REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Third Contract Amendment to Central Labor Council Partnership for Adult Workforce Development Services in San Mateo County
Report
BACKGROUND
NOVA Workforce Services (NOVA) contracts out adult workforce development services in San Mateo County, under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). It currently contracts with the Central Labor Council Partnership (CLCP) for adult services at a San Mateo NOVA location. Customers are able to access services at either San Mateo or Sunnyvale. NOVA has been approved by the state to directly provide adult services at the Sunnyvale location.
CLCP provides career services to adult jobseekers at the San Mateo Job Center. Services include assessment, career advising and individualized employment planning, occupational skills training, an online job connector job board, and career navigation workshops that support a customer-driven model.
Adult services contracts in San Mateo County are competitively procured. In 2022, a contract was awarded to CLCP for adult services following a competitive procurement process. The City Council approved the adult services contract at its June 21, 2022, meeting (RTC No. 22-0644). The funding approved was for up to $700,000 ($350,000 for WIOA adults and $350,000 for WIOA dislocated workers.) The term of this contract was for one year, from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, with the option to renew up to three additional years for a total service period of four years. Renewal was dependent upon successful performance and available funding.
Since the contract was initially awarded in 2022, it has been amended twice. The first amendment made administrative changes and staffing adjustments of $54,062 for the term ending June 30, 2023. The second amendment renewed the contract for the first of the three authorized annual renewals, from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, in the amount not to exceed $700,000. The renewal was based on successful performance the previous year and available funding.
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
The importance of reaching out to disenfranchised and marginalized communities is critical to ensure equal access to workforce development services. This requires targeted outreach and recruitment to touch those unemployed residents requiring assistance that have not been previously served. San Mateo County is a large geographic region comprised of areas of significant poverty. A substantial investment in outreach and recruitment services will be necessary to effectively serve those impacted residents. As such, a third contract amendment with CLCP is recommended to add an additional $242,000 annually to fund outreach and recruitment services. The amended contract for the current FY 2023/24 term would total $942,000 ($471,000 for WIOA adults and $471,000 for WIOA dislocated workers). The recommended amendment would be for the current fiscal year, from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, with the option to renew up to two additional years remaining in the contracting period. Renewal for the final two authorized years will be based on performance results and available funding.
It is anticipated that providing outreach and recruitment services will result in an increase in jobseekers served. CLCP proposes to serve 275 WIOA enrolled adults (up from 250 adults) and 250 WIOA enrolled dislocated workers. There have been no changes made to the current comprehensive career services that remain the focus of this service contract.
The draft third amendment to the contract between the City and CLCP is attached to this report. (Attachment 1).
Pursuant to federal law (29 U.S.CA. Section 3122), the City Council is the “chief elected official”, and the “local grant recipient” and “fiscal agent” for NOVA and the Local Workforce Development Board. In filling these functions, City Council’s past practice for contracts exceeding $250,000 has been to approve the award of the contract and authorize the City Manager or authorized designee to execute the contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
The source of funds for these services is WIOA funds. As such, WIOA funds should sufficiently cover all anticipated obligations of day-to-day program operations. If WIOA funding is cut, then program services will be proportionately reduced. No City funds will be used for the contract.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the NOVA Workforce Services reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City’s website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve the third contract amendment for adult workforce development services and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute agreement with CLCP for adult and dislocated worker services in an amount not to exceed $942,000 ($471,000 for WIOA adults and $471,000 for WIOA dislocated workers), for the contract term from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, and authorize the City Manager or designee to renew the contract for up to the two additional years remaining based on performance results acceptable to the City and available funding.
Staff
Prepared by: Eileen Stanly, Administrative Analyst
Reviewed by: Marléna Sessions, Director, NOVA Workforce Services
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft CLCP Contract Amendment for Adult Workforce Development Services