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Plan: Massachusetts PYs 2016-2017
Combined Plan C

Section: WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Narrative: III. b. 5. B. ii.

Published
Located in:
  • III. Operational Planning Elements
    The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that support the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II.(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
    • b. State Operating Systems and Policies
      The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a description of the State operating systems and policies that will support the implementation of the State strategy described in Section II Strategic Elements . This includes—

III. b. 5. B. ii. Ensure Direct and Equitable Access

Describe how the eligible agency will ensure direct and equitable access to all eligible providers to apply and compete for funds and how the eligible agency will ensure that it is using the same grant or contract announcement and application procedure for all eligible providers.

Current Narrative:

Rebidding will be a multi-year procurement process that ensures alignment with the principles and requirements of WIOA and engages key stakeholders from the workforce development system. ACLS will:

• Develop an open and competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) and Request for Responses (RFR);

• Post and broadly disseminate the open and competitive RFP and RFR in order to ensure equitable access for all bidders;

• Conduct bidders’ conferences in multiple locations across the state;

• Provide trainings for entities new to the state system to ensure equitable access to all bidders;

• Designate proposal review teams comprised of state adult education staff and regional LWDB representatives;

• Train proposal review teams;

• Review applications with LWDB representatives who will check proposals for alignment with regional priorities in the local plan during the review process; and

• Review funding recommendations from the reader teams.

• Notify programs about final funding decisions and post information on the ACLS website.

The Department will ensure that all eligible providers use the same application process and that all applications are treated in the same manner in terms of review and evaluation. All applications will be available to all eligible providers and each competition will use review teams, scoring procedures, and final determination procedures as per the direct and equitable provisions to award funds under sections 225, 231, and 243.