Connecticut Career Accelerator Program: Fund Manager

The Office of Workforce Strategy is soliciting a Fund Manager to implement the Connecticut Career Accelerator Program, an initiative designed to support learners pursuing credentials in priority career pathways, including commercial truck driving, licensed practical nursing, and paramedic training. The selected manager will be responsible for establishing and administering a standalone fund, managing outcomes-based loans, overseeing training providers, and supporting employer partnerships to establish job placement pathways. The program emphasizes learner-friendly loan specifications, such as low or no interest and no minimum credit score requirements. The total available funding for a single successful proposer is 4,840,000 dollars, with administrative fund management costs expected not to exceed 750,000 dollars over the base term. The contract is intended for a five-year base term starting January 1, 2027, consisting of a three-year loan deployment period followed by a two-year servicing and repayment management period. Proposers must provide a detailed work plan, a five-year budget using the provided template, and evidence of financial stability, including three years of audits. Key requirements include maintaining industry-standard insurance, implementing robust data security for personally identifiable information, and adhering to state nondiscrimination and ethics certifications. Proposals are evaluated by a Review Committee and the Chief Workforce Officer, with a final submission deadline of September 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT.