UPDATE 6/3/2020 -- The due date for responses is extended until 6/12/2020 at 2:00 PM ET. If you have already submitted a response, it is not necessary to resubmit. -------------------- This sources sought notice is for informational purposes only and does not commit the Government to pay for the information requested, issue a solicitation, or award a contract. No requirement or solicitation document exists at this time. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. The Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is exploring various approaches to enhance the participation of non-profit entities in the Job Corps program. One such approach being considered is the use of the Department’s legislative authority (specifically Section 156 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Experimental Project and Technical Assistance) to conduct a Full and Open Competition after the Exclusion of Sources. DOL would procure the operation of one Job Corps center through a contract awarded to a not-for-profit entity. All sources other than not-for-profit entities would be excluded from the competition, resulting in an award to a not-for-profit entity. Historically there have been a low number of entities who have regularly submitted proposals for Job Corps center operations. Job Corps center operations is multifaceted, requiring experience and expertise in a wide range of activities to include: 1. Program outreach and admissions services; 2. Educational instruction; 3. Career technical skills instruction; 4. Social and employment readiness skills; 5. Work-based learning opportunities; 6. Career Transition Services/job placement assistance; 7. Stakeholder engagement in support of student job placement, including relationships with workforce development systems, employers, and business organizations and entities; and 8. Operation and management of a government-owned, full-time residential campus/facility, including providing safe and secure living and training environment, health and wellness services, food services, recreational programming, transportation, property maintenance and management, financial management and reporting, staff training and development, and program performance management and recordkeeping. As such, entry into Job Corps center operation contracts has historically been difficult and limited. However, initial market research of other entities who perform work similar in nature to Job Corps center operations has revealed that there are nation-wide not-for-profit entities that have experience and expertise that may be transferrable to Job Corps center operations. It is in DOL’s best interest to facilitate the participation of capable entities that will expand the pool of qualified vendors capable of running Job Corps centers. To this end, non-profit entities are invited to express their interest in operating a Job Corps center and to describe their capabilities and experience in a capability statement. Based on the results of this market research, DOL may consider the possibility of using a Request for Proposal restricted to not-for-profit entities under the authority of WIOA Section 156. Prior market research and information collected from not-for-profit organizations has led DOL to believe that it is likely that such entities will not be incentivized to submit a proposal and therefore would not be afforded the opportunity to enter into Job Corps center operations, absent a solicitation where only not-for-profit entities are eligible for award. Through this request for information, not-for-profit entities are invited to express their interest in operating a Job Corps center, by submitting a capabilities statement to Nathan Quinn at
[email protected], and Emily Giardino at
[email protected]. Please use the subject line: “Not-for-Profit Job Corps Center Operations—Potomac.” Not-for-profit entities are asked to tailor their capability statements to the eight performance activities listed above. To be deemed capable, entities must be found capable relative to all eight performance activities listed above. Additionally, all other interested parties are invited to submit feedback related to this approach. WIOA supersedes the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and authorizes the Job Corps program. Prior to submitting a capabilities statement, not-for-profit entities interested in supporting the Job Corps program through center operations, are encouraged to review the Job Corps Policy and Requirements Handbook (PRH). The PRH is available at https://prh.jobcorps.gov/Pages/Home.aspx. Job Corps is a national residential training and employment program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor to address the multiple barriers to employment faced by at-risk youth, 16-24 years of age, throughout the United States. Job Corps provides educational and career technical skills instruction, and support services. The combination of services provided by Job Corps is intended to prepare youth to pursue further education or training, obtain and hold gainful employment, or satisfy entrance requirements for careers in the Armed Forces. The on-board strength (OBS) for the Potomac Job Corps Center is 378, consisting of 370 residential and 8 non-residential students. Additionally, the requirement will include Outreach and Admission (OA) services in the workforce development areas in the District of Columbia . The contractor shall ensure the annual arrival of a minimum of 650 students to the Potomac Job Corps Center; 46 students to the Harpers Ferry CCC; 96 students to the Woodland Job Corps Center; and 78 students to the Woodstock Job Corps Center from assigned workforce development areas. The contractor shall also provide Career Transition Services (CTS) for all graduates and former enrollees of the Potomac Job Corps Center, regardless of where the graduate or former enrollee resides or matriculates, and former enrollees within their eligibility period that separated under the prior operator. All contractors doing business with the Federal Government shall be registered in Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database, which is located on the System for Award Management website, SAM.gov. The website for registration is https://www.sam.gov. All active CCR records have migrated to SAM. Note that you do not have to be registered in SAM to respond to this RFI.