TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Specifications RFP No. HR13-001 and award contracts to ACCORD Community First, Centro CHA, Inc., Conservation Corps of Long Beach, Long Beach Community Action Partnership, all Long Beach-based businesses (Local; not an MBE, WBE or SBE), and UAW Labor Employment and Training Corporation, of Cerritos, CA (not a Local, MBE, WBE, or SBE), for providing qualified service providers to operate Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Act Youth Academy Projects, in an annual combined amount not to exceed $1,162,953, for a period of two years, with the option to renew for two additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network (Pacific Gateway) operates the Youth Opportunity Center to facilitate assistance with education completion, access to career and technical education and training, participation in internships, and other work-based experiences. To maximize outreach in the communities covered by Pacific Gateway and to deliver many of the above services prescribed by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Pacific Gateway contracts with qualified education- and community-based organizations to deliver many of these intensive academic and vocational training program elements.
Under the guidance of the Workforce Investment Board and its Youth Council, Pacific Gateway, in coordination with the Purchasing Division, released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify projects and service providers focused on projects to serve in-school and out-of-school youth who are economically disadvantaged and possess various barriers to completing an educational program or securing and retaining employment. Project proposals required:
§ Collaborative partnerships with education, business, labor, social services, and community-based organizations;
§ Academic achievement and improvement, especially for youth who are deficient in basic skills or in need of returning to school;
§ Education (short- and long-term vocational training) and work experience strategies tied to industry needs that expose, prepare and place youth in high-growth and high-demand industries; and,
§ Sufficient supportive services and resources to ensure youth success.
The RFP was issued on February 21, 2013, and 1480 potential bidders specializing in youth academy project services were notified of the RFP opportunity. Of those proposers, 56 downloaded the bid via our electronic bid system. The RFP document was made available from the Purchasing Division, located on the seventh floor of City Hall, the Division's website at www.longbeach.gov/purchasing and Pacific Gateway's website at www.Pacific-Gateway.org. An RFP announcement was also included in the Purchasing Division's weekly update of Open Bid Opportunities, which is sent to 30 local, minority and women-owned business groups. Six proposals from five bidders were received by the March 28, 2013 deadline. Of those five bidders, none were Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), none were Women-owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), none were certified Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), and four were Long Beach businesses (Local).
City staff prepared an outline of five recommended projects, target regions, industry focus areas, estimated numbers of out-of-school youth to be served, and maximum contract amounts (Attachment A).
Local Business Outreach
In an effort to align with our outreach goal, Long Beach businesses are encouraged to submit proposals for City contracts. The Purchasing Division also assists businesses with registering on the Bids Online database to download the RFP. Through outreach, 11 Long Beach vendors were notified to submit an RFP, of which two downloaded and none submitted an RFP.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on April 29, 2013 and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on May 6, 2013.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to award these contracts is requested on May 21, 2013 to ensure that the contracts are in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient Workforce Investment Act funding is appropriated in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Department of Human Resources (HR) for the FY 13 cost of these contracts. The remaining amount will be appropriated via the FY 14 budget process, and grant revenue will fully support all program expenses. Approval of this recommendation will result in employment preparation and educational services to 322 youth in the region. The award of these contracts will provide continued support to our local economy by assisting in the preservation of 99 employees residing in Long Beach with employment.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
DEBORAH R. MILLS
DIRECTOR OF RESOURCES
JOHN GROSS
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER