Community Outreach and Education Fund 2026-2028 RFP

Background
The City of Seattle, through its Office of Labor Standards (OLS), is launching the Community Outreach and Education Fund (COEF) to enhance worker awareness and understanding of labor rights established by Seattle's labor standards.

The OLS aims to foster a fair economy for workers, businesses, and residents by engaging communities, enforcing labor standards, and developing innovative policies with a focus on racial and social justice.

The COEF will allocate $2.44 million to between 5 and 10 community organizations over a 24-month period, from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028, subject to Seattle City Council approval. The initiative emphasizes partnerships with organizations that have established trust within communities most affected by labor violations.

Work Details
The selected consultants will conduct outreach and education activities focused on increasing worker understanding of Seattle's labor standards. Key responsibilities include:
- Conducting outreach to low-wage workers, BIPOC communities, and immigrant/refugee populations.
- Creating culturally relevant resources and training materials.
- Providing intake counseling and referrals for complaint resolution services.
- Offering support services such as job placement assistance and community advocacy.
- Engaging in targeted outreach in industries with high violations but low complaint volumes.
- Collaborating with OLS to develop enforcement plans for these industries.

The service strategies may include specific approaches tailored to various worker demographics such as domestic workers, restaurant employees, or construction workers.

Period of Performance
The contract will be performed over a two-year period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028.

Place of Performance
The services will be performed in Seattle, Washington, specifically targeting low-wage workers across various geographic areas within the city.

Bidder Requirements
Consultants must demonstrate experience in outreach to low-wage workers and communities impacted by labor violations. They must have employees located in King, Snohomish, or Pierce County who can directly engage with workers covered by Seattle labor ordinances. Additionally, proposals must include all required components as outlined in the solicitation documents.