Family Engagement and Outreach

The Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments (H-GAC), acting as the fiscal and administrative agent for the Gulf Coast Local Workforce Board (GCWB), is soliciting proposals under the title "Family Engagement and Outreach" (RFP-HS-WKF-FE&O-03-26) aimed at supporting workforce development efforts within the 13-county Gulf Coast region of Texas. This solicitation seeks contractors to provide services consistent with H-GAC and GCWB policies to enhance regional cooperation and workforce services. The contract is structured on a locally developed template that uses Articles rather than standard FAR clauses and includes comprehensive provisions addressing audit requirements, subcontracting, unique entity identifiers, and performance standards. H-GAC’s role includes managing compliance with local, state, and federal funding requirements, issuing procurements, and overseeing fiscal management and technical assistance to subrecipients. The contract term is initially for one year with the possibility of up to three one-year renewals, with performance expected to commence no later than October 1, 2026, and the scope of work encompassing program administration, quality performance metrics, and subcontractor oversight across multiple jurisdictions within Texas. Evaluation of proposals emphasizes technical capability and responsiveness, with a heavy weighting on interview and demonstration phases (75%), followed by organizational structure and budget/staffing evaluations. The award will be based on a best-value trade-off approach rather than lowest price alone, allowing for single or multiple awards as deemed in H-GAC’s best interest. The contract includes stringent requirements related to cybersecurity, including compliance with the Texas Cybersecurity Framework and breach notification protocols, and mandates maintenance of active registrations such as SAM with a Unique Entity Identifier. Contractors must maintain staffing plans that ensure continuous service delivery, adhere to ethics and conflict-of-interest rules, hold required insurance coverage, and submit to annual audits in accordance with federal guidelines. Proposal submissions must be electronic, in PDF or Excel format through the OpenGov portal by the May 14, 2026 deadline, with strict formatting and submission rules in place. The contractor will be responsible for inspection and acceptance criteria that ensure deliverables meet or exceed contractual standards, and must comply with all applicable workforce and financial policies as outlined by H-GAC, GCWB, and TWC.