ILH0018 - Short-term Customized Training Program(s)

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development issued Request for Proposal (RFP) #ILH0018 seeking one or multiple contractors to provide short-term customized skills training programs for targeted populations, including ex-offenders, incarcerated individuals, people with disabilities, veterans, young adults ages 18-24, and long-term public assistance recipients. The primary objective is to deliver training that enables participants to obtain specific job skills in high-demand industries, specifically advanced manufacturing and information technology, with all training culminating in industry-recognized credentials. Proposals were due by 2:00 p.m. on December 8, 2017, with award notifications estimated for January 2, 2018, and a contract start date of February 1, 2018. The evaluation process will assess proposals across ten key criteria totaling 1,000 points, including organization capabilities (70 points), staff qualifications (70 points), references (20 points), letters of commitment (140 points), recruitment and outreach plans (70 points), training curriculum (200 points), workforce partnerships (140 points), employer partnerships (140 points), reporting capabilities (50 points), and cost proposal (100 points). The contract term runs through June 30, 2019, with all training and certification required to be completed by December 31, 2018.

Eligible applicants include private and public entities, secondary and post-secondary institutions, faith-based organizations, for-profit and not-for-profit agencies, and community-based organizations. Partnerships and consortiums are permitted, provided a lead entity is designated for management, coordination, financial accountability, and reporting. While minority business enterprises and disabled veteran-owned businesses may apply, no specific preference is given in this RFP. Administrative budgets are capped at 10 percent of the grant award per Workforce Investment and Opportunities Act (WIOA) guidelines. The state anticipates approximately $1.5 million in available grant funding, which will be distributed as a cost reimbursement grant. All services must be performed within Wisconsin, and proposers must demonstrate at least two years of experience providing similar services within the past five years. Contractors will be required to track and report on WIOA Performance Metrics, including recruitment numbers, training completion rates, certification achievement, and employment placement outcomes, with success measured by wage and retention data.