WDC releases RFPs promoting new service delivery strategy

On January 2, 2007, the WDC released Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for both Program and Site Operator of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Title I-B Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs with a decidedly new service delivery strategy and model, outlined in the recently published white paper Performance Trends and System Design Recommendations.

Performance Trends and System Design Recommendations is the result of the Snohomish County WDC actively seeking new methods and strategies to provide the best in job seeker and business services to Snohomish County.

As described in the white paper, a detailed analysis of the performance trends of the Snohomish County WIA programs over the past two years revealed a decline in system performance. Seeking to remedy this situation, Snohomish County WDC staff audited the performance trends of other workforce development areas (WDAs). This audit was then followed by an in-depth analysis of the delivery process and services in a center operated by a comparable workforce development area with positive trend lines to serve as a starting point for making redesign recommendation to WDC's Service Delivery Committee, a subcommittee of the Snohomish County WDC Board of Directors.

Written and published by WDC staff in November 2006, Performance Trends and System Design Recommendations outlines the primary objectives for Snohomish County WIA Programs, including:

• to streamline and facilitate faster and more directed services for both businesses and job seekers;
  
• to create and encourage a team-based environment in the WorkSource Snohomish County centers utilizing as many partner agencies as possible to exceed Federal and State performance targets; and
  
• to integrate services to both businesses and job seekers through a cluster-based, demand-driven system, increasing long-term successes for both businesses and job seekers.

A bidder's conference will be held on January 17, 2007 at 1:00 PM at the office of the Snohomish County WDC. The Bidders' Conference may be attended in person or via telephone. The telephone number and access code will be posted online at www.worksourceonline.com by January 10, 2007. A letter of intent is due by the date of the Bidders' Conference if no one from the entity is in attendance. Questions are considered public information and will be posted, in their entirety, on the WDC website with answers within 48 hours of receipt. Questions will be accepted by e-mail only, and only until February 26, 2007. Questions submitted using alternative formats or after that date will not be answered. All questions should be submitted to Trina Miller by email.

Responses to the RFPs are due to the WDC no later than 5:00 PM on February 28, 2007.

A presentation is required of all entities submitting responsive proposals, and will be scheduled between March 1 and March 21, 2007 at the WDC. The presentation must be no more than 30 minutes in length and will be made to the WDC's Service Delivery Committee and WDC staff. The Service Delivery Committee will then rate the responses and presentations and announce the accepted proposals no later than 12:00 noon on March 31, 2007.

For more information about the RFP process, to download a copy of Performance Trends and System Design Recommendations, and the RFPs for both Program and Site Operator, click here.