CFI Q&A Response

		Northwest Workforce Investment Board Becky Steele: Executive Director 912 Main Street * Trenton, MO 64683 * 800-794-3535 * 660-359-3622 * 660-359-3082 Fax Serving 18 counties in Northwest Missouri Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Clinton, Dekalb, Daviess, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Putnam, Sullivan, Worth
		"A qualified person for every job; a quality job for every person" Through partnership with each local community, it is our vision that every employer will maintain a qualified, productive workforce; and that every job-seeker will have education and training opportunities, throughout their lifetime, which lead to a lasting, living-wage job commensurate with their abilities and goals.

North Central Missouri College

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CFI Q&A Response
CFI Response

Kim Mildward:	1. Do the funding amounts cited in the CFI include all projected rescissions?
	Yes, we have included 1.75% reduction over the original PY07 funding level. At this time, that is the only announced funding reduction forPY08; all other announced rescissions will be drawn from current or earlier years.
	2. Has the WIB formulated an average cost per customer?
	No, we have not imposed a maximum average cost per customer, but this calculation will be included in the due diligence process as we consider reasonableness of cost and return on investment.
	3. Are applicants expected to include carry-over customers in their program design?
	No, for purposes of this Call, applicants should describe and project new customers only.
Scott Long:	4. After review of our current budgets and the projected funding allocation in the CFI, there appears to be a 6% reduction from our current youth funding rather than the 1.75%.
	Some agencies were allocated additional funds this year from regional carryover funds and/or remaining “hold-back” funds. The 1.75% reduction was applied to the original PY07 funding level.
	5. Why are 25 copies required if only the abstract will be distributed to the Program Oversight/Executive committees?
	While we understand that 25 copies is an administrative cost and burden, it is necessary to allow for comprehensive review by the Youth Council, Program Oversight, and Executive Committees of the WIB. Committee members will receive the entire packet, except for Attachments.
Kim Mildward:	6. Must we submit 25 copies of the Face Sheet, Narrative, Abstract and attachments?
	Each agency must submit 25 copies of the Face Sheet, Narrative, and Abstract. Only one set of Attachments per agency is required. This means that if your agency submits both Adult and Youth applications, we still need only one set of attachments.
Lynette Saxton:	7. Do we need to submit a separate customer flow chart for Career Assistance Program(CAP)?
	Yes, that requirement is described in IV-D-9 of the CAP CFI.
Tye Parsons:	8. What information is reviewed as a part of the public bid opening?
	The submission date of the application packet is noted prior to opening; the Face Sheet is read after opening.
Kim Mildward:	9. The Scopes of Work reference the WorkKeys pre-readiness assessment; should that be changed?
	All of the Scopes are current Scopes of Work; prior to the beginning of the program year there is an annual review and revision of the Scopes. That activity will occur this spring and will conclude with implementor training before the new program year begins. There will be a change with WorkKeys assessments as well as several other areas.
Jackie Soptic:	10. Has the $10,000 funding allocation for Rapid Response been included in the total funding allocations for Dislocated Workers (DW)?
	No. Rapid Response is one example of related contracts that may be executed when mutually agreed by the WIB and the implementor. The Rapid Response Scope is included simply for applicant review. While $10,000 is the funding allocation per subregion this year for DW implementers, the WIB has not yet received allocations for this activity.
Alice Schafer:	11. Must applicants budget for the DESE training funds?
	For all programs other than DW, applicants must budget for training. However, the State Division of Workforce Development historically contracts directly with Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for tuition reimbursement for dislocated workers. These funds do not come from regional or local allocations, but instead are statewide funds. While not certain, we anticipate these funds will be available again and encourage applicants to plan their budgets accordingly.
Kim Mildward:	12. Can you tell us where you got the projected numbers of customers for CAP; both totals and the split between two-parent households and single-parent households?
	The projected total number of customers was derived from the December 31, 2007 quarterly report; the regional total for that quarter (1189) was quadrupled to estimate an annual count. We understand that this figure is soft, since “immediate engagement’ had not been implemented and will likely have a direct effect on customer count. The split between household composition was derived from a similar quarterly report.
	13. Is it possible for us to get the split by household composition by subregion? It seems that 13% is a lower percentage of two-parent households than we see in our subregion.
	We will include a county/ subregional breakdown of single-parent and two-parent households with the Q&A % Split between Single Parent and Two Parent Household per County (PDF File)
Scott Long:	14. Is there a way we can get regular accurate performance reports for the CAP program? The Scope of Work indicates we will be monitored based on certain criteria, yet we are not able to get reports to indicate our performance, such as work participation.
	There have been pledges that Toolbox 2.0 will be much more reliable in both accuracy and consistency of output reporting. The State Division of Workforce Development is well aware of the reporting needs of regions and local subcontractors. While it is time consuming and burdensome, these performance indicators can be gleaned from your own customer records in ToolBox. It would require manual calculations from each individual file.
Tye Parsons:	15. The CFI refers to performance targets as “aiming points” in one place, but states that these targets must be achieved in another. These appear to be conflicting statements.
	Performance targets in this outcome-based contracting process are both – they are your aiming points for program delivery and they also represent the performance standards negotiated by the WIB.
	16. What ramifications do we face if standards are not met; in particular the work participation rate?
	Sanctions may be imposed if States do not reach the required 50% work participation rate (single-parent households) and 90% work participation rate (two-parent households). These sanctions can include loss of funding. The good news and the bad news is that this is a State standard – the State must meet the 50/90% work participation rates. The Northwest Region represents such a small percentage of the State. TANF population that our meeting the rate does not provide much assurance that the State will, nor if we don’t make it that the State won’t. Work participation rates will be extremely difficult to reach.
Jackie Soptic:	17. As applicants, we should focus on percentages rather than the numbers?
	Yes, you should focus on percentages in regard to the negotiated performance rates; however we are interested in the number of customers you propose to serve as well. On the face sheet, you will need both since we ask for your numerator and denominator.
Kim Mildward:	18. On the CAP customer performance target “Show Up”, are you referring to show up for immediate engagement or show up as engaged?
	We are asking for the number you believe will show up as part of the immediate engagement that was launched January 1, 2008. We understand that there will be lingering customers you work with who came into the system prior to that date, but with those exceptions, “Show Up” should be 100% of your projected CAP customers. TANF Work Activities (PDF File)
Scott Long:	19. Can you explain what you mean by “comparative advantage” when describing our product or service?
	As you describe your approach to service delivery (i.e. staff assigned to one county vs. staff assigned to one program area) or program elements (i.e. mentoring vs. tutoring), discuss the advantages that you believe accompany the delivery model or program element you have chosen.
	20. What does “Total Staff Costs” mean on the CAP face sheet?
	This is simply all staff costs – including those which might also be included as a part of the training or work activities category above.
Alice Schafer:	21. Are applicants allowed to include administrative funds in our CAP proposals since 10% of the funding available can be used for administrative expenses?
	No, the 10% administrative funding is retained at the WIB level. All expenses, including those normally classified as administrative (i.e. audit) should be budgeted as program costs for both the CAP and WIA programs.
Scott Long:	22. The listing of satellite sites does not include GHCAA Linn County office. Is that correct?
	No, GHCAA Linn County office is a satellite site. We will correct the site listing and include it with the Q&A. Revised site listing (PDF file)
Maggie Reever (2/7/08)	23. At the bottom of the face sheet under Youth, isn’t this a dollar amount?
	The Face Sheet requests seven responses for Youth Services. Three are dollar amounts: a. Total amount bid for youth services b. Of that total, how much will be spent on In-School Youth c. Of that total, how much will be spent on Out-of-School Youth The other four responses requested are actual number of youth.
	24. Do you know the TEGL number to calculate information for the face sheet?
	TEGL 17-05 lists the specific parameters for Common Measures, however the definitions are also included on page 5 and 6 of the WIA CFI document.
Gina Triplett (2/8/08)	25. On the CAP Face Sheet, Two Parent Household & Single Parent Household both ask for "Show Up". Show up meaning what? Average based on a yearly figure, monthly or weekly, how are we to find this information?
	As we responded in Question 18 above, we are asking for the number you believe will show up as part of the immediate engagement that was launched January 1, 2008. We understand that there will be lingering customers you work with who came into the system prior to that date, but with those rare exceptions, “ShowUp” should be 100% of your projected CAP customers. On page 3 of the CAP CFI document, we provided the yearly projected figures for CAP – including the breakdown by household composition. Applicants should calculate their proportion of those customers to be served in their respective subregion by applying funding allocation percentages found on page 4 of the CAP CFI document.

Kim Mildward (2/20/08)	26. In the CFI guidelines for the Career Assistance Program application, the number of individuals referred is broken down by two-parent and single-parent households. It presents two parent households as 87% and single parent households as 13%. When I look at the document attached to question #12 on the Q&A from the website it shows just the opposite. Please confirm for us which is correct.
	The "labels" on page 3 of the Call for Implementors was accidentally reversed. The correct percentage of household composition is 87% - single-parent households and 13% two-parent households that is reflected in the attachment to Question 12.

Tom Bliss (3/3/08)	27. What are occupancy costs at the St. Joseph Career Center?
	According to the 2007 Career Center Chartering Business Plan, the annual cost of operating the Missouri Career Center facility in St. Joseph is $66,839.99 ($6.55 per square foot without data circuit, 7.08 with data circuit). The 9,428 square foot facility allows space for 36 workstations, plus common areas. The annual cost averaged out per workstation is $1856.64 with data circuit and $1717.65 without data circuit. Included in the cost are: Utilities including water, sewer, electricity, natural gas Janitorial and housekeeping services Elevator maintenance Facility equipment maintenance Pest control General trash removal, snow and ice removal, and lawn care Parking on premises Maintenance of lighting including replacement bulbs Work station furniture to include desk, chair, side chair, and telephone Internet access Access to resource area, conference rooms, employee lounge, restrooms, etc.
	28. Do we need to submit/complete a proposed budget?
	The outcome-based method of contracting focuses on the performance targets and does not require a program budget from all applicants. It is possible that successful applicants will be required to submit program budgets and other financial information as part of the contracting process. In the Call for Implementors Section IV: Submitting the Application and Closing Date, you will find a list of items which must be included in the application. They are: Face Sheet (which will state the total amounts of funds requested as well as the performance targets planned) Abstract Target Plan/Narrative Attachments
	29. What is the average annual number of dislocated clients in the ABCD area?
	Approximately 200 Dislocated Workers were served in the ABCD subregion in the most recent program year.

	30. Do we need to sign the Complaint/Grievance Procedure document?
	No, this document was included in the CFI as evidence of program requirements for successful applicants.

Lynette Saxton 3/4/08)	31. In reviewing the CFI, page 5 of 7 item #4, there is mention of milestones and goals. Are milestones and goals to be part of the proposal for the CAP application?
	Only in the broad sense that goals, and steps to those goals, should be part of any program planning. Performance targets are identified on the Face Sheet; those are the required measurables for the Career Assistance Program.

Jackie Spainhower (3/6/08)

32. On the Face Sheet, are you requesting a numerator and denominator for the Worker Average Earnings, or a commitment that we will achieve the target amount? If you require both numerator and denominator, what numbers are you requesting? Would we divide the total proposed average earnings by the number we plan to enroll?

The face sheet indicates both a numerator and denominator, as well as a target to be met for Average Earnings. Proposers would need to determine the appropriate numerator and denominator in order to achieve the established target. Numerator= "of those who are employed in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd qtrs. after exit, the total earnings in the 2nd plus 3rd qtrs. after exit." Denominator = "# who exit during the quarter"


	Last modified: August 19, 2008