Career Services for Disconnected Young Adults in Jefferson County

The Greater Louisville Workforce Development Board, operating as KentuckianaWorks, is issuing RFP 260206 to procure comprehensive career and workforce development services for disconnected young adults ages 16-24 in Jefferson County, Kentucky. The solicitation seeks a qualified organization or consortium to deliver a fully integrated program targeting three priority populations: disconnected and homeless youth, young adults experiencing housing instability, and justice-involved individuals. Required service deliverables include outreach and recruitment, eligibility determination, assessment and individual service strategies, ongoing coaching and case management, career readiness training, work-based learning and internships, occupational skills training referrals, education services referrals, leadership development, supportive services, incentive payments, 12-month follow-up services, and integrated mental and behavioral health services, with all services culminating in unsubsidized job placement and long-term employment retention. The contract period runs July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with possible renewal for up to four additional one-year terms based on performance and funding availability. Evaluation criteria include organizational capacity and track record (20 points), program design and job placement strategy (30 points), performance targets and accountability (20 points), partnerships and employer connections (15 points), and cost-effectiveness and fiscal management (15 points). Key deadlines include a virtual bidders conference on March 30, 2026, at 10:30 AM EST, a written questions deadline of April 2, 2026, by 4:00 PM EST, proposal submission deadline of April 20, 2026, by 4:00 PM EST via the Bonfire Hub portal, anticipated oral interviews on May 13, 2026, and a projected contract award date of May 28, 2026.

Respondents must comply with Louisville Metro Ordinances regarding affirmative action in employment and subcontracting, including good faith efforts documentation targeting 15 percent participation from Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), 5 percent from Female Business Enterprises (FBE), and 0.5 percent from Historically Disadvantaged Businesses (HBE); all bidders must complete and submit Form GFE-1 regardless of subcontracting intent. The solicitation encourages collaborative proposals from organizations with complementary expertise in workforce development, housing stabilization, behavioral health services, education, and case management, with consortium applications requiring a signed Memorandum of Understanding identifying a lead entity responsible for management, coordination, financial accountability, and reporting. Vendors must also comply with Louisville Metro Codified Ordinance Section 112.30 prohibiting discriminatory hiring practices against individuals with prior criminal convictions and must certify compliance with minimum wage preferences ($10.10 per hour for full-time employees) and local vendor preferences as applicable. Required insurance coverage includes Commercial General Liability with $1,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, and Workers' Compensation at statutory limits. The total not-to-exceed funding available for the first program year is $4 million, with final award amounts to be determined following proposal evaluation and board approval; KentuckianaWorks will fund participant wages and stipends for work-based learning, direct supportive services payments, training costs, education costs, and incentive payments, while the contractor assumes responsibility for all staffing and other program delivery costs, with for-profit entities permitted to negotiate profit not to exceed 5 percent of total contract value.