Workforce Boulder County Innovation Funds
Due Date: | 10/29/2021 2:00 pm |
Bidding Number: | RFP #7271-21 |
Bidding Categories: | Workforce Boulder County |
Other Comments: | Purpose/Background Boulder County Board of County Commissioners, on behalf of Workforce Boulder County and the Boulder County Workforce Development Board (BCWDB), are seeking proposals for the Workforce Innovation Grant Program (Innovation Grants) under Colorado House Bill 21-1264. The purpose of the Innovation Grants is to provide innovation in order to improve outcomes for learners and workers, including underserved populations, by promoting partnership and helping prepare Coloradans for well-paying, quality jobs. Background On June 23, 2021, Colorado House Bill 21-1264 was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis. The bill appropriated $75 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan to support talent development. This includes $60 million to the Colorado Workforce Development Council to invest in programs and grants that support training for the unemployed and underemployed during times of substantial unemployment. The Innovation Grants compose $35 million of this stimulus package. Of this amount, $17,500,000 will be distributed by formula to local workforce boards to award funds to eligible applicants through a competitive process. Workforce Boulder County received $1,029,444 to contract out to local grant applicants. This RFP was created in response to Colorado House Bill 21-1264 described above. Vendors are strongly encouraged to read Program Guidance Letter GRT-2021-02 issued by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment that outlines the vision for the Innovation Grant. Colorado’s unemployment rate remains higher than pre-COVID levels, and the impacts of low-quality jobs and demands for skilled workers create stress within the labor market. Of particular focus in the legislation are the following three key driving messages:
Period of Performance One hundred percent (100%) of the allocation must be expended by December 31, 2024. Eligible Applicants Grant applicants must conduct business in Boulder County with a physical presence in the area. The following entities are eligible to apply for Innovation Grants:
Eligible applicants may apply in partnership with sub-applicants, including higher education, libraries, K-12 Local Education Agencies (LEAs) or Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), adult education programs, proprietary (private) training providers, economic development corporations, and non-profit organizations. Applicants are encouraged to apply with partners that support transformative strategies focused on systemic alignment with the Colorado Workforce Center ecosystem. Written Inquiries All inquiries regarding this RFP will be submitted via email to the Boulder County Purchasing Office at purchasing@bouldercounty.org on or before 2:00 p.m. October 13, 2021. A response from the county to all inquiries will be posted and sent via email no later than October 19, 2021. Do not contact any other county department or personnel with questions or for information regarding this solicitation. Submittal Instructions Submittals are due at the email box only, listed below, for time and date recording on or before 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time on October 29, 2021. Please note that email responses to this solicitation are limited to a maximum of 50MB capacity. NO ZIP FILES OR LINKS TO EXTERNAL SITES WILL BE ACCEPTED. THIS INCLUDES GOOGLE DOCS AND SIMILAR SITES. ALL SUBMITTALS MUST BE RECEIVED AS AN ATTACHMENT (E.G. PDF, WORD, EXCEL). WfBC_Innovation_Grant_RFP_BudgetTemplate 2021 The attached addendum supersedes the original Information and Specifications regarding RFP # 7271-21 where it adds to, deletes from, clarifies or otherwise modifies. All other conditions and any previous addendums shall remain unchanged. Please note: Due to COVID-19, BIDS will only be accepted electronically by emailing purchasing@bouldercounty.org. |