workforce programs, services, and activities into a centralized core Solution;

· Provide leading-edge technology for self-service/virtual service delivery and electronic communication amongst all jobseekers/participants, employers, providers, partners, and the Workforce staff;

· Provide functionality to capture document imaging and electronic signatures;

· Allow for automated referrals from partner agencies, providers, and community partners including county and municipal welfare agencies for the management of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), General Assistance (GA), and Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP);

· Interface with ancillary systems to improve data integrity for federal and State reporting;

· Provide data conversion, data migration, and integration strategies;

· Maintain comprehensive federal and State required reporting, while enhancing functionality to include ad-hoc reporting and query capabilities that allow for continued data interoperability;

· Enhance and offer new opportunities for tracking enrollment, progress, and outcomes across programs and partners contributing to our statewide workforce program including the One-Stop Career Center (OSCC) network; and

· Allow for ongoing adaptability to accommodate potential legislative federal and/or State mandates.

The State’s objectives and vision for the Solution are to:

· Ensure all career-seeking New Jerseyans have the education and training necessary to access high-quality employment;

· Ensure businesses and employers that are offering high-quality employment in New Jersey can quickly and efficiently fill their talent needs;

· Support both customer self-service integration and performance driven outcomes designed around the principles of universality, customer choice, service integration and performance-driven outcomes; and

· Support customized strategies for jobseekers and employers through the enhancement of:

· Work-based learning services: Building capacity to match and fill gaps between employer needs and jobseeker skills and interests through State and local business service functions, particularly in developing and operationalizing work-based learning opportunities;

· Virtual services: Increasing access and engagement through investments in tools that support virtual intake, assessment, and service delivery – including virtual self-services and staff-assisted virtual services;

· Career services: Emphasizing work-readiness and career advisement across all workforce services, including but not limited to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (P.L. 113-128, July 22, 2014, WIOA), Title I and Title III Wagner-Peyser programs, and deepening individualized career services available in our OSCCs providing customized support, coaching, and guidance to navigate connections to employment; and

· Other services: Leveraging the resources of required partners and additional community partners to reduce barriers to employment beyond training-related needs.

The State intends to award to one (1) Bidder, with a set-aside Subcontracting for New Jersey Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and/or Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (DVOB).

The State of New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTCs) included with this Bid Solicitation will apply to all Contracts made with the State. These terms are in addition to the terms and conditions set forth in this Bid Solicitation and should be read in conjunction with them unless the Bid Solicitation specifically indicates otherwise.

BACKGROUND

The Workforce, within the NJDOL oversees and supports the integration of over 40 unique workforce programs supported by federal and State resources. Through these various programs, the Workforce Development serves over 100,000 unique stakeholders each year, including jobseekers/participants, workforce staff, employers, and partners. The number of populations served is expected to grow each year.

The NJDOL works in collaboration with 17 Workforce Development Boards to provide integrated employment and training programs and services statewide via New Jersey’s 24 OSCCs. More detailed information relating to the New Jersey workforce programs may be obtained online via the following websites:

· New Jersey Division of Workforce Development website at: https://www.nj.gov/labor/career-services/.

· NJ State Employment and Training Commission State Plan: https://www.nj.gov/njsetc/planning/unified/documents/NJ%20Combined%20State%20Plan%20for%20WIOA%202022-2023(Mod).pdf for NJ Combined State Plan for the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act 2022-2023.

WORKFORCE PROGRAMS

All federal and State workforce programs are categorized within three (3) core workforce service types. These include business and training services; career services; and transitional workforce services.

Business and Training Services: Focuses on alignment of employer and training partners to build career pathway opportunities. Business and Training Services focuses on deeper training and learning opportunities that align with employer-driven needs and demands. The services help to design and establish new pathways for jobseekers and workers that are driven and supported by employer opportunities. This may happen through the direct development of individual On-the-Job Training (OJT) opportunities, through the creation of new apprenticeship pathways, and/or in partnership with a range of partners to develop a full set and sequence of opportunities that connect individuals to particular career areas. This area offers the knowledge and expertise to expand work-based learning opportunities and access to career pathways in collaboration with State and local partners.

Career Services: Focuses on the alignment of programs and services to support individuals in accessing career pathways. Career services focuses on policy and practices related to career services including, job preparation (career assessments, Labor Market Information (LMI), and resume writing), job search (job fairs, job matches, and individualized job search), and job placement. This area oversees and develops employment services and other State staff providing career services in OSCCs, as well as coordinates with local Workforce Development Boards to ensure and support integrated service opportunities that exist within New Jersey’s network of OSCCs.

Transitional Workforce Services: Focuses on alignment of programs and services that prepare individuals for career pathways. Transitional workforce services focuses on policy and practices related to removing barriers to employment including through work-readiness training, adult education and basic literacy services, and supportive services. Transitional workforce services focuses on WorkFirst New Jersey (WFNJ)/SNAP, as well as the various other partners that serve special populations and are required in OSCCs including Title II Adult Education and Family Literacy, re-entry programs, senior programs, and youth programs. A list of workforce programs/partners is included in Table 1 below. For more detailed information relating to each program, please see Appendix B, NJ Workforce Program Overview.

Table 1

*WIOA-required One-Stop partners ^Federal funding source

Workforce Programs

NJDOL Workforce – Business Services
· Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)*^ (Trade Act)

· Rapid Response^

· Industry Partnerships

· On-the-Job Training Programs (OJT)

· Growing Apprenticeships in Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS)

· Pre-Apprenticeship in Career Education (PACE)

· NJBUILD (Builders Utilization Initiative for Labor Diversity)

· Youth Transitions to Work (YTTW)

· New Jersey Pathways Leading Apprentices to a College Education (NJPLACE)

· Opportunity Partnership Grants (OPG)

· Upskill Grants

· Fellowship Grants

· Workforce Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

· Federal Bonding Program^

NJDOL Workforce – Career Services
· Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth*^

· Title II Adult Education and Family Literacy*^

· Title III Wagner-Peyser (including RESEA)*^

· Jobs for Veterans*^

· Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers*^ (MSFW)

NJDOL Workforce – Transitional Services
· WFNJ Employment and Training (E&T)*^

· SNAP Employment and Training (E&T)^

· Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)*^ (55+ Program)

· Pathways to Recovery^

· SNAP Steps to Success

· The Judiciary Opportunities for Building Success (JOBS)

· Community Libraries

· Workforce Learning Link

· New Jersey Youth Corps (NJYC)

· Bridges to Employing Youth^

· Summer Youth Employment Program

Other NJDOL Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) – Title IV
· Division Vocational Rehabilitation Services* (DVRS)

· Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI), administered by the NJ Department of Human Services

Other Partners (Public & Private)

· Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO)*^

· Perkins Career and Technical Education programs*^

· Title 1 Youth Corps*^

· Title 1 Job Corps*^

· HHS Employment and Training carried out under the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)*^

· HUD Employment and Training*^

ONE-STOP CAREER CENTERS

The primary vehicle for delivering One-Stop partner workforce services in New Jersey is its OSCCs. There are centers in each of the State’s 21 counties and have been sited to maximize public access via New Jersey’s public transportation infrastructure. OSCCs are overseen by operators, who are responsible for creating Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with each partner.

One-Stop Operators serve to integrate partner services, manage activity, ensure collaboration and coordination of services, and work to build a smooth system of services that maximizes the impact and value of each distinct program and funding stream. One-Stop Operators promote the integration of State, local government, and contractor agency staff providing WorkFirst New Jersey (TANF and GA), SNAP, and WIOA funded employability assessment, service identification and sequencing, Individual Employment Plan (IEP) development, and case management services. The staff at each OSCC includes a mix of NJDOL and local government staff, as well as those from other partners such as national Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) grantees.

Figure 1 below provides an overview of the different pathways and service flows available from the initial intake in New Jersey’s OSCC network. This is a renewed method of service delivery in keeping with a deeper engagement between WIOA Title I, Title II, Title III, and Title IV services, and aligns with expectations of WIOA around coordinated service across Titles, building career pathways, deeper business services, and regional collaboration. On-site customer flow begins with intake.

Figure 1:

When customers enter the OSCC, they are greeted by designated intake professionals composed of core partner staff knowledgeable about all One-Stop service offerings among core and additional partners and directed to the appropriate orientation. Likewise, customers with one-on-one appointments are directed to the appropriate staff.

Intake staff serve a critical role in quickly assessing the needs of walk-in customers, ensuring that they are registered in the One-Stop case management system, and routing those customers to the most appropriate partner or service based on the customers’ needs. Intake staff are also adequately trained on the various career and training services available across partners and programs that promote the WIOA objective that services can be provided in any order based on customers’ needs, e.g., job preparation activities might take place before and/or after completion of training services.

Additionally, as part of the customer service flow highlighted in Figure 2 in the pages below, OSCCs also provide information to customers about rights and protections afforded to workers under State and federal law. This expands a long-standing NJDOL policy of protecting jobseekers from unscrupulous employers by explaining, for example, minimum wage and overtime rules, differences between an employee and independent contractor, and laws around family leave and earned sick time.

Depending on the outcome of the initial quick assessment performed by intake staff, an individual may be directed to individualized career and training services available through WIOA Title I programs, additional Wagner-Peyser services, and/or programs of other OSCC partners. Services offerings include but are not limited to: basic career services; individualized career services; follow-up services; training services; business services; and youth services as outlined below in Table 2.

Table 2:

Basic Career Services
Individualized Career Services

· Eligibility determinations

· Outreach, job fairs, intake, and orientation re: One-Stop Career Center services available

· Initial assessment of skill levels

· Labor exchange services (job search, and placement)

· Referrals to and coordination of activities with other programs and supportive services

· Provision of Labor Market Information

· Provision of training provider performance and cost information

· Provision of One-Stop Career Center performance information

· Provision of information in usable and understandable formats and languages

· Provision of meaningful assistance to individuals seeking UI

· Assistance in obtaining financial aid for non-WIOA training and education programs

· Comprehensive and specialized assessments of the skill levels and supportive service needs

· Development of individual employment plans

· Group counseling

· Individual counseling

· Career planning

· Short-term pre-vocational (work readiness) services

· Internships and work experiences that are linked to careers

· Workforce preparation activities

· Financial literacy services

· Out-of-area job search assistance and relocation assistance

· English language acquisition and integrated education and training programs

Follow-up Services
Training Services

· Counseling regarding the workplace

· Additional career planning/counseling

· Assisting individuals and employers in resolving work-related problems

· Connecting individuals to peer support groups

· Providing individuals with referrals to other community resources

· Providing individualized information about additional educational or employment opportunities

· Occupational skills training through Individual Training Accounts (ITAs)

· Adult education and literacy activities, including English language acquisition, in combination with occupational skills training

· On-the-Job Training

· Incumbent worker training

· Programs that combine workplace training with related instruction

· Skill upgrading and retraining

· Entrepreneurial training

· Registered Apprenticeship

· Customized training

· Other training services

Business Services
Youth Services

· Labor exchange activities and LMI for employers

· Customized screening and referral of qualified participants

· Customized services on employment-related issues

· Customized recruitment events and job fairs

· Human resource consultation services (e.g., writing/reviewing job descriptions, creating orientation sessions, analyzing employee turnover, supporting compliance with labor and employment laws)

· Developing and implementing sector strategies

· Development of Registered Apprenticeship programs and other work-based learning opportunities

· Assistance in managing reductions

· Assistance in accessing local, State, and federal tax credits

· Tutoring, study skills, and dropout prevention

· Alternative education

· Paid and unpaid work experiences

· Occupational skills training

· Leadership development

· Supportive services

· Adult mentoring

· Follow-up services

· Comprehensive guidance and counseling

· Education offered concurrently with workforce preparation

· Financial literacy

· Provision of Labor Market Information

· Preparation for postsecondary education

· Entrepreneurial skills training

Across programs, a set of universal service delivery components helps to ensure the ongoing individualization and customization of supports for jobseekers, including the opportunity to engage in:

1. Assessments that offer an evaluation of needs, assets, and interests;

2. The development of individualized service plans based on assessment results; and

3. Career, training, and follow-up services that meet individual goals and interests, including supportive services that reduce barriers to employment These service delivery components are critical to serving individuals with specific needs and barriers, including individuals with disabilities, veterans, and youth, and ensuring that service offerings best support the success of the individual jobseeker. After initial intake, OSCC services often start with additional assessment of academic and occupational skills, as well as supportive service needs.

Figure 2:

Assessment: Key assessment tools available for use across New Jersey’s OSCC network include:

· Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) – Measures basic skill and academic achievement in reading, listening, math, writing, and related areas;

· Best Plus – Face-to-face oral interview of listening and speaking skills to assess English language proficiency;

· Best Literacy – Test of reading and writing skills using authentic situations to assess skill level;

· New Jersey Career Assistance Navigator (NJCAN) – Several assessments of skills, career interest and suitability; and

· Prove It – Assessment used to show proficiency in multiple occupations and skillsets. More than 30,000 test modules are available that can be used in a customized manner to determine customers’ readiness for specific jobs. In addition to these assessments, many other high-quality assessment tools are available to ensure that participants have a chance to learn and explore more about their own academic skills, occupational skills and interests, and supportive service needs Plan Development: Whether called an Individual Employment Plan (IEP), Individualized Service Strategy (ISS), an Employability Development Plan (EDP), or something else, these service plans all offer the opportunity to develop an individualized plan that translates assessment outputs and results into specific educational and employment goals and service plans for meeting these goals. This serves as an agreement between OSCC staff and customers about what to expect, and it also serves as a tool to return and reflect on and service plans. Furthermore, these plans may incorporate service elements that cross over specific programs and funding streams, outlining a specific plan for co-enrollment in services.

Service Engagement: Individualized career services, training services, supportive services, and follow-up services all offer opportunities for supporting the successful connection and success of jobseekers to sustained career pathways and employment.

Individualized Career Services: Job preparation and job placement supports offer opportunities for providing customized career support to individuals – whether supporting the development of an individual’s resume or utilizing that resume to build specific job leads and connections for an individual.

Training Services: New Jersey prioritizes strategies and investments in work-based learning opportunities, including Pre-Apprenticeship, apprenticeship, internship, job shadowing, job coaching, mentoring and OJT models that support both the needs of jobseekers and employers.

The following make up New Jersey’s main training methods:

· Title II Adult Basic Education: If a customer is determined to be in need of these services, they are referred directly to WIOA Title II adult education services for remedial basic skills, English as a Second Language (ESL)/other language, and related services.

· Literacy Labs: Computer labs at One-Stop Career Centers (often blended with the resource centers) with extensive computer-based learning tools and are the State’s main effort to provide basic skills, literacy, and ESL/other language training to customers on a drop-in, open-access basis.

· Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) for vocational training through training providers on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) as outlined later in this section. ITA training is delivered based on customer choice, labor in-demand occupations, and in keeping with the customer’s IEP.

· On-the-Job Training (OJT): Business Services staff at each OSCC may work with customers and area businesses to develop OJT agreements when appropriate. New Jersey continues to promote greater use of OJT as it is a method of ensuring that employers gain a workforce with the exact skills and training desired.

· Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship: The New Jersey Apprenticeship Network is focused on driving economic development through skills and educational attainment by concentrating efforts on sector-focused, demand-driven training programs that lead to meaningful employment, attainment of advanced credentials, diversity and inclusion, and sustainable linkages between employer needs, training providers, and the workforce. Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs and initiatives have and will remain continued strategies for New Jersey. The models, by design, incorporate both theory and experiential learning that business and industry often request and simultaneously create career pathways for participants.

· Opportunity Partnership Grant (OPG): This program utilizes State funds to support cohort training for jobseekers who were dislocated from their existing employment. Employers or groups of employers work with community colleges or private trainers to develop curricula that are needed for targeted openings at their firms, and then commit to the follow-up interview.

· Other work-based training including internships, job shadowing, job coaching, mentoring and a number of customized training and related services built to benefit employers and jobseekers; provide better exposure of jobseekers, especially youth and those with limited work history to the State’s key industries and in-demand occupations and offer customized methods of preparing new and existing workers for specific job opportunities. For individuals in need of additional skill development, the State’s objective is to direct jobseekers to training opportunities through ITAs and work-based learning opportunities that help individuals to secure credentials and employment that provide entry and advancement in career pathways.

Performance Outcomes/Indicators (Training/Employment):

The New Jersey Division of Workforce Development assesses its core programs provided under WIOA Title I, Title II, Title III, and Title IV, at the State, regional, and local levels based on the primary indicators of performance outlined in section 116(b)(2)(A) of the WIOA including, but not limited to:

1. Employment rate – 2nd quarter after exit: The percentage of participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program (for Title I youth, the indicator is the percentage of participants in education or training activities, or in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit);

2. Employment rate – 4th quarter after exit: The percentage of participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the fourth quarter after exit from the program (for Title I youth, the indicator is the percentage of participants in education or training activities, or in unsubsidized employment during the fourth quarter after exit);

3. Median earnings – 2nd quarter after exit: The median earnings of participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program;

4. Credential attainment: The percentage of those participants enrolled in an education or training program (excluding those in OJT and customized training) who attain a recognized postsecondary credential or a secondary school diploma, or its recognized equivalent, during participation in or within one year after exit from the program. A participant who has attained a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent is included in the percentage of participants who have attained a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent only if the participant also is employed or is enrolled in an education or training program leading to a recognized post-secondary credential within one year after exit from the program;

5. Measurable skill gains: The percentage of program participants who, during a program year, are in an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or employment and who are achieving measurable skill gains, defined as documented academic, technical, occupational, or other forms of progress, towards such a credential or employment; and

6. Effectiveness in serving employers: WIOA section 116(b)(2)(A)(i)(VI) requires the NJDOL to establish a primary indicator of performance for effectiveness in serving employers. The NJDOL piloted three approaches designed to gauge three critical workforce needs of the business community:

a. Approach 1 – Retention with the same employer – addresses the programs’ efforts to provide employers with skilled workers;

b. Approach 2 – Repeat Business Customers – addresses the programs’ efforts to provide quality engagement and services to employers and sectors and establish productive relationships with employers and sectors over extended periods of time; and

c. Approach 3 – Employer Penetration Rate – addresses the programs’ efforts to provide quality engagement and services to all employers and sectors within a State and local economy.

The State co-enrolls WIOA Title I and Title III (Wagner-Peyser) participants, as appropriate, based on individual customer assessment results; both programs utilize the common intake form. New Jersey Title II Adult Education and Family Literacy customers are co-enrolled into Title I programs by way of referrals from the OSCCs and Title II providers. For WFNJ customers, NJDOL needs to initiate talks with NJ Department of Human Services (NJDHS) to explore ways for further data collection in support of performance measurement, either through NJDHS joining the state longitudinal data system or through a bilateral data sharing agreement. Performance outcomes for WIOA Titles I, II, III and IV are reported to USDOL and USED. These published reports are shared with the NJ State Employment and Training Commission, the State board, and NJDOL partners and stakeholders.

CURRENT SYSTEM OVERVIEW

The Workforce has been a member of the AOSOS consortium with the State of New York since January 2001. AOSOS has remained the workforce case management system of record since that time. In 2020, an additional customer service portal offering through the existing consortium contract was implemented in New Jersey, this is known as Job Source (see description below). Due to current limitations with adaptability with the AOSOS case management system, the Workforce has implemented a number of ancillary systems for specific program(s) and functions that are utilized for specific business needs, these include, but are not limited to:

· Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA): Utilizes an in-house application known as Workforce Development Partnership Program (WDPP) for the management of reemployment selection/referrals from Unemployment Insurance and scheduling of RESEA orientation

· Workforce Grants and Contracts Management: Utilizes a contractor managed grants management system known as System for Administering Grants Electronically (SAGE) which is currently in the midst of converting to an updated version of the software known as IntelliGrants/IGX (SAGE/IGX)

· Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Act: Utilizes an in-house application known as Trade Act Data Application (TADA) for the management of Trade Act petitions, waivers, and contracts

· Apprenticeships: Utilizes a custom-built application created within the Salesforce platform for the management/oversight of specific functions relating to apprenticeship programs

· Industry Partnerships/Business Services: Utilizes a custom-built application created within the Salesforce platform for the management/oversight of specific functions relating to business service representative and Industry Partnerships outreach functions

· Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), also known as fifty-five plus (55+): Utilizes a software known as Acutedge, which is built within Salesforce the management/oversight of the program specific functions related to the SCSEP/55+ program

· Workforce Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): Utilizes a home-grown NJDOL database for management of the WOTC application process

· Adult Education and Family Literacy (Title II): Utilizes an online student data management software known as LACES (Literacy, Adult and Community Education System)

· Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL): Utilizes a contractor software solution known as IntelliGrants (IGX) managed by the Center for Occupational Training Information (COEI) located within the NJDOL Office of Research and Information (ORI) for the management of training provider applications, renewals, and compliance

· Employability Plan Development Tool (EPDT): In-house application tool utilized by WorkFirst NJ TANF/SNAP/GA to assess and determine barriers to employment in compliance with New Jersey’s WorkFirst program requirements

· Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS): Utilizes vocational rehabilitation services case management contractor software known as AWARE More detailed descriptions of all the systems utilized by the Workforce for the administration of workforce programs are as follows:

America’s One-Stop Operating System (AOSOS) AOSOS is an automated, web-based comprehensive case management and reporting system that is currently used as the system of records to support workforce case management functions associated with the implementation of federal employment and training programs and services. AOSOS software supports overall workforce case management throughout the established service flow (assessment, plan development, individual career and training services, training outcomes, employment outcomes, and follow up). Supported functions include but are not limited to customer tracking, identification of eligible trainings, job matching, service provider tracking, and maintenance of performance information. AOSOS also produces USDOL and State specific mandated reports and allows for interface and data exchanges with State and federal systems. AOSOS includes data-sharing interfaces with Unemployment Insurance and the Department of Human Services systems. (See Appendix C - NJ AOSOS Application) Job Source (AOSOS portal) Job Source is an interactive AOSOS “add-on” portal application that is an extension of the existing AOSOS application that offers a wide array of features, resources, and solutions to aid jobseekers in their career and workforce development needs and it also serves as New Jersey’s job board.

Using Job Source, jobseekers can perform and keep track of job searches, create resumes, write professional letters, and develop job applications. Job Source also has a career exploration tool that assists jobseekers in identifying skills that can be matched to different careers and industries. In addition, jobseekers can access information related to in-demand occupations, apprenticeships, and other career related resources with Job Source.

Workforce Development Partnership Program (WDPP) for Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) WDPP is an internal NJDOL automated system developed to track an individual’s participation in various Workforce Development Partnership programs particularly Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment. This includes RESEA attendance, orientation, counseling, and reemployment services.

System for Administering Grants and Contracts Electronically/IntelliGrants (SAGE/IGX)

· Cloud-based application for Notice of Grant Opportunity (NGO) programs, local area funding and OJT contracts;

· Application forms to submit grant applications, budget allocations, and OJT contracts;

· Notice of Award (NOA) award creation and approval workflow;

· Contract creation and approval workflow;

· Payment forms creation, approval workflow, and interface for payments with NJ Department of the Treasury;

· Activity metric reporting for outcomes of participants and approval workflow;

· Report features to extract data for metrics and payments; and

· Individual logins for external and internal roles Trade Act Data Application (TADA) The Trade Act Data Application (TADA) is a home-grown application that was developed within NJDOL that is used for conducting case management for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) customers. TADA allows internal users, participants, and providers to access through an access portal and includes:

· A database to hold all TAA employers’ certification information and eligible TAA customers’ personal information;

· Issues TAA eligibility to customers;

· Schedules and tracks orientations for the TAA program;

· Allows for online case management system for required TAA forms (IEP, 6-point form, training request form, etc.) to be completed and signed electronically;

· Allows providers to request payments electronically and the payments to be processed to New Jersey Comprehensive Financial System (NJCFS) electronically;

· Ability to issue Trade Readjustment Assistance (TRA) eligibility determinations; and

· Ability to pay Trade Readjustment Assistance (TRA) to participants Salesforce Multiple Applications (Business Services/Apprenticeship & 55+) NJDOL and its partners have adopted Salesforce as a tool to support the business services unit. Launched in May 2017, the Salesforce application is available to members of the business services team.

Salesforce is a scalable case management system for business/employer accounts. The account is focused on the business entity and the NJDOL activity associated with the account unlike our customer database AOSOS. Salesforce allows system users to store contact information, activity history, and relationship building activities, as well as pull reports of same for dissemination and analysis.

Cloud-based customer service management provides users with a range of features to manage customer interactions, service needs and products. This product gives users the ability to schedule meetings, email, send mass emails, run reports, configure dashboards, and utilize web to lead and manage those through accounts/contacts.

Workforce Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) WOTC is an in-house application that was developed with NJDOL that is used to manage and maintain the application process for the federal tax credit offered to employers who hire veterans and individuals with significant barriers to employment.

Literacy, Adult and Community Education System (LACES)

· LACES is an online student data management software application and case management software for Title II programs. Engineered for providers of literacy, Adult Basic Education (ABE) correctional education programs, LACES allows users to easily set baselines, seamlessly track program progress and student goals, and deliver high-quality results and streamline data reporting to state and federal agencies;

· LACES has been customized to enforce national standards for generating reports required by the State or submission to the US Department of Education National Reporting System (NRS);

· LACES offers annual in-person or virtual user training, data review, webinars, and is up to date with all federal reporting requirements; and

· LACES is customized to the data NJ adult education programs use for internal and external (federal) drill-down and review.

IntelliGrants (IGX) - Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) System IGX is a custom-built application created to maintain the comprehensive list of schools and organizations offering occupational training that are eligible to receive publicly funded tuition assistance and provide performance data for all programs and providers to students to make informed choices.

Note: NJDOL has determined that the ETPL application will continue to be retained as a custom application and will NOT be included in the scope of work for this Contract with the exception of the ability to allow for an interface with the new Solution for the transfer of information.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) Case Management System (AWARE) AWARE is case management software for Title IV programs, which enables rehabilitation staff to perform all tasks, collect, and access all data required to do the work of case management. AWARE supports the three primary federal case types – vocational rehabilitation, independent living, and older blind – and allows New Jersey to set up its own “custom” case types for special or state-funded programs.

Figure 3:

TO-BE BUSINESS MODEL

The preferred to-be business model includes improvements to workforce lifecycle, business partner workflow, provider workflow, and data interoperability/reporting.

Workforce Lifecycle (including participant, field staff and central office staff) - The to-be workforce lifecycle workflow introduces increased self-service, including case origination and automated assessment, through the Solution, leading to a reduction of outside dependencies. This self-service model will provide jobseekers/participants registration capabilities to be able to post resumes and search for job postings on demand, and advanced case management capabilities.

Business Partner Workflow - In the to-be workflow, business partners (including businesses, apprenticeship providers, and industry partners) will have direct access to the Solution, which will serve as the primary tool used for business relationship management activities, alongside job orders functionality. These system functionality improvements will allow business services staff to focus on their primary objectives of directing businesses to the resources that will meet their business needs, connecting them with the statewide network of resources and referrals.

Provider Workflow – In the to-be workflow, providers tracked by the Center for Occupational Employment Information (COEI) ETPL system (ETPL training providers and service providers with grant funding) will enter their profile and offering data into the COEI system, which will interface with the future State Solution. For non-ETPL providers their profiles and any offerings will be added directly to the Solution.

Data Interoperability – In the to-be workflow, the system will have the capability to share data amongst internal and external agencies/partners…

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