Out of School Youth

The Delaware Workforce Development Board and Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Employment & Training are issuing Request for Proposal LAB-OSY-26R-001 to procure Out-of-School Youth (OSY) programming services for youth ages 16-24 with barriers to secondary school completion, employment, and post-secondary enrollment. Proposed services must include career exploration, counseling support, occupational skills training in high-demand industries, mental health and trauma-informed care, objective assessments, individual service strategies, comprehensive case management, and employer connections. All providers must ensure participant access to 14 mandated WIOA program elements, including tutoring, work experience, occupational skills training, leadership development, supportive services, mentoring, and financial literacy education. Evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: demonstrated ability (15 points), program design (20 points), outcome placement (20 points), cost/budget (20 points), leverage resources (10 points), employer participation (5 points), digital literacy (5 points), and artificial intelligence integration (5 points), for a total of 100 points. Key dates include a mandatory pre-bid meeting on February 19, 2026, from 1:00-2:00 p.m.; written questions due by February 24, 2026, with responses posted by March 2, 2026; and proposals due March 12, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EST via email to DWDBDETContracting@Delaware.gov. Contract awards will be made within 90 days of bid opening, with the contract term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with options for four one-year renewals and up to three months month-to-month extension at the State's discretion.

No set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are specified in this procurement. Providers must set aside 25 percent of requested funds for Work Experience activities, with any awarded amounts differing from requested amounts resulting in proportional adjustments to WEX allocations. All proposed programs must meet WIOA negotiated performance measures, including 66 percent employment or training activities in the second quarter after exit, 72.5 percent in the fourth quarter after exit, median earnings of $2,500 in the second quarter after exit, 74.5 percent credential attainment, and 60.5 percent measurable skill gains. Indirect costs are limited to 10 percent of the total budget per Uniform Guidance requirements. All vendors must maintain active registration in SAM.gov, comply with federal procurement standards, and maintain mandatory insurance including $1,000,000 general liability coverage and workers' compensation insurance. The anticipated funding available is $2,139,364 for one year, subject to change based on fund availability, with support from both Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and State Blue Collar funds. The State reserves the right to award contracts to multiple vendors and retains discretion to reject any or all proposals.