The Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board, Inc. (SFWDB) dba CareerSource Southwest Florida (CSSWF) is seeking statements of qualifications from attorneys or law firms with the expertise to provide legal services for Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) 24, on an as-needed, fee-for-service basis for the July 2023 – June 2024 fiscal year.  The contract may be extended, for one year at a time, for up to four additional, consecutive years, if the performance of the provider so warrants.  Annual renewal will be at the option of the President/CEO.

SFWDB/CSSWF is a 501(c)3, Florida not-for-profit corporation serving as one of 24 local workforce development boards in Florida.  CSSWF implements programs authorized by the federal Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (also known as TANF or Welfare Transition), Wagner-Peyser, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and related enabling federal or state legislation.  Our principal function is the provision of, oversight of, and policy guidance to, the workforce development system in the five counties of Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee.  We anticipate the addition of Monroe County in July 2024.  We work with businesses and jobseekers, providing job placement, recruitment assistance and funding for skills training.  In compliance with the Stevens Amendment, this Request for Qualifications is fully supported by the U.S. Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture as part of awards to CareerSource Southwest Florida totaling $12,000,000.

The firm will be engaged to provide a variety of services, including but not limited to, providing advice and counsel on agreements, compliance, personnel-related matters, and updates of new employment laws and requirements. 

Requirements/Qualifications:

–              Licensed to practice law in the State of Florida.

–              Experience working with workforce development, workforce boards, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), non-profit organizations, employment law and labor relations.

Response shall include:

• Contact person, telephone number, email address regarding questions CSSWF may have regarding proposal and award selection.

• Firm’s organization, size, structure and areas of practice and office location(s).  Indicate if the firm is a small or minority-owned business.

–              Qualifications of the firm.  Qualifications of the individual attorney(s) likely to be assigned, to include, professional and education background, resumés, position in the firm, years and types of experience, and continuing professional experience.  Include experience related to non-profit organizations, employment law and labor relations.  Include experience specific to workforce development, workforce boards and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO).

–              Overall supervision to be exercised. 

–              Price to include hourly billing rates of attorneys, paralegals and other staff expected to work on this representation, charges for expenses and rate for litigation in court.  CSSWF reserves the right to negotiate with the firm on the structure of the billing and/or retainer fee.  Note: Selection will not be based solely or primarily on the basis of price.  Include your fees for the July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 contracted period AND the following four years, with the understanding Monroe County will join our region in July 2024. 

–              The attached Addendum to Vendor Agreement will also be required from the successful respondent.

Responses are due by 3:00 p.m. local time on June 16, 2023 and will be evaluated on a combination of price and qualitative factors.  Responses are to be emailed to mzurn@careersourceswfl.com. 

Thank you.