RochesterWorks, Inc
Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Consultant / Project Manager Services
Finger Lakes ON-RAMP
(One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships)
Released Wednesday, May 27th 2026
Proposals due: Thursday, June 18th, 2026 at 4:30 EDT
1. Introduction
RochesterWorks, Inc. (“RochesterWorks”) is seeking qualifications from experienced
consultants or firms to provide project management and implementation support services for
the Finger Lakes One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships (“FLX ON-
RAMP”) initiative.
The One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships (ON-RAMP) program is a
$200 million investment to help fund and realize a network of four new workforce development
centers in strategic, high impact locations in Upstate New York. The primary goal of ON-RAMP
is to connect diverse and skilled New Yorkers with careers in dynamic, high-growth advanced
manufacturing industries.
With a flagship location located in Syracuse, New York State is funding three additional ON-
RAMP initiatives. In February, 2025, the Finger Lakes Region (comprised of nine-counties in the
Greater Rochester (NY) region) was awarded a planning development grant from New York
State Empire State Development (“ESD”). Throughout 2025, a coalition led by Monroe
Community College and RochesterWorks engaged in a strategic planning effort to develop an
FLX ON-RAMP Business Plan which envisioned centered on using the Finger Lakes Workforce
Development Center (FWD Center) at Monroe Community College’s (“MCC”) downtown
campus as the region’s main training hub for careers in advanced manufacturing, with
RochesterWorks being responsible for participant recruitment, career navigation and
supportive services.
RochesterWorks recently received an implementation award from ESD through the Office of
Strategic Workforce Development to support capital and operating activities associated with
the initiative.
RochesterWorks seeks a qualified Consultant/Project Manager to support implementation
activities during the startup and launch phases of the project.
The FLX ON-RAMP initiative will serve as a regional hub for advanced manufacturing workforce
development in the Finger Lakes region. The initiative intends to:
• Increase access to advanced manufacturing careers;
• Coordinate workforce training and supportive services;
• Build partnerships with employers and training providers;
• Support underrepresented populations entering manufacturing careers;
• Coordinate implementation of startup activities, facilities buildout, staffing,
branding, operations, and reporting;
• Establish a new independent FLX ON-RAMP 501(c)(3) organization to ultimately;
govern and operate the initiative, with RochesterWorks and the MCC FWD Center as
primary partners.
2. About RochesterWorks, Inc.
RochesterWorks is the workforce development board and workforce system administrator for
Monroe County, New York, and the largest provider of employment and training services in the
Greater Rochester region.
Established in 2004, RochesterWorks provides employment and training services through
multiple career centers and specialized workforce initiatives serving youth, adults, dislocated
workers, employers, and underserved communities throughout the Rochester region.
As the designated fiscal agent for federal workforce development funding in Monroe County,
RochesterWorks administers approximately $14 million annually in workforce programming,
the largest funding coming through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
(WIOA) and New York State Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA).
RochesterWorks also serves as a regional convener and strategic partner in workforce and
economic development initiatives involving local governments, educational institutions,
employers, industry organizations, labor representatives, and community-based organizations
3. Scope of Services
The selected consultant/firm will work closely with RochesterWorks leadership, MCC, Empire
State Development, and other stakeholders to support implementation of FLX ON-RAMP.
Services may include, but are not limited to:
A. Project Management & Coordination
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive implementation work plan and
timeline Coordinate startup activities among RochesterWorks, MCC, FWD
Center, and other key strategic partners
• Facilitate project meetings and stakeholder engagement
• Track milestones, deliverables, and implementation progress
• Identify risks, bottlenecks, and mitigation strategies
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B. Organizational Development
• Support establishment of the FLX ON-RAMP 501(c)(3)
• Assist with governance structure and board development
• Assist with organizational policies, procedures, and operational frameworks
• Support development of MOUs, partnership agreements, and lease
coordination
C. Grant & Compliance Support
• Assist RochesterWorks with ESD implementation requirements
• Support preparation of reports, documentation, and deliverables
• Assist with tracking project milestones and compliance requirements
• Support MWBE and SDVOB utilization planning and documentation
• Coordinate with ESD project management staff as needed
D. Startup & Operational Support
• Support hiring and onboarding coordination for key positions
• Assist with facilities and operational planning
• Support coordination of startup tasks and implementation sequencing
• Assist with procurement coordination as needed
• Support development of operational dashboards and reporting tools
E. Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
• Assist with stakeholder communication strategies
• Support communications and coordination during implementation
• Assist with public launch and milestone planning
• Support partner engagement and cross-sector coordination
4. Desired Qualifications
The ideal consultant or firm will demonstrate experience in:
• Large-scale workforce development initiatives
• Complex multi-stakeholder project management
• Nonprofit startup and organizational development
• Public-sector or grant-funded project implementation
• Workforce development systems and partnerships
• Economic development and/or advanced manufacturing initiatives
• NYS grant compliance and reporting
• Strategic planning and implementation management
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5. Deliverables
Expected deliverables may include:
• Comprehensive implementation project plan
• Startup implementation timeline
• Regular status reports and dashboards
• Meeting facilitation and documentation
• Risk management tracking tools
• Governance and organizational development recommendations
• Grant compliance coordination support
• Startup operational recommendations
• Implementation milestone reporting
6. Contract Term and Budget
The anticipated contract term is approximately twelve (12) to eighteen (18) months
The total contract amount shall not exceed $150,000 inclusive of all fees, travel, expenses, and
reimbursable costs.
RochesterWorks reserves the right to negotiate final scope, deliverables, timeline, and
compensation with the selected proposer.
7. Proposal Requirements
Interested firms or consultants shall submit a proposal containing the following:
• Cover Letter
• Organizational Overview
• Relevant Experience
• Proposed Approach
• Timeline
• Budget Proposal
• References
8. Evaluation Criteria
• Proposals will be evaluated based on:
• Relevant Experience – 30%
• Project Understanding & Approach – 25%
• Organizational Capacity – 20%
• Qualifications of Key Personnel – 15%
• Cost Proposal – 10%
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9. Submission Instructions
Proposals must be submitted electronically in PDF format no later than:
Thursday, June 18th, 2026 at 4:30 EDT
Proposal must be submitted to:
Lee Koslow
Director of Workforce System Performance
RochesterWorks, Inc.
LKoslow@RochesterWorks.org
Subject Line:
FLX ON-RAMP Consultant RFQ Response
10.Procurement Conditions
RochesterWorks reserves the right to:
• Reject any or all proposals
• Request additional information from proposers
• Negotiate modifications to proposals
• Cancel or amend this RFQ at any time
• Award in whole or in part
• Waive informalities and minor irregularities
The selected consultant will be required to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local
requirements, including MWBE and SDVOB participation requirements established by Empire
State Development.
11. Questions
Questions regarding this RFQ must be submitted via email to:
Lee Koslow
LKoslow@RochesterWorks.org
Questions must be received no later than Friday, June 12th at 4:30 EDT
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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.