Iowa Admin. Code r. 877-7.10

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 6, September 18, 2024

Rule 877-7.10 - Selection of service providers

Core and intensive services for the adult program and the dislocated worker program shall be provided through the workforce development center. These services may be provided by one entity or a number of different entities. If the role of the coordinating service provider includes the provision of core and intensive services for adults and dislocated workers, then the selection of adult and youth service providers may be combined with the selection of the coordinating service provider. The regional workforce investment board and chief elected official board must determine the most effective and efficient manner to provide these services in the region. The regional workforce investment board and chief elected official board must also determine which service providers will be responsible for ensuring that performance standards are met and that the service provider(s) responsible for performance have the authority to make enrollment decisions for their participants.

(1) In selecting service providers, the regional workforce investment board may use the following procedure or may develop a more formal procurement procedure. At a minimum, the procedure to designate service providers must include the following:

a. Public notice. A public notice shall be published in the official county newspaper, as designated by the county board of supervisors. The public notice must indicate that the regional workforce investment board shall hold a meeting to select the service provider(s) to provide core and intensive services for the adult and dislocated worker programs under Title I. The notice shall list the criteria for the selection of the service provider(s) and invite interested entities to give presentations and answer questions relating to the selection criteria. Notices shall also be mailed to potentially interested entities within the local region.

b. Public meeting. The regional workforce investment board shall conduct a public meeting to obtain information from entities interested in providing core and intensive services in the local region and to reach an agreement as to the selection of the service provider(s).

c. Criteria for selecting service providers. The following are examples of criteria that could be considered and addressed in the selection of a service provider:

(1) The effectiveness of the agency or organization in delivering comparable or related services based on documentation of achievement of performance and service level requirements, previous audit and monitoring reports, previous partnerships negotiated for services for customers, and capability of the agency's fiscal unit to manage a similar type of program or project;

(2) The likelihood of meeting performance goals based upon factors such as past performance, effective use of previous grant funds, staff commitment, and availability of staff;

(3) The effectiveness of the agency or organization in minimizing the duplication of services, while at the same time maximizing the coordination with other agencies and organizations to provide the highest quality activities and services to the participants in the program; and

(4) Other criteria as determined by the regional workforce investment board.

(2) Youth service providers shall be selected via a competitive process and based on recommendations of the youth advisory council. Since the delivery of the youth services could be accomplished through a number of different service providers, the regional workforce investment board should initially designate a youth service provider to coordinate the operation of the youth program and to provide eligibility, enrollment, objective assessment and individual service strategy services for youth. Additional youth service providers could be designated at a later date. At a minimum, the procedure to designate the youth service provider(s) must include the following:

a. Public notice. A public notice shall be published in one of the official county newspapers, as designated by the county board of supervisors. The public notice must indicate that the regional workforce investment board shall hold a public meeting to select a youth service provider to coordinate the operation of the youth program, and to provide eligibility, enrollment, objective assessment and individual service strategy services for youth. The notice must list the criteria to be used in the selection of the youth service provider(s) and must require that written proposals be submitted by a specific date. The notice must also invite interested entities that have submitted written proposals to give presentations and answer questions relating to the selection criteria at the public meeting. Notices must also be mailed to potentially interested entities within the local region.

b. Public meeting. The regional workforce investment board must conduct a public meeting to review the written proposals received, obtain any additional information from entities submitting written proposals, and reach an agreement as to the selection(s).

c. Criteria for selecting youth service providers. The following are examples of criteria that could be considered and addressed in the selection of a service provider:

(1) The effectiveness of the agency or organization in delivering comparable or related services based on documentation of achievement of performance and service level requirements, previous audit and monitoring reports and capability of the agency's fiscal unit to manage a similar type of program or project;

(2) The likelihood of meeting performance goals based upon factors such as past performance, staff commitment, and availability of staff;

(4) Other criteria as determined by the regional workforce investment board.

(3) Entities with taxing authority may not use tax paid services as in-kind matching funds.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 877-7.10