[Mwa] State Releases Workforce Development RFP

[MassWorkForce@aol.com]

FYI – the Request for Proposals (RFP) for new state funding for workforce 
develop-ment services through the Economic Stimulus Bill (aka Emerging Technology 
Bill) was posted on the Internet on Monday, June 21st.   The document is 
called the BEST III RFP.   You can get a copy at 
www.commcorp.org/about/documents/BESTIII.doc.


The RFP is 64 pages long and the Massachusetts Workforce Alliance (MWA) is 
providing below a brief summary of key information from the RFP.   Please note 
that:

∑ what you find below is not from Commonwealth Corporation or any other state 
or local agency.   The text below is MWA’s summary of the RFP;

∑ this kind of brief summary can be useful (for example, when not everyone in 
a discussion has read the RFP) – but it does not take the place of the RFP;

∑ there are significant differences between the law passed by the legislature 
and the BEST III RFP, including but not limited to:
o WIBs are the only organizations allowed to submit proposals;
o the intended funding priorities have been changed (for example, the 
legislation required that at least $1,000,000 go to services provided by community 
based organizations; this RFP targets at least $1,000,000 to partnerships that 
include community based organizations);
o one third (or potentially more) of grants can be used for purposes other 
than direct services to employers and jobseekers.


Key Components/Contents of the RFP

(A) Technical Information

The RFP will make $4.5M to $8M available, with up to $300,000 per project 
(more for projects with multiple WIBs).

The RFP encourages that at least 2/3 of the requested budget “support 
services to employers and jobseekers.”

By June 25th, Commonwealth Corporation will announce on their website at 
least three Technical Assistance Bidders’ Conferences.

Over the summer, Q & A on the RFP will be posted on Commonwealth Corporation’
s website (www.commcorp.org).

Proposal narratives are limited to 15 pages and proposals are due at 
Commonwealth Corporation in Boston on Friday, September 10th at noon.   (One original 
and eight copies must be submitted.)


(B) Content Information

In addition to the RFP’s six pages outlining the “required components” of a 
proposal (pgs. 15 – 20), the RFP includes (a) twelve “priorities of the BEST 
III Initiative” (pgs. 3 – 4) and (b) nine “required design elements for 
successful grants.” (pgs. 10 – 12)

The RFP also includes required budget forms (pg. 20), seven attachments to 
submit with the proposal, and a description of the proposal review and selection 
process. (pgs. 21 – 22)

“Only a WIB may submit a proposal...” (page 1)   “WIBS shall convene 
employers and other partners, and provide oversight, direction or project leadership 
over the course of the project.” (pg. 7)

“Each project will design and deliver services through an Employer-driven 
Partner-ship” and the Partnership must include (1) at least two employers, (2) a 
WIB, (3) a One Stop Career Center, (4) a representative of the local 
bargaining unit, if applicable, and (5) “a fiscal agent certified by the Massachusetts 
Division of Career Services” (e.g., the old SDAs/WIA Title I Administrators). 
(pgs. 4 – 6)

Partners must enter into a Memorandum of Understanding and submit the MOU 
with the proposal.

Matching funds will help with the scoring of proposals, and “employers will 
provide no less than 50% paid release time for employees participating in 
training or the equivalent financial compensation” (pg. 7)


The Massachusetts Workforce Alliance cannot provide you with technical 
assistance or help you develop a proposal, nor can we answer questions about the 
RFP. 

If, however, you have any thoughts or suggestions – on a policy level – 
about the BEST III Initiative, we invite you to email us at massworkforce at aol.com.
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