Request For Proposal PDF Download

Request For Proposal PDF Download is sponsored by State of Vermont. Contact labor. grants@vermont.

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2025 Request for Proposal EmployVT: Youth Career Connector Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) EmployVT: Youth Career Connector Vision Vermont is committed to ensuring that all opportunity, out-of-school youth have equitable access to transformative employment experiences that ignite career aspirations, develop critical skills, and lay the foundation for lifelong economic success.

Through strategic partnerships and personalized support, we empower youth to gain hands-on work experience, master essential workplace and occupational skills, and explore career and education pathways that align with their goals.

By investing in their potential, we break down barriers, cultivate a culture of lifelong learning, and build a stronger, more inclusive workforce, one driven by the talent, resilience, and ambition of Vermont’s next generation.

Request for Proposal Introduction The Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) is issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) to interested and qualified applicants to provide Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) eligible youth participants ages 16-24 (Attachment A) with meaningful employment experiences that integrate academic learning, occupational skill development, and career pathway exploration for Vermont youth.

This initiative should be implemented in strong, close partnership with local VDOL regional staff to ensure effective coordination and support for participants.

Overview of Grant Information: • Total available funding: Approximately $400,000 • Maximum award per grantee: $75,000 • Application deadline: May 9, 2025, 5:00PM • Program timeline: The program will run for 8 to 10 weeks and may take place at any time between June 16 and September 30, 2025. • Contact for questions and submissions: labor. grants@vermont.

gov More detail on each of these items is provided in the sections below. Page 2 of 16 The Employ VT: Youth Career Connector program, formerly named the Summer Youth Employment Program, is established under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to support out-of-school youth ages 16-24 who face barriers to employment, such as limited work experience, low income, or other qualifying factors (Attachment A).

This program provides paid work experience, job readiness training, and supportive services, equipping participants with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the workforce. By offering hands-on experience in high demand industries aligned with their career interests, the EmployVT: Youth Career Connector program fosters professional development, workplace skills, and career exploration.

Ultimately, this initiative empowers young adults to transition into sustainable employment or further education, laying the foundation for long-term success and strengthening Vermont’s future workforce. VDOL is soliciting innovative youth programs operated under the provisions of WIOA to provide opportunity youth with high quality educational, training, and employment services.

Applicants may include: • For-profit organizations • Non-profit organizations • Public agencies; and/or • A collaboration of these organizations A consortium, joint venture, or collaboration of organizations is permitted to respond to this RFP; however, the proposal must clearly demonstrate that all contractual responsibility rests solely with one legal entity and that the proposed arrangement would enable the applicant to provide both efficient and quality services.

The Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) expects to award approximately $400,000 in WIOA Youth funding through this RFP to support services for opportunity youth. This amount is an estimate and may change based on final federal allocations. VDOL anticipates awarding funding to approximately 10 organizations across the state.

Grant amounts will vary, and applicants may receive less than the amount requested. The maximum award per grantee is $75,000.

Selection Process Page 3 of 16 Grants will be awarded to organizations that can demonstrate experience in serving opportunity, out-of-school youth in Vermont, with a particular focus on priority industries, including Advanced Manufacturing, Health Care, Information Technology (IT), and Infrastructure (construction, electrical, plumbing, heavy equipment, civil engineering, fiber optic cable installer).

Preference will be given to organizations with a proven track record of successfully supporting youth in employment, education, and training within these high-demand fields. Eligible organizations should have experience implementing effective workforce development programs, building strong employer partnerships, and providing structured job readiness training, career exploration, and wraparound support services.

Applicants must demonstrate measurable success in helping youth gain work experience, develop essential skills, and transition into sustainable employment, apprenticeships, or postsecondary education— particularly within the identified sector industries.

Priority will be given to programs that have consistently achieved positive outcomes, such as high job placement rates, credential attainment, and long-term career advancement for participants in these key industries. Through this funding, Vermont seeks to invest in organizations with expertise, industry connections, and commitment to empowering opportunity youth toward brighter futures in high-growth career pathways.

Equal Opportunity Assurance Statement The Grantee assures that it will comply with Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity requirements set forth in 29 CFR Part 38 and all other regulations implementing the laws listed below: (A) Section 188 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which prohibits discrimination against all individuals in the United States on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, transgender status, and gender identity), national origin (including limited English proficiency), age, disability, or political affiliation or belief, or against beneficiaries on the basis of either citizenship status or participation in any WIOA Title I-financially assisted program or activity; (B) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, which prohibits discrimination on the bases of race, color and national origin; (C) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities; (D) The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age; and (E) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs.

Page 4 of 16 The United States has the right to seek judicial enforcement of this assurance and it is considered incorporated by operation of law. References: Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) requirement: 29 CFR 38. 25 Further information found in the Vermont WIOA Non-Discrimination Plan , Element 1.

The Vermont Department of Labor is an equal opportunity employer that administers equal opportunity programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Free language access assistance is also available.

Send an email to labor. eoofficer@vermont. gov if you are in need of these services.

This project is funded in full by the U.S. Department of Labor through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Program Allotments Grant, CFDA #17. 259. All applicable federal and state WIOA requirements apply.

2. Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity (29 CFR Part 38) The grantee must comply with the nondiscrimination provisions of WIOA Section 188 and 29 CFR Part 38, which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, and for beneficiaries only, citizenship or participation in a WIOA program. 3.

Accessibility and Inclusion Programs and activities must be physically and programmatically accessible to individuals with disabilities, including accessible digital content and assistive technologies where applicable. Grantees and subrecipients must avoid conflicts of interest as outlined in 2 CFR § 200. 318(c)(1).

No employee, officer, or agent may participate in the selection or administration of a contract supported by WIOA funds if a real or apparent conflict of interest would be involved. 5. Debarment and Suspension (2 CFR § 180) Page 5 of 16 Grantees must confirm that neither they nor any of their principals are currently debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from participation in federal programs, as listed on the SAM.

gov Excluded Parties List. All expenditures must be necessary, reasonable, and allocable in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E (Cost Principles) and WIOA rules. 7.

Recordkeeping and Monitoring The grantee agrees to maintain financial and programmatic records as required and to make such records available for monitoring, audit, or inspection by VDOL, USDOL, or their designees.

Required Proposal Sections Section I - Executive Summary Applicant and fiscal agent (if applicable) Program timeline for an 8-to-10-week program between June 16th, 2025, and September 30 th , 2025 Estimated number of opportunity, out-of-school youth to be served Section II - Statement of Work Please provide a detailed yet concise response in paragraph form, covering each component with a thorough description, timeline, and your approach to collaborating with VDOL staff.

While you do not need to follow the current bullet-point format, ensure all key aspects are addressed. The information in this section will serve as your scope of work if the grant is awarded.

To ensure compliance, enhance program effectiveness, and provide ongoing guidance and support, grantees are strongly encouraged to actively involve local regional VDOL staff at every stage of the program, from outreach and enrollment to service delivery and follow-up. 1.

Outreach, Recruitment, and Orientation Grantees will be responsible for outreach and recruitment efforts, including identifying potentially eligible youth, securing necessary documentation, and collaborating closely with community organizations, school systems, and local regional VDOL staff to engage and enroll opportunity, out-of-school youth (OSY).

All youth must receive a comprehensive orientation to the Employ VT: Youth Career Connector program, designed by the grantee. Page 6 of 16 Youth who have dropped out must be provided with a clear, structured pathway to earning a high school diploma or its equivalent within a reasonable timeframe, generally within one year of participation. 2.

Intake, Eligibility Determination, and Registration Grantees must determine WIOA eligibility (attachment A) for all youth applicants, assess their suitability for program services, and collect and verify all necessary documentation. Eligibility must be confirmed before a youth can be enrolled and receive WIOA-funded services. 3.

Objective Assessment and Referral An objective assessment must be conducted for each participant to evaluate academic levels, skill sets, and service needs, including basic skills, occupational skills, prior work experience, employability, interests, aptitudes, supportive service needs, mental health services, and developmental needs. The goal is to establish a tailored service strategy for each youth.

Eligible youth who choose not to enroll must receive information on alternative local programs and referrals for further assessment as appropriate. 4. Individual Service Strategy (ISS) Using assessment results, Grantees will develop an ISS (Attachment E) for each youth participant.

The ISS is a structured, individualized plan that outlines career pathways, educational and employment goals, WIOA youth program participation, and support services. The ISS must specify the timeframe for goal completion and clearly link services provided to performance outcomes. The Grantee staff must serve as supportive mentors, providing continuous guidance from recruitment through the transition period at the end of the program.

Grantees staff will act as trusted advisors, helping youth navigate their journey by coordinating necessary services and empowering them to achieve their goals. Through personalized support, they will ensure that participants are prepared for post-secondary education, academic and occupational training, or employment. 6.

Access to a Range of Services The 14 WIOA youth program elements (Attachment B) must be made available to enrolled youth. If a Grantee does not provide a specific program element, they must demonstrate the ability to facilitate seamless referrals to appropriate providers. The Grantee is responsible for ensuring each youth receives a full continuum of services based on their ISS.

7. Co-Enrollment with Vermont Department of Labor All youth participants will be co-enrolled with VDOL, making collaboration with VDOL regional staff essential at every stage of the program. This partnership is critical to ensuring that youth receive the full spectrum of support needed to achieve their goals.

Regional staff must be kept informed and engaged through consistent communication, allowing them to provide guidance, monitor progress, and ensure compliance. Their involvement extends from eligibility determination and assessments to ongoing case management and program services.

At the program’s conclusion, youth will receive a referral to continue working with regional staff, ensuring a seamless transition to further education, training, or employment. Page 7 of 16 Ultimately, this is not a one-time coordination but an ongoing collaboration between Grantees and VDOL, working together to maximize opportunities and success for every participant. 8.

Program structure and Professional Development Requirements Funded programs must provide a minimum of 40 hours of career pathway exploration and professional development workshops.

These sessions should be intentionally designed to strengthen participants' career readiness, develop essential workplace skills, and expand their industry knowledge, ensuring they are well-prepared for future education, training, and employment opportunities. 9. Monitoring, Compliance, and Performance Measurement Grantees must outline their strategy for working with the VDOL monitoring team during and at the conclusion of the program.

This includes coordinating and facilitating monitoring visits, ensuring VDOL staff have access to all relevant program documentation, and scheduling interviews with program participants, employers, and staff to assess program effectiveness.

To ensure program quality, compliance, and proper documentation, applicants should describe their process for: • Tracking and measuring youth performance outcomes , including job placement, credential attainment, skill development, and career progression. • Maintaining accurate and up-to-date case files , including eligibility documentation, attendance records, worksite evaluations, and participant progress reports.

• Ensuring adherence to workforce development policies and regulations ,including compliance with youth labor laws, prevailing wage requirements, and programmatic guidelines. • Using funds appropriately and in alignment with the approved spending plan, ensuring that expenditures support program goals and comply with financial oversight requirements.

Grantees must demonstrate a clear strategy for financial stewardship, including internal controls, budget tracking, and reporting mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability. Programs that incorporate strong data management, monitoring systems, and continuous improvement processes will be prioritized for funding.

Section III – Budget Information Budget Summary (Attachment C) Budget Narrative (Attachment D) Evaluation Criteria & Review Process Page 8 of 16 Proposals will be evaluated by a grant review panel. The panel may include members of the State Workforce Board, VDOL, partner agencies, community members and youth.

Recommendations will be made based on: Program design and effectiveness Demonstrated experience serving at-risk youth Geographic distribution of services Partnerships and community engagement Past grant performance and compliance Strong and successful collaboration with the VDOL Region Reporting Requirements and Program Accountability Grantees must adhere to strict reporting requirements to ensure program accountability and success.

Consistent and timely reporting is essential for maintaining compliance, evaluating program effectiveness, and ensuring continuous improvement. To assess participant progress and program impact, all participants must complete both a pre- and post-program survey designed by VDOL. Weekly timesheets must also be submitted to track participant engagement and progress.

In addition, grantees are required to submit the following reports: A mid-program report outlining enrollment numbers, participant progress, and financial expenditures. A final report summarizing overall program outcomes, participant success stories, and budget reconciliation. Please type your answers directly into this Word Document and submit as .

docx. Application materials submitted in any other format may not be accepted. Please title it [Grantee Name SEO Grant] and send to labor.

grants@vermont. gov . Please send all attachments and application materials in one email.

For more general information please refer to the granting plan and FAQ published at SEO Grant | Department of Labor (vermont. gov). Any questions should be directed to labor.

grants@vermont. gov . This application is due no later than 5:00pm May 9, 2025.

BASIC INFORMATION Page 9 of 16 If your application is selected for funding, the following information will be used to compile the grant agreement between your organization and VDOL. Please ensure that the information you provide is accurate. 1.

Legal Name of Applicant Organization ( If another organization would serve as your fiscal agent for this grant, please use their legal name). 2. Funding Request amount 3.

Program timeline for an 8-to-10-week program between June 16th, 2025, and September 30 th , 2025 4. Estimated number of opportunity, out-of-school youth to be served Programmatic Questions & Inquiries Tracy Verge, Sr. Program Administrator ( tracy. verge@vermont.

gov ); and Matt Machia, Program Support Specialist ( matthew. machia@vermont. gov ) Grant Program Questions & Inquiries Carly Patrick, Contracts and Grants Administrator ( carly.

patrick@vermont. gov ) The Vermont Department of Labor looks forward to partnering with organizations dedicated to empowering Vermont youth through meaningful employment and career development opportunities. An Out of School Youth (OSY) is an individual who is: (a) Not attending any school; (b) Not younger than age 16 or older than age 24 at time of enrollment.

Because age eligibility is based on age at enrollment, participants may continue to receive services beyond the age of 24 once they are enrolled in the program; and (c) One or more of the following: 1) A school dropout; Page 10 of 16 2) A youth who is within the age of compulsory school attendance, but has not attended school for at least the most recent complete school year calendar quarter.

School year calendar quarter is based on how a local school district defines its school year quarters.

In cases where schools do not use quarters, local programs must use calendar year quarters; 3) A recipient of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent who is a low-income individual and is either basic skills deficient or an English language learner; 5) A homeless individual ages 16 to 24 who meets the criteria defined in sec. 41403(6) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C.

14043e-2 (6)), a homeless child or youth aged 16 to 24 who meets the criteria defined in sec. 725 (2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a (2)) or a runaway; 6) An individual in foster care or who has aged out of the foster care system or who has attained 16 years of age and left foster care for kinship guardianship or adoption, a child eligible for assistance under sec.

477 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677), or in an out-of-home placement; 7) An individual who is pregnant or parenting; 8) An individual with a disability; or 9) A low-income individual who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment. Page 11 of 16 1).

Tutoring, study skills training, instructions, and evidence-based dropout prevention and recovery strategies that lead to completion of the requirements of secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent (including a recognized certificate of attendance or similar document for individuals with disabilities) or for a recognized postsecondary credential; 2).

Alternative secondary school services, or dropout recovery services as appropriate; 3).

Paid and unpaid work experiences that have academic and occupational education as a component of the work experience, which may include the following types of work experiences: (i) summer employment opportunities and other employment opportunities available throughout the school year; (ii) pre-apprenticeship programs; (iii) internships and job shadowing; and (iv) on-the-job training opportunities; 4).

Occupational skill training, which shall include priority consideration for training programs that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials that align with in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the local area involved, if the local board determines that the program meet the quality criteria described in WIOA section 123; 5).

Education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster; 6). Leadership development opportunities, including; community service and peer centered activities encouraging responsibility and other positive social and civic behaviors as appropriate; 8).

Adult mentoring for a duration of at least 12 months that may occur both during and after program participation; 9). Follow-up services for not less than 12 months after the completion of participation as appropriate; 10). Comprehensive guidance and counseling, which may include drug and alcohol abuse counseling, as well as referrals to counseling, as appropriate to the needs of the individual youth; 11).

Financial literacy education; 12). Entrepreneurial skills training; 13). Services that provide labor market and employment information about in-demand industry sectors or occupations available in the local area, such as career awareness, career counseling, and career exploration services; Page 12 of 16 14).

Activities that help youth prepare for and transition to postsecondary education and training. Page 13 of 16 Record funds requested for the initial period of performance. Total should not exceed $75,000.

Although grants awarded will not include youth wages and payroll taxes, please show total costs of the program including these elements. (# of youth x # of hours x entry level wage of occupation). Payroll taxes equal 9.

5% of total wages. Number of Youth Participants # Hours Worked @ XX/hour Total Youth Wages Total Wages X Wage (Attachment E) Total Payroll Taxes Page 14 of 16 Describe how funds will be used. Descriptions may be brief but require sufficient detail so that fiscal and program staff can match reimbursement request documentation to what is noted below.

Salary costs for individuals employed by grantee. List all staff positions by title including the roles and responsibilities. State the annual salary of each person, the percentage of each person’s time devoted to the project, the amount of each person’s salary funded by the grant and the total personnel cost for the period of performance.

Fringe Benefit costs for individuals included in Personnel cost above. Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, retirement, etc. If fringe costs are calculated as a percentage of personnel costs, please note the percentage used in addition to the dollar amount. Costs can be for grantee’s employees or for travel provided directly by grantee to participants.

Travel stipends should be listed under “Other. ” Specify the purpose, number of staff traveling, mileage, per diem, estimated number of in-state and out-of-state trips and other costs for each type of travel. Supplies include all tangible personal property, including technology.

The detailed budget should identify categories of supplies (e.g., office supplies). List the quantity and unit cost and total cost per item. No item may exceed $5,000 in value.

Contractual Amount = Page 15 of 16 Goods or services procured by contract. For each proposed contract and subaward, specify the purpose, activities, and estimated cost. Contracts are a legal instrument by which the grantee purchases tangible goods or services needed to carry out the project or program.

No contract may exceed $5,000 and all contracts must include Attachment A from the grant agreement and must be approved by the Workforce Development Director before execution. Costs that are not covered in other categories. List each item in sufficient detail for VDOL to determine whether the costs are reasonable or allowable.

List item, such as incentives, not covered elsewhere. Costs that are not directly allocated. VDOL prefers that grantees allocate all costs directly.

When that isn’t possible, grantees are permitted to account for indirect costs, provided that they submit a currently approved indirect cost rate agreement issued by the federal government or the state of Vermont. The Department of Labor does not approve or issue these agreements directly. A copy of this agreement must be submitted with the application as Attachment D.

* Grantees may only receive payments for indirect costs if they have a federal or state approved indirect cost agreement. Page 16 of 16 Structured Work Experience – A planned, supervised, and time-limited work activity designed to provide youth with hands-on experience in a real work setting. It may be paid or unpaid and must include meaningful job tasks that help develop work readiness and occupational skills.

Examples include internships, pre-apprenticeships, and on-the-job training. Wage - For the purposes of this RFP, wage is defined as the entry-level wage for the specific occupation the individual is entering . This refers to the typical starting pay for workers new to the occupation, based on current labor market information and/or employer documentation.

Individualized Service Strategy (ISS) – A personalized, goal-oriented plan developed for each youth participant, outlining the services, education, training, and support needed to achieve career and employment objectives. The ISS is based on an assessment of the individual’s strengths, barriers, and interests and serves as a roadmap for skill development and long-term success.

Measurable Skills Gains (MSG) – A performance indicator tracking a participant’s progress in education or training. It demonstrates skill improvement toward a recognized credential or employment and may include educational functioning level gains, completion of workforce preparation activities, passing technical assessments, or progress in occupational training.

Credential – A recognized certification, diploma, degree, or industry-recognized certificate that validates a participant’s attainment of skills and knowledge necessary for employment. This includes high school diplomas, GEDs, postsecondary degrees, occupational licenses, and industry certifications aligned with in-demand careers.