Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Activities

The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and our local Workforce Development Boards recognize and adhere to 20 CFR § 681.400 to allow grant recipients/fiscal agents the option to directly provide some or all of the required youth workforce investment activities.  When not directly providing services, the Local Workforce Development Board (WDB) will award grants or contracts on a competitive basis to providers of youth workforce activities, while taking into consideration the ability of providers to meet performance accountability measures based on the primary indicators of performance for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth program, as described in the WIOA Section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii).  The Local WDB must also conduct oversight with respect to such providers.

The LEO List of Eligible Providers of Youth Activities Policy Issuance provides the state-developed criteria for local boards to award grants for youth activities that are not directly provided by the grant recipient/fiscal agent.

This policy requires local boards to identify eligible providers of youth workforce investment activities in the local area by awarding grants or contracts on a competitive basis, based on the recommendation of the youth standing committee, if the local board chooses to establish a standing youth committee under 20 CFR Section 681.100.  The local board then must assign the committee that function.  Where the local board elects to award contracts but determines there is an insufficient number of eligible providers of youth workforce investment activities in the local area, (such as a rural area), the local board may award grants or contracts on a sole source basis.

Per the WD’s List of Eligible Providers of Youth Activities and Local MWA Youth Program Contact Person(s) policy issuance, if not directly providing services, the Local Workforce Development Board (WDB) will award grants or contracts on a competitive basis to providers of youth workforce activities identified based on alignment with state and departmental strategies outline in the State Plan, while taking into consideration the ability of providers to meet performance accountability measures based on the primary indicators of performance for the WIOA Youth program, as described in the WIOA Section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii).  The Local WDB must also conduct oversight with respect to such providers.

Per the aforementioned policy, procurement of youth service providers must be in accordance with the Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR Parts 200 and 2900, in addition to applicable state and local procurement laws.  The WD has issued PI 19-30, which establishes state requirements and highlights federal requirements for procurement.  The information provided in the policy is intended to aid grantees and sub grantees in administering grants.  It is not intended to unduly supplant or replace federal or state regulations and requirements contained in applicable federal and state statutes.  The policy requires grantees and sub grantees to establish, maintain, and follow written procurement standards and procedures that are in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. No-Cost Referrals: Services available via referral at no cost do not require competitive bidding.  However, providers of these services must have the capacity to provide services during the entirety of the participant’s period of enrollment.
    
2. Sole Source: Where the local board elects to award contracts but determines there is an insufficient number of eligible providers of youth workforce investment activities in the local area (such as a rural area), the local board may award grants or contracts on a sole source basis.

PI 19-30 pertains to all programs and grants administered by LEO-WD.  All procurements made in whole or in part with funds administered by WD shall be conducted in a manner that provides full and open competition. 

Grantees and sub grantees shall establish, maintain, and follow written procurement standards  and procedures that are in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and  regulations.