The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Department of VSA and Accessibility is seeking to serve youth with disabilities, ages 15 to 25, interested in pursuing careers in the arts, arts administration, and arts education by investing in effective and innovative internship, apprenticeship, and training programs run by experienced, high-performing not-for profit cultural arts and arts service organizations.

Through the Rosemary Kennedy Internship Initiative, contracts of up to $10,000 will be awarded to multiple qualified not-for-profit cultural arts or arts services organizations.

The deadline to apply is January 9, 2012 at 9:00 p.m. EST.  Proposals may be submitted via email to access@kennedy-center.org or by fax to 202-416-4840.

For questions or to receive a copy of this RFP as a pdf file, Word document, or in Braille or Large Print, please contact the Accessibility Office at the Kennedy Center at (202) 416-8727 (voice/relay), (202) 416-8728 (TTY), or access@kennedy-center.org.

Please feel free to forward this message.

The authorized contact person for all matters concerning this Request for Proposals (RFP) is:

Jessica Swanson
Manager of Accessibility
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Washington, D.C. 20566
(202) 416-8727 (Accessibility, General Information)
access@kennedy-center.org (email)

Note:  The Center cannot guarantee a timely response to inquiries regarding this RFP received less than one week prior to the RFP due date. Proposers should note that any response that may constitute a change to the RFP will not be binding unless the Center subsequently issues such a change as a written addendum to the RFP.

A. Release Date: December 15, 2011
B. Proposal Due Date and Time and Delivery method:
Date: January 9, 2012
Time: 9:00 pm EST
Delivery Method: Email proposals to: access@kennedy-center.org
Or fax to:  (202) 416-4840
C. The Center is only accepting applications submitted by email or fax.
D. Proposals received after the proposal due date and time are late and shall not be accepted.
E. Anticipated Contract Start Date: February 1, 2012

A. Background and Purpose of the RFP
Since 1998 VSA and the Accessibility Office at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Center) have conducted numerous national and local Careers in the Arts Initiatives for Individuals with Disabilities (CAI) designed to provide opportunities to build skills that will enhance participants’ potential for future competitive and professional employment.  CAI programs were derived from the recommendations made by participants at the National Forum on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities, held June 14-16, 1998, and sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Center, the United States Department of Education, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and the Social Security Administration.  Internships factored significantly in the recommendations and thus the Center  has been offering education, training, transition, and skills development programs such as the Careers in the Arts Initiative Mentorship (CAIM) program, Experiential Education Initiative (EEI) and HSC Foundation Internships, and VSA Williamstown and Silver Docs Apprenticeships.

The Rosemary Kennedy Internship Initiative (RKII) is the umbrella program under which the Center will now be executing all its disability-related internship, apprenticeship, training, and mentorship projects.  This essential career development program is one component of the CAI program conducted at the state and local level by the Center’s Department of VSA and Accessibility via a network of cultural arts and arts service organizations including but not limited to members of the Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) network, the VSA State Affiliates, Arts Alliances and Partners in Education.  RKII programs specifically develop, implement, deliver and manage transition and training infrastructure thorough hands-on and experiential professional skill development opportunities for youth with disabilities to enhance competitiveness in pursuing careers in the arts, arts administration and arts education. 

Building on the success of the Center’s past and existing CAI programs, the Center is seeking qualified non-for-profit vendors to implement the Center’s programs serving youth with disabilities thorough internships, apprenticeships and training opportunities that will advance the career potential of the participants with disabilities.  This is supported by researchers, Barbara Schnider and David Stevenson, who  "make the case that youth with ‘informed’ or ‘aligned’ ambitions are more likely to successfully navigate their way from high school to college to the adult work world”  and by researchers Andrew Sum, Neeta Fogg and Garth Mangum who state that “in-school work experience does generally improve immediate post-high school labor market outcomes” and that “ greater amounts of job training, especially apprenticeship training and formal employer training . . .  have been found in many past studies in the United States . . . to generate consistently favorable effects on the wages and earnings of young adults.” http://eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED459337.pdf

B. Anticipated Contract Amounts
The maximum anticipated contracted amount per proposer is $10,000.00 to execute a RKII internship, apprenticeship, or training program. The Center reserves the right to award less than $10,000.00 based on budgets submitted by proposers.

C. Anticipated Payment Structure
It is anticipated that contract payment structure under this RFP will be based on a firm fixed price quote that contains all information necessary to allow for a comprehensive evaluation of the costs proposed and that payment will be made in no more than three (3) parts upon receipt of an invoice from the contractor.

D. Anticipated Contract Term
The anticipated term of contracts will be for no more than seven (7) months, from February 1, 2012 to September 1, 2012.

E. Contractor Qualifications
Only not-for-profit cultural arts or arts services organizations based in the United States are eligible to submit a proposal.

F. Subcontracting
Subcontracting is permissible so long as all subcontractors and subcontracts are submitted for approval and approved in writing by the Center before expenses are incurred and payments made, and no more than 65 percent of the total value of the contract may be subcontracted.

A. Center’s Goals

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Department of VSA and Accessibility intends to serve youth with disabilities, ages 15 to 25, interested in pursuing careers in the arts, arts administration, and arts education by investing in effective and innovative internship, apprenticeship, and training programs run by experienced, high-performing not-for profit cultural arts and arts service organizations.

The primary goals of the Rosemary Kennedy Internship Initiative (RKII) program internship, apprenticeship, and training programs are to provide experiential, sustainable, and replicable internship, apprenticeship or training models that will lead to improved job skills and competencies, enhance career proficiency, develop competitive advantages, and improve career and trade outcomes in 21st century arts-based jobs for youth with disabilities.

These projects will enable potential cultural arts and arts education employers, educators, and vocational and social service providers to increase, design, and deliver improved experiential pre-professional and professional opportunities for youth with disabilities to:

1. Successfully identify the aptitudes, talents, gifts, competencies, craft, know-how and mastery of skills necessary to pursue their career or trade pathway of choice in arts-based employment;
2. Successfully garner the skills, knowledge, qualifications, experiences, and confidence necessary to be competitive in careers and trade pathways leading to arts-based jobs; and
3. Successfully transition to professional career and trade pathways leading to arts-based jobs.

B. Center’s Assumptions Regarding Organizational Capability

• The contractor will be fiscally sound and capable of managing the proposed program.
• The contractor’s paid staff will exercise active oversight of program management, including regular reviews and evaluations of program operations and outcomes.
• The contractor will, when appropriate, engage in collaborative efforts with other organizations providing services to the target population.
• The contractor will have the capacity to integrate the proposed program into existing internship, apprenticeship or training programs and/or into its overall operations.
• The contractor will identify qualified full-time staff as program personnel.
• The contractor will have conducted criminal background checks, including nation-wide Sex Offender Registry searches, on program personnel to rule out any felony convictions and any offenses involving a minor.
• The contractor will have a continuous evaluation protocol that includes quality measures for all aspects of the program.

C. Center’s Assumptions Regarding Program Approach

1. Contractor and Staff Qualifications

• The contractor will be a not-for-profit arts or arts service organization based in the United States.
• The contractor will have at least three (3) years of successful experience within the last five (5) years operating an internship, apprenticeship, or youth-training program including significant experience in working with youth with disabilities as described below, as well as experience with developing and facilitating internships, apprenticeships,  employment, educational, or training opportunities.
• The contractor's key staff will have:
• At least two (2) years of successful and relevant experience within the last five (5) years.
• Experience carrying out activities in the field of arts, arts education, and arts administration particularly as related to youth in transition from secondary and post-secondary schools.
• Expertise in issues related to improving the quality and effectiveness of arts education, training and skill development in the arts, and transition from secondary and post-secondary education to employment.
• Have passed the criminal background check discussed in Section III B.
• Experience and ability to develop significant collaborations with key community education, arts, disability, and service organizations.
• All program staff, including volunteers, will provide services in a manner sensitive to the characteristics and cultures of individuals with disabilities.
• Experience planning, producing and developing curriculum, training materials, technical assistance guides on issues related to the arts, arts administration, arts education and/or internships, apprenticeships, training or employment.

2. Youth with Disabilities

The target population will be young adults with disabilities who:

• are between the ages of 15 and 25;
• are enrolled in high school, college or a transition program;have a documented disability*;
• are a U.S. Citizen or have a right-to-work permit; and
• have demonstrated experience and interest in the arts, arts administration or arts education.

* Documentation of disability includes but is not limited to letter or other documentation from a vocational rehabilitation agency, disability services office, a physician or reputable and appropriate medical professional, or a recent IEP evaluation and documentation.

3. Program Approach

Programs will require intern(s), apprentice(s) or trainee(s) to participate at a minimum of 10 hours a week for between three (3) and seven (7) months.  Each program will consist of paid or unpaid internship, apprenticeship or training activities with professional development opportunities such as but not limited to seminars, workshops, conferences, one-on-one counseling with a supervisor or other professional in the field, or mentoring with professionals in the field.  Programs may serve multiple individuals with disabilities.

Proposed programs may be designed to serve a qualified individual or group of individuals. Proposed placements may be within the proposer’s own organization or in other organizations.  Programs may be proposed to serve an age range within these parameters (such as youth, ages 15-18). The Center reserves the right to make contract decisions to ensure that the greatest number and the full range of youth are served.

D. Required Program Elements
The contractor will include the following program elements:

1. Recruitment
   Contractors will recruit and identify appropriate youth with disabilities as candidates thorough their local connections with schools, disability service organizations, college disability and employment services offices, and other appropriate avenues.
    
2. Internship Placement and Support

• Contractors will place participants in an internship, apprenticeship or training program comprising a minimum of 10 hours per week and up to 40 hours per week. 
   
• Internship, apprenticeship, trainee assignments will be well researched and ensure that participants are given opportunities for relevant work experiences and skill development.
   
• Internship opportunities will be developed across a broad spectrum of areas within the field of arts, arts administration, and arts education or in a narrow area depending on the interests and strengths of the individual participants or based on the focus of the proposer.  Experiences can be in fields such as but not limited to:
  - Administrative: development, marketing, education, advertising, human resources, archivist, information systems/technology, retail operations, special events, box office and programming.
  - Production: stage management, stage crew, construction, directing, choreographing, writing, design, and museum practices including research, collections, management, exhibit design and conservation.
  - Design/Arts: visual arts, exhibitions, facility design, costuming, sets, props, lights, sound, painting, film, graphics and multi-media.
  - Performance: dancer, actor and musician.
   
• Experiences will be meaningful for participants of varying disabilities, experience levels and backgrounds.
   
• Contractors will integrate the following types of opportunities for participants into the program including but not limited to job readiness preparation, educational programming, work skills development, applicant assessment, counseling, internship and worksite monitoring, accommodations, support services, and intervention as needed.
   
• Educational programming will include experience with or exploration of topics such as the world of work, career exploration, educational, and career advancement opportunities in the participants chosen field.
   
• The Center encourages contractors to develop a variety of educational and skill development experiences for the intern(s), apprentice(s) or trainee(s) both within and outside of their own organizations which are matched to the strengths and interests of individual participants.
• Contractors will develop the scope of the internship, supervise and monitor progress, provide written evaluations, provide appropriate workspace, maintain regular contact with the participants and perform other duties, as appropriate.
• Internship, apprenticeship, or training placements and educational programming components should reflect recognized youth development principles that emphasize the cognitive, social, and behavioral competencies that help youth succeed as adults.

E. Minimum Staffing Requirements

Contractors will have adequate staffing to provide the program described. At a minimum, proposers will identify staff to perform the following key functions: recruitment, placement development, and supervision of the participant.

F. Linkages

While the proposer is not required to have all the required internship placements, skill development, and educational opportunities developed prior to submission of a proposal, the proposer should be able to demonstrate through formal, established linkages, its capacity to do so. Proposers will demonstrate strong linkages with community organizations, disability services organizations, and other cultural organizations at a state and local level. Proposers will also establish linkages with secondary and post-secondary educational institutions such as high schools, alternative high schools, colleges and universities, community colleges, and GED preparation programs for purposes of recruitment as well as expanded opportunities for the participants to have a variety of experience.

G. Evaluation

Contractors will include an evaluation system or component that will provide participant data, statistics, and evidence-based information regarding the outcomes such as data on internship, apprenticeship, or training placements; participant retention; participant growth and skill development in their chosen field; and participants’ immediate post-placement plans/goals/employment.

Contractors would also use the following Kennedy Center evaluation tools to measure program impact:

• Student Learning Stories - examples of participants’ work or other documentation about learning, skills acquisition, professional development, increased competitiveness for employment, and overall value of the experience in pursuing career objectives.  
• Intern/Apprentice Survey and Contractor/Supervisor Survey – a survey of the contractor, supervisor, and participant experiences.

H. Reporting and Deliverables

Contractor will document the program process and provide the following deliverables, pursuant to the direction and standards set forth by the Kennedy Center:

• February 1, 2012 – September 1, 2012: Carry out the program and placement of interns, apprentices and trainees. Produce a curriculum or publishable “how-to” or other instruction manual for replicating the program.  This item may be produced as an electronic document or as an accessible multi-media item on CD/DVD or online multi-media module. Items must be appropriately captioned and audio described, and online items must adhere to the W3C Standards of accessibility. o Conduct evaluations and surveys to assess success of the program and individual success of the participant.
• Sept 10, 2012 – Provide the final version of the curriculum or publishable “how-to” or other instruction manual.
• Sept 20,  2012 – Provide a final report no longer than six (6) pages in length outlining the process, project results, lessons learned, the results of the evaluation component, and an evaluation/assessment of the costs and quality of the fee.  The contractor will also collect and report information as requested by the Center including participant demographics, specific services provided, participation in education activities and acquisition of career skills. In addition, the contractor will report outcomes including data on internship, apprenticeship, training placements and participant retention.

Proposers should submit SOW/Ps, and other required materials by email to the Manager of Accessibility by January 9, 2012, 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.  Responses must include Company Name, Company Address, Point of Contact, Telephone Number, and Email Address. 

No extensions will be granted and late submissions will not be accepted. The Kennedy Center anticipates that notifications acceptance or rejection will be sent by January 16, 2012.

The Center reserves the right to request additional information from potential contractors in writing, by phone, or by email.

The Kennedy Center assumes no obligation for any costs your organization may incur to either respond to this request or participate in the proposal process.  Any such materials submitted will become the property of the Kennedy Center, will be treated confidentially, and will not be shared without your permission.  Similarly, the Kennedy Center expects that your organization will treat this solicitation confidentially.

Instructions:
Proposers should provide all information requested in the format below:

• Responses should be typed on one side of 8½” x 11” white paper using 12-point font size.
• Pages should be numbered and include a header or footer identifying the proposer.
• Proposals should not exceed six (6) pages, single sided, excluding requested attachments (resumes of key personnel are in addition to the six pages).

Proposal Format
Scope of Work and Proposal must include: 

1. Organization Information:
Organization Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Office Phone:
Email:
Website:
Name of Primary Contact person for this project:
Primary Contact Phone:
Primary Contact Email:

2. Scope of Work Narrative:
Comprehensively describe the program/project and the internship, apprenticeship or training program for youth with disabilities (ages 15 through 25) to be conducted, including:

a. recruitment plans and methods that will be used to reach students with disabilities; 

b. how the program will develop and facilitate opportunities for internships, apprenticeships, and trainings;

c. how the program will integrate professional development and educational experiences leading to skill development; 

d. whether the program will address long-term or permanent employment, educational, and other  training opportunities;

e. ways in which the proposer may collaborate with other community-based organizations to enhance the program;

f. how the program will be evaluated with a list of expected outcomes;

g. how the program will be a model of sustainability;

h. a timeline for implementation with benchmarks;

i. a list collaborators, if any, who will be involved and what role they will take in the project; and

j. an estimate of the number of participants (i.e. youth with disabilities) and how they will benefit from the program.

3. Capability Statement:
The capability statement should address, describe and/or outline the capacities listed above and the following qualifications and relevant experience of key staff and the organization, including: 

a. professional experience of the organization and the staff in working with youth with disabilities in the arts;

b. experience in conducting internship, apprenticeships, training for youths with or without disabilities;

c. experience in supporting youth with and without disabilities in pursuing careers in the arts, arts administration, or arts education;

d. relationships with other service providers and collaborators in the communities to be served;

e. capacity to incorporate the proposed program into the organization’s existing internship, apprenticeship or training program and/or overall operations; and

f. how the proposed program and program staff will relate to the overall organization.

4. Fee Quote:
The fee quote is only for the project proposed and outlined in the scope of work. It is the Center’s expectation that the contractor shall include service fees to administer the work, and provide a firm fixed price quote that contains all information necessary to allow for a comprehensive evaluation of the costs proposed.  The fee may include covering such things as stipends for the youth; tuition reimbursement; auxiliary aids and accommodations necessary for successful participation in the program; registration fees for educational workshops and seminars, professional conferences and professional development workshops; expenses for recruitment; and reasonable general administrative support.  The following would be considered inappropriate expenses: commercial (for profit) enterprises, businesses or activities;  purchasing general office equipment, computers and computer hardware, cameras and video equipment;  building modifications or renovations; relocation costs; rehabilitation, medical or therapeutic expenses;  production costs such as space rental, costumes, sets, props, paint, brushes, and other supplies to produce/make/build a piece of art.

5. Resumes: 
Attach resumes of key personnel who will work on the project.

A. Evaluation Procedures
All proposals accepted by the Center will be reviewed to determine whether they are responsive or nonresponsive to the requirements of this RFP. Proposals which the Center determines to be nonresponsive will be rejected. Center staff will evaluate and rate all remaining proposals based on the Evaluation Criteria prescribed below.

Although the Center may conduct discussions with proposers submitting acceptable proposals, it reserves the right to award contracts on the basis of initial proposals received, without discussions; therefore, the proposer’s initial proposal should contain its best programmatic and price terms.

B. Evaluation Criteria

• Demonstrated quantity and quality of relevant experience: 30%
• Demonstrated level of organizational capability: 20%
• Quality of proposed program approach: 50%

C. Basis for Contract Award
The Center will award contracts to the responsible proposers whose proposals are determined to be the most advantageous to the Center’s goals and objectives, taking into consideration the fee quote and such other factors or criteria which are set forth in this RFP.  Proposals will be ranked in descending order of their overall average technical scores.  Awards will be made to the highest rated vendors whose proposals are technically viable.  The Center reserves the right to make awards to ensure appropriate distribution of programs across geographic areas; a variety of internship placements; and delivery of services to diverse populations of youth.