WIOA Title I-B Youth Program Service Provider

The Pinal County Workforce Development Board (PCWDB) is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP 265031) to procure comprehensive youth program services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) Title I-B. The procurement seeks a qualified consultant to serve both In-School Youth (ages 14-21) and Out-of-School Youth (ages 16-24) who face barriers to employment, including school dropouts, individuals with disabilities, homeless youth, justice-involved individuals, and pregnant/parenting youth. The consultant must deliver a full array of services encompassing career exploration, academic support, occupational skills training, work experience, mentoring, and twelve months of post-program follow-up services. Key deliverables include meeting federally negotiated performance measures for youth employment, median earnings, credential attainment, and measurable skills gains, with quarterly performance evaluations and potential corrective action plans for unmet targets. Required qualifications include maintaining a local office within 150 miles of Pinal County, carrying comprehensive insurance coverage including $1,000,000 in commercial general liability and professional liability coverage, complying with all federal and state labor and immigration laws, and demonstrating competency in workforce development. The response submission deadline is March 26, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. MST through the Bonfire Purchasing System, with a Notice of Intent to Award anticipated in April 2026 and contract award by May 6, 2026. The initial contract term runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with four additional one-year renewal options at the County's discretion.

The solicitation imposes specific programmatic requirements, including a minimum of 75 percent of youth funds to be expended on Out-of-School Youth services and at least 20 percent allocated to paid and unpaid work experiences. While the RFP does not explicitly reference set-aside designations or restrictions on organizational types eligible to respond, the requirement that consultants demonstrate competency in workforce development and maintain federal performance standards establishes baseline qualifications for prospective bidders. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available documentation. Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Labor and administered by the Arizona Department of Economic Security as the state grantee, with Pinal County serving as the Local Workforce Development Area fiscal agent. The estimated annual budget for this contract ranges from $400,000 to $475,000, with the potential for budget increases across the renewal period if performance targets are met and funding remains available.