Title
In its role as the Chief Elected Official of the Monterey County workforce development area,
a. Authorize the Executive Director of the Monterey County Workforce Development Board (WDB) to execute an Agreement with Arbor E&T, LLC, doing business as Equus Workforce Solutions, in an amount not to exceed $350,500 to provide Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) One Stop Operator (OSO) services to the WDB retroactive to July 1, 2026, for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and
b. Authorize the Executive Director of the WDB to execute up to three (3) future amendments of one (1) year each, subject to County Counsel review and approval by the Board of Supervisors, to extend the Agreement on substantially the same terms.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors, in its role as the Chief Elected Official of the Monterey County workforce development area,
a. Approve and authorize the Executive Director of the Monterey County Workforce Development Board (WDB) to execute an Agreement with Arbor E&T, LLC, doing business as Equus Workforce Solutions, in an amount not to exceed $350,500 to provide Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) One Stop Operator (OSO) services to the WDB retroactive to July 1, 2026, for the
period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and
b. Approve and authorize the Executive Director of the WDB to execute up to three (3) future amendments of one (1) year each, subject to County Counsel review and approval by the Board of Supervisors, to extend the Agreement on substantially the same terms.
SUMMARY:
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) contemplates that the One-Stop service delivery system will be managed by a One Stop Operator responsible to coordinate the delivery of services by One Stop partners. WIOA requires the competitive procurement of One Stop Operators and concurrence of the chief elected official of the Local Area: here, the Board of Supervisors.
The recommendation to execute a new Agreement with Arbor E&T, doing business as Equus Workforce Solutions, is the result of a 2026 RFP process. Equus is a well-established, for-profit provider of employment, career center operations, and youth services that currently provides OSO services in 27 local areas across the country, including the Monterey County WDB. Equus provided the sole proposal in response to the 2026 One Stop Operator RFP.
DISCUSSION:
One Stop Operator Role and Responsibilities
The primary functions of the OSO are to coordinate partners within the Monterey County AJCCs, coordinate delivery of career services and other WIOA services between all One Stop providers, and to communicate and coordinate regarding the same with Monterey County WDB staff. The OSO is required to have a full time, physical presence at the Salinas AJCC and provide oversight for the satellite AJCCs in Marina, Seaside, and Gonzales. The OSO is also directly involved in AJCC certification and the development and implementation of the WIOA partner MOU. The OSO fulfills its responsibilities in coordination with and under the direction of the WDB.
Procurement Process
The Monterey County Contracts/Purchasing Office issued the OSO RFP on behalf of the WDB on February 12, 2026, with a submittal deadline of March 6, 2026. One responsive proposal was received from Arbor E&T, LLC, doing business as Equus Workforce Solutions. WDB staff evaluated the proposal based on the three published criteria, with a total of 100 points possible, to ensure that the proposal was fully responsive to the RFP’s requirements. Each section’s allowable points were distributed across a scale, with higher scores based upon the level of specificity, analysis, and detail provided on the proposers’ strategies and experience.
|
RFP Sections |
Possible Points |
Arbor E&T, LLC Score |
|
Quality of Design |
50 |
44 |
|
Agency's Organization and Financial Proposal |
35 |
34 |
|
Performance Standards and Data Collection |
15 |
12 |
|
Total Score |
100 |
90 |
On April 16, 2026, the Executive Committee approved Arbor E&T, dba Equus, to provide WIOA One Stop Operator services for the WDB. At its meeting on April 23, 2026, the WDB approved the sole-source selection of Equus to provide OSO services in the amount of $135,000 for the period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
As part of the WDB’s approval of its draft budget on July 16, 2026, additional funding was approved for front desk staff to be supervised by the One Stop Operator. The Agreement will be a combination cost reimbursement and performance-based contract, with 8% of the total amount of the Agreement ($28,040) held back to ensure Contractor’s achievement of key performance-based outcomes.
WIOA requires the WDB to designate an OSO with the agreement of the chief elected official of the local workforce development area. Accordingly, the WDB seeks the Board’s approval, acting in its role as Chief Elected Official of the Monterey County local workforce development area, of the selection of Equus to provide OSO services. The WDB also asks for authorization to extend the Agreement for three additional years on substantially the same terms, subject to County Counsel review and Board of Supervisors’ approval of each annual amendment.
Arbor E&T, dba Equus Workforce Solutions
Equus is one of the nation’s most comprehensive providers of workforce development services. Their over 50 years of experience span the design and delivery of demand-driven workforce solutions that meet the skilled labor needs of targeted industry sectors. Equus currently provides One Stop Operator, Adult/Dislocated Worker, and Youth services for the WDB.
Equus’ proposal demonstrated extensive experience working with the target populations as well as partnering with WDBs to design and implement new service models and programs customized to fit local needs. Equus also has extensive experience collaborating with Local Area WIOA partners and other service partners in Monterey County.
The WDB’s One Stop Operator position receives direct support from Equus’ National Director of One-Stop Operations, with additional support from the National Manager of One-Stop Operations and the Regional Director. All of Equus’ OSOs have access to the resources and support of the Equus National Service Delivery team, including ongoing trainings and Communities of Practice.
The Agreement
The OSO service provider Agreement with Equus includes the following:
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVMENT:
The parties to the Agreement were involved in its development. County Counsel has approved the Agreement.
FINANCING:
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth grant funding in an amount not to exceed $350,500 will be used to fund the WIOA One Stop Operator Agreement and is budgeted in Fund 1290, Appropriations Unit CAO030, Unit 105028. There is no financial impact to the General Fund resulting from approval of this Agreement.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
Approval of the OSO Agreement will result in streamlined coordination of workforce services to both job seekers and employers throughout Monterey County. The resulting expansion of partnerships will improve the breadth and relevance of services and improve employment outcomes for individuals with barriers to employment.
ü Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
ü Diverse and Thriving Economy
Link to the Strategic Plan:
<https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/home/showdocument?id=139569>
Prepared by: Elizabeth Kaylor, Management Analyst III, 5385
Approved by: Christopher Donnelly, Executive Director, 6644
Attachments:
2026-27 Arbor E&T One Stop Operator Services Agreement