Notice of Request for Quotes (RFQ) One-Stop Operator

Posted on by Chelsea Hawley Valentine

Notice of Request for Quotes (RFQ) One Stop Operator Services

The Gaston County Workforce Development Board is requesting quotes for the delivery of One Stop Operator services through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Program Periods of July 2023 through June 2024, with the option to extend. Quotes must be in compliance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) which can be found at https://www.doleta.gov/wioa/eta_default.cfm (Note: Internet Explorer will not open link – use alternate source – ex: Google Chrome) in addition to any applicable program changes relating to WIOA (formerly known as WIA) for fiscal year 2023-2024. 

Quotes for One Stop Operator Services will be accepted from public, private for-profit, private non-profit agencies, labor groups and governmental entities, which have the ability to receive, disburse, and account for funds in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices; are licensed or otherwise authorized to do business in the State of North Carolina; demonstrate the ability to provide the program services as specified in the RFQ; are not debarred or suspended for participation in state or county contracts, fidelity bonded; and demonstrate the ability to comply with WIOA requirements.

Quotes must also be submitted in accordance with specifications and requirements contained in the RFQ Package.

RFQ Packages will be available for download by Monday, March 6, 2023, from the Gaston County Workforce Development Board website at https://gastongovworks.com.  For issues downloading the RFQ Package(s) or to request a hard copy, contact  Merissa Mitchell at merissa.mitchell@gastongov.com or Kaleigh Crawford at kaleigh.crawford@gastongov.com

The deadline for ALL RFQ Submission(s) is Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 at 11 am and should be emailed to: Merissa Mitchell at merissa.mitchell@gastongov.com or Kaleigh Crawford at kaleigh.crawford@gastongov.com.   If drop-off is necessary, contact Merissa Mitchell at merissa.mitchell@gastongov.com or Kaleigh Crawford at kaleigh.crawford@gastongov.com for prior arrangements.  Drop-off location:  330 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Way, Gastonia, NC. Public bid opening will take place immediately after deadline on the 2nd Floor Board Room (Room 2079) of the Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services – Social Services Division building.

**Late quotes will not be considered**

A Virtual Conference for Proposals and Quotes is scheduled for Monday, March 20, 2023, at 1:30 pm.

To participate in this conference:  Email your contact name, associated company or agency’s name (if applicable), email address, mailing address, and phone number- along with your request for the virtual meeting  link & password to: Merissa Mitchell at  merissa.mitchell@gastongov.com  by 9 am on Monday, March 20, 2023 to receive this information and be added to the potential bidders list.The meeting link will open at 1:15 to allow authorized attendees to be signed in & answer virtual roll call at 1:30 pm.

Submit questions regarding specifics of the RFQ, in writing via email, to Gaston County WDB Director – Angela Karchmer at angela.karchmer@gastongov.com (cc: merissa.mitchell@gastongov.com). All questions & answers will be posted to the GCWDB website at https://gastongovworks.com.

Note:  It is the responsibility of all bidders to check the GCWDB website for any final Questions & Answers, related to this Request for Quote(s), prior to final submission of their quotes.

Question Deadline for a guaranteed response: March 29, 2023-5:00 pm.

Maximum contractor (quotes) funding allocations are finalized, and actual contract budgets negotiated, after the confirmation of funding allocations is received by the GCWDB from the NC Department of Commerce – Division of Workforce Solutions for the applicable program year period. Contract funding is also contingent upon approval of appropriations and the FY2023-2024 County Budget by the Gaston County Board of Commissioners. WIOA funds are 100% Federal dollars in the estimated amount of $77,274.

Notice of Request for Proposals (RFP) Adult & Dislocated Worker Services

Posted on by Chelsea Hawley Valentine

Notice of Request for Proposals (RFP) Adult & Dislocated Worker Services

The Gaston County Workforce Development Board is requesting proposals for the delivery of Adult & Dislocated Worker Services through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the National Disaster Dislocated Worker Grant during Program Periods of July 2023 through June 2024, with the option to extend. Proposals must be in compliance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) which can be found at https://www.doleta.gov/wioa/eta_default.cfm (Note: Internet Explorer will not open link – use alternate source – ex: Google Chrome) in addition to any applicable program changes relating to WIOA (formerly known as WIA) for fiscal year 2023-2024. 

Proposals for Adult & Dislocated Worker Services will be accepted from public, private for-profit, private non-profit agencies, labor groups and governmental entities, which have the ability to receive, disburse, and account for funds in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices; are licensed or otherwise authorized to do business in the State of North Carolina; demonstrate the ability to provide the program services as specified in the RFP; are not debarred or suspended for participation in state or county contracts, fidelity bonded; and demonstrate the ability to comply with WIOA requirements.

Proposals must also be submitted in accordance with specifications and requirements contained in the RFP – Proposal Package.

Proposal Packages will be available for download by Monday, March 6, 2023, from the Gaston County Workforce Development Board website at https://gastongovworks.com.  For issues downloading the Proposal Package(s) or to request a hard copy, contact Merissa Mitchell at merissa.mitchell@gastongov.com or Kaleigh Crawford at kaleigh.crawford@gastongov.com

The deadline for ALL Proposal Submission(s) is Tuesday, April 11th, 2023, at 11 am and should be emailed to: Merissa Mitchell at merissa.mitchell@gastongov.com or Kaleigh Crawford at kaleigh.crawford@gastongov.com   If drop-off is necessary, contact Merissa Mitchell at merissa.mitchell@gastongov.com for prior arrangements.  Drop-off location:  330 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Way, Gastonia, NC.

**Late proposals will not be considered**

A Virtual Proposer’s Conference is scheduled for Monday, March 20, 2023, at 1:30 pm.

To participate in this conference:  Email your contact name, associated company or agency’s name (if applicable), email address, mailing address, and phone number- along with your request for the virtual meeting link & password to: Merissa Mitchell at  merissa.mitchell@gastongov.com  by 9 am on Monday, March 20, 2023 to receive this information and be added to the potential proposers list. The meeting link will open at 1:15 to allow authorized attendees to be signed in & answer virtual roll call at 1:30 pm.

Submit questions regarding specifics of the RFP, in writing via email, to Gaston County WDB Director – Angela Karchmer at angela.karchmer@gastongov.com (cc: merissa.mitchell@gastongov.com). All questions & answers will be posted to the GCWDB website at https://gastongovworks.com.

Note:  It is the responsibility of all proposers to check the GCWDB website for any final Proposal Questions & Answers, related to this Request for Proposal(s), prior to final submission of their proposal.

Question Deadline for a guaranteed response: March 29, 2023-5:00 pm.

Maximum contractor (proposer) funding allocations are finalized, and actual contract budgets negotiated, after the confirmation of funding allocations is received by the GCWDB from the NC Department of Commerce – Division of Workforce Solutions for the applicable program year period. Contract funding is also contingent upon approval of appropriations and the FY2023-2024 County Budget by the Gaston County Board of Commissioners.  WIOA funds are 100% Federal dollars in the estimated amount of $720,427.

Notice of Request for Proposals (RFP) Youth Program Services

Posted on by Chelsea Hawley Valentine

Notice of Request for Proposals (RFP)

Youth Program Services

The Gaston County Workforce Development Board is requesting proposals for the delivery of Youth Program Servicer Services through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) during Program Periods of July 2023 through June 2024, with the option to extend. Proposals must be in compliance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) which can be found at https://www.doleta.gov/wioa/eta_default.cfm (Note: Internet Explorer will not open link – use alternate source – ex: Google Chrome) in addition to any applicable program changes relating to WIOA (formerly known as WIA) for fiscal year 2023-2024. 

Proposals for Youth Program Services will be accepted from public, private for-profit, private non-profit agencies, labor groups and governmental entities, which have the ability to receive, disburse, and account for funds in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices; are licensed or otherwise authorized to do business in the State of North Carolina; demonstrate the ability to provide the program services as specified in the RFP; are not debarred or suspended for participation in state or county contracts, fidelity bonded; and demonstrate the ability to comply with WIOA requirements.

Proposals must also be submitted in accordance with specifications and requirements contained in the RFP – Proposal Package.

Proposal Packages will be available for download by Monday, March 6, 2023, from the Gaston County Workforce Development Board website at https://gastongovworks.com.  For issues downloading the Proposal Package(s) or to request a hard copy, contact Merissa Mitchell at merissa.mitchell@gastongov.com or Kaleigh Crawford at kaleigh.crawford@gastongov.com

The deadline for ALL Proposal Submission(s) is Tuesday, April 11th, 2023, at 11 am and should be emailed to: Merissa Mitchell at merissa.mitchell@gastongov.com or Kaleigh Crawford at kaleigh.crawford@gastongov.com   If drop-off is necessary, contact Merissa Mitchell at merissa.mitchell@gastongov.com for prior arrangements.  Drop-off location:  330 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Way, Gastonia, NC.

**Late proposals will not be considered**

A Virtual Proposer’s Conference is scheduled for Monday, March 20, 2023, at 1:30 pm.

To participate in this conference:  Email your contact name, associated company or agency’s name (if applicable), email address, mailing address, and phone number- along with your request for the virtual meeting link & password to: Merissa Mitchell at  merissa.mitchell@gastongov.com  by 9 am on Monday, March 20, 2023 to receive this information and be added to the potential proposers list. The meeting link will open at 1:15 to allow authorized attendees to be signed in & answer virtual roll call at 1:30 pm.

Submit questions regarding specifics of the RFP, in writing via email, to Gaston County WDB Director – Angela Karchmer at angela.karchmer@gastongov.com (cc: merissa.mitchell@gastongov.com). All questions & answers will be posted to the GCWDB website at https://gastongovworks.com.

Note:  It is the responsibility of all proposers to check the GCWDB website for any final Proposal Questions & Answers, related to this Request for Proposal(s), prior to final submission of their proposal.

Question Deadline for a guaranteed response: March 29, 2023-5:00 pm.

Maximum contractor (proposer) funding allocations are finalized, and actual contract budgets negotiated, after the confirmation of funding allocations is received by the GCWDB from the NC Department of Commerce – Division of Workforce Solutions for the applicable program year period. Contract funding is also contingent upon approval of appropriations and the FY2023-2024 County Budget by the Gaston County Board of Commissioners.  WIOA funds are 100% Federal dollars in the estimated amount of $306,856.

Filing Your Unemployment COVID-19

Posted on by Chelsea Hawley Valentine

Filing Your Unemployment Application

You can apply for benefits online 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

https://des.nc.gov/apply-unemployment/filing-your-unemployment-application

Note: Unemployment applications are NOT filed in person in Gaston County!

If you want to apply online, you must create an “online account” to file an application for Unemployment Insurance online.

Your account also provides access to the Claimant Self-Service Portal, where you can get information about your claim at any time, such as:

  • Claim status.
  • Payment detail.
  • Documents and determinations sent to you regarding your claim.
  • Address, payment method, and tax withholding updates.

To create your online account, you will need your Social Security Number and a valid email address.

Create Your Online Account

  1. Select Sign Up on the DES webpage link above.
    1. Enter your Social Security Number twice.
    1. Select ‘Next.’
    1. You will then reach the ‘Account Creation’ page. Here you will:
      1. Create a user name.
      1. Enter your email address twice.
      1. Create a pin number.
      1. Enter your contact phone number.
      1. Create a password.
    1. Select ‘Create Account.’
    1. After your new account is created, an email will be sent to the email address you provided during your account creation. Select the link in the email to activate the account. The link is only valid for one hour. You can now Sign In to the website using your user name and password.

If you need personal assistance, contact the Customer Call Center at 888-737-0259

Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when call volumes are high: Simple unemployment application questions can be answered by calling your local NCWorks Career Center – Gaston at (704) 853-5328.

Note: During times of career center closure to the public, due to COVID-19, some career center services may be provided virtually.

  • The fastest and most efficient way to file a new claim is to create an online account and file online at des.nc.gov.
  • If you’re temporarily out of work or your working hours have been reduced due to COVID-19, choose ‘coronavirus’ as your reason for separation when filing your claim.
  • Remember, you must complete a Weekly Certification each week to receive benefits for that week. Sign into your online account to complete your Weekly Certification. (see page 3 Q&A for additional details)
  • Eligibility, the exact amount of benefits, and the duration period of those benefits cannot be determined until after you file your claim.
  • After you file your claim, your last employer is given, by law, 10 days to respond to DES about your claim. No payment will be released until after this 10-day period.
  • If there are no issues with a claim, individuals typically receive payment within about 14 days of filing their initial claim.

Unemployment Insurance Changes Due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

The North Carolina Employment Security Division is publishing instructions and guidance on the following webpage: https://des.nc.gov/need-help/covid-19-information to help you understand new changes to the state’s unemployment system, due to the current impacts of the COVID-19 coronavirus in North Carolina.

These changes were ordered by Governor Cooper on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, as outlined in his Executive Order 118.

We are working to ensure that necessary unemployment insurance benefits will be available to eligible North Carolinians affected by job loss due to the COVID-19 coronavirus disease in our state.

On this page, you will find answers and instructions:

  • For people seeking to apply for unemployment insurance benefits, due to the COVID-19 situation
  • For employers seeking guidance for how to navigate the new changes to the unemployment insurance system

This page will be updated frequently with new information as it becomes available, as we continue to monitor all available data and evaluate its impact on both workers and employers.

For people facing job loss due to the COVID-19 coronavirus situation, Governor Cooper’s Executive Order specifically addresses:

  • Individuals who are separated from employment;
  • Individuals who have had their work hours reduced,
  • Individuals who are prevented from working due to a medical condition or under direct quarantine orders as a result of COVID-19.

If you’re temporarily out of work OR your working hours have been reduced due to COVID-19, file a claim for unemployment benefits online and choose one of those two separation reasons on the screen where you’ll enter and submit your claim information.

As an individual, your eligibility, exact amount of benefits, and duration period of those benefits cannot be determined until after you file and submit your claim.

Unemployment Benefits – Questions & Answers For Individuals:

Q. What if I am temporarily laid off work because business has slowed down as a result of COVID-19?

A. If you are laid off work temporarily or if your hours are reduced due to a business slowdown or a lack of demand as a result of COVID-19, you may be able to receive unemployment benefits. In order to determine eligibility, you must first apply for unemployment. If you’re temporarily out of work or working reduced hours due to COVID-19, select one of those two separation reasons when filing your claim.

Q. What if my employer goes out of business as a result of COVID-19?

A. You may be eligible for unemployment benefits if you’re laid off. If you’re out of work due to COVID-19, indicate that while filing your claim.

Q. My employer has shut down operations temporarily because an employee is sick, and we have been directed to be isolated or in quarantine as a result of COVID-19. Am I eligible for unemployment benefits?

A. If you are not receiving payment from your employer, such as paid sick leave or paid time off, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits during this time. If you are laid off work temporarily or if your hours are reduced due to a business slowdown or a lack of demand as a result of COVID-19, you may be able to receive unemployment benefits. In order to determine eligibility, you must first apply for unemployment. If you’re temporarily out of work or working reduced hours due to COVID-19, select one of those two separation reasons when filing your claim.

Q. What if I need to take time off work because I contract COVID-19?

A. The first and best option for employees who need to miss work due to illness is to use their employer-paid time off.

Q. What if I am directed by a medical professional or public health official to quarantine as a result of COVID-19, but I am not sick?

A. If your employer is not offering paid time off, you should apply for unemployment insurance. If you are laid off work temporarily or if your hours are reduced due to a business slowdown or a lack of demand as a result of COVID-19, you may be able to receive unemployment benefits. In order to determine eligibility, you must first apply for unemployment. If you’re temporarily out of work or working reduced hours due to COVID-19, please select one of those two separation reasons when filing your claim.

Q. I am a part-time employee. Am I eligible for unemployment?

A. Anyone can file for unemployment insurance. In order to determine eligibility, you must first apply for unemployment. If you’re temporarily out of work or working reduced hours due to COVID-19, please select one of those two separation reasons when filing your claim.

Q. Do I qualify for unemployment benefits if I become seriously ill and I am forced to quit my job as a result of COVID-19?

A. When filing for unemployment insurance, an employee must provide information about their decision to leave the job. In order to determine eligibility, you must first apply for unemployment.

Q. How am I supposed to meet requirements related to my existing unemployment claim if I am in isolation or quarantine as a result of COVID-19?

A. Individuals currently filing for unemployment insurance benefits who have to quarantine due to COVID-19 will be considered able and available to work as long as the individual has not removed themselves from the labor market.

Q. Must I still attend a previously scheduled in-person appointment?

A. No, please contact the unit who scheduled the appointment or our Customer Call Center for other options to complete your appointment.

Q. Do I have to search for work while filing for unemployment?

A. If you are out of work as a result of COVID-19, you do not have to conduct a work search while filing for unemployment.

NCWorks Career Center Certification

Posted on by Chelsea Hawley Valentine

Congratulations to the Gaston Workforce Development Board and NCWorks Career Center- Gaston for receiving their NCWorks Career Center Certification given by state NCWorks Commission at their meeting in Winston Salem, NC on 02/12/2020!

Pictured (left to right) : Jessica Englehart- Assistant Secretary, Sally Heglar- Gaston Co WDB WIOA Coordinator, Claudette Argabrite- Career Center Manager, Christen Robinson- WIOA Adult Program Manager, Ronne Grantham- Regional Operations Director, Tom Rabon- NCWorks Commission Chairman, Larry Garland- Gaston Co WDB Chairman.

NCWorks Staff Tour Mt. Holly Daimler Plant

Posted on by Chelsea Hawley Valentine

 “Some of the interesting facts that we learned at the Daimler plant tour is that they have a strong focus and commitment on ergonomical working conditions.”, Claudette Argabrite, NCWorks Career Center Manager pictured left along with Annisa Morton, NCWorks Employment Consultant Supervisor I, and Christen Robinson, WIOA Operations Supervisor.

 

The Gaston County Workforce Development Board would like to extend its warmest appreciation and gratitude to Daimler Trucks North America. The NCWorks Career Center Staff and several community partners were invited to attend an employer guided tour of the Daimler Plant in Mount Holly. The tour provided insight into the company’s dynamic, work environment, and much more which provided to be a great learning opportunity for all.

When Career Center staff engage in employer plant tours, it allows staff to have a better understanding of the company’s working conditions and the primary job responsibilities for most jobs. Particularly in manufacturing and textiles, the additional staff development enables the career center staff to complete better quality job referrals. This in turns helps employers more easily find qualified candidates and helps link jobs seeks to more suitable jobs.

 

**For more information about these opportunities and other business services, please call the Gaston County Workforce Development Board at (704) 862-7891 or contact the NCWorks Career Center Gaston at (704) 853-5328.