One-Stop Operator RFP – Award Announcement

We are pleased to announce that Career TEAM will serve as the One-Stop Operator for the WorkSource Pierce One-Stop Center. Read about the Workforce Development Board’s approval vote during their April 21, 2022 meeting HERE.

WorkForce Central is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals for a WorkSource Pierce One-Stop Center Operator.

***We are no longer accepting submissions for this RFP.***

We are seeking proposals to identify an individual or organization to serve as the One-Stop Operator (OSO) for the WorkSource Pierce One-Stop Center. The selected OSO will be a servant leader who works collaboratively with WorkForce Central and One-Stop Center partners to create a harmonious and productive space where excellent customer experience is the focus and center of all activity. They will provide operational oversight and functional leadership with a commitment to equity and access, partnership orientation, diplomacy, unbiased approach with all stakeholders, and knowledge of local needs and resources.

WorkSource Pierce One-Stop Operator services will be funded under Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). For planning purposes, bidders should estimate WIOA funding of up to $150,000 for this RFP.

KEY DATES
  • RFP Release: March 3, 2021
  • Bidders’ Conference: March 18, 2021, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm PDT
  • Deadline for Questions: March 30, 2021, 5:00 pm PDT
  • Notification of Intent to Bid Due: March 31, 5:00 pm PDT
  • Proposal Package Due: April 14, 5:00 pm PDT
  • Award Announcement: On or near May 21, 2021
  • Subaward Period: July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022
                                                (Potential annual extension through June 30, 2025)

Bidders' Conference

Potential bidders are invited to a virtual Bidders’ Conference on March 18, 2021. WorkForce Central staff will be present to share information and answer questions regarding the RFP and proposal requirements.

To attend the Bidders’ Conference, email procurement@workforce-central.org to request the meeting link no later than 12:00 pm PDT on March 18, 2021. Please include the RFP number in the subject line of the email.

Notification of Intent to Bid

A Notification of Intent to Bid is required to submit a proposal for WorkForce Central’s One-Stop Operator Request for Proposals (RFP) and is due Wednesday, March 31, 2021, by 5:00 PM PDT.

The Notification of Intent to Bid is an email that states your intent to bid for the One-Stop Operator RFP and includes the organization’s or individual’s name, contact person’s name, and contact information. Please send your Notification of Intent to Bid to procurement@workforce-central.org with “RFP # WIOA-ONE-STOP OPERATOR-3-3-2021” in the email subject line. Notifications of Intent to Bid are not binding; organizations and individuals can decide later not to submit a proposal.

VIEW THE RFP
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Request Invite to Bidders’ Conference
FORMS

Questions & Answers

Please email your questions regarding this RFP to procurement@workforce-central.org and include the RFP number in the subject line. Questions and answers will be posted to this webpage as they become available. The deadline for written questions is March 30, 2021, 5:00 pm PST.

Questions Via Email

I thought the OSO had already been selected through the October RFP process.  I would love clarification.

The evaluation process for the One-Stop System Operator (OSSO) RFP released in October 2020 did not result in selection of an OSSO for WorkSource Pierce. As a result, WorkForce Central and the WorkSource Pierce partnership redesigned the request and has released a new RFP for a One-Stop Operator (OSO). The individual or organization in this role will focus on ensuring integrated, accessible, equitable, and high quality services at the WorkSource Pierce One-Stop Center, working collaboratively with WorkForce Central and WorkSource Pierce partners co-located at the Center and at affiliate and connection sites. WorkForce Central will provide system-wide coordination and oversight beyond the One-Stop Center.

I'd like to know what a subrecipient is.

Subrecipient means a non-Federal entity that receives a subaward from a pass-through entity to carry out part of a Federal program. WorkForce Central is a pass-through entity for federal WIOA (Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act) program funds, and our non-Federal subrecipient provider organizations receive a subaward from us to deliver WIOA programs. It essentially means the same thing as a grant recipient, but with a specific name that denotes the funding is federal and comes through a pass-through entity like us.

Bidders’ Conference Questions

Is the OSO the primary and initial point of contact for all the people who call, email Workforce Central in general (to learn more about the employment services or trainings, and to register? Then referring them out to the organizations and staff for next steps? Or are these responsibilities shared with other service providers or Workforce Central staff? Is there a central online system where inquiries and requests are logged and tracked, and where the OSO can make entries and updates?

The OSO is not a WorkForce Central position. The OSO is the primary or initial point of contact for all who contact the One-Stop Center for general information that cannot be addressed by the front desk administrator. The OSO may also direct those questions to the organization that provides the service the caller is inquiring about if further information is needed. The OSO is located at the WorkSource Pierce One-Stop Center on 2121 State Street, in Tacoma, WA.

Is there a training that the OSO can participate in related to WIOA, local, state, federal laws, policies, regulations, and guidance (in addition to reading all the policies and manuals)?

The OSO will not be required to know regulations specific to WIOA. However, there is onboarding which will provide all the information, policies, and practices specific to the One-Stop Center that the OSO will need to be familiar with. Also, the OSO will work closely with the Senior Director of Workforce Systems Alignment at WorkForce Central to ensure they have access to and understanding of the information they will need.

What are the currently existing committees that the OSO will be expected to lead and host? What are the committees that the OSO will be expected to participate in, but will not themselves lead?

The OSO is expected to be a part of the Continuous Quality Improvement Team (CQI Team), The Center Operations Team, The Center Leadership Team, and participate with the One-Stop Center certification process.  There are currently no teams that the OSO will lead.

How much influence does the OSO have on the partner staff located at the one-stop? For example, if a staff member is not following the customer service protocols what can the OSO do about it other than talk to that staff member's direct supervisor?

The OSO’s responsibility is to ensure that customers receive the highest level of customer service. If there are challenges with center staff that arise, the OSO has a responsibility to report that to the individual’s direct supervisor.  

I know in the budget, there is a professional development line item. Is the idea that this funding will be for providing professional development for the entire Center staff? For example, if we want to bring in trainers from the outside? Is this something the OSO would be responsible for in terms of money?

The professional development line item in the budget is an optional line item for funds to pay for the OSO’s own professional development. The OSO, or their organization if applicable, is not responsible to cover the costs of any outside professional development.

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