Proposals for Work First New Jersey Paid Work-Based Learning Services -- Program Year 2025

PUBLIC NOTICE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Notice is hereby given that the Union County Workforce Development Board (“WDB”) will receive proposals no later than Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM, EST, addressed to Union County Workforce Development Board, Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, 4 ^th Floor, Elizabeth, NJ 07207, for the provision of:

Proposals for Work First New Jersey Paid Work-Based Learning Services — Program Year 2025

The WDB will utilize a competitive contracting process to procure the listed services pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-4.1 et seq. Proposals are being solicited through a fair and open process in accordance with N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4.

Services to be provided include Paid Work-Based Learning activities: On-the-Job Training (OJT), Transitional Jobs, Incumbent Worker Training (IWT), and Subsidized Work Experience. All services shall be coordinated through the Union County American Job Center (UCAJC).

Eligible participants to be served through paid work-based learning include Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training participants, and WIOA Adult program participants.

Available funding:

• WFNJ TANF – $500,000 for Work-Based Learning and $75,000 for Supportive Services
• WFNJ SNAP – $300,000 for Work-Based Learning and $25,000 for Supportive Services
• WIOA Adult – $75,000 for Work-Based Learning and $75,000 for Supportive Services.
• Total available funding: $1,050,000.

The Request for Proposals (“RFP”) may be obtained online as of Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at http://ucnj.org/vendor-opportunities/rfqs-and-rfps/current/.

All questions regarding the RFP must be made in writing directed to Kraig Dowd, Esq., General Counsel to the UCWDB at kraig@weberdowdlaw.com AND to Meredith Barracato of the UCWDB at meredith.barracato@ucnj.org. Written questions will be accepted through Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 4:00 PM EST. Questions submitted after this date and time may not be answered by the UCWDB in order to assist all proposers in timely submitting their proposals. Questions will be responded to no later than Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM EST.

The UCWDB will host a Technical Assistance Conference to provide prospective proposers with an overview of the RFP requirements, work-based learning modalities, and the proposal submission process. The conference will be held virtually on Monday, February 23, 2026 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EST. Attendance is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged. The conference may be accessed via Google Meet at https://meet.google.com/rfw-knma-zjp. Questions raised during the conference will be documented. Proposers may also submit questions arising from the conference in writing per the instructions above through the question submittal deadline. All questions will be addressed in the written responses posted on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM EST.

All information requested in the RFP must be provided or the proposal shall be disqualified. Proposals MUST BE SEALED AND LABELED “PROPOSALS FOR WORK FIRST NEW JERSEY PAID WORK-BASED LEARNING SERVICES”. Proposals must be made in the form required by the RFP specifications and one (1) original, two (2) copies, and 1 (one) PDF electronic copy on a Thumb Drive must be received via postal mail, hand delivery or commercial carrier no later than 11:00 AM (EST) on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Proposals may be submitted prior to the deadline. The County will not be responsible for late delivery by the U.S. Mail or any other carrier. No late proposals will be accepted. Proposals submitted by fax or e-mail will not be accepted.

The Union County Workforce Development Board reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive any informality in the RFP process, and to accept any proposals which, in its judgment, are most advantageous, price and other factors considered, and will best serve the interest of Union County.

Proposers are required to comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27.