REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approval to Modify Contract to Provide Employment and Training Services for NOVA Ready to Work Grant
Report
BACKGROUND
In November 2014, NOVA was awarded $5,293,884 by the U. S. Department of Labor to serve 1,373 individuals during the grant term of November 1, 2014 through October 31, 2018. This program is designed to provide long-term unemployed job seekers with training and other services leading to employment in occupations and industries for which employers use H-1B visas to hire foreign workers. In addition to NOVA, several other organizations are providing services under the grant. On January 6, 2015 (RTC No. 14-1121), Council approved the award of contracts. Council approval is now requested to modify the contract with the City of San Francisco (Office of Economic and Workforce Development) to increase the contract amount by $300,000 for a new contract amount of $1,280,000 for services through October 31, 2018.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 5.1.1: Socio-Economic - Goals and Policies: Education and Training Goal 5.1F: Provide job training and employment services, within constraints of operative Federal regulations and available Federal funding, to address the locally-determined employment and training needs of economically disadvantaged residents and others with special needs.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental, organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
DISCUSSION
NOVA was awarded a Ready to Work grant from the U. S. Department of Labor in November 2014. This is a regional grant to serve individuals who have been unemployed for a minimum of 27 weeks and need job search assistance and/or training to secure employment in a mid- to high-skill technology occupation.
In addition to NOVA providing services directly, the local workforce development boards operated by the County of Alameda, the City of San Jose, and the City of San Francisco were contracted to provide grant services throughout the grant term, which ends October 31, 2018. NOVA has performed a review of grant performance to date and, with the concurrence of the other service providers, is reducing funding for two areas with less need and redirecting the funds to the City of San Francisco and NOVA. The City of San Francisco has agreed to provide additional services for a contract amount increase of $300,000 for a new contract amount of $1,280,000 for services through October 31, 2018.
FISCAL IMPACT
The source of funds for the services in these contracts is H-1B Job Training Grant funds. Since funds are obligated to programs only based upon appropriations dedicated to NOVA in the grant award, sufficient grant funds will exist to cover all anticipated obligations of day-to-day program operations.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the agreement with City of San Francisco (Office of Economic and Workforce Development) for workforce development services to increase the contract amount by $300,000 for a new contract amount of $1,280,000 for services through October 31, 2018.
Staff
Prepared by: Jeanette Langdell, Employment Training Manager
Reviewed by: Kris Stadelman, Director, NOVA Workforce Services
Reviewed by: Walter C. Rossmann, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Modification #4 to Agreement No. 001-RTW-15