Specifications include, but are not limited to: To support labor force participation of New Americans, the State Workforce Development Board (SWDB) shall coordinate efforts to connect, recruit, hire, train and retain New Americans with services related to employment. This coordination will measurably contribute to the career advancement of New Americans living in Vermont so they may improve their quality of life in local communities while more fully participating in Vermont’s economy. Through this Request for Proposal (RFP) the Vermont Department of Labor (hereinafter the “State”) is seeking to establish contracts with one or more companies in developing Vermont’s “New American Labor Force Program.” As defined by Act 78 (H.494), the SWDB has been appropriated $200,000.00, which can be used to engage the services of one or more experts in the field of workforce development, organization management, or other relevant fields as necessary to assist the SWDB in its work to develop and implement of the New American Labor Force Program. The contractor will: Establish a framework for data collection, collation, analysis, and presentation. Advise the SWDB’s Relocation and Recruitment Committee on national best practices related to job placement and retention that will contribute to the successful creation and implementation of the New American Labor Force Program. Collaborate with SWDB staff, the SWDB’s Relocation and Recruitment Committee on program development to create the New American Labor Force Program. These two entities will receive support, when necessary, by the Department of Labor, Agencies of Human Services, and Commerce and Community Development, Secretary of State Office of Professional Regulation, and community-based service partners. The program should better organize and leverage existing employment services and accomplish the following: Expand the enrollment of New Americans in registered apprenticeship and other training programs leading to a credential of value. Conduct recruitment and job placement activities specific to New Americans. Support the culmination and publication of employer-focused toolkits and resources currently under development by interested stakeholders. Build a network of career mentors to assist New Americans in advancing in their career path. Develop opportunities to expand the professional networks of New Americans. Foster other activities that support entry, retention, and advancement of New Americans in Vermont’s workforce. After finalizing program design, assist with the implementing and standing up the necessary MOUs; program materials; website design and content; and any other necessary services identified to fill gaps and better coordinate local, regional, and statewide employment related service efforts while considering all of Vermont’s relevant public, private, and non-profit entities. The SWDB will provide support to the contractor(s) in the following areas: A. Establishing key questions to be answered by the vendor’s work. B. Determining where data and system gaps are. C. Developing contact lists for key stakeholders/agencies/organizations/community partners. D. Supporting communication to stakeholders about participating in interviews and community conversations, as well as convening/hosting virtual sessions. E. Supporting the contractor with facilitation and analysis, as appropriate and necessary. For the purpose of this contract, the term “New Americans” refers to refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, migrants, and others. This term is intentionally broad as to not exclude anyone looking to relocate to Vermont and receive support from our established network.