RFQ- HOPE Initiative Summer Jobs Program Request for Qualifications City...

Agency:	City of Tuscaloosa
State:	Alabama
Type of Government:	State & Local
NAICS Category:	541330 - Engineering Services 541511 - Custom Computer Programming Services 541611 - Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Posted Date:	Apr 3, 2026
Due Date:	Apr 17, 2026
Original Source:	Please Login to View Page
Contact information:	Please Login to View Page
Bid Documents:	Please Login to View Page

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Request for Qualifications

City of Tuscaloosa

HOPE Initiative Summer Jobs Program

(HISJP)

ISSUE DATE: Friday, April 03, 2026

CLOSING DATE: Friday, April 17, 2026 (BY 4:00 PM)

Proposals are due by 4:00 p.m. (CST) on

Friday, April 17, 2026. Mandatory label

required on outside of envelope: “Request for

Qualifications for HOPE Initiative Summer

Jobs Program (HISJP).”

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Hope Initiative Summer Jobs Program

I. BACKGROUND

In 2009, the City of Tuscaloosa developed the Hope Initiative. In recognition of crime statistics

identified by the initiative, the City of Tuscaloosa seeks to provide youth educational training

and employment opportunities with preference given to youth between the ages of 15 and 21

years of age currently residing in any of the seven HOPE Initiative Zones listed below and

low/moderate income areas within the city limits of Tuscaloosa.

1. Rosedale Court

2. Forrester Gardens

3. Downing Place

4. Creekwood Village, John England Manor, and Hay Court

5. Beech Street

6. East Tuscaloosa/including Alberta

7. University Manor

8. Low-Moderate income areas within the city limits of Tuscaloosa

II. PURPOSE AND AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS

Through this Request for Qualifications (RFQ), the City of Tuscaloosa (COT) seeks to identify

one or more providers qualified to manage the HOPE Initiative Summer Jobs Program (HISJP)

during the summer of 2026. This seven (7) week program gives preference to youth residing

within any of the identified HOPE Initiative Zones and low/moderate income areas within the

city limits of Tuscaloosa.

COT will use the results of this RFQ to select a summer jobs program provider. The programs

funded will be subject to monitoring for operations in compliance with contract terms and

conditions. COT reserves the right to withhold contract payments in the event of non-

compliance or under-performance.

This is a qualifications-based solicitation for proposals. Responses must document the

organization’s qualifications to run a summer jobs program. We seek providers with

demonstrated experience in providing summer jobs for youth. The selected organizations

must: conduct recruitment and intake, determine eligibility, input data regarding participants,

solicit summer employment opportunities from community-based organizations, non-profits,

and public agencies or private businesses, monitor the placements to ensure success,

provide work-readiness activities, and report to funding sources on participant outcomes.

Providers will be responsible for payroll services, including any associated federal and state

wage remittance and reporting.

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III. SERVICES REQUESTED

The selected providers will manage and provide payroll services for the HISJP. In addition to

providing employment and supervision to participating youth, summer jobs providers must

also document work-readiness outcomes. COT seeks to provide youth in need of summer

employment with jobs at community-based organizations, non-profits, public agencies, and

private businesses in need of summer assistance.

Agencies must be qualified to fulfill the following specific program requirements:

1. Recruitment of eligible youth;

2. Development of positions at community-based organizations, non-profits, public

agencies and/or private businesses;

3. Development of a work plan, including assessment of participants at the start of,

during, and at completion of summer employment;

4. Job placement either within their own agency or at community-based organizations,

non-profits, public agencies and/or private businesses;

5. Monitoring/supervision of youth;

6. Provision of work readiness activities.

Emphasis should be placed on improving critical thinking, problem-solving, financial literacy,

and interpersonal and team building skills in the context of job-readiness. Participants must

understand the applicability of their work experience so they will be better prepared to meet

and adapt to the demands of the workplace in the future. Work assignments should reflect

the participant’s interests when possible and feature project-based learning to demonstrate

the relevance of skills. Respondents must demonstrate they are qualified to carry out a scope

of work consisting of the following:

1. Recruitment

An understanding of the population to be served is essential in order to recruit youth eligible

for these services. Appropriate youth can be identified via the city’s public and subsidized

housing developments, community based multi-service agencies, community development

corporations, neighborhood associations, faith-based organizations, and economic

assistance programs, but preference is given to those currently residing in one of the identified

HOPE Initiative Zones or low/moderate income areas within the city limits of Tuscaloosa.

Respondents must demonstrate the capability of executing a comprehensive recruitment

strategy and must be able to pursue a variety of outreach plans and strategies in order to be

effective in reaching the population. Programs must use an appropriate application form as

part of their comprehensive intake process. Respondents should include a copy of their

proposed application form with their response to this RFQ. Organizations will be responsible

for taking referrals of youth already determined to be eligible for HISJP as part of year-round

outreach efforts.

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2. Assessment

In order to ensure participants are successful and receive adequate services, a thorough

assessment of the participant’s competencies is necessary. Selected organizations must

utilize a work-based plan. Assessments must be signed and dated by the appropriate staff

person or work site supervisor. Staff expertise in areas relevant to the target population will

add particular value to the assessment process. Termination policies administered by

contractors must be clearly defined and publicized in writing. Termination policies must be

consistent, and due process must be upheld for all participants. All terminations must be

documented by the selected service provided. All policies regarding attendance and code of

conduct must be discussed with and signed by participants at the time of the initial

assessment.

3. Employment and Supervision

Respondents must be capable of providing employment opportunities with proper

supervision, ensuring a safe and educational work experience. Programs must provide safe

environments for all participants and adhere to all Child Labor Laws. Participants receiving

employment through this program must earn $13.25/hour. COT will fund 20 hours per

student per week for 7 weeks for a total not to exceed 45 students.

Summer jobs providers must offer meaningful jobs. Work is meaningful when it reinforces

work readiness skills like attendance, punctuality, leadership, responsibility, completing

tasks, financial literacy, and recognizing quality performance. Best efforts must be made to

place students in jobs which reflect their interests. Supervisors should be instructive and

supportive, providing a mentoring relationship which enhances the learning experience.

Supervisors must be available to answer the youth’s questions pertaining to his/her job.

Additionally, they must plan on meeting with the youth once per week, either individually or in

a group, to discuss accomplishments and challenges. Employee assessments and progress

should be documented.

The selected Summer Jobs Program provider must reach out to community-based

organizations, non-profit organizations, public agencies, or private businesses capable of

serving as job sites. Project staff will be required to provide assistance to youth in obtaining

address documentation, work permits, education certificates, and medical examinations.

4. Work Readiness Activities

One of the main goals of this program is to ensure that youth have access not only to an

income, but also to valuable skills that can help them gain and manage future employment,

such as resume preparation and financial management. Selected providers must also assist

youth to develop life skills through workplace-based learning and workshops. Such life skills

include attendance, punctuality, relating to supervisors, appropriate workplace behavior and

dress, leadership, carrying out responsibility, completing tasks, financial literacy, and

recognizing quality performance.

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5. Expected outcomes for each participant in the Summer Jobs Program:

• Completion of 7 weeks of summer employment

• Income of $13.25 per hour, not to exceed 20 hours per week

• Job coaching and life skills Monday through Thursday in addition to their work

schedule

• Documentation of increased skills development as explained above in the “Work

Readiness Activities Section”

IV. ELIGIBLE RESPONDENTS

Eligible Respondents must have demonstrated prior experience administering a Summer Jobs

program or similar related program. Respondents must have the ability to provide summer

employment opportunities for participants at community-based organizations, non-profit

organizations, public agencies and/or private businesses. Respondents must be able to

provide required program components, as well as perform all payroll functions including, but

not limited to, generating paychecks, paying appropriate payroll taxes, and generating and

distributing 2026 W2s no later than January 31, 2027.

Other qualifications necessary to submit a proposal:

• 501(c)(3) determination letter

• DUNS number

• EIN number

• Compliance with all OMB Circulars pertaining to federally funded programs including

2 CFR Part 200, 24 CFR Part 84, 24 CFR Part 85, Circular A-087, Circular A-122 and

Circular A-133.

• Business license (if applicable)

V. PROGRAM MONITORING/REPORTING

The COT Office of Community and Neighborhood Services will conduct site visits to

monitor for:

• Operations in accordance with application and contract

• Achievement of objectives

• Integrity of administrative systems, program, and financial and eligibility

determination

• Quality assessment through observation and informal interviews

These monitoring activities may take the form of administrative record reviews, interviews of

staff and/or participants, and general observations of the facilities and operations. Staff

interviewed should be prepared to discuss how the program is delivering the work-based

learning experiences discussed in this RFQ.

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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.

RFQ- HOPE Initiative Summer Jobs Program Request for Qualifications City of Tuscaloosa HOPE Initiative Summer Jobs Program pdf

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