(a) The Secretary selects eligible entities to operate contract centers on a competitive basis in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations. In selecting an entity, the Secretary issues requests for proposals (RFPs) for the operation of all contract centers according to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR chapter 1) and Department of Labor Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR chapter 29). The Secretary develops RFPs for center operators in consultation with the Governor, the center workforce council (if established), and the Local WDB for the workforce development area in which the center is located.

(b) The RFP for each contract center describes uniform specifications and standards, as well as specifications and requirements that are unique to the operation of the specific center.

(c) The contracting officer selects and funds Job Corps contract center operators on the basis of an evaluation of the proposals received using criteria established by the Secretary, and set forth in the RFP. The criteria include the following:

(1) The offeror's ability to coordinate the activities carried out through the Job Corps center with activities carried out under the appropriate State and local workforce investment plans;

(2) The offeror's ability to offer career technical training that has been proposed by the workforce council and the degree to which the training reflects employment opportunities in the local areas in which most of the enrollees intend to seek employment;

(3) The degree to which the offeror demonstrates relationships with the surrounding communities, including employers, labor organizations, State WDBs, Local WDBs, applicable one-stop centers, and the State and region in which the center is located;

(4) The offeror's past performance, if any, relating to operating or providing activities to a Job Corps center, including information regarding the offeror in any reports developed by the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Labor and the offeror's demonstrated effectiveness in assisting individuals in achieving the indicators of performance for eligible youth described in sec. 116(b)(2)(A)(ii) of WIOA, listed in §686.1010; and

(5) The offeror's ability to demonstrate a record of successfully assisting at-risk youth to connect to the workforce, including providing them with intensive academics and career technical training.

(d) In order to be eligible to operate a Job Corps center, the offeror also must submit the following information at such time and in such manner as required by the Secretary:

(1) A description of the program activities that will be offered at the center and how the academics and career technical training reflect State and local employment opportunities, including opportunities in in-demand industry sectors and occupations recommended by the workforce council;

(2) A description of the counseling, career transition, and support activities that will be offered at the center, including a description of the strategies and procedures the offeror will use to place graduates into unsubsidized employment or education leading to a recognized postsecondary credential upon completion of the program;

(3) A description of the offeror's demonstrated record of effectiveness in placing at-risk youth into employment and postsecondary education, including past performance of operating a Job Corps center and as appropriate, the entity's demonstrated effectiveness in assisting individuals in achieving the indicators of performance for eligible youth described in sec. 116(b)(2)(A)(ii) of WIOA, listed in §686.1010;

(4) A description of the relationships that the offeror has developed with State WDBs, Local WDBs, applicable one-stop centers, employers, labor organizations, State and local educational agencies, and the surrounding communities in which the center is located;

(5) A description of the offeror's ability to coordinate the activities carried out through the Job Corps center with activities carried out under the appropriate State Plan and local plans;

(6) A description of the strong fiscal controls the offeror has in place to ensure proper accounting of Federal funds and compliance with the Financial Management Information System established by the Secretary under sec. 159(a) of WIOA;

(7) A description of the steps to be taken to control costs in accordance with the Financial Management Information System established by the Secretary;

(8) A detailed budget of the activities that will be supported using Federal funds provided under this part and non-Federal resources;

(9) An assurance the offeror is licensed to operate in the State in which the center is located;

(10) An assurance that the offeror will comply with basic health and safety codes, including required disciplinary measures and Job Corps' Zero Tolerance Policy; and

(11) Any other information on additional selection factors required by the Secretary.

[81 FR 56443, Aug. 19, 2016, as amended at 84 FR 64740, Nov. 25, 2019]