1)    My plan is to take 20 youths (what ages? 19-21 older youths or is 17 still ok) per year run them each through a modified Job Training Program” tailored for the youth and then putting them each through actual job interviewing, leading to employment into an entry level job, ultimately (hopefully) helping them sustain employment.

Youth is defined as those between the ages of 14-21.  In-School and Out-of-School.
This is a great way of partnering with the private sector and other agencies to provide work experience or on the job training.

2)    If the youth has a dream job that may require more education or experience, I may propose a job shadowing or unpaid internship with a professional company, does this count as a successful outcome?

The In School Youth must be linked to the education system via the Passport to Careers Team.  The linkage provides the vocational education component in the demand driven occupations.  If you have chosen the summer program linked to year round occupational training, the agency will connect you to the Passport to Careers team for further guidance on in-school youth job placements.

For the out of school youth, the successful outcome is “unsubsidized employment”  In other words, the unpaid internship or job shadowing should be part of the clients career strategy plan to get them into unsubsidized employment.  So tracking/monitoring is very important in this process.

3)    I have extensive private sector company connections to do this, but I need to know what would be an acceptable performance outcome for AHRD ie Feds to have in my proposal. There is no way I can expect to have all 20 youths gainfully employed for a year. I couldn’t expect this from the Adults, let alone youths. Please help guide me as to what would be the minimum outcome and still have an acceptable proposal to AHRD. In no way would I hold AHRD or yourself responsible of an approval of my proposal just need some realistic guidance to include for your consideration. I do not want to set myself up for failure as you mentioned.

Please be guided by the youth 10 elements.  The RFP provides the framework for which to design your programs with the outcomes.  The agency is cognizant that 100% placement or completion may be hard to achieve, however, based on your program design, provide in your proposal the realistic outcomes that you believe your organization can achieve.  It is the intent of the GWIB and Agency to be proactive in this approach and to assist selected providers through capacity building sessions to be successful in serving the youth.  If awarded, there will be room for negotiations in this area.


4)    This means a lot of man hours for my company for each client for a year of tracking and guidance, is $2,500 per youth client reasonable? I do not want to price myself to high or to low. For a year to try and see how this works out is worth the risk of my time vs. the rewards from the youth.

The Agency cannot determine your costs for providing services.  We will, however, determine if your costs are fair and reasonable to the Government, ie off the shelf pricing, market research of pricing, etc.  If selected, the Agency will determine if costs negotiations are required before finalizing any contract award.

5)    Staffing now consists of me and my wife, more may be hired if this proposal is accepted, do I just state this?

List your current staffing pattern.

6)    I will work with each youth client to place him or her in a private company and work with both to ensure success. Does this constitute a partnership or sub-contract? The companies are not known until the time of service on an as needed basis.

In this case, upon award, the partnership documents will be required when it is made.  This ensures that “our” partnership and collaboration efforts are improving thus reflects our success as workforce partners.  These efforts are highly encouraged by the Agency, GWIB, USDOLETA. 

7)    Continuing education is always an integral part of my program. I consider a client a success if they change their mind and pursue education instead of work. Does AHRD feel the same on my performance outcome?

USDOLETA’s direction on outcome is “unsubsidized employment”.  The education of each client should be pursuant to their career strategy plan shared with case management and the prospective provider prior to referral.  The education component and completion should lead to “unsubsidized employment” overall.  The completion of an education component by virtue of a certificate is documented as a success on the provider’s part.