Invitation to Negotiate
ITN # 15-1052
For
TARGETED SECTOR INITIATIVES (TSI):
TO PROMOTE CAREER LADDER, BUSINESS RETENTION & SKILLS UPGRADE TRAINING FOR EMPLOYED WORKERS
ISSUED July 1, 2014
PURPOSE: The purpose of this Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) is to elicit responses from qualified employers, entities that carry out programs under the National Apprenticeship Act, and/or public institutions of higher learning located within Hillsborough County Florida, for the provision of training for their existing workforce in alignment with the workforce initiatives found in the Tampa Bay Partnership’s (TBP) Regional Business Plan for Tampa Bay.
The program is designed to assist employees in developing higher skills and receiving increased wages. This program is also designed to improve workforce availability and skills to support the TBP targeted sectors within Hillsborough County. This strategy serves to promote business retention and contribute to the overall economic growth within the region.
For more information on A Regional Business Plan for Tampa Bay: Communities Come Together to Address Future visit www.tampabay.org/regionalbusinessplan
Funding will be limited to an amount not to exceed $50,000 per qualified organization. However, should funding permit, proposals that exceed $50,000 will be considered based on cost per trainee.
BACKGROUND: CareerSource Tampa Bay is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The CareerSource Tampa Bay Governing Board was appointed and designated by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners to act as the Hillsborough County Workforce Development Board under provisions of the “Workforce Innovation Act of 2000.” CareerSource Tampa Bay has requested and received certification as the Region 15 Workforce Development Board by CareerSource Florida, the State of Florida Workforce Development Board. This public-private partnership supports and promotes economic growth through workforce development. CareerSource Tampa Bay is one (Region 15) of twenty-four regional workforce boards in Florida.
The Board of CareerSource Tampa Bay, comprised of representatives from businesses in Hillsborough County, local educational entities, labor organizations, community-based organizations, economic development agencies, center partners, and from other individuals deemed appropriate, are appointed by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners and certified by the Governor of the State of Florida once every two years. Criteria for composition of the Board are set forth in Section 117, Chapter 2, Subtitle B, Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. The Board of CareerSource Tampa Bay serves as the Administrative and Fiscal Agent for the region.
DEFINITIONS
1. Certificate - Per the USDOL Employment and Training Administration’s (ETA) definition: Credentials include, but are not limited to, a high school diploma, GED, or other recognized equivalents, post-secondary degrees/certificates, recognized skill standards, and licensure or industry-recognized certificates.
“Certificate – A certificate is awarded in recognition of an individual’s attainment of measurable technical or occupational skills necessary to gain employment or advance within an occupation. These technical or occupational skills are based on standards developed or endorsed by employers. Certificates awarded by workforce investment boards are not included in this definition. Work readiness certificates are also not included in this definition. A certificate is awarded in recognition of an individual’s attainment of technical or occupational skills by:
• A state educational agency or a state agency responsible for administering vocational and technical education within a state.
• An institution of higher education described in Section 102 of the Higher Education Act (20 USC 1002) that is qualified to participate in the student financial assistance programs authorized by Title IV of that Act. This includes community colleges, proprietary schools, and all other institutions of higher education that are eligible to participate in federal student financial aid programs.
• A professional, industry, or employer organization (e.g., National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence certification, National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc., Machining Level I credential) or a product manufacturer or developer (e.g., Microsoft Certified Database Administrator, Certified Novell Engineer, Sun Certified Java Programmer) using a valid and reliable assessment of an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• A registered apprenticeship program.
• A public regulatory agency, upon an individual’s fulfillment of educational, work experience, or skill requirements that are legally necessary for an individual to use an occupational or professional title or to practice an occupation or profession (e.g., FAA aviation mechanic certification, state certified asbestos inspector).
• A program that has been approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer education benefits to veterans and other eligible persons.
• Job Corps centers that issue certificates.
• Institutions of higher education which is formally controlled, or has been formally sanctioned, or chartered, by the governing body of an Indian tribe or tribes.”
2. National Apprenticeship Act - The National Apprenticeship Act, also known as the Fitzgerald Act, authorizes and directs the Secretary of Labor to formulate and promote labor standards that are necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices; bring together employers and labor to implement and formulate apprenticeship programs; encourage contracts of apprenticeship; and cooperate with state agencies that promote apprenticeship. The Secretary of Labor may publish information that relates to existing and proposed labor standards of apprenticeship. In order to carry out these activities and receive relevant information, the act grants the Secretary the authority to appoint national apprenticeship advisory committees which includes representatives from labor, educators, employers, and officers of other executive departments.
3. Public Institutions of Higher Learning - Public post-secondary educational institutions eligible to receive Federal funds under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and that provide programs leading to associate degrees, baccalaureate degrees or certificates. This includes accredited universities and community colleges as well as some technical institutes.
4. Targeted Sector Descriptions[1]
a. Applied Medicine & Human Performance
Along with the information on this sector listed below, all healthcare related organizations should apply under this sector.
As defined by the SRI (2011):The goal for the Applied Medicine & Human Performance target sector is for the Tampa Bay region to become a recognized center of excellence for specific, targeted areas of biomedical research that leverage key and unique regional assets – especially in fields related to senior health/wellness and human performance for all ages. Building on existing and emerging centers of medical excellence in these fields, the Tampa Bay region will develop high‐quality clinical trials and destination medicine (p.25).
b. Business, Financial, & Data Services
Along with the information on this sector listed below, all non-medical related Information Technology/ Financial Professional Service and Hospitality/ Retail organizations should apply under this sector.
As defined by the SRI (2011): The Business, Financial, & Data Services sector in the Tampa Bay region is comprised of four key niches. The business process outsourcing (BPO) and shared services niche includes internalized shared centers or outsourced activities for a broad range of back‐office and non‐revenue generating processes, such as human resources, sales, marketing, customer service, payment services, finance/accounting, and administration. Financial transactions processing focuses on the provision of transactions processing, reserve and liquidity services, and check/clearinghouse services. Data centers, disaster recovery, and data management encompasses provision of technology infrastructure for consolidated storage, management, and back‐up of large data repositories. Health IT and bioinformatics covers electronic medical records and other uses of IT in the provision of medical and pharmaceutical services and conduct of biomedical research and drug discovery. The goal for the strategy and initiatives in the Business, Financial, & Data Services sector is for the Tampa Bay region to serve as the nation’s “go‐to” location for efficiency-creating, high value, and client‐sensitive services for businesses of all sizes (p.56)
c. High‐Tech Electronics & Instruments
Along with the information on this sector listed below, all Manufacturing, Aviation and Transportation related organizations should apply under this sector.
As defined by the SRI (2011): The goal for the High‐Tech Electronics & Instruments target sector is for the Tampa Bay region to become a national research and commercialization leader for technologies in the marine, medical electronics, and defense/aerospace electronics and instruments niches. This sector focuses on research, design, and manufacturing of high‐tech components, electronics, instruments, and devices that serve a number of very different “user” industries – including medicine, defense/aerospace, and marine/environment – but that share a number of commonalities in terms of workforce/skill needs, technology/innovation approaches, manufacturing quality, and business processes. Major areas of opportunity across the niches in this target sector include developments related to sensing, remote monitoring, wireless communications, and optical technologies, as well as the use of sensors and data/information processing capabilities to embed “intelligence” in specialized devices (p.40).
d. Marine & Environmental Activities
Along with the information on this sector listed below, all Construction and Alternative Energy related organizations should apply under this sector.
As defined by the SRI (2011): The goal for the Marine & Environmental Activities target sector is to develop commercial and business applications that build upon existing and nascent strategic assets and research capabilities in the marine sciences and environment. Small, but high‐growth and high‐potential opportunities in the areas of food-oriented inland aquaculture and algae‐based and other biofuels will be pursued as emerging commercial and export opportunities for the region, and will also leverage regional geographic assets and agricultural legacy. The region will tap into and refocus its strong (but currently underutilized) construction and engineering expertise to pursue growing opportunities in energy conservation and efficiency projects and applications (p.72).
QUALIFICATIONS: Through this ITN, CareerSource Tampa Bay intends to select and negotiate a formal agreement with multiple qualified organizations within the following parameters:
1. Organizations and entities eligible to apply must fall under at least one of the following three categories:
· Employer
· Entities that carry out programs under the National Apprenticeship Act
· Public Institution of Higher Learning located in Hillsborough County
2. Respondent employers, entities that carry out programs under the National Apprenticeship Act registered apprenticeship programs, and public institutions of higher learning must be approved to do business in the State of Florida and have not been suspended or debarred from doing business with the state or federal government.
3. Training must meet the USDOL guidelines for a certificate/ credential.
4. Trainees must be existing full-time employees at the time of training. Trainee wages cannot fall below $12.00 per hour after training. Trainee wages cannot exceed $26.00 before training.
5. All respondents will be required to provide resources (other than CareerSource Tampa Bay funds) and/or leveraged funds. These resources and/or leveraged funds can include trainee wages, a portion of the requested direct training costs as outlined above, i.e. instructors’ wages, tuition, curriculum development, textbooks, materials and supplies, and must be at least 50% of the total program budget as outlined in the Questionnaire.
6. Eligible respondents must be in good financial standing and be able to provide a DUNS number or most recent financial statements.
SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES: Qualified employers, entities that carry out programs under the National Apprenticeship Act and/or public institutions of higher learning located within Hillsborough County, Florida interested in submitting a response to this Invitation to Negotiate must submit the following documents to:
Edward Peachey, President/ CEO
CareerSource Tampa Bay
5100 W Kennedy Blvd, Suite 300
Tampa, Florida 33609
Submissions must contain the following information:
1. Questionnaire: 1 signed paper original and 3 paper duplicate copies of the completed Questionnaire. Do not submit this entire document only the Questionnaire (pages 7-11).
2. 1 CD- ROM or USB containing the completed Questionnaire as a Word document. PDF submissions will be considered non-responsive.
The delivery of the Response is solely and strictly the responsibility of the Respondent. Proposals received once funding is obligated will be returned, unopened to the sender. The cost of preparing a response to this ITN shall be borne entirely by the Respondent.
CareerSource Tampa Bay reserves the right to reject any or all responses, to re-advertise this ITN, to postpone or cancel this process, to waive irregularities in the process or in responses thereto; and to change or modify the project schedule at any time. Any proposal received that does not include resources and/or leveraged funds will be considered non responsive and will not be included with the proposals to be reviewed by the committee.
SELECTION: CareerSource Tampa Bay will enter into negotiations with multiple organizations. The selection committee, comprised of CareerSource Tampa Bay staff will review and score each response. The Selection Committee reserves the right to request clarification on submitted responses. Should CareerSource Tampa Bay be unable to negotiate a final contract, negotiations with that firm will be formally ended.
CONTRACT: The term of agreements shall terminate by May 15, 2015. Invoicing must include reporting the amount of employer resources and/or leveraged funds provided in category and dollar amount. Organization entering into agreement with CareerSource Tampa Bay must agree to allow CareerSource Tampa Bay, The Department of Economic Opportunity, USDOL, and USDHHS access to any records directly related to this program. Records must be maintained for three (3) years subsequent to the conclusion of this program.
The successful Respondent(s) may not make an assignment of their obligations resulting from award of a contract in response to this ITN.
CareerSource Tampa Bay reserves the right to request additional services. If the Respondent is to be engaged to perform these additional services, the scope and fee will be negotiated in a separate contract to be awarded as a result of this solicitation. Such contract modification agreements, including provisions for additional fees are valid only if approved by both the Respondent and the CareerSource Tampa Bay Board.
CONTACT: Inquiries regarding this ITN should be directed to Julie Rathwell, Project Director, CareerSource Tampa Bay, via email at the following address:
No phone calls please.
Invitation to Negotiate
QUESTIONNAIRE
Please check the box that best defines organizational status
EmployerEntities that carry out programs under the National Apprenticeship Act
Public Institution of Higher Learning located in Hillsborough County
Organization Name:
Street/Mailing Address:
City: / ZIP: / County:
Organization Contact Person: / Title:
Phone: / Ext. / Fax:
Email Address: / Website Address:
Date of Inception: / Years in Business: / Total # Full-time Employees at this location:
Legal Structure of Business: / Sole Proprietor / Partnership / Corporation
Non-profit / Leased / Other(please indicate)
Employer’s Federal ID #: / Unemployment Comp ID #:
Dun and Bradstreet. #: / Primary NAICS and or (SIC) Code:
Is your company current on all State of Florida tax obligations? / YES / NO
Please estimate the total amount your company will spend on training in 2014/2015
Is your company receiving/applying for other public training funds? / YES / NO
If yes explain:
If yes, please state the source(s) and $ amount(s):
Description of your business, product(s) and/or service(s):
Amount of Grant Request from CareerSource Tampa Bay: / Number of FT Employees to be Trained:
(must be Florida residents)
Training Start Date / Training End Date
Training will be delivered: / On-site / At the training institution / At a remote location
Indicate industry sector that best fits your organization or type of training proposed (check only one)