Request for Proposals for WorkReady Pre-Apprenticeship Pilot

Posted by Philadelphia Youth Network on August 28, 2017

JUST RELEASED:  Request for Proposals for WorkReady Pre-Apprenticeship Pilot

RELEASE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALSTo implement pre-apprenticeship programs that strengthen access to registered apprenticeships for low-income and under-served youth, the Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) with the support of Philadelphia Works, Inc. (PWI) is seeking proposals from organizations dedicated to encouraging the growth of career pathway opportunities for disconnected young people. Pre-apprenticeships that target high-growth, high-vacancy, or emerging regional industries are highly encouraged.

The Request for Proposal (RFP) has been made available on Monday, August 21, 2017 and is available at http://pyninc.org and http://philaworks.org.

PROPOSAL TIMELINE
Monday, August 21, 2017: RFP Released
Thursday, September 07, 2017: Apprenticeship Information Session
Thursday, September 07, 2017: Bidders’ Conference at 9:30 a.m.
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Friday, September 15, 2017: Letter of Intent to Apply Due
Monday, October 09, 2017: Deadline to Submit Questions
Monday, October 16, 2017: Full Application Due
Friday, December 01, 2017: Site Interviews with Finalists
Friday, March 30, 2018: Proof of Partnering Apprenticeship Registration Due
April 2018: Awardees Notified
Sunday, July 01, 2018: Grant Period Begins

NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO APPLY

Prospective respondents are mandated to submit a “Notice of Intent to Apply” form (Attachment within RFP) to inform PYN of their intent to submit an application. The form must be emailed to PYNRFP@pyninc.org and is due no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 15, 2017. This notification is for planning purposes to assist in securing the necessary number of reviewers.

BIDDERS’ CONFERENCE
A Bidders’ Conference will be held on Thursday, September 7 at 9:30 a.m. at the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Attendance is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. Please RSVP your attendance by visiting http://pyninc.org/forms/bidders-conference and completing the RSVP form. You will be required to include the number of people attending and the name of your organization.

Questions must be submitted by September 5, 2017 at 5:00pm in order to be addressed at the Bidders’ Conference. All questions and answers collected prior to, as well as at the Bidder’s Conference, will be posted within four business days following the Bidder’s Conference on http://pyninc.org/connected#contract.

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY
To implement the WorkReady Pre-Apprenticeship Pilot, PYN is seeking proposals from nonprofit or for-profit organizations with a demonstrable capacity, experience and history of success providing evidence-based career pathways for youth. All respondents will be required to demonstrate that they have the fiscal and administrative capacity to manage a program at whatever scale they propose. In soliciting proposals, the Philadelphia Youth Network shall not discriminate against any person or organization submitting a proposal pursuant to this Request for Proposal because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnic group, national origin or other basis prohibited by law.

QUICK GUIDE
PYN requires that proposals:

• Recruit disconnected young people, ages 16 -24, from specified recruitment partners
• Align training skills and content needed for entry to a registered apprenticeship
• Connect youth to a Pennsylvania approved and registered apprenticeship
• Provide access to WIOA Youth Program Elements

Proposals are due Monday, October 16 by 12:00 p.m. Please note that late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Please feel free to share this opportunity widely with your networks. If you have any questions about this process, please email PYNRFP@pyninc.org.