Narrative: c. 3.

Local Boards and their youth committees in Colorado are expected to make all 14 youth program elements available within their one–stop centers through a competitive process established under local procurement policies that are as strict, or stricter, than federal procurement standards in the OMB Uniform Guidance. Local boards and their youth committees (as well as the state) will maintain a list of providers of these services that case managers can utilize to ensure that youth participants have ready access to the services needed to successfully achieve the objectives of their individual service strategies. In addition, local boards and their youth committees will require that the local area administrator review the effectiveness of program element providers and provide data necessary to determine whether providers will remain on the youth element provider list.

Colorado submitted a waiver request to waive the competitive procurement requirement for three of the fourteen youth program elements – work experiences, supportive services, and follow–up. Through a WIA waiver for these same elements, one–stop center staff has developed the expertise to deliver these services in–house and utilize the cost savings to provide additional services to the youth population. However, Colorado was granted the waiver only for procurement of supportive services and follow–up services and will be expected to procure work experiences. This will defer some resources to the procurement process and the overhead charged by contractors to provide these services.