***We are no longer accepting submissions for this RFQQ.***
WORKFORCE CENTRAL IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND QUOTATIONS FOR INDUSTRY SKILLS COHORT TRAININGS.
We are seeking to identify entities qualified to assess our current fiscal processes, recommend improvements, and to obtain projected costs for completing this work.
The selected entity will:
- Complete a high-level assessment and mapping of WorkForce Central’s current fiscal processes
- Provide recommendations to improve efficiency and effectiveness, while maintaining compliance requirements
Ideal respondents will demonstrate significant experience assessing organizations’ fiscal processes, knowledge and experience with general accounting standards, knowledge of federal, state, and local government funding sources and requirements, familiarity with 2 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 200 Uniform Guidance, and understanding of the workforce development system in Washington State and Pierce County.
| RFQQ Release | 4/28/2025 |
| Deadline for Questions | 5/29/2025 |
| Proposals Due | 6/3/2025 |
Questions & Answers
Questions about this RFQQ are welcome until May 29, 2025. Please submit questions using the RFQQ Question Form. This is the only allowed venue for RFQQ questions. To maintain fairness to all bidders, WorkForce Central staff cannot discuss the RFQQ or specific proposal questions with potential bidders. Questions and answers will be posted to this webpage as they become available.
Is there a formalized process for monitoring compliance with 2 CFR 200 and other relevant regulations?
WorkForce Central is audited annually by the Washington State Auditor’s Office, monitored annually by the Washington Employment Security Department, and monitored as required by other state and local funders.
Are current financial policies and procedures formally documented and regularly updated?
WorkForce Central’s policies are regularly updated and available to the public at Policy Library – WorkForce Central.
Will suppliers without direct experience with Washington’s workforce system be eliminated from consideration, or is general familiarity with similar experience sufficient for consideration?
Suppliers without direct experience with Washington’s workforce system will not be eliminated from consideration.
Will interviews include leadership beyond the Fiscal Department?
Interviews with leadership beyond the Fiscal Department are expected to be part of the assessment process. If an entity is selected for a contract as a result of this RFQQ, WorkForce Central and the selected entity will discuss and agree to details of the assessment process prior to contract execution.
Is Workforce Central primarily focused on compliance gaps, or do you want process improvement suggestions aligned with Uniform Guidance standards?
We anticipate both compliance and process improvement opportunities to be part of the assessment process. If an entity is selected for a contract, WorkForce Central and the selected entity will discuss and agree to details of the assessment process prior to contract execution.
What is the expected time commitment of internal staff (including the 7-10 individuals mentioned) during interviews or workshops?
WorkForce Central has not estimated the time commitment that will be required for our staff to participate in the assessment process. If an entity is selected for a contract, WorkForce Central and the selected entity will discuss and agree to details of the assessment process prior to contract execution.
Are there any critical internal or external deadlines that the assessment findings need to align with (budget cycle, audit schedule, grant renewal)?
WorkForce Central has flexibility for when the fiscal processes assessment is completed. The timeline will be developed based on the length of time for WorkForce Central’s contracting decision, other organizational factors and considerations, and contract negotiation with a selected entity.
Will this quote be used as the contract price, or is there a bidding process with an opportunity to refine pricing after the RFQQ?
There may be opportunity for an entity selected for a contract to refine pricing based on mutual discussion of proposed services and during contract negotiation. We don’t anticipate an additional bidding process beyond this RFQQ.
Does Workforce Central have an independent 3rd party auditor, and if so, which firm is that?
WorkForce Central is audited annually by the Washington State Auditor’s Office.
How many subcontracts does Workforce Central manage?
If an entity is selected for a contract to provide the services described in the RFQQ, WorkForce Central will discuss the number and nature of our subcontracts with the selected entity prior to finalizing a contract.
For the review of financial data and transactions that is required, how big is the required sample size and what proportion of Workforce Central's business does that represent?
If an entity is selected for a contract to provide the services described in the RFQQ, WorkForce Central will discuss details about financial data and transactions with the selected entity prior to finalizing a contract.
Our firm is a Pennsylvania based CPA firm working in multiple states. Would your organization be open to working with an out-of-state firm with the required qualifications including experience with workforce development agencies?
The RFQQ does not require that an entity selected for a contract to provide the services described is based in Washington. If an out-of-state entity is selected for a contract, WorkForce Central will require the entity to have a Washington State Business License prior to contract execution. If an entity does not have a Washington State Business License, they may indicate that in their response and state they will acquire one if selected for a contract. Information about Washington State Business Licenses can be found here: Business Licensing and renewals FAQs | Washington Department of Revenue.
Would you prefer a flat fee or hourly rates?
The RFQQ requests that respondents provide a projected cost of services and explanations and assumptions on which the quote is based. Respondents have the flexibility to present cost in the manner they choose, which could include proposing a flat fee, hourly rate, or both.
Do you have an estimate for the number of hours the consultant will work on this project?
WorkForce Central has not estimated the number of hours that will be required for the services summarized in the RFQQ. We hope to learn what may be required from the responses we receive.
Do you have current process and procedure concerns that you would like addressed throughout this process?
If an entity is selected for a contract to provide the services described in the RFQQ, WorkForce Central will discuss processes and procedures to be assessed with the selected entity and reach mutual agreement on specific approach and methodology.
The character limits on the online form do not appear to provide adequate space for us to detail our experience and qualifications, let alone approach and methodology, for this project. Is it possible to submit/upload a more standard proposal/response on the portal, and, if so, how?
We don’t allow extra materials to be included with the online response form. Please summarize your organization’s qualifications, approach and methodology in your response and indicate your readiness to provide additional, more in-depth information.
If able, could you please share the anticipate budget for this effort?
WorkForce Central has not set a budget range for this work; it will be informed by the quotations we receive.
We are currently preparing our application for the WorkForce Central opportunity titled Optimizing Fiscal Processes (System Identifier 55383). Our firm meets the qualification criteria outlined in the RFQQ and has experience successfully completing a contract in Washington State. We are also an approved vendor with the state. As we move through the application, we noticed a request for a business license. Since our firm provides professional consulting services, we are not required to maintain a traditional business license for the scope of work outlined. Could you please advise if it is acceptable to indicate “N/A” for this requirement and proceed with the application, or is a business license mandatory in order to be considered?
Entities without a Washington State Business License may respond to the RFQQ. If they are selected for a contract to provide services, WorkForce Central will require the entity to acquire the Business License prior to contract execution. You may indicate in your response that you do not currently have a Washington State Business License but will obtain one if selected for a contract.
Information about Washington State Business Licenses can be found here: Business Licensing and renewals FAQs | Washington Department of Revenue.
Can entities registered outside of Washington State apply for this RFP, or is there a requirement for the selected entity to be based in Washington?
The RFQQ does not require that an entity selected for a contract to provide the services described in the RFQQ is based in Washington.
Our experience is primarily with entities, counties, and municipalities outside of Washington State. Will this be considered as relevant experience for this project?
Experience which aligns with the items listed in the Desired Qualifications section of the RFQQ would be considered relevant.
Are subcontractors permitted to be involved in this project, and if so, are there any specific requirements or restrictions regarding their use?
The RFQQ does not restrict the proposed use of subcontractors to deliver the services described. The respondent should clearly articulate the role of proposed subcontractors in their response.
Is remote work an acceptable option for completing this project, or are there specific location requirements (e.g., work to be conducted within Pierce County) for contractors?
The RFQQ does not specify work location requirements. However, respondents proposing to provide services remotely should explain how they will effectively accomplish the activities listed under the sentence, “The expected assessment approach will include:” without requiring significant extra work or time for WorkForce Central employees.
Are there any specific data access or security protocols we should be aware of while reviewing and assessing financial data during the process?
If an entity is selected for a contract to provide the services described in the RFQQ, discussion about data access and security protocols will be held at that time.
Is there a preferred timeline for the final report? If yes, please mention the timeline.
The timeline for delivery of services and the final report will be developed based on the length of time for WorkForce Central’s contracting decision, other organizational factors and considerations, and negotiation with a selected entity.
Is there a specified budget range for this project? If yes, please mention the budget.
WorkForce Central has not set a budget range for this RFQQ.
How involved would WorkForce Central like to be in the implementation of the recommendations? Are you looking for just a report, or do you want assistance with execution as well?
If an entity is selected for a contract to provide the services described in the RFQQ, the level of involvement by WorkForce Central and whether or not the entity will assist with execution of recommendations will be mutually decided at that time or possibly at the conclusion of the assessment.
Are there any previous audit reports or internal reviews that highlight specific areas of concern or improvement that we should consider as part of our assessment?
If an entity is selected for a contract to provide the services described in the RFQQ, WorkForce Central will thoroughly discuss assessment needs with the selected entity.
Is this a new RFP, or is there an incumbent vendor currently providing similar services? Can you please mention the supplier's name and contract details?
This is a new RFQQ and no entity is currently providing the services described in the RFQQ to WorkForce Central.
What financial software or systems are currently being used for budgeting, accounting, and payroll processes? Are there any plans for upgrading or transitioning to new tools?
If an entity is selected for a contract to provide the services described in the RFQQ, WorkForce Central will provide information about financial software and systems currently in use to the selected entity and discuss possible upgrades or transitions as part of the assessment process.
Do you have any existing documentation of current fiscal processes or workflows that would assist in the assessment, or would the selected entity need to document these processes from scratch?
WorkForce Central will discuss current and potentially needed documentation of fiscal processes with an entity selected to provide services and reach mutual agreement about if and how the entity will document processes.
Is there a preferred format for the response?
Organizations must use the online response form.
Questions & Answers
Please email your questions regarding this RFQQ to [email protected] and include the RFQQ number in the subject line. Questions and answers will be posted to this webpage as they become available. The deadline for questions is September 27, 2021, 5:00 pm PDT.
