Round 3: CCW Apprenticeship Building America Funding: Open 4/1/24

Round 3 of CCW Apprenticeship Building America Funding*: Opening April 1, 2024

The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD), on behalf of Career Connect Washington (CCW), is conducting a Request for Proposals (RFP) for CCW Apprenticeship Building America Program Builder Funding. We seek proposals from highly qualified entities capable of creating, expanding, or enhancing Registered Apprenticeship and Recognized Pre-apprenticeship programs in Washington’s high-demand and high-growth industry sectors.

Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) is a grant from the US Department of Labor to strengthen, modernize, expand, and diversify Registered Apprenticeship programs to enable more workers to earn while they learn and find reliable pathways to the middle class. The ABA grant program will help to further strengthen and modernize Washington’s nationally-recognized apprenticeship system. It will increase equity and accessibility for under-represented populations and bring the Registered Apprenticeship model to more employers in Washington’s high-demand industries. ESD shares the CCW vision that every young adult in Washington will have multiple pathways toward economic self-sufficiency and fulfillment, strengthened by a comprehensive statewide system for career connected learning. Apprenticeships have been the pathway to the middle class for generations of skilled workers in Washington – and ESD is proud to partner with CCW, the Department of Labor & Industries, the US Department of Labor, and Washington’s apprenticeship community on this Apprenticeship Building America grant.

ESD has made approximately $2,965,421.90 of federal Apprenticeship Building America funds available for this opportunity. ESD targets $100,000 – $150,000 per award. ESD expects performance periods will begin in Q3 2024 and end by Q2 2026.

Bids are due June 28, 2024, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. The RFP can be accessed via the Washington Electronic Business Solutions (WEBS) system beginning April 1, 2024 (RFP #2024-03). Bidders are responsible for downloading the solicitation document and all appendices and incorporated documents. Questions can be directed to Procurement Coordinators Jennifer Watson and Kiva Nguyen (esdgpbids@esd.wa.gov).

Career Connect Washington partners and stakeholders are encouraged to share this announcement broadly with any and all potential bidders.

Items of Note

• *Notice of Intent to Bid*
  • A Notice of Intent to Bid is required. This is mandatory and due before the proposal deadline. The Notice of Intent to Bid is due April 30, and the Proposal is due June 28.
• *Registered Apprenticeships and Recognized Pre-apprenticeships*
  • The funding opportunity is only for Program Builders who will create, expand, and enhance Registered Apprenticeships and Recognized Pre-apprenticeship programs in Washington’s high-demand and high-growth industry sectors.
  • The CCW ABA Program Builder RFP provides distinct funds tailored to the unique needs of Program Builders developing, expanding, and enhancing Registered Apprenticeships and Recognized Pre-apprenticeships. Successful bidders will receive bespoke technical assistance from ESD, the Department of Labor & Industries, and the US Department of Labor.
  • This funding opportunity is aligned with CCW statewide sector strategiesdeveloped by our ten CCW Sector Leaders.

• CCW ABA Program Builder Timeline & Activities

Bidders’ Conference: April 8, 2024  10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• • CCW ABA Program Builder slides (PDF) 
  • CCW ABA Program Builder video 

 Notice of Intent to Bid Due: April 30, 2024 – 5:00 PM

Proposals Due: June 28, 2024, at 5:00 PM

Anticipated Announcement of Successful Bidders: August 2024

Grant Information:

Eligible Applicants: Entities interested in performing the role of Program Builder and working with Regional Networks, Career Connected Learning Coordinators at the Educational Service Districts, Sector Leaders, labor, employers, and education partners to expand, strengthen, and modernize Washington’s nationally recognized apprenticeship system in high-demand and high-growth industry sectors.

Funding: $2,965 421.90 of federal Apprenticeship Building America funds are available. ESD targets $100,000 – $150,000 per award.

Period of Performance: Estimated at 18 months, September 2024 through March 2026.

Allowable Costs:
Funds to be used to design and qualify Registered Apprenticeship and Recognized Pre-apprenticeship programs for approval from Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council. Funds may not be used for direct instruction, direct services, or wrap-around supports. Participants, as defined by USDOL, cannot be served with these funds.

Funding will support program development costs and may include employer incentives per USDOL restrictions.
Allowable budget categories may include the following, provided costs are attributable to contract activities:

• Staff Salaries
• Staff Benefits
• Costs for outreach to business and education partners;
• Travel directly related to program development;
• Supplies
• Contracts for curriculum development
• Employer incentives (conditions apply)
• Equipment (conditions apply)

*Career Connect Washington & Washington Employment Security Department Apprenticeship Building America efforts receive support and funding from a U.S. Department of Labor Category 4 Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) grant.