Welfare-to-Work Expanded Subsidized Employment Program - Ongoing Opportunity

The County of Solano, Department of Health and Social Services, hereinafter referred to as the "County", is seeking statements of interest from qualified organizations to support the Expanded Subsidized Employment (ESE) Program, established under Assembly Bill 74 (Chapter 21, Statutes of 2013). This program is designed to help CalWORKs clients gain paid work experience, enhance job skills, and transition into permanent, unsubsidized employment.

Through this RFI, the County aims to identify potential partners capable of providing job training, job coaching, and placement services, as well as developing work site agreements with employers that clearly define work assignments and responsibilities.

Background

Assembly Bill 74 (Chapter 21, Statutes of 2013) established the Expanded Subsidized Employment (ESE) Program to increase employment opportunities for CalWORKs clients in California. The program helps clients gain paid work experience, enhance job skills, and transition into permanent, unsubsidized employment.

Project Details

• Reference ID: 952-0505-26
• Department: Health and Social Services
• Department Head: Emory Cowan (Director of Health and Social Services)

Evaluation Criteria

• Communications Regarding the RFI —

  Upon release of this RFI, all Respondents’ communications concerning this RFI must be directed to the RFI Coordinator. 

  All communications shall be in writing to the RFI coordinator email at uwright@solanocounty.gov. Any oral communications should be considered unofficial and nonbinding on the County.  Written comments, including questions and requests for clarification, must cite the subject RFI number.  The RFI coordinator must receive these written requests via this Procurement Portal (opengov.com) by the submission deadline specified in the RFI.  Questions/comments (for clarification purposes only) regarding this RFI may be communicated to the RFI coordinator by electronic means.  However, respondent’s proposal to this RFI shall be communicated in written form.

  The County shall respond in writing to written communications.  Only written responses to written communications shall be considered official and binding upon the County.  The County reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to determine appropriate and adequate responses to written comments, questions, and requests for clarification. The County shall post its responses to written comments, to all respondents expressing interest in this RFI.

  Any data or factual information provided by the County shall be deemed for informational purposes only, and if a respondent relies on said factual information it should either:

  1. independently verify the information; or
  2. obtain the County’s written consent to rely thereon.
• Response Preparation Costs —

  The County will not pay any costs associated with the preparation, submittal, or presentation of any response.

• Scope of Work: —

  Interested Firms shall:

  1. General Requirements
     1. Be an employer willing to hire a Welfare-to-Work participant whose wages will be subsidized for a minimum of six (6) months, while providing necessary training and support.
     2. Enter into a Worksite Agreement with the County that
        1. Describes the participant's work assignment. 

        2. Clearly outlines the responsibilities of both the employer and the County.

• Disclosure of Response Contents —

  All responses and other materials submitted in response to this RFI information process become the property of the County of Solano.  Selection or rejection of a response does not affect this right.  The responses and associated materials shall be open for review by the public to the extent allowed by the California Public Records Act, (Government Code Section 6250-6270 and 6275-6276.48.  By submitting a response, the respondent acknowledges and accepts that the contents of the response and associated documents shall become open to public inspection.

• Employer Responsibilities under the Worksite Agreement: —
  1. Compliance & Legal Obligations
     1. Comply with all California State Labor Laws, including healthcare and paid sick leave requirements.
     2. Maintain current business and payroll taxes, including:
        1. Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA)
        2. Unemployment Insurance
        3. State Disability Insurance
        4. Workers’ Compensation Insurance
     3. Provide comprehensive general liability insurance. If the participant operates a motor vehicle, provide automobile liability insurance.

  2. Employment & Compensation

     1. Serve as the Employer of Record (subcontracting this responsibility is not permitted).
     2. Pay the current wage rate for the established subsidy period.
     3. Provide for the cost of supervision, training, necessary equipment, and any other standard employee benefits.

  3. Administrative Requirements

     1. Use the Worksite Agreement, forms, invoices, and documents approved by the County.
     2. Comply with state and federal worker protection provisions outlined in Welfare and Institutions Code §11324.6.
• Proprietary Information —

  The master copy of each response shall be retained for official files and will become public record, unless the response or specific parts of the response can be shown to be exempt by law (Government code §6276).  Each respondent may clearly label part of a response as "CONFIDENTIAL" if the respondent thereby agrees to indemnify and defend the County for honoring such a designation.  The failure to so label any information that is released by the County shall constitute a complete waiver of all claims for damages caused by any release of the information. If a public records request for labeled information is received by the County, the County will notify the respondent of the request and delay access to the material until seven working days after notification to the respondent.  Within that time delay, it will be the duty of the respondent to act in protection of its labeled information.  Failure to so act should constitute a complete waiver.

• Program Service Responsibilities: —
  1. Place referred participants into subsidized employment based on their skills, experience, and career goals.
  2. Provide close supervision of participants and monitor performance.
  3. Conduct monthly meetings (at a minimum) with participants to deliver Job Coaching and Counseling aimed at improving employability.
  4. Notify the County of any significant barriers affecting a participant’s ability to work.
  5. Deliver Job Retention services to support long-term employment success.
• Service Area: —

  Employment services must be available to clients residing anywhere in Solano County, which includes the following cities and unincorporated areas: Fairfield, Suisun, Cordelia, Vacaville, Dixon, Rio Vista, Benicia, and Vallejo. 

• Tiered Reimbursement of Subsidized Wages: —
  The County shall reimburse employers for a percentage of the participant’s earned wages during the subsidized employment period.
  The reimbursement amount decreases gradually over the subsidy period, encouraging employers to take on a larger share of the participant’s wages and ultimately assume full responsibility for their pay.
   

  Month	Percentage of earned wages reimbursed	Placement Type
  Month 1	100%	Initial
  Month 2	100%
  Month 3	100%
  Month 4	75%
  Month 5	50%
  Month 6	25%
  Month 7	25%	Extension 1*
  Month 8	25%
  Month 9	25%
  Month 10	25%	Extension 2*
  Month 11	25%
  Month 12	25%

   

  The initial subsidy period shall cover the first six (6) months, starting at full reimbursement and tapering down.

  Employers may request up to two (2) extensions beyond the initial subsidy period. During any approved extension, the reimbursement rate remains fixed at 25% of the participant’s wages.

  This tiered approach incentivizes employers to retain participants and transition them into unsubsidized employment.

Submission Requirements

• Respondent Agreement (required) —

  Respondent agrees:

  Nothing in this document shall be construed as obligating the County to issue an RFP.  No contract will be awarded based on this RFI, or to pay for any information voluntarily submitted as a result of this request.

  Responding to this RFI, will not give any advantage to any organization or individual in any subsequent competition. Responses may be used by the County without restriction or limitation, therefore proprietary information should not be sent.

   

• Respondent Response to RFI (required) —

  Respondent shall provide the following information as evidence the respondent’s experience in delivering services similar to those required by this RFI: 

  1. A brief, descriptive statement indicating the respondent’s credentials to deliver the services sought under this RFI.
  2. A brief description of the respondent’s background and organizational history;
  3. Years in business;
  4. A brief statement of how long the respondent has been performing the services required by this RFI
  5. Location of offices
  6. A description of the respondent organization’s number of employees, longevity, client base
  7. Whether there have been any mergers, acquisitions, or sales of the respondent company within the last ten years (if so, an explanation providing relevant details);
  8. Form of business (i.e., individual, sole proprietor, corporation, non-profit corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, et cetera).