Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program Phase II

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Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program Phase II

Solicitation For Proposals (SFP) California Energy Commission

Employment Development Department

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Introduction

Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program

Collaborative effort between

California Energy Commission (CEC) and

Employment Development Department (EDD)

SFP is available on the EDD Web site: http://www.edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training/WDSFP_Workforce_Development_Solicitations_for_Proposals.htm

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Section 1- Overview

A. Purpose

To transform California's transportation market to a diverse collection of alternative fuels and vehicle technologies that reduce green house gases and California's dependence on petroleum

Support efforts to develop and deploy alternative fuels and vehicle technologies that transform California’s fuel and vehicle types to help attain the state’s climate change goals

Train the work force required to design, construct, install, operate, service, and maintain alternative fueling infrastructure and vehicles

Section 1- Overview con’t

B. Funding Available

Up to $2 million in ARFVTP funds Maximum Award $500,000

C. Target Population

Upgrade of existing skills • Unemployed• Underemployed• Incumbent workers

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D. Eligible Applicants One of two lead agencies:

1. Local Workforce Investment Board (LWIB)

or

2. Community College District or Local Community College

Required Partners: LWIB or Community College (whichever is not the lead) Minimum 1 ARFVTP Employer

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All applicants are required to describe the classroom and hands-on skills training being provided and

Demonstrate how this training is related to the development and deployment of alternative fuels, vehicles or vehicle technologies

Round one Grantees may be eligible for additional funds:• Demonstrate new or unmet training need• Demonstrate successful performance under original grant

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E. Allowable Uses of Funds Grantees must comply with the ARFVTP

regulations (Health and Safety Code) Funds may be used for the following:

Training related to alternative and renewable fuels and clean vehicle technologies

All training must be consistent with ARFVTP Investment Plans

Trainees must have experience in general mechanics prior to being enrolled in ARFVTP

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Ineligible Use of Funds Funds may not be used for the following:

All training related to technologies required for compliance with existing law

Soft skills and workplace readiness training Curriculum development Equipment purchases All training not related to alternative fuels and/or vehicle

technology e.g.:• Training related to traditional vehicle technologies

(internal combustion engines)• Training related to traditional fuels (diesel & gasoline)

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F. Administrative Cost Limits

Limit to 10% of total project budget• See Appendix D

G. Length of Project

Performance period will be 20 months

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Section 2 - Significant Dates

Event Date

Solicitation for Proposals Release October 19, 2010

Last date to e-mail questions to EDD November 15, 2010

Last date to post questions and answers on EDD Web site

November 22, 2010

Proposals Due November 30, 2010 before 3:00 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Savings Time)

Award Announcements December 2010

Program Start Date January 1, 2011

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Section 3 - ARFVTP Webinar and Questions/Answers Web site

Email questions to [email protected]

Must be received no later than November 15, 2010.

Answers will be posted, on a flow basis, on the EDD’s Jobs and Training Workforce Development SFP Web site, by 5:00 p.m. on November 22, 2010.

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Section 4 - Proposal Submission Instructions

Proposal deadline is November 30, 2010 by 3 p.m. Pacific Daylight Savings Time

LATE PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

Methods for submittal• Mail• Courier• Hand delivery

Note: • EDD will be closed on November 11, 2010, due to State Veterans

Day Holiday• No appeal on late proposals

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Section 5 - Required Proposal Content

A. Minimum Requirements Proposals that do not adhere to these requirements will not

be scored or considered for funding:• Must use the forms package provided and complete

all required forms

B. Match Requirements Applicants will be required to demonstrate a dollar-for-dollar

cash and/or in-kind match WIA or non-WIA funds may be used as match State funds may NOT be included as match All cash and/or in-kind match must be documented with a

letter of commitment verifying the match and attached to the proposal

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Section 5 - Required Proposal Content con’t

C. Bonus Points Requirements

Applicants serving areas not covered in ARFVTP round one may be awarded 3 Bonus Points

• Target areas have not previously received ARFVTP training funds

Areas previously covered• Imperial County• Los Angeles County• City of Long Beach• Richmond City • Sacramento County• San Francisco County

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D. Application Requirements Must meet the other requirements listed below A Penalty will be assessed to proposals that do not adhere

to these requirements

Requirement Penalty

Submit five complete copies of proposal 3 points

deducted

Include entire proposal package including Cover/Signature page on a compact disk, exclusive of the letters of commitment (no Adobe PDF)

3 points deducted

Font no less than 12 point 1 point

deducted

Each copy stapled in the upper left hand corner, no special bindings, report covers or tabbed

1 point deducted

Proposal Narrative is limited to 15 pages, pages over 15 will be removed and not scored (score of zero for removed section(s))

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E. Other Required Elements Due to the specific nature of ARFVTP funded training each

proposal must include:

Curriculum and course outline for all proposed training Explanation of how the training is related to the

development or deployment of alternative fuels, vehicle(s), or vehicle technologies region

A description of targeted workforce need that will be addressed including industry partners who employ or may employ trainees

Commitment letters must be included for all industry partners who employ or may employ trainees

Explanation of how targeted industry employers were involved in the development of training project and curriculum

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Must demonstrate that the project will become operational within the first six months of funding Operational means that enrollment and training must begin

within the first six months

If projects have not become operational with in the first six months from the date of award the Energy Commission will conduct a critical program review to determine if funds will be revoked

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F. Proposal Package InstructionsAvailable on EDD’s Web site

G. Format and Document Order

Checklist to ensure all required documents are included

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Section 6 - Award and Contracting Process

A. Proposal Evaluation and Recommendation for Funding

Proposals read by a team of 3 readers; scores are averaged

Technical Review• Training and curriculum is eligible• Round one applications eligible

Ranked scores and technical review will be primary basis for making recommendations

Recommendations made by Energy Commission and the EDD

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Section 6 - Award and Contracting Process con’t

Criterion Maximum Points

Narrative Section I. Statement of Need 15

Narrative Section II. Target Group 10

Narrative Section III. Planned Approach and Training Curriculum 35

Narrative Section IV. Performance Goals 10

Narrative Section V. Local Partnership and Leveraged Resources 20

Narrative Section VI. Budget Summary Narrative and Plan 10

Subtotal (Excluding Bonus Points) 100

Total Possible Points Including Bonus Points for Serving Areas not covered by Round One ARFTVP (3 bonus points)

103

The scoring value of each section of the SFP:

Concentrate your efforts on the areas with the most points

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Section 6- Award and Contracting Process con’t

B. Notification of Recommendation for Funding Notice posted to the Web site and in a news release Successful applicants and unsuccessful applicants will be

notified by mail

C. Contracting EDD uses subgrant agreements as the binding contract Energy Commission Funds (AB 118) - General Provisions and

Standards of Conduct see Appendix A CEC and EDD may request to incorporate changes to original

proposal• Contract negotiations in January 2011• Earliest project start date January 1, 2011

Note: Energy Commission approval of ARFVTP training curriculum is required prior to start of training

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Section 7 - Appeal Process

May be disqualified for not meeting the minimum requirements and an appeal of that disqualification may be filed

No appeal for not meeting the proposal submission deadline

EDD will mail disqualification letters by December 6, 2010

Appeals must be received by EDD by 4:00 p.m. on December 13, 2010

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Section 8 - Administrative and Program Requirements

A. Program Requirements Applicants will be required to participate in semi-annual

best practices summits Share all program material

B. Monitoring and Audits Awardees will be monitored and/or audited by the State Grantees may be subject to single audit requirements

in OMB Circular A-133

C. Record Keeping Awardees must retain all records pertinent to this

contract for three years from the date of final payment of the contract

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Section 8 - Administrative and Program Requirements con’t

D. Reporting

Must report expenditure, participant and outcome data to the state

Job Training Automation System is vehicle for reporting. See Appendix B for hardware and software requirements

Monthly participant and expenditure reports required

Additional data elements and narrative reports may be required. State to issue further guidance once awards have been made

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Section 8 - Administrative and Program Requirements con’t

E. Cash Disbursements

The State has established a system for disbursing cash requests for the Energy Commission AB 118 funds

JTA system will not be used for processing these cash requests

An invoice process with disbursement of cash through State Controller warrants has been developed

The State will make every effort to minimize the time between the request for cash and the receipt of funds

Further guidance will be issued to awardees

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Section 8 – Administrative and Program Requirements con’t

F. Performance Goals State goals provided as point of reference:

G. Closeout Required 60 days after the completion of the grant WIAD06-3, WIA Closeout Handbook provides specifics

Performance Goals Description Unemployed and Underemployed

Performance Goals (%)

Incumbent Workers Performance Goals

(%) 1. Placement in Training 100% 100% 2. Completed Training 80% 80% 3. Attained Recognized Certificate 70% 70% 4. Placement in Unsubsidized

Employment 73%

5. Retained Employment (6 months) 81% 95%

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Section 8 - Administrative and Program Requirements

H. Compliance All funds subject to state and federal statutory and

regulatory requirements

I. Evaluation The state may conduct a statewide evaluation of the

projects

Grantees will be required to participate by providing requested data and information

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SFP Forms

Cover/Signature Page Proposal Narrative Form Project Work Plan Performance Goals Matrix Partner Roles, Responsibilities and Resources

Chart Budget Summary Plan Supplemental Budget (if applicable) Current ARFVTP Grantee Eligibility

(if applicable)

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Cover/Signature Page

Amount of funding requested Applicant contact information Proposal Summary – limited to one page and

must contain the following:

Industry of Focus Targeted Participants Served Key Partner Highlights Project Description Proposed Outcomes

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Proposal Narrative Form

Limited to 15 Pages Contains 6 Sections

• Statement of Need• Target Group• Planned Approach and Training Curriculum• Performance Goals• Local Partnerships and Leveraged Resources• Budget Summary Narrative and Plan

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Section I - Statement of Need – 15 points, plus 3 bonus points

Describe the targeted region

Describe the ARFVTP target industry sector• Include employer involvement

Describe employment opportunities & skills gap• Using supported data and analysis• Current and projected employment

Bonus Points• Three bonus points will be awarded if targeting

areas not covered by ARFVTP round one funds

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Section II - Target Group – 10 points

Describe target group characteristics• Paint a picture of who they are including

demographics, education, skill level, and workforce challenges

Identify Outreach & Recruitment Methods • Describe how your methods will enable you to

reach the targeted population

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Section III - Planned Approach and Training Curriculum – 35 points

Describe specific types of services and training and who will provide the services and training

Provide a service process flow chart

Identify employer outreach & recruitment methods

Complete chart (included) identifying occupations participants will be trained or employed

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Section III - Planned Approach and Training Curriculum – 35 points

Describe classroom & hands-on skills training Include involvement of employers in development of

training and curriculum Attach curriculum & course outline

Describe how service delivery plan will achieve goals and objectives

Complete Project Work Plan (SFP Form 1)

Describe how the project will become operational within six months

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Section IV - Performance Goals – 10 points

Complete Performance Goals Matrix (SFP Form 2)

Provide a description of how goals will be measured and clarify their impact on target industry and participants

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Section V - Local Partnerships and Leveraged Resources - 20 points

Describe how lead applicant has successfully formed partnerships with required partners:

• Local Workforce Investment Boards• Community Colleges• Minimum one ARFVTP employer

Complete Partners Roles, Responsibilities and Resources Chart (SFP Form 3)

• Section 1 – Required Partners• Section 2 – Employers• Section 3 – Other Partners

Section V - Local Partnerships and Leveraged Resources - 20 points

Match• Dollar-for-dollar• Cash or In-kind• Complete Columns D-F on SFP Form 3, the

Partner Roles, Responsibilities and Resources Chart

• Must have commitment letter

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Section VI - Budget Summary Narrative & Plan – 10 points

Complete Budget Summary Plan (SFP Form 4) and Supplemental Budget Form (SFP Form 5)

Provide detailed justification of all items in the Budget Summary Plan

Demonstrate how the program will plan for future sustainability beyond the first year of funding

Complete biannual cumulative plan for expenditures and match

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Current ARFVTP - Grantee Eligibility

Complete SFP Form 6

Round one ARFVTP applicants must demonstrate new or unmet needs not addressed in the original ARFVTP grant awarded in October 2009.

Demonstrate successful performance under original ARFVTP grant.

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Contact Information

Janet Neitzel, ManagerSolicitations and Grants [email protected]

Leticia RuizSolicitations and Grant [email protected]

Documents

Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program Phase II