Request for Sealed Proposals for Payroll Services for Career Skills Training Education Pathways

Background
The Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District (SMPDD) serves as the fiscal agent for the Twin Districts Workforce Development Area (TDWDA). This contract aims to provide payroll services for the Career Skills Training Education Pathways (STEP) program, a workforce development initiative funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grant by the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) and potentially other federal and state funds.

Work Details
Eligible vendors must provide comprehensive payroll services including:

- Paying assigned employees’ wages
- Withholding and transmitting payroll taxes
- Providing unemployment insurance
- Offering workers' compensation benefits
- Fulfilling all required federal wage and hour financial obligations
- Managing stipends and/or incentives.

The services will be directed towards Career STEP eligible participants, who may be as young as 16 years old, referred by Career STEP Program staff. The counties served include Clarke, Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Kemper, Lamar, Lauderdale, Leake, Marion, Neshoba, Newton, Perry, Pearl River, Scott, Smith, Stone and Wayne.

Period of Performance
The initial contract(s) will commence no sooner than October 1, 2024, and will run through September 30, 2025. There is an option to extend the contract(s) annually for up to three additional years with mutual agreement and subject to funding availability.

Place of Performance
The services will be performed in various counties within the Twin Districts Workforce Development Area in Southern Mississippi.