WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ( WDC ) REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS RFP TITLE: Series A Tech Training Program PIN: 2015WDC0006. ADDENDUM No.

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1 This addendum includes the following information: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ( WDC ) REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS RFP TITLE: Series A Tech Training Program ADDENDUM No. 1 Section 1: Clarifications to the RFP Section 2: Answers to Questions submitted in writing to the WDC Section 3: Acknowledgement of Addenda Section 1: Clarifications to the RFP a. Anticipated Contract Start Date: It is anticipated that the contract start date will be October 1, 2015, with training anticipated to begin in November b. Attachment B, Experience (Page 19): In the chart entitled Companies/Employers that Hired Proposer s Trainees: Company Names & Titles, proposers should provide salary data by job title, along with an indication of whether each job title was a full-time, part-time, contract or other type of position. See amended chart below. c. Attachment B (Page 24): When providing information regarding proposer s experience in developing and executing similar programs in the City or a similar City, proposers should respond to the sub-bullet and provide any experience in implementing training in the proposed Occupational Track in the City or a similar city. The RFP originally asked for information regarding web development training in error. Section 2: Answers to Questions submitted in writing to the WDC 1. While two-thirds of all workers in data occupations hold at least a bachelor s degree, does the remaining one-third require at least a GED or an Associate s degree? This is relevant for what types of students are selected into the Program. Answer: Available data from the United States Department of Commerce reflects that a third of all individuals employed in data occupations across the United States have an educational attainment of less than a bachelor s degree. It does not articulate requirements for those jobs held by individuals without this degree. A GED is not required for every remaining occupation. 2. What quantitative skills can proposers require? Is there a minimum (e.g. algebra)? Answer: To be determined during contract negotiations, however, a recruitment and screening process should be included in the Proposed Approach submitted by proposers. Proposers must determine what approach is most likely to achieve the WDC s goals and objectives for this RFP. 3. Would Prospective students have their own computers/internet for use? Can that be a requirement or does that need to be built into the operational budget to provide them? Answer: No. See Section III, Part C ( Contractor Responsibilities ) of the RFP under the subsection titled Provision of Training. Contractor will be required to provide all equipment. 4. Should the curriculum include programming? WDC RFP for Series A Tech Training Program Addendum No. 1 Page 1

2 Answer: See the RFP, Section III, Part B ( WDC s Assumptions Regarding Contractor s Approach ) of the FRP for a list of items that should be included in any proposed curricular outline. [underline inserted]. However, Proposers are encouraged to propose any additional curricular topics that they feel are necessary to adequately train individuals with little to no experience and connect them to jobs as data analysts. 5. Should Microsoft Excel be covered in the curriculum? Answer: See Answer to Question The conditions of the proposal indicate that the curriculum would be owned by and become the intellectual property of the city. In addition, we would be required to provide the WDC and the City with a license in perpetuity to use and software required to perform these services. Would we be able to receive a perpetual license from the City to use the training we created at our facility? Answer: The terms of any licenses granted, if any, to the winning Contractor(s) will be determined during contract negotiations. 7. The RFP mentions a minimum of 50 eligible enrolled through at least two cohorts over 12 months consecutive. Can classes be any size (e.g., two classes of 25 students each)? Can courses be any length (e.g., 8 weeks, 10 weeks, 15 weeks, etc.)? Answer: See Section III, Part C ( Contractor Responsibilities ) under the subsection titled Provision of Training. Proposers must determine what approach is most likely to achieve the WDC s goals and objectives for this RFP within the anticipated contract term. 8. How many hours of training are required? Answer: See Answer to Question 7. However, as stated in the RFP, training should be delivered on a part-time basis. 9. The contract has a start date of November 2 nd. When would training need to begin? Answer: See above Section 1, Clarifications to the RFP, Part a, of this Addendum No Is the program funded on a per-student basis or does the award cover the operating expenses of the program in the first year? Answer: Refer to Attachment C of the RFP. The Program budgets will cover operating expenses, including personnel services (PS) and other than personnel services (OTPS) costs, for the term of the contract. 11. Is the tuition entirely covered by the City or is a percent paid by the student (and if so, up to what percent)? Answer: The RFP did not contemplate charging participants fees and/or tuition costs. As a result, these items should not be included in your proposal submission. 12. If the tuition is entirely covered by the City, what is the maximum tuition per student? Answer: See Section II, Part D ( Anticipated Available Funding ). A maximum of $250k is available for all costs and expenses relating to each Program. 13. Is the expectation that currently employed students will leave existing jobs to take new jobs? WDC RFP for Series A Tech Training Program Addendum No. 1 Page 2

3 Answer: The expectation is that as a result of the training procured through this RFP, participants will be prepared for and secure employment as Data Analysts, QA Testers, or IT Engineers/Support (or in related technology jobs approved by the WDC). 14. What percentage of post-training job employment (and in what time frame post-completion of the training) is considered successful? Answer: See Section III, Part C ( Contractor Responsibilities ) under the subsections titled Provision of Training and Jobseeker Services. Proposers must determine what approach is most likely to achieve the WDC s goals and objectives for this RFP. Actual outcomes and job placement terms will be determined through negotiations between successful proposers and the WDC. 15. When will the awards be announced? Answer: It is anticipated that the contract start date will be October 1, 2015, thus awards will be announced once contracts have been finalized. 16. The RFP states that questions are due by July 7, Is there a date of when the answers to the questions will be published? Also, will there be a Q&A meeting to discuss the answers? Answer: Answers to all questions submitted are being provided in this Addendum No. 1. There will not be a meeting to discuss Questions and Answers, or a pre-proposal conference call. 17. One simple question - to qualify for funding, does the program granted need to be accredited and/or licensed by the Board of Education in the state, BPSS? Answer: It is expected that selected proposers will be able to meet the eligibility requirements set forth in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, including sections 134(c)(3)(G)(ii(V) and 122(a). At this time, the WDC is awaiting further guidance from the United States and NY State Departments of Labor with respect to specific eligibility requirements. 18. Is there a minimum or maximum number of hours for part time training? Per week and overall. Answer: No. See Section III, Part C ( Contractor Responsibilities ) under the subsection titled Provision of Training. Proposers must determine what approach is most likely to achieve the WDC s goals and objectives for this RFP within the anticipated contract term. 19. Is there a minimum graduation rate? Answer: No, however, the WDC expects the selected Contractors to make best efforts to graduate as many of the Programs participants as possible and place those individuals into employment in the stated Occupational Track at a salary pf $40,000 or higher. 20. How much time does a provider have to place graduates after training? Answer: See Answer to Question What is the expectation for minimum placement? Answer: See Answer to Question 14. WDC RFP for Series A Tech Training Program Addendum No. 1 Page 3

4 22. Will grantees have access to Tech Talent Pipeline Advisory Board members to explore their hiring needs and/or employer referrals? Answer: The WDC and selected Contractors can explore opportunities for engagement of the TTP Advisory Board on matters related to Jobseeker Services. However, Contractors will be ultimately responsible for providing all Jobseeker Services necessary to achieve the WDC s goals and objectives for this RFP. 23. Are the target wages based on overall average earnings for the cohort or are all program completers expected to secure employment at 40K or higher? For our current service population (of whom only 20% have an Associates or Bachelor s degree), this would be a challenging requirement. Given the RFP s statement that an average wage for entry-level IT Support role is $35,000, why require $40,000 starting wage? Answer: Given the market rates for these three positions and feedback from our employer partners, we have determined that this wage is a reasonable compensation for qualified candidates in these positions. 24. If we chose to focus on those without 4-year degree, are there varying expectations around placement rate and wage? Answer: No, the expectation is the same regardless of degree attainment. 25. When will grantee selection be finalized? Answer: See Answer to Question If minimum number served is 50, is there an ideal number served that would make an applicant more competitive? Answer: See Section III, Part C ( Contractor Responsibilities ) under the subsection titled Provision of Training. Proposers must determine what approach is most likely to achieve the WDC s goals and objectives for this RFP within the anticipated contract term. 27. Is it possible for an applicant to win more than one contract? Answer: Yes. See Section III, Part C ( Contractor Responsibilities ) under the subsection titled Training Model Development, and Footnote 4 on page 8 of the RFP, stating that proposers may submit separate and complete proposals in more than one Occupational Track. 28. For data analysis track, what does the WDC see as its role in curriculum development? Answer: See Section III, Part B ( WDC s Assumptions Regarding Contractor s Approach ) of the RFP Stating that Contractor is expected to design and deliver an effective training model featuring industry-informed curriculum, which is subject to WDC approval and will be adapted with input from the NYC Tech Talent Pipeline Advisory Board in order to reflect the needs and expertise of companies seeking or employing Data Analysts, QA Testers, or IT Engineers/Support. The Contractor is expected to work with the NYC Tech Talent Pipeline to arrange curriculum consultations with industry. The WDC therefore expects to be engaged in the curriculum development process in an advisory role, ultimately signing off on any curriculum prior to the start of training. 29. If applying for QA, is it possible to recruit those with little/no QA experience but possibly IT support experience. (We currently offer IT Support and we re wondering if providing QA training to our alumni would be a good way to achieve the objectives of the RFP.) WDC RFP for Series A Tech Training Program Addendum No. 1 Page 4

5 Answer: Yes. Participants should have little to no previous experience in the specific Occupational Track for which they are receiving training funded by the contract(s) resulting from this RFP. 30. The RFP suggests that the contractor needs to connect trainees to jobs, but does not require that the contractor provide job placement services. What is the meaning of connecting trainees to jobs within the context of the RFP? Answer: See the Note directly following Section III, Part C ( Contractor Responsibilities ). 31. The RFP suggests that the winner provide the WDC with a license to use pre-existing materials delivered under the program provided pursuant to the solicitation. Is it the WDC s intent that this license to use preexisting intellectual property be transferable to parties other than WDC (for example, other for-profit entities)? Answer: Pursuant to Section III, Part D ( Licenses ) of the RFP, Contractors will be required to provide the WDC and the City a non-exclusive license in perpetuity. Additional license terms may be negotiated during contract negotiations. 32. Attachment B to the RFP requests information regarding Series A Tech Training programs, but the RFP defines this information as all prior occupational training programs. Please clarify what types of programs should be included in Attachment B under the sub-heading Experience. Answer: See above Section 1, Clarifications to the RFP, Part c, of this Addendum No. 1. Proposers should include information on any training program previously offered by their organization in the specified Occupational Track for which an award is being sought, and any related experience connecting individuals to jobs. 33. The RFP suggests that the program should be designed on a part-time schedule to accommodate incumbent workers and others with commitments that preclude full-time intensive programs. Will accommodations be made to key metrics to take into account that many incumbent workers may not be job-seekers following completion of the program? Or are all trainees, including incumbent workers, required to be jobseeking? Answer: See Answer to Question 13. WDC RFP for Series A Tech Training Program Addendum No. 1 Page 5

6 Amended Companies/Employers Hiring Chart Companies/Employers that Hired Proposer s Trainees: Company Names & Titles. Proposers should list the companies that hired individual students that completed the Proposer s training, the job titles they were hired into, the number of trainees placed into these job titles, salary information for each title, and job status (full/part time): 1. Company Name Job Titles of Hires Number of Hires for Each Job Title Salary(ies) Full-Time/ Part-Time *Please attach supplementary materials in a similar format to include more companies. WDC RFP for Series A Tech Training Program Addendum No. 1 Page 6

7 ATTACHMENT D ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF ADDENDA RFP TITLE: Series A Tech Training Program PIN #: 2015WDC0006 Directions: Complete Part I or Part II, whichever is applicable, and sign your name in Part III. All proposers must complete and include this page as part of their proposal package. Part I. Acknowledgment of Receipt of Addenda Listed below are the dates of issue for each Addendum received in connection with this RFP: Addendum # 1, Dated, 2015 Addendum # 2, Dated, 2015 Addendum # 3, Dated, 2015 Addendum # 4, Dated, 2015 Addendum # 5, Dated, 2015 Part II. Acknowledgement of No Receipt of Addenda No Addendum was received in connection with this RFP Part III. Proposer s Name and Authorized Representative Proposer's Name: Proposer s Authorized Representative: Name: Title: Signature: Date: WDC RFP for Series A Tech Training Program Addendum No. 1 Page 7