Adult Workforce Diploma Program

The State of Arkansas, through the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Career and Technical Education, is seeking qualified providers for an Adult Workforce Diploma Program. The program aims to assist individuals aged 21 and older in earning a high school diploma and developing employability and career skills. Prospective contractors must have a minimum of 2 years' experience providing adult dropout recovery services and be a regionally accredited high school diploma-granting entity. Key deliverables include academic skill assessments, personalized learning plans, remediation in literacy and numeracy, career pathways coursework, employability skills certification, workforce credential preparation, and career advising services. Contractors will be evaluated on graduation rates and average cost per graduate, with those not meeting minimum standards being placed on probation or removed from the qualified vendors list. The initial qualified vendors list term is 1 year, with the State having the option to renew for up to 6 additional 1-year terms. The procurement is funded by $750,000 in state funds appropriated by the Arkansas Department of Commerce, Office of Skills Development, and contractors will be reimbursed for students meeting defined milestones.

The procurement does not appear to include any set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond. The available documents do not identify any incumbent vendors or current contractors, and there is no mention of any existing infrastructure or technology that requires integration. The total available funding for the program is $750,000, but the specific award values or budget ranges per contractor are not provided.