Request for Approval
America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM Operator
Local Workforce Development Board
Verdugo Workforce Development Board
Local Workforce Development Area
Verdugo Consortium
Exhibit 2
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) allows Local Workforce Development Boards (Local Board) to be an America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) Operator, with the agreement of the Chief Elected Official (CEO) and the Governor. In order to be considered, the Local Board or administrative entity must have successfully participated in a competitive process or provide substantial documentation that they meet one of the exceptions for Noncompetitive procurement.
This application will serve as the Local Board’s or administrative entity’s request for Governor’s approval to be an AJCC Operator within a Local Workforce Development Area (Local Area) under WIOA. The application and required supporting documentation must be submitted to the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) by March 1, 2025, through the following method:
Email: [email protected]
Subject line: AJCC Operator Application
If the CWDB determines the request is incomplete, it will either be returned or held until the necessary documentation is submitted. Please contact your Regional Advisor for technical assistance or questions related to completing and submitting this request.
Judith Velasco
Contact Person
818-937-8031
Contact Person’s Phone Number
Date of Submission
Verdugo Workforce Development Board
(VWDB)
Name of Local Board
1255 South Central Avenue
Mailing Address
Glendale, CA 91204
City, State, Zip
Request for Approval
America’s Job Center of California Operator
Type of Procurement
1. What type of procurement was used by the Local Board or administrative entity? ☐Competitive ☒ Noncompetitive
2. If Noncompetitive, did the Local Board or administrative entity offer an open, competitive procurement prior to Noncompetitive?
☒Yes ☐No
3. If Noncompetitive, identify the reason(s) for using this procurement method:
☐ The AJCC Operator services are only available from a single source. ☐ A public exigency or emergency for the requirement will not permit a delay resulting from competitive solicitation.
☒ After solicitation of a number of sources, competition was determined inadequate.
Documentation Requirements for Competitive Procurement
Please provide responses to the following items on a separate document.
1. A description of the AJCC Operator.
a. Will the Local Board or administrative entity be the only AJCC Operator or act as a member of a consortium? If part of a consortium, include a list of the other consortium members. N/A b. Is there more than one comprehensive AJCC in the Local Area? If so, will the Local Board or administrative entity act as the operator for all of them? If not, list which ones the Local Board will act as operator for and who will be the operator for the others.
2. Documentation of local internal controls, conflict of interest, and firewalls policies adhered to during the AJCC Operator procurement process. N/A
3. Documentation of the procurement process, including but not limited to, preparation of the request for proposal, public notices, receipt of bids/letter of intent, public bid/proposal meetings, evaluation, comparison, protest letters, and award notice/contract. In addition, provide a timeline that includes the date and staff name, organization, and title involved in each step of the selection process. N/A
4. Copy of the Local Board’s or administrative entity’s bid/proposal. N/A
5. A written description of the following operational topics. a. Specify the role(s) of the Local Board or administrative entity as the AJCC Operator(s) (i.e., coordinating service providers, primary provider of services, and coordinating activities throughout the AJCC system). If the Local Board or administrative entity is part of a consortium, provide each assigned role and the related responsibilities for each entity in the consortium. N/A b. How does this structure demonstrate the Local Board’s or administrative entity’s ability to successfully operate the AJCC system while also providing leadership and accountability for the entire Local Area and AJCC system? N/A
c. How will this structure deliver the highest performance outcomes for the Local Area? N/A
Documentation Requirements for Noncompetitive Procurement Please provide responses to the following items on a separate document.
The Verdugo Workforce Development Board (VWDB) has responded to all questions below in a separate document, entitled Attachment 1 “Responses to Noncompetitive Procurement”
1. A justification for whichever exemption mentioned above the Local Board or administrative entity feels they fall under in order to use Noncompetitive.
2. A description of the AJCC Operator.
a. Will the Local Board or administrative entity be the sole AJCC Operator or act as a member of a consortium? If part of a consortium, include a list of the other consortium members.
b. Is there more than one comprehensive AJCC in the Local Area? If so, will the Local Board or administrative entity act as the operator for all of them? If not, list which ones the Local Board or administrative entity will act as operator and who will be the operator for the others.
3. An analysis of market conditions and other factors that lead to the determination for utilizing Noncompetitive.
4. Copies of internal controls, conflict of interest, and firewall policies.
5. Provide a written description of the following operational topics:
a. Specify the role(s) of the Local Board or administrative entity as the AJCC Operator(s) (i.e., coordinating service providers, primary provider of services, and coordinating activities throughout the AJCC system). If the Local Board or administrative entity is part of a consortium, provide each assigned role and the related responsibilities for each entity in the consortium. b. How does this structure demonstrate the Local Board’s or administrative entity’s ability to successfully operate the AJCC system while also providing leadership for the entire Local Area and AJCC system?
c. How will this structure deliver accountability and the highest performance outcomes for the Local Area?
6. Evidence that the request for approval of the Local Board or administrative entity to be an AJCC Operator through Noncompetitive was made available to the public for at least 30 days. Submit copies of comments received.
7. Views expressed by the local WIOA mandatory AJCC partner programs. Submit copies of any letters of support, disagreement, or other views received.
8. Attach documentation (signed and dated letter) that the members of the Local Board and other relevant parties (e.g., Board of Supervisors) reviewed the information provided in the application and approved its contents in a public meeting.
Signature Page
By signing below, the local CEO and Local Board chair request approval from the Governor to be designated as an AJCC Operator. Each party certifies that this application submission was reviewed and demonstrates that the Local Board met all the requirements to be designated as the AJCC Operator of the Local Area under WIOA law and regulations.
Instructions
The Local Board chair and local CEO must sign and date this form. Include the original signatures with the request.
Local Workforce Development Board Chair Local Chief Elected Official
Signature Signature
Nick Hacopian Ara Najarian
Name Name
Chair, Verdugo Workforce Development
Board
Mayor, City of Glendale
Title Title
Date Date
Attachment 1 “Verdugo Workforce Development Board’s Response to Non Competitive Procurement Questions”
1. A justification for whichever exemption mentioned above the Local Board or administrative entity feels they fall under in order to use Noncompetitive.
The Verdugo Workforce Development Board ( VWDB) released the AJCC Operator Request for Proposal (RFP) on January 15, 2025 with a submission deadline of March 7, 2025. An optional bidders conference was held on February 12, 2025 in which three individuals attended, representing three different bidding organizations . The RFP was promoted via email announcements and social media avenues. Notification of the RFP was published in the Glendale News-Press, the Burbank Leader, and the La Cañada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun. Notification was also mailed to the VWDB members, VWDB Partners, California Adult Education Program (CAEP) Partners, and consultants which includes any current and past contractors. The RFP was also published on the VWDB Website and all social media outlets associated with the VWDB and Verdugo Jobs Center ( VJC). The only applicant who submitted a successful application was the incumbent contractor. After consultation with the City of Glendale’s Legal Department, it was determined that the RFP did not constitute a competitive bid process. Therefore, the best course of action was to cancel the RFP and have the VWDB apply for and assume the Operator role given its prior experience and expertise in drafting the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and its active role with the partners.
2. A description of the AJCC Operator.
a. Will the Local Board or administrative entity be the sole AJCC Operator or act as a member of a consortium? If part of a consortium, include a list of the other consortium members.
The VWDB will be the sole AJCC Operator and not act as a member of a consortium.
b. Is there more than one comprehensive AJCC in the Local Area? If so, will the Local Board or administrative entity act as the operator for all of them? If not, list which ones the Local Board or administrative entity will act as operator and who will be the operator for the others.
The VWDB has one comprehensive AJCC (Verdugo Jobs Center) located in the City of Glendale and one affiliate AJCC location (Job Connect) in the City of Burbank. The VWDB will act as the AJCC Operator for both.
3. An analysis of market conditions and other factors that lead to the determination for utilizing Noncompetitive.
As a result of the Operator RFP receiving only one (1) bidder, the VWDB did an overall analysis of this role and its ability to fulfill it. The workforce knowledge required to be an AJCC Operator limits the candidates who can submit a competitive application. Also, given the size of the VWDB region, it is more cost effective and efficient to deliver these services directly.
Prior to the implementation of WIOA, the VWDB provided its own AJCC Operator services directly, coordinating partners and executing Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) to formalize partnerships. The VWDB was also responsible for managing and maintaining the partnerships, coordinating professional development and ensuring that the workforce develop system continuously improved. The procurement of the AJCC Operator began once the requirements under WIOA were implemented.
The VWDB currently has an active role in Operator services by recommending agenda topics, reviewing and editing documents, such as the Partners MOU. The VWDB also tracks the monthly infrastructure cost of the co -located partners on behalf of the current operator. Not only does the VWDB already assumes a portion of the Operator responsibility, but also, it currently provides similar services as an intermediary for projects such as BioTC and is the coordinator of the California Adult Education Program (CAEP) which operates under GlendaleLEARNS. Both of these
projects require that the VWDB coordinate partnerships, maintain relationships with all key partners, coordinate and execute MOU’s, assist with tracking and reporting of performance, and coordinate professional development, among other duties similar to the Operator. Therefore, the VWDB is poised to assume the role of AJCC Operator.
4. Copies of internal controls, conflict of interest, and firewall policies.
We have attached these policies to the application.
5. Provide a written description of the following operational topics:
a. Specify the role(s) of the Local Board or administrative entity as the AJCC Operator(s) (i.e., coordinating service providers, primary provider of services, and coordinating activities throughout the AJCC system). If the Local Board or administrative entity is part of a consortium, provide each assigned role and the related responsibilities for each entity in the consortium.
As the AJCC Operator, the VWDB will oversee service delivery of partners by designating a VWDB staff(s) to ensure compliance per EDD Workforce Services Directive 22-13 including:
Coordinating the service delivery of required AJCC partners and service providers. Ensuring the implementation of partner responsibilities and contributions agreed upon in Memorandums of Understanding.
Reporting to Local Boards on operations, performance, and continuous improvement recommendations. Implementing policies established by Local Boards.
Adhering to all applicable federal and state guidance. Holding regular partner meetings on a quarterly basis during the program year.
b. How does this structure demonstrate the Local Board’s or administrative entity’s ability to successfully operate the AJCC system while also providing leadership for the entire Local Area and AJCC system?
The Verdugo Workforce Development Board has a long -standing history of over 30 years delivering workforce services.
The VWDB ’s track record includes delivering innovative solutions to populations with the greatest need in partnership with its MOU partners, businesses, and community.
The average tenure of VWDB staff is 10 years . Its staff possess the skills, knowledge, and expertise to deliver exceptional service to be the AJCC Operator. A designated VWDB staff(s) will assume this role while other staff will continue to develop programs and provide leadership in workforce development to the Verdugo Consortium comprised of the cities of Burbank, Glendale and La Cañada Flintridge.
c.
How will this structure deliver accountability and the highest performance outcomes for the Local Area? The VWDB, as the AJCC Operator, can effectively deliver accountability and the high performance as it has done so with other roles it has assumed, such as the Career Services Provider. The VWDB has demonstrated it can coordinate partner communication and partner services via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), as demonstrated with the BioTC and GlendaleLEARNS programs it currently administers. In this role, the VWDB will report on AJCC Operator activities and align with AJCC certification Hallmarks of Excellent which is critical to continue to deliver services in a system-based approach.
6. Evidence that the request for approval of the Local Board or administrative entity to be an AJCC Operator through Noncompetitive was made available to the public for at least 30 days. Submit copies of comments received.
The Public Notice for the VWDB AJCC Operator Application was available for a 30-day public comment period which ran from Friday, June 27, 2025 to Sunday, July 27, 2025 . This public notice was posted on the VWDB’s website (verdugoworks.com and glendaleca.gov ), social media and sent out to all partners and key stakeholders .
Additionally, the 30-day public notice was promoted to local news outlets such as the Glendale News Press, Burbank Leader and La Cañada Outlook. No comments were received.
7. Views expressed by the local WIOA mandatory AJCC partner programs. Submit copies of any letters of support, disagreement, or other views received.
The 30-day public comment period began on Friday, June 27, 2025 and ended on Sunday, July 27, 2025; no comments were received.
8. Attach documentation (signed and dated letter) that the members of the Local Board and other relevant parties (e.g., Board of Supervisors) reviewed the information provided in the application and approved its contents in a public meeting.
This application was reviewed at a public Verdugo Workforce Development B oard meeting on June 25, 2025.
Additionally, this application will be reviewed at an earliest City of Glendale Council meeting after the public comment period ends on July 27, 2025.