Workforce Development

The State of Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Employment & Training is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) under contract number LAB-WD-26R-001 for Workforce Development services. The procurement seeks vendors to provide professional services supporting Delaware residents aged 18 and older in pursuing new, innovative, emerging, or high-demand occupations, with potential support for apprenticeships, stackable credentials, and career ladder positions. Key deliverables and objectives include achieving 100 percent enrollment of target numbers, an 80 percent completion rate, 90 percent credential attainment among completers, and 80 percent Day 1 employment outcomes within 90 days of exit. Eligible providers must hold a Delaware Business License or be a non-profit entity, public institution, accredited institution of higher education, or Department of Education-approved private business or trade school. The evaluation committee will score proposals using five criteria: Applicant Group (15 points), Target Industry/Common Skill (25 points), Program Design and Results (40 points), Budget (5 points), and Enhanced Considerations such as leveraged resources and work-based learning models (15 points), for a total of 100 points. A mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled for February 19, 2026, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams; failure to attend will result in disqualification. Written questions must be submitted by February 24, 2026, with responses posted by March 2, 2026. Proposals are due by email to DWDBDETContracting@Delaware.gov by March 12, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EST. The contract period runs for one year from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with four optional one-year renewal periods available.

The State reserves the right to award contracts to multiple vendors and may extend the contract on a month-to-month basis for up to three months following the contract term. Participants must be Delaware residents aged 18 or older (16 or older with a diploma or GED per Appendix B), eligible to work in the United States, and prioritized if they face barriers to employment or career advancement. Vendors are required to maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including workers' compensation, commercial general liability of $1 million per occurrence/$3 million aggregate, automotive liability of $1 million combined single limit, and medical/professional liability, errors and omissions, or product liability coverage of $1 million per occurrence/$3 million aggregate. Reimbursement will be on a cost-reimbursement basis with monthly financial reports required within twelve calendar days of each reporting period; no advance payments will be made for services. The anticipated total funding available for the initial year is $630,000 from State General Funds, subject to change based on fund availability.