The State of California has awarded NOVA $500,000 in Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Governor’s 15 Percent Discretionary funds to serve the needs of targeted veterans through the Veterans’ Employment-Related Assistance Program (VEAP). It is recommended by staff that the Sunnyvale City Council, on behalf of the seven-city NOVA consortium, accept the WIA VEAP funds and authorize the award of a contract to Vietnam Veterans of California, Inc. to provide program services.
BACKGROUND
The federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) provides that the Governor may reserve up to 15 percent from each of the amounts allotted to the three funding streams (adult, youth, and dislocated worker) for statewide workforce investment activities. The State made available up to $6 million of WIA discretionary funds for the Veterans’ Employment-Related Assistance Program (VEAP). The program is to be conducted in accordance with the Veterans Workforce Investment Program and Veterans’ Priority Provisions of the Jobs for Veterans Act. The previous grantee for this area under these funds was Vietnam Veterans of California, Inc. (VVC), with services provided through the Next Step Center in Menlo Park. VVC chose not to apply directly for these funds. In December 2004 (RTC 04-441, 12/19/04), Council authorized NOVA to submit a proposal for up to $500,000 to assist in integrating local veterans into meaningful employment.
EXISTING POLICY
The proposed activities are consistent with the City of Sunnyvale's Socio-Economic Goal 5.1F: Provide job training and employment services within constraints of operative, federal regulations and available federal funding, to address the locally-determined employment and training needs of economically disadvantaged residents and others with special needs.
DISCUSSION
NOVA received word in April that it had been awarded $500,000 in VEAP funding to serve veterans in northern Santa Clara County and all of San Mateo County. Although Vietnam Veterans of California (VVC) had operated a VEAP grant in the past, the State required that a competitive procurement process be conducted to determine the provider of services. A Request for Proposals was issued in May, and VVC was the sole bidder. An analysis of VVC’s proposal was performed, including a cost analysis as required by WIA in sole source situations. The proposal was determined to meet the needs of this project, and costs were determined to be reasonable and necessary. Therefore, NOVA seeks authority to award a contract to Vietnam Veterans of California for $460,000 for service to veterans through June 30, 2006. Services will be provided through the Next Step Center, located at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Menlo Park. VVC and Next Step will operate a comprehensive program for 250 veterans, with special efforts towards assisting veterans with multiple barriers to obtaining meaningful employment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no fiscal impact to the City because funds received will offset program expenditures.
CONCLUSION
Vietnam Veterans of California, Inc. (VVC) was the sole bidder for a Request for Proposals issued to determine a provider of services to veterans under the Veterans’ Employment-Related Assistance Program, for which NOVA received a grant of $500,000. Staff recommends the award of a contract for $460,000 to VVC to provide employment services to veterans in northern Santa Clara County and all of San Mateo County. The program balance of $40,000 is for NOVA program management related operating expenses.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City's official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City's web page and the availability of the report in the Library and City Clerk's Office.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Council approves the acceptance of $500,000 in Veterans’ Employment-Related Assistance Program funds and authorizes the award of a contract in the amount of $460,000 to Vietnam Veterans of California, Inc. to provide program services. The program balance of $40,000 is for NOVA program management related operating expenses.
2. Council rejects acceptance of the grant and/or the award of a contract to VVC.
3. Other action as determined by Council.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by staff that the Sunnyvale City Council, on behalf of the NOVA seven-city consortium, adopt Alternative 1: Council approves the acceptance of $500,000 in Veterans’ Employment-Related Assistance Program funds and authorizes the award of a contract in the amount of $460,000 to Vietnam Veterans of California, Inc. to provide program services. The program balance of $40,000 is for NOVA program management related operating expenses.
Reviewed by:
Michael J. Curran, Director, Department of Employment Development
Prepared by: Jeanette Langdell, Employment Training Manager
Approved by:
Amy Chan
City Manager