State Summer Youth Employment Program

The State of Delaware, Department of Labor, Division of Employment & Training is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the State Summer Youth Employment Program (Contract No. LAB-SSYEP-26R-001), seeking qualified organizations to provide summer and year-round employment opportunities for youth aged 14-20, with work leaders eligible up to age 21. The primary deliverables and objectives include recruiting eligible participants, determining eligibility, placing youth at appropriate worksites aligned with their career interests, conducting mandatory orientation programs lasting 2 weeks, employing one work leader for every 20 youth, and managing all cases through Delaware JobLink. Summer program participants must work no more than 250 hours between June 14 and August 22, 2026, while year-round participants may work up to 500 hours through June 13, 2027, with Department of Labor approval. The contract period runs from June 14, 2026, to June 13, 2027, with four additional optional one-year renewals subject to negotiation at least 90 days before expiration. All participants must be compensated at Delaware's state minimum wage of $15.00 per hour, and providers must ensure full compliance with Delaware Child Labor Law and federal and state employment regulations. The evaluation criteria consist of demonstrated ability (30 points), program design (30 points), work experiences (30 points), and partnerships (10 points), for a total of 100 points. A mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled for February 19, 2026, from 1:00-2:00 p.m., with proposals due by email no later than March 12, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.; failure to attend the pre-bid meeting results in automatic disqualification.

Eligible providers must be Delaware-licensed nonprofits, public entities, or institutions with required certifications; however, no specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises or minority-owned businesses are mentioned in the RFP documentation. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available materials. The contract requires integration with Delaware JobLink for case management and participant tracking, representing existing infrastructure with which providers must comply. The anticipated total funding available is $625,000 from State General Funds, covering all wages, employee taxes, and withholdings. Payment structure for summer youth includes 25 percent upon contract execution and Delaware JobLink training completion, 25 percent at the 30-day mark, and the remaining amount upon receipt of all participant hours documentation, with unearned payments requiring return within 30 days of program closeout. Year-round payments are distributed as 25 percent upon contract execution and completion of Delaware JobLink training, with subsequent monthly payments issued upon receipt and acceptance of required documentation.