National Veterans Employment and Training Institute (NVTI) Support Services

Sources Sought Notice The United States Department of Labor is conducting market research for an upcoming procurement entitled National Veterans' Employment and Training Institute (NVTI) Support Services for the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS). NVTI was established in 1986 to further develop and enhance the professional skills of Veterans' Employment and Training service providers throughout the United States. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment and Training Service. NVTI courses are currently accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities; satisfactory course completion can earn participants two hours of academic credit per average five-day course. NVTI training focuses on improving employment services for veterans through a professional skills development curriculum. Approximately 70 percent of participants are state employees who provide direct employment services to veterans and staff who work with employers to advocate on behalf of hiring veterans; the remaining participants are other state employees who provide services to veterans and federal staff who provide grant oversight and investigation activities. All interested parties are required to submit a capability statement package that shall not exceed 10 pages including a cover letter. Respondents to this RFI must adequately provide demonstrated experience and abilities in each of the elements below. Demonstrated Experience: Factor 1. Technical Capabilities. Ability to develop, update, and enhance course materials and curricula. Training courses must reflect the latest trends in the delivery of employment services to veterans, service members, and military spouses. Training must be continuously reviewed and updated to mirror industry standards, ensuring that participants have been sufficiently trained to meet the needs of the veteran and military populations they will serve. This factor includes the successful development and maintenance of courses meeting the statutory requirement outlined in 38 USC - 4102A(c)(8)(A), which states: As a condition of a grant or contract under which funds are made available to a State in order to carry out section 4103A or 4104 of this title, the Secretary shall require the State to require each employee hired by the State who is assigned to perform the duties of a disabled veterans' outreach program specialist or a local veterans' employment representative under this chapter to satisfactorily complete training provided by the National Veterans' Employment and Training Services Institute during the 18-month period that begins on the date on which the employee is so assigned. This factor also includes the development of training courses to meet the needs of VETS federal staff, as well as additional courses to be developed at the discretion of the Government. Factor 2. Technical Capabilities. Ability to deliver dynamic training that includes active participation, facilitated group interaction, and roleplaying through real-world experiences. Training will use the latest technologies, including, but not limited to social media, webcasts, podcasts, and other web-based training resources. All online training must be hosted virtually by the contractor and be made available through a public website. This factor includes the successful delivery of courses meeting the statutory requirement outlined in 38 USC - 4102A(c)(8)(A), which states: As a condition of a grant or contract under which funds are made available to a State in order to carry out section 4103A or 4104 of this title, the Secretary shall require the State to require each employee hired by the State who is assigned to perform the duties of a disabled veterans' outreach program specialist or a local veterans' employment representative under this chapter to satisfactorily complete training provided by the National Veterans' Employment and Training Services Institute during the 18-month period that begins on the date on which the employee is so assigned. This factor also includes the delivery of training courses to meet the needs of VETS federal staff, as well as additional courses to be developed at the discretion of the Government. Factor 3. Technical Capabilities. Ability to provide 60+ in-person, one-week classes per year, with an average class size of 24 participants. Factor 4. Technical Capabilities. Ability to coordinate lodging and travel for 500+ course participants annually, including those with disabilities. Factor 5. Ability to maintain and track participant data and provide regular reporting of attendance, course completion, and participant outcomes, at the participant level. This factor includes the successful tracking of state employee participants to ensure they meet the deadline outlined in 38 USC - 4102A(c)(8)(A). Factor 6. Ability to provide Department of Education-approved post-secondary course credit and/or continuing education credits for participants who successfully complete coursework. Factor 7. Ability to deliver a pre-assessment of participant competency prior to the training, followed by a post-assessment of competency, with a minimum score to validate successful completion.