Adult Blue Collar

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the Delaware Workforce Development Board and Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Employment & Training seeking vendors to provide occupational skills training and workforce preparation programs for adult career entrants and career changers. The procurement seeks high-quality training services that prepare participants for unsubsidized employment in high-demand occupations, with eligible participants being Delaware residents aged 17 or older who possess a high school diploma or GED, with priority given to individuals with barriers to employment. Key deliverables and objectives include achieving 100% enrollment, 80% completion rates, 90% credential attainment among program completers, and 80% Day 1 employment outcomes within 90 days of program exit. All budgets must allocate at least 25% of funding for paid work experience, with indirect costs capped at 10% of total budget. Proposals must include mandatory employer letters of support covering 100% of enrollment and will be evaluated on five criteria: demonstrated ability (15 points), program design (20 points), outcome and placement (35 points), cost-effectiveness (20 points), and leveraged resources (10 points), with up to 15 additional bonus points available for incorporating financial literacy, artificial intelligence training, serving justice-involved clients, and training in Tier 1 high-demand occupations. Critical deadlines include a mandatory pre-bid meeting on February 19, 2026, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, written questions due by February 24, 2026, with answers posted by March 2, 2026, and proposals due by March 12, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time via email, with contract awards anticipated within 90 days of bid opening.

Eligible respondents are restricted to Delaware-registered non-profits, public entities, public institutions, institutions of higher education, or Department of Education-approved private trade schools; no other entity types are permitted to respond to this solicitation. The anticipated funding available for this RFP is $1,956,500 from State Blue Collar funds for the initial one-year contract term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, subject to change based on fund availability. The contract includes four optional one-year renewal periods available through negotiation, and the State may extend the contract on a month-to-month basis for up to three months following contract completion. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement documents provided. The RFP does not specify any required integration with existing infrastructure or technology systems, though vendors should anticipate performance reporting and compliance tracking requirements related to enrollment, completion, credential attainment, and employment outcome metrics.