Incumbent Worker Training (IWT)

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), representing the Atlanta Regional Workforce Development Board (ARWDB), is soliciting proposals from firms experienced in worker training services to deliver Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) programs across a seven-county region in Georgia. The procurement seeks training services designed to increase the skill levels of existing workforces, improve employer competitiveness, and avert potential layoffs among participating companies. Deliverables include the development and delivery of training programs with a duration of 90-120 days, with training anticipated to commence on July 1, 2026, and target completion by November 30, 2026. Key evaluation criteria include the quality of skills upgrades provided, proposed trainee benefits (wage increases, bonuses, promotions, enhanced titles), alignment with ARWDB-targeted industries (healthcare, information technology, transportation and logistics, construction, and advanced manufacturing), and cost per participant. Eligible employers must have been operational in Georgia for at least 12 months, maintain a minimum of five full-time employees, remain current on tax obligations, and provide a 50% matching contribution, typically through in-kind contributions such as wages paid during training. Eligible employees must be at least 18 years old, U.S. citizens or authorized workers, and have established employment with the participating company for a minimum of six months. Proposals are due by February 27, 2026 (extended to March 3, 2026), with question-and-answer sessions scheduled for February 3 and 5, 2026, at 1:00 pm EST; selected applicants will be notified by April 3, 2026, with draft contracts provided in mid-May 2026. All proposals must be submitted to IWTproposals@atlantaregional.org as specified in the RFP and Addendum, and not through the Procurement Department webpage.

There are no specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises noted in the procurement documents; however, ARC operates as an equal opportunity employer committed to non-discrimination policies in all operations. Bonus points are awarded for projects operating in ARWDB-targeted industries or industries targeted by county economic development partners, which may favor proposals addressing these sectors. Individual IWT contracts are limited to a maximum of $25,000 per company, with reimbursed training costs capped at $7,000 per participant, and reimbursements and matching contributions are limited to participants who complete the training. The procurement is funded through Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grants, and the budget worksheet provided implements a tiered employer cost-sharing requirement based on company size: employers with 50 or fewer employees must contribute a minimum of 10 percent of training costs; those with 51 to 100 employees must contribute at least 25 percent; and employers with more than 100 employees must contribute at least 50 percent. No incumbent vendors or existing infrastructure integration requirements are identified in the available procurement documents. ARC reserves the right to reject any and all proposals or to award contracts on a whole or partial basis at its discretion.