Provider for Career Services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Notice is hereby given that the Union County Workforce Development Board (“UCWDB”) will receive proposals no later than Wednesday, September 2, 2026 by 11:00am, EST, addressed to Union County Workforce Development Board, Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, 2 ^nd Floor, Elizabeth, NJ 07207, for the provision of:

PROVIDER FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH SERVICES UNDER THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT

The UCWDB 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.

Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act Out-of-School Youth funding is being employed to solicit proposals. This program is financed with $333,000 in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Out-of-School Youth funds, representing one hundred percent (100%) of the total program cost of $333,000. One hundred percent (100%), or $333,000, of the total program cost is financed with federal funds provided by the United States Department of Labor and administered by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Zero percent (0%), or $0, of the total program cost is financed by nongovernmental sources. This disclosure is made pursuant to Section 511 of Public Law 101-166, as amended. The anticipated funding period is October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027. The Request for Proposals (“RFP”) is soliciting proposals to procure a single service provider for a PROVIDER FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH SERVICES UNDER THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT. Services provided under the RFP are targeted to provide an academic program for at-risk youth, ages 16-24 years of age, who are currently out of school; to provide the enrolled youth with access to all 14 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program elements, which includes work experience opportunities; to enroll the out-of-school youth in an academic program that will afford them the opportunity to graduate with a high school diploma.

Funding allocations governed by this public notice will be included in the Request for Proposals. Successful Respondents must demonstrate current or future service delivery capabilities to serve youth in Union County effectively.

Request for Proposals may be obtained online as of Wednesday, August 12, 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 Lisa Bonanno at lbonanno@ucnj.org . Written questions will be accepted through Tuesday, August 18, 2026 by 4:00pm, EST. Questions submitted after this date and time may not be answered by the UCWDB in order to assist all Respondents in timely submitting their proposals. Questions will be responded to no later than Friday, August 21, 2026 by 4:00pm, EST.

All information requested in the Request for Proposals must be provided or the proposal shall be disqualified. Proposals must follow the format outlined in the RFP. No alteration of the RFP format is permitted. This prohibition does not affect the Title Page required by Section IV of the RFP. Proposals must be sealed and labeled “PROVIDER FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH SERVICES UNDER THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT”. Proposals must be made in the form required by the RFP specifications and one (1) original, two (2) copies, and one (1) PDF electronic copy on a Flash Drive must be received by postal mail, hand delivery or Commercial Mail Carrier no later than Wednesday, September 2, 2026 by 11:00am, EST. 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, e-mail or other electronic delivery method 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.

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