Description
The RFP and associated documents are posted on the NYSED Funding Opportunities website.
Legislative Authority: Public Law 113-128; Education Law §207 & Chapter 53 of the Laws of 2002.
Purpose of Grant: The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) require States to award multiyear grants or contracts on a competitive basis to eligible providers within the State. The purpose of this RFP is to provide adult education and literacy services that help out-of-school youth and adults develop literacy skills, achieve secondary credentials, and gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency. There are four types of competition: 1) Adult Basic Education and Literacy Services, 2) Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE), 3) Corrections Education and Other Institutionalized Education Programs and 4) Literacy Zones.
Project Period: July 1, 2027 — June 30, 2032
Eligible Applicants:
An organization that has demonstrated effectiveness in providing adult education and literacy activities is eligible to apply for AEFLA funds. These organizations may include, but are not limited to: A. a local educational agency; B. a community-based organization or faith-based organization; C. a volunteer literacy organization; D. an institution of higher education; E. a public or private nonprofit agency; F. a library; G. a public housing authority; H. a nonprofit institution that is not described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (G) and has the ability to provide adult education and literacy activities to eligible individuals. I. a consortium or coalition of the agencies, organizations, institutions, libraries, or authorities described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (H).
Demonstrated Effectiveness
Federal regulations governing AEFLA at 34 CFR part 463 clarify that only an organization that has demonstrated effectiveness in providing adult education and literacy services is eligible to apply for AEFLA funds.There are two ways an eligible provider may meet the requirements:
(1) An applicant that is currently funded under AEFLA, as amended by WIOA must submit performance data required under section 116 to demonstrate past effectiveness by providing the PY2024 (July 1, 2024 –June 30, 2025) FY2025 AEPP Report Card only for the program area of service for which the program is applying. AEPP Performance Benchmarks FY24-25
(2) An applicant that has not been previously funded under AEFLA, as amended by WIOA must provide performance data from PY2024 (July 1, 2024 –June 30, 2025) FY2025, by completing the demonstrated effectiveness conversion chart to demonstrate its past effectiveness in serving basic skills deficient eligible individuals, including evidence of achieving successful performance outcomes.
Bidders' Conference
A Bidders’ Conference will be held virtually on 9/15/2026, at 10:00 AM to provide potential applicants with details of the application process and allow an opportunity for questions and clarification on this RFP process.
https://meetny-gov.webex.com/meetny-gov/j.php?MTID=m473dd27213085cf52b72aedf9847d439
Webinar number:
2829 915 7126
Webinar password:
WIOA2732 (94622732 when dialing from a phone or video system)
Join by phone
+1-929-251-9612 United States Toll (New York City)
+1-415-527-5035 United States Toll
Access code: 282 991 57126
Organizations or individuals planning on participating in this session should pre-register with your name, agency name, and location at [email protected]. Please include in the email if accommodation is needed to participate. Participation in the Bidders' Conference is not mandatory but is highly recommended. Amount of Funding
$51,062,416 WIOA Title II and $1,843,000 WEP funds. For a total of $52,905,416 annually.
The award amount varies based on the size, geographic location, and type of WIOA funding that is being applied for. Applicants should submit budget requests for costs that are reasonable and necessary to effectively implement their proposed projects. Awards will be made subject to availability of federal funding received by the New York State Education
Department for implementation of Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The NYSED reserves the right to reject all proposals received or cancel this RFP if it is in the best interest of the NYSED.
Awards will be divided between four program areas:
(1) $ 26,061,783 for Adult Basic Education and Literacy Services
(2) $ 11,324,378 for Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education
(3) $ 3,519,255 for Corrections Education
(4) $ 12,000,000 for Literacy Zones
Final figures will be updated with the 2027-2032 WIOA Title II award received from the U.S. Education Department.
Application Due Date and Submission Instructions
Applicants are requested to submit their application electronically. The required documents, as listed in the Application Checklist section of this RFP, must be received via online form no later than November 13, 2026. Applications are due by 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
Questions and Answers
Questions regarding the request must be submitted via online form no later than the close of business on 9/4/2026. A Questions and Answers Summary will be posted to NYSED’s Grants website no later than 9/18/2026.
Prequalification Requirement
Proposals received from nonprofit applicants that are not Prequalified in the Statewide Financial System (SFS) by 5:00 PM on the proposal due date of 11/13/2026 cannot be evaluated. Such proposals will be disqualified from further consideration. Please see the “Prequalification Requirement” section for additional information.
Non-Mandatory Notice of Intent
The Notice of Intent (NOI) is not a requirement for submitting a complete application by the application date; however, NYSED strongly encourages all prospective applicants to submit an NOI to ensure a timely and thorough review and rating process. A non-profit applicant’s NOI will also help to facilitate timely review of their prequalification materials. The notice of intent is a simple email notice stating your organization’s (use the legal name) intent to submit an application for this grant. Please also include your organization’s NYS Vendor ID. The due date is 10/30/2026. Please send the NOI via this online form.
Business enterprises awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years:
Albany-Schoharie-Schenectady-Saratoga BOCESSt. Lawrence Lewis BOCESWestern Suffolk BOCESSmithtown CSDEastern Suffolk BOCESTompkins Seneca Tioga BOCESUlster BOCES Literacy Solutions NY, IncSouthern Westchester BOCESYonkers Public SchoolsLiteracy Solutions NY, Inc.CAMBA, IncCUNY NYC College of TechnologyCUNY York Shorefront YM-YWHA of Brighton-Manhattan Beach Inc.Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House of BensonhurstBrooklyn Public LibraryCUNY - Bronx Community CollegeCUNY Lehman College CUNY - Borough of Manhattan CCCUNY - Hostos Community CollegeCUNY - Kingsborough CCFifth Avenue CommitteeNYCDOE D79Brooklyn Community Services Queens Borough Public Library- Healthcare
Minority / Women Business Enterprise contracting goals (MWBE)
Total MWBE Goals: 30.00%
Attached files
The solicitation documents live at the source — open the bid source above to download them.