BIDDER’S CONFERENCE
Friday, May 8, 2015
9:00am -11:00am
Meeting Minutes
Maranda Libster, Directions for Youth
and Families
John Cerv, Directions for Youth and
Families
ATTENDEES
Michael Cole, J. Ashburn Youth Center
Heather Wade, Henkels & McCoy
Jessica, Lodermeier, Henkels &
McCoy
Joe Cavinee, Gladden Community
House
Mike Dean, Franklin County YouthBuild
Kris Gamer, WrightChoice Inc.
Kay Wilson, LeaderSparks
Randal Wiggins, Building a Better
Community for a Better Tomorrow
Toni Cunningham, Columbus Urban
League
TyKiah Wright, WrightChoice Inc.
Bo Chilton, IMPACT Community
Action
Faren Morris, Lead The Way
Learning Academy
Tony Ransom, The Neighborhood
House Incorp
Amy Harcar, Ethiopian Tewahedo
Social Services
Tony English, YouthBuild Columbus
Leo Devlin, Columbus Urban League
Lori Caliman, Columbus Urban League
Omar Hassan, Somali Community
Anna Chen, Ethiopian Tewahedo
Social Services
Roselinde Banks, Dayspring
Christian CDC
Suzanne Coleman-Tolbert
Shirley Costantino
Win Dearing
Lawrence Jackson
Gregory Kendrick, Hiltop Shalom Zone
COWIC STAFF
Lisa Clark, OhioGuidestone
Dawn Redman, The Neighborhood
House Incorp
Jennifer Marshall, Goodwill
Industries
Nick Jones, Boys & Girls Club
Hilary Blakemore, Boys & Girls Club
Leland Bass, IMPACT Community
Action
Emily Snyder, MCS TOUCH
Lena Sloutsky, TOUCH
Andrea Applegate, Jewish Family
Services
Fred Points, Jewish Family Services
Lora Fish, Jewish Family Services
Christine Happel, Clintonville
Beechwold Community Resources
Center
Derek Steward, YouthBuild
Columbus
Tara Lamont
Agenda Topic
Welcome
DISCUSSION
Funding
DISCUSSION
Suzanne Coleman-Tolbert, President & CEO
Ms. Suzanne Coleman-Tolbert, President and CEO of COWIC OMJ-CFC welcomed those in attendance of
the bidder’s conference. Ms. Colbert reviewed the mission, vision, and purpose of COWIC.
Shirley J. Costantino, COO/CFO
WIOA / WIA
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In the PowerPoint presentation provided to those in attendance, slide 3 provided a definition of Outof-School-Youth from WIA to WIOA.
o Definition under WIA - A federal act that “provides workforce investment activities,
through statewide and local workforce investment systems, that increase the employment,
retention, and earnings of participants, and increase occupational skill attainment by
participants, and, as a result, improve the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare
dependency, and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the Nation.”
o Definition under WIOA - Supersedes WIA and is designed to help job seekers access
employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and
to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.
Signed into law on July 22, 2014.
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Ms. Costantino advised that the RFP does not mention funding because COWIC do es not have an
allocation of funds as of yet.

Ms. Costantino also advised that submittals need to be concise and overall a good program to
serve Out-of-School Youth. Organizations must be flexible.
Future Talent
Lawrence Jackson, Program Manager

Mr. Jackson advised of showing initiative in keeping youth engaged and reviewed key areas of the
RFP:
o Target Population: Youth & Young Adult (age 16-24 who are disconnected from school;
Court Involved Youth; Homeless/Runaway/Aging out of foster care; Pregnant/parenting
youth; Youth with disabilities. (Section 1.3 Priority Target Populations)
o Target Industries: Allied Healthcare; Information Technology; Hospitality and Culinary
Arts. (Section 2.2.4 Occupational Skills Training)

Ms. Lamont advised and reviewed key areas of the RFP, COWIC will identify and fund
organizations that will design innovative and comprehensive services that result in out -of-school
youth achieving academic and employment success. COWIC will fund agencies that have the
capacity and demonstrated success to offer services to this age group. Agencies are to design an
evidence based program.
o Program Model: Proposers should design and implement an evidence based program
model consisting of a continuum of services with comprehensive case management and
guidance to meet the needs of young adults. Program model must have the framework
that is designed to prepare participants for a global workforce system. Proposers are to
demonstrate their ability to provide year-round activities and services for WIOA eligible
young adults. (Section 2.1 Program Model)
o Boot Camp (section 2.2.1 Boot Camp)
a. Boot camp will consist of a 10-week talent recruitment training. Proposers are to
recruit 10-15 young adults at a time to create cohorts.
b. Learning during the 10 week period should include, but not limited to, life skills,
job readiness, financial literacy, etc. (please refer to the RFP).
c. During the 10 week boot camp all participants must complete the following
workshops: Resumes that Work, Social Media, Ace the Interview, Create Your
Own Cover Letter, Navigating Casting Calls, Sharpening Your Employability
Skills. Proposers will need to create their own curriculum and submit as an
attachment.
o Use of Ohio Means Jobs: Proposers will ensure all participants are registered on Ohio
Means Jobs. Young Adults are to be connected to the following talent recruitment
activities: Career explorations, Job Shadowing, Work-based Learning,
Unsubsidized/Subsidized employment, Job search assistance (section 2.2.3 Employment
Research and Connection.)
o Program Requirements (section 2.3 Program Requirements)
a. Outreach & Recruitment, Orientation, Intake/Eligibility, Assessment, Individual
Service Strategy, Career Services.
b. Proposers are strongly encouraged to link and share information with other
agencies, organizations, and training providers in order to meet individual
needs.

Mr. Jackson advised and reviewed key areas of the RFP:
o Outcomes & Performance: WIA performance measures will remain in effect from 7/1/15
to 6/30/16. However, program models and proposals should be designed to achieve WIA
and WIOA measures. WIOA measures may be further refined as the regulations are
finalized. (Section lV: Outcomes & Performance)
Mr. Jackson advised to provide an upward mobility of skills (i.e. Placing a youth in a career pathway
rather than just a job; placing youth in employment where there are opportunities to move up within
in an organization.)
DISCUSSION
Program Model
Tara Lamont, Procurement Administrator
DISCUSSION
Performance
Lawrence Jackson, Program Manager
DISCUSSION

Helpful Hints
Win Dearing, Procurement Manager

DISCUSSION


Minutes prepared by HH 5.8.15
Mr. Dearing made note of the RFP amended language in section 1.2 to reflect funding available for
services under WIA, WIOA, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and any other
eligible funding to be for these out-of-school youth purposes. A hand out of this amended language
was provided to those in attendance. Finale award amounts will be subject to availability of funds.
Cost for services must be reasonable, measurable, and allocable. Definitions can be found in the
Federal Register, part III, Office of Management and Budget on page 78640 at:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-12-26/pdf/2013-30465.pdf
Proposers may identify organizations with whom they will collaborate to enhance the program
model design. These relationships or collaborations are encouraged. However, proposers are to
follow the OMB Super Circular, 2 CFR Part 200, Section 200.318-329 General Procurement

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
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Standards at http:www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-12-26/pdf/2013-30465.pdf.
Proposers must follow procedures outlined in the RFP. RFP available on COWIC OMJ-CFC website
http://cowic.org/funding/vendor-opportunities/ (section V General Information)
Letter of intent to bid are due no later than noon May 11, 2015 to wdearing@cowic.org
The LOI will not be considered as a commitment to bid. (Section 5.4 Letter of Intent to Bid)
All proposals must be received by 3:00pm Friday, May 22, 2015. No incomplete, faxed, or late
proposals will be considered. Proposals that do not follow the required format or do not include the
required attachments will not be reviewed and will be returned (Section 7.1 Application submission).
Agencies are to describe the model and answer the key questions outlined in Section VII I: Proposal
Evaluation Criteria. Proposers are not required to follow the numbering of each question; however,
please use headings that can guide the reviewer to follow the response.
Proposals are due on Friday, May 22, 2015 by 3:00pm.
Questions
Question #1
Can any portion of the “boot camp” be paid?
Answer:
COWIC will not pay for attendance. If performance benchmarks are built into the program model, COWIC
will consider payment to the participant for performance.
Question #2
Is there childcare available?
Answer:
Childcare is considered a supportive service and so far, supportive services are still funded under WIOA.
Question #3
How will Youth with criminal backgrounds be viewed in the context of the grant?
Answer:
Youth and young adults in the juvenile justice system are a priority target population to serve. Please refer
to Section 1.3 Priority Target Populations.
Question #4
Does an organization's inclusion in another proposal nullify an individual proposal submittal?
Answer:
No, organizations may partner and/or submit an individual proposal.
DISCUSSION
Question #5
What is the current range of reasonable fees for successful youth participant programs? Do these numbers
include participant wage stipends?
Answer:
There is no current standard. Wages will be paid by a payroll company. Selected agencies are not
expected to pay wages to the youth participant.
Question #6
Can we start part-time employment during the 10 weeks?
Answer:
Yes, participants may start unsubsidized employment at any time after enrollment.
Question #7
Do all of the targeted groups need to be served or is it possible to specialize?
Answer:
Yes, agencies may specialize; however, COWIC is looking to fund agenci es that can offer service to a
variety of youth in Franklin County.
Question #8
During the transition year will providers still have to follow WIA income guidelines?
Answer:
Starting July 1, 2015, WIOA income guidelines must be followed.
Question #9
What performance measures are expected in the 1 year contract?
Answer:
Agencies are to meet the performance stated in their program model.
Minutes prepared by HH 5.8.15
Question #10
How do I or my small organization partner with an organization to provide the Out-of-School Youth
programs?
Answer:
Time will be provided at the end of this Bidder’s Conference for agencies to network.
Question #11
Are youth and young adults able to re-enter program to continue certification and/or education assistance?
Answer:
The term “exit” is a technical term. Participants are to have 1 year of follow-up service after exit. Follow-up
service is an entire program. Therefore, participants are not to know that they are “exited” from the program
and are to continue to receive workforce service.
Question #12
How many cohorts are allowed per year or can multiple be done at the same time?
Answer:
There is no set number.
Question #13
How much funding is available?
Answer:
Funds have not been allocated to the local area; therefore, we are not aware as to the amount of funding
that will be available.
Question #14
How many youth overall do you expect to be served by this funding?
Answer:
There is no set number.
Question #15
What is the optimum number of participants that should be served by individual program?
Answer:
No optimum number is set.
Minutes prepared by HH 5.8.15