Engaging Disengaged Youth in Workforce Development Opportunities

The City of St. Petersburg is conducting a procurement for a Social Science Research Consultant to develop strategies for engaging disengaged youth aged 15-24 in workforce development opportunities. The project aims to address the 12.28% of youth in Pinellas County who are currently disconnected from educational and career pathways. Key deliverables include conducting comprehensive literature reviews, organizing focus groups and interviews, collaborating with Pinellas County Schools, and developing actionable recommendations for youth engagement. The consultant will be expected to produce quarterly reports, create outreach strategies, and design a peer-to-peer education campaign to reconnect youth with workforce opportunities. Evaluation criteria for the proposal include 30% for qualifications, 25% for staff capacity, 28% for project approach, and 5% for detailed budget. The solicitation was posted on July 12, 2024, with a pre-proposal meeting scheduled for July 18, 2024, and final proposals due by August 6, 2024, at 3:00 pm. The initial contract term will run from contract execution to June 30, 2025, with potential extension options.

The procurement includes opportunities for Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certifications, with additional points awarded for these designations. Respondents must demonstrate experience in grassroots partnerships, community engagement, and working with disengaged youth populations. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the base agreement indicates a payment structure to be detailed in a future appendix. The consultant will be required to maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including commercial general liability, automobile liability, workers' compensation, professional liability, and abuse and molestation coverage. The City reserves the right to terminate the agreement with 30 days' notice and requires full compliance with Florida public records laws. Potential offerors must provide detailed information about their project team, key personnel, and proposed approach to interfacing with the City's project manager, with a particular emphasis on experience working with diverse communities similar to St. Petersburg.