1. Is this RFP for two years combined or annual?
A. One year, annual with the possibility of a second year
contract. The budget is to be for one year.
2. Why does it say two year bid?
A. If the contractors are performing satisfactory and in
the interest of the WIB to extend, we would not have to rebid,
just renegotiate and have a second year contract.
3. What year are we proposing since it is already 2000?
A. 2000-2001 and if satisfactory, 2001-2002.
4. Page 1, Occupational Skills Outline, #5, where is a copy
(copies) of this?
A. It is not included in the bid package. Examples are
available; however, every time you meet with an employer the
skills outline developed will differ. Employer job requirements
and participants with different skills necessitate that it be
customized. Therefore, each outline is written to meet that
particular need.
5. Page 19, type of training to be offered, define?
A. The best definitions are on pages 1, 7, and 8.
6. Page 35, Worksite payments, who is paying this and how much?
A. There are two types of payments to employers. The
first is paid to employers to train through OJT and the amount
is negotiated with the contractor; the second is for work
experience at a public/private non-profit site and we pay
minimum wage to the participant.
7. What are the amounts authorized for OJT?
A. Negotiated with contractors.
8. Where can I get current rules and regulations for OJT
guidelines for wages?
A. Page 12 of proposal. WtW will not have all
requirements of OJT.
9. If incentive is given to employer, what is the amount?
A. Under current contracts, $500 is paid up front to
employer for each participant after the first 32 hours, but
these amounts are flexible and negotiable. After 13 weeks of
employment another $500 payment and when training is completed,
a $1,000 payment. There is not an amount set in the bid.
10. Is this a State or Federal amount?
A. No, in house. This is negotiated with the contractor.
11. So we can propose anything?
A. Yes, it says flexible on page 7; however, these are
agreed upon in contract negotiations.
12. Is there likely to be a significant number of individuals
with disabilities applying to this program?
A. We do not know. There is a contract for the Division
of Rehabilitation Services to provide assessment to DFCS clients
which might better identify disabilities. But we do not know the
characteristics of those still on TANF or if they will be
referred.
13. Who decides participants for the WtW program?
A. DFCS case worker and applicant. If agreement is
reached between the two, a referral to WtW is made.
14. How do you determine if you are duplicating DFCS services
since the RFP states they cannot be duplicated?
A. When a participant comes into our service, DFCS has
referred them to our services. They inform us of the services
available to this client.
15. How are the 150 possible WtW participants dispersed
throughout the 15 county area? What is the largest county and
percentage?
A. They are located throughout the 15 county area with
Floyd County having the largest percentage (approximately 60%)
and Walker the second.
16. Will individual bidders be allowed to serve less than 15
counties?
A.. Yes.
17. Does the grant allow for creation of vocational programs
which duplicate those offered by public institutions (HOPE funds)
across the area?
A. Why would you duplicate something that already exist?
You would have to justify the need to do so in your request.
18. Does the grant include remediation?
A. Literacy programs are available to this population.
However,
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