Request for Proposals (RFP): Employment Specialist Consultant
Valid8 Financial, Inc., Orlando, FL, United States
Overview
Project:
CDBG-DR Workforce Recovery & Economic Revitalization Program
RFP Release Date : March 11, 2026
Proposal Due Date : April 6, 2026
Funding Source:
Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery under Grant Number B-23-UN-12-0003
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 process—from resume creation to job placement—to 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):
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.
Employment Readiness Services
Resume development and customization.
Professional branding support, including LinkedIn profile optimization.
Interview Preparation
Conduct mock interviews (virtual and in-person).
Provide guidance on professional conduct, communication, and workplace readiness.
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.
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.
HUD CDBG/CDBG-DR Compliance Requirements The Consultant is acting as a contractor to a CDBG-DR funded program and must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local requirements, including but not limited to:
National Objective compliance, particularly:
Benefit to Low- and Moderate-Income (LMI) persons.
Eligible activities and proper documentation of services.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
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.
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.
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).
Disclosure of any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
Record Retention
Maintain all program records for a minimum of five (5) years after closeout or longer if required by Hispanic Federation or HUD.
Data 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.
HUD data security and cybersecurity standards.
Hispanic Federation’s internal data security policies.
At a minimum, the Consultant must:
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 standards intended to protect data, services, and infrastructure in its environments against accidental, unauthorized, or unlawful access, disclosure, alteration, loss, or destruction.
All questions regarding RFP must be submitted to:
At least five (5) years of experience in workforce development, career counseling, recruitment, or employment services.
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.
Knowledge of Local Economy
Familiarity with Orange County and Florida labor markets, particularly:
Tourism and Hospitality
Technology
Healthcare
Bilingual English and Spanish proficiency is preferred to meet the needs of Hispanic Federation’s service population.
6. Proposal Submission Requirements Proposals must include:
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.
HUD Compliance and PII Protection Plan
Explanation of how HUD CDBG-DR compliance will be maintained.
Data security measures for protecting participant information.
Cost Proposal
Fixed price or hourly rate structure.
Budget must comply with 2 CFR Part 200 (reasonable, necessary, and allowable).
References
Three (3) references from government or nonprofit contracts involving federally funded programs.
7. Evaluation Criteria Criteria
Technical Approach & Methodology — 35%
Experience with CDBG-DR / CDBG / HUD / Workforce Programs — 30%
HUD Compliance & PII Protection Capacity
#J-18808-Ljbffr
CDBG-DR Workforce Recovery & Economic Revitalization Program
RFP Release Date : March 11, 2026
Proposal Due Date : April 6, 2026
Funding Source:
Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery under Grant Number B-23-UN-12-0003
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 process—from resume creation to job placement—to 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):
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.
Employment Readiness Services
Resume development and customization.
Professional branding support, including LinkedIn profile optimization.
Interview Preparation
Conduct mock interviews (virtual and in-person).
Provide guidance on professional conduct, communication, and workplace readiness.
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.
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.
HUD CDBG/CDBG-DR Compliance Requirements The Consultant is acting as a contractor to a CDBG-DR funded program and must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local requirements, including but not limited to:
National Objective compliance, particularly:
Benefit to Low- and Moderate-Income (LMI) persons.
Eligible activities and proper documentation of services.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
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.
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.
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).
Disclosure of any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
Record Retention
Maintain all program records for a minimum of five (5) years after closeout or longer if required by Hispanic Federation or HUD.
Data 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.
HUD data security and cybersecurity standards.
Hispanic Federation’s internal data security policies.
At a minimum, the Consultant must:
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 standards intended to protect data, services, and infrastructure in its environments against accidental, unauthorized, or unlawful access, disclosure, alteration, loss, or destruction.
All questions regarding RFP must be submitted to:
At least five (5) years of experience in workforce development, career counseling, recruitment, or employment services.
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.
Knowledge of Local Economy
Familiarity with Orange County and Florida labor markets, particularly:
Tourism and Hospitality
Technology
Healthcare
Bilingual English and Spanish proficiency is preferred to meet the needs of Hispanic Federation’s service population.
6. Proposal Submission Requirements Proposals must include:
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.
HUD Compliance and PII Protection Plan
Explanation of how HUD CDBG-DR compliance will be maintained.
Data security measures for protecting participant information.
Cost Proposal
Fixed price or hourly rate structure.
Budget must comply with 2 CFR Part 200 (reasonable, necessary, and allowable).
References
Three (3) references from government or nonprofit contracts involving federally funded programs.
7. Evaluation Criteria Criteria
Technical Approach & Methodology — 35%
Experience with CDBG-DR / CDBG / HUD / Workforce Programs — 30%
HUD Compliance & PII Protection Capacity
#J-18808-Ljbffr