Request For Proposals for Specialized American Job Center Career Pathway Training

The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) and the Local Workforce Innovation Area #7 (LWIA 7) Workforce Innovation Board (WIB) are issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify, through competitive selection, organizations to provide workforce skills training and coaching along a career pathway within high demand sector industries throughout Cook County by operating a Specialized American Job Center (AJC). Funding for this solicitation is provided through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This solicitation is grounded in LWIA 7’s 2024–2028 Local Plan Modification, which positions the workforce system as a key driver of equitable economic mobility, employer engagement, and regional talent development, and is aligned with Cook County’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) 2025–2029 (Uplift Cook) and the Cook County Policy Roadmap, as well as the City of Chicago’s We Will Chicago framework. The RFP is informed by regional thought leadership, including the Chicagoland Career Pathways initiative, developed by the Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance and its partners, which promotes accessible, employment-focused training programs and transparent, connected career pathway systems for Chicago-area residents.

Proposals must be submitted by 4:00 PM (CT) on Friday, July 31, 2026. Proposals must be submitted electronically using the submission form per submittal instructions in the RFP.

Links to RFP and Attachments

In the following sections, you will find all of the documents and attachments needed for a complete submission. Please download copies of the linked documents. Forms and attachments do not count toward page limits for narrative responses.

RFP Document

Download the full RFP here.

Program Proposal

  1. Executive Summary (signed by the authorized representative)
  2. Program Narrative (Response to Questions 1-29)
  3. MOUs as applicable if submitting as a partnership or collaborative
  4. Program Staff Resumes and/or Job Descriptions
  5. Syllabus or Curriculum
  6. Training Program History Form
  7. Grant History Form
  8. Planned Outcomes Form

Fiscal Proposal

  1. Fiscal Narrative (Response to Fiscal Narrative Questions 1-13)
  2. Budget for all applicable funding sources (Adult, Dislocated Worker)
  3. Budget Narrative

Required Fiscal Documentation

  1. IRS Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification)
  2. Most recent IRS Form 990s, AG990-Il or Form IFC
  3. IRS 501(c)(3) Tax Exemption Status Letter (if applicable)
  4. Certificate of Good Standing from the State of Illinois Secretary of State (dated within 3 years)
  5. Most Recent Audited Financial Statements or Single Audit, including the management letter
  6. Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Determination Letter (if applicable)
  7. Segregation of Duties Form
  8. Fiscal Support Information Form
  9. Chart of Accounts
  10. Staff resumes of Key Fiscal staff on the grant

Bidder Webinar

Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 11:00 A.M -12:00 P.M (CT)

Webinar registration.

Attendance is not mandatory, but is highly encouraged

Questions

All questions pertaining to the RFP must be received in writing via email at QuestionsCareerPath2026@chicookworks.org by 4:00 pm (CT) Friday, July 17, 2026.

The Partnership anticipates posting answers to all questions by Friday, July 24, 2026. A Question-and-Answer page will be posted on this page. It is the respondent’s responsibility to check the website page frequently to stay apprised throughout the process. Only those questions directed to the above email will be answered. Questions will not be answered over the phone or in person. Questions received after July 17, 2026, will not receive a response.