Request for Proposals (RFP) Employment Specialist Consultant

Project:CDBG-DR Workforce Recovery & Economic Revitalization Program

Location:Orlando FL (Virtual & In-Person)

Funding Source:Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery under Grant Number B-23-UN

Project Overview

Hispanic Federation invites qualified consultants to submit proposals for Career Coaching services including assessments guidance and support in career transitions and job placement. This project is funded by an appropriation of Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding and administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) which promotes long-term economic recovery from Hurricane Ian. The consultant will assist participants at various stages of the employment processfrom resume creation to job placementto build resilience among disaster-affected residents in Orlando FL.

Scope of Work

The selected consultant will be responsible for the following activities delivered through a hybrid model (mainly virtually with periodic in-person events in Orlando):

1. Career Coaching and Workforce Development

• Conduct participant intake and assessments consistent with CDBG-DR eligibility requirements.
• Identify skills employment barriers and career goals.
• Develop individualized employment plans.

1. Employment Readiness Services

• Resume development and customization.
• Cover letter preparation.
• Professional branding support including LinkedIn profile optimization.

1. Interview Preparation

• Conduct mock interviews (virtual and in-person).
• Provide guidance on professional conduct communication and workplace readiness.

1. Job Placement Support

• Assist participants with job searches and applications.
• Match participants with appropriate employment opportunities.
• Support job placement documentation required for CDBG-DR reporting.

1. Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate service records participant files and outcome documentation.
• Submit reports to Hispanic Federation in the format and frequency required for HUD CDBG-DR compliance.

3. HUD CDBG/CDBG-DR Compliance Requirements

The Consultant is acting as a contractor to a CDBG-DRfunded program and mustcomply withall applicable federal state and local requirements including but not limited to:

1. HUD CDBG/CDBR-DRRegulations

• 24 CFR Part 570 (Community Development Block Grant regulations).
• National Objective compliance particularly:
  • Benefit to Low- and Moderate-Income (LMI) persons.
  • Eligible activities and proper documentation of services.

1. Uniform Administrative Requirements

• 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) including:
  • Cost allowability.
  • Recordkeeping.
  • Audit and monitor cooperation.

1. Civil Rights and Fair Housing

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
• Fair Housing Act.
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements.
• Non-discrimination on the basis of race color national origin religion sex gender identity sexual orientation age disability or familial status.

1. Section 3 (if applicable)

• Compliance with Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 as amended which encourages the hiring of low-income persons and businesses in connection with HUD-funded activities when applicable to service contracts.

1. Debarment and Suspension

• Certification that the Consultant and its principals are not suspended debarred or otherwise excluded from participation in federal programs (in accordance with 2 CFR Part 180 and 24 CFR Part 2424).

1. Conflict of Interest

• Compliance with HUD conflict of interest provisions at 24 CFR 570.611.
• Disclosure of any real or perceived conflicts of interest.

1. Record Retention

• Maintain all program records for a minimum of five (5) years after closeout or longer if required by Hispanic Federation or HUD.

Security and Protection of Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

The Consultant will have access to confidential participant information including Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and sensitive data and must strictly comply with all applicable privacy and data protection laws and regulations including but not limited to:

• The Privacy Act of 1974.
• Florida Statutes 501.171 (Florida Information Protection Act).
• HUD data security and cybersecurity standards.
• Hispanic Federations internal data security policies.

Ataminimum the Consultant must:

• Use secure password-protected systems.
• Restrict access to participant data to authorized personnel only.
• Encrypt electronic files containing PII when feasible.
• Immediately report any data breach or suspected breach to Hispanic Federation.
• Securely destroy all PII within five (5) years of the final closeout of the grant according to best practices.
• Implement and maintain appropriate technical and organizational measures internal controls and information security routines in accordance with the best practices and highest industry standardsintended to protect data services and infrastructure in its environments against accidental unauthorized or unlawful access disclosure alteration loss or destruction.

5. Minimum Qualifications

1. Experience

• At least five (5) years of experience in workforce development career counseling recruitment or employment services.

1. Federally Funded Program Experience

• Demonstrated experience working with CDBG CDBG-DR WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) or similar federally funded workforce or social service programs.

1. Knowledge of Local Economy

• Familiarity with Orange County and Florida labor markets particularly:
  • Tourism and Hospitality
  • Technology
  • Healthcare

1. Language Proficiency

• Bilingual English&Spanishproficiencyis preferred to meet the needs of Hispanic Federations service population.

6. Proposal Submission Requirements

Proposals must include:

1. Technical Proposal

• Description of experience with CDBG CDBG-DR or other HUD-funded programs.
• Methodology for virtual and in-person service delivery.
• Staffing and qualifications.
• Plan for documenting services and outcomes in compliance with CDBG rules.

1. HUD Compliance and PII Protection Plan

• Explanation of how HUD CDBG-DR compliance will be maintained.
• Data security measures for protecting participant information.

1. Cost Proposal

• Fixed price or hourly rate structure.
• Budget must comply with 2 CFR Part 200 (reasonable necessary and allowable).

1. References

• Three (3) references from government or nonprofit contracts involving federally funded programs.

7. Evaluation Criteria