This RFP is not currently accepting proposals

Request for Proposals

WIOA Title I Young Adult Services

We are pleased to announce that Career TEAM, LLC, Palmer Scholars, and Tacoma Community House will provide WIOA Title I Young Adult Services in Pierce County.

Summary

WorkForce Central is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify and select one or more qualified subrecipients to provide Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I services to young adults in Pierce County, WA, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. WIOA Title I Young Adult services assist young adults who experience challenges accessing or completing post-secondary training or education or securing employment. Services include career exploration, training and education, work experiences, wraparound and supportive services, and employment follow-up, with the ultimate goal of sustainable career pathways and living wage jobs.

Bidders whose proposals demonstrate the following experience and qualifications will receive the highest consideration for a subaward.

Proven ability to engage and enroll young adults who are furthest from education and employment opportunities
Facilitation of well-established and high-performing career training programs in one or more high-demand fields, with preference for programs registered on the Washington Eligible Training Provider List
Track record of a high percentage of participants who are employed and retained in quality jobs
Capacity for consistent compliance with federal, state and local government and WorkForce Central’s programmatic, documentation, reporting, and financial requirements
Status as a community-based organization that is embedded in and serving Pierce County and the south Puget Sound region

WorkForce Central estimates up to $1 million will be awarded to provide WIOA Title I Young Adult Services.

Key Dates

RFP Release	11/3/2025
Final Date for Questions	12/18/2025, 1:00 pm PST
Proposals Due	12/19/2025, 5:00 pm PST
Evaluation of Proposals	12/20/25 – 1/31/26
Announcement of Subrecipient(s)	On or near 2/16/26

View RFP & Submit Proposal

Ask a Question

Read Submitted Questions & Answers

Download PDF

Questions & Answers

Have a question? Use the RFP Question Form to submit your questions. Questions and answers will be posted to this webpage for public access as they become available.

Please explain in different words what exact kind of proposal you are looking for and from who?

We encourage close review of the Request for Proposals (RFP) document, which includes in-depth description of the services the selected organization(s) will provide. We believe it will give bidders a solid sense of what’s expected and if this is a good fit for their organization. As you’ll see in the RFP, all different types of organizations are eligible to submit a proposal. Proposals will consist of bidders’ responses to questions in our Online RFP Proposal Form; these questions are listed in the RFP document.

I was wondering if the federal funding for the RFP has been obligated for the opportunity.

Federal WIOA funding is not yet obligated for the program year starting July 2026; it is typically confirmed in the spring each year. We begin the RFP process in the fall to allow ample time for proposal submission and evaluation, contract negotiations, and onboarding new partners. We acknowledge current uncertainty around federal funding, yet need to move forward to ensure continuity of vital services to young adults in our community.

Is this a cost-reimbursement or fee-for-service contract? What does that mean in practice?

This contract will be a cost reimbursement subaward, funded 100% by WIOA Title I. WorkForce Central operates under a cost reimbursement contract with the State of Washington for these WIOA funds and we are required to use the same structure with our subrecipients, per 2 CFR 683.200(c)(4).

Cost reimbursement means funds are not paid in advance. Your organization will pay for allowable program expenses up front (e.g., staff salaries, participant costs, supplies) and WorkForce Central will reimburse those costs after you submit accurate invoices and supporting documentation. Your organization must have sufficient cash flow to operate the program between monthly reimbursement cycles.

Should we assume 20% of the $1,000,000 budget is passthrough for paid and/or unpaid work experiences?

We suggest bidders include 20% of their proposed budget for direct costs of work experiences. However, the actual amount and percentage for this cost may be adjusted during contract negotiation.

Can you point me in the direction of other organizations looking for support on their application?

WorkForce Central cannot help to connect organizations who are considering submitting a proposal for our WIOA Title I Young Adult Services RFP. Because this is federal funding with strict procurement requirements, we must limit our communications with potential bidders to ensure we don’t inadvertently provide an advantage to any organizations. We do not have a mechanism to facilitate potential bidders connecting with each other on their own.

Is TABE or CASAS testing required for youth?

TABE and CASAS testing are not required for young adult participants.

Will computer equipment for staff be provided by the board?

Bidders may include the cost of needed computer equipment in their proposed budget.

Does the board have a minimum wage requirement for WEX participants outside of the state required minimum?

WorkForce Central does not have a set minimum wage requirement for paid work experience (WEX) participants, aside from the WA State minimum wage. We work with local employers to determine the appropriate wage for each position.

Is there a minimum staff wage required outside of the state required minimum?

WorkForce Central has not set a minimum staff wage requirement. We encourage compensation that promotes staff retention and enables employees to support themselves and their families.

How many participants were serviced in PY 24?

298 young adults received WIOA Title I Young Adult Services from July 2024 – June 2025.

What is the current staffing structure?

Each bidder should propose staffing they believe will enable their organization to effectively provide the services described in the RFP. If a contract is awarded, there may be opportunity to adjust staffing based on mutual discussion and agreement.

Our organization really wants to participate in this program, and currently operate a number of programs that this would complement. However, we work with a very high-need population where, in the past, there have been barriers to enrollment. Some of the youth and young adults we serve do not have birth certificates, identification, and some are undocumented. These youth would certainly benefit from this program and would participate, but we are wondering if this would create barriers to enrollment and participation – or, if we would be able to work alongside these youth and young adults to obtain these pieces of documentation while they are enrolled/receiving services.

Individuals are required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States before they can be enrolled in WIOA Title I services. Providers must wait to enroll young adults and provide any WIOA-funded services until they are able to provide this proof.

Indirect costs are allowable for WIOA Title I Young Adult service providers and are based on an approved Cost Allocation Plan or up to 15% de minimus. When services are federally funded, including by WIOA Title I, indirect costs are only those expenses that support the overall functioning of an organization and cannot be directly linked to a specific cost object, such as a product, project or service. This includes using funding allocated to indirect costs to support helping young adults obtain eligibility documentation. In addition, WIOA Title I funds cannot be used in any way for individuals who are not yet enrolled in services.

Is profit or an admin fee allowed for for-profit companies? If so, is there a target percentage or cap? How is profit paid/earned?

Federal regulations allow for-profit organizations to earn profit or an admin fee but require any profit to be reallocated back to the WIOA Title I Youth program. Any profit structure proposed will be determined during contract negotiations. Please indicate budget for profit in your proposal if it is an anticipated component of your model.

Bidders can see the character limits for responses to each proposal question by viewing the Online RFP Proposal. As an immediate resource, responses to most questions are limited to 3,000 characters. Exceptions are question 3, with a 3,500 character limit, and question 8, which entails completing a Budget form.

We would like to submit letters of support along with our proposal however there is no place for us to upload additional attachments. After submission, would it be acceptable for us to email the letters?

To help ensure a level playing field for all bidders, we are not accepting any supplementary materials from bidders except the documents identified in the online proposal form, which are uploaded in the form. Any other documents or materials received, including support and commitment letters, will not be considered in the proposal evaluation process. Also, links within proposals to additional information will not be utilized and the additional information will not be considered in the evaluation process.