The Ocean County Department of Human Services is seeking proposals for Older Worker Upskill services for Ocean County residents age 55 and older who need sustainable employment. The service period is December 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, with up to two additional 12-month periods contingent on successful service delivery and available funding.
Funding and service level
The County anticipates $100,000 in total funding. No match or in-kind contribution is required, although leveraged resources are encouraged. Services must be delivered at no out-of-pocket cost to participants, and successful proposers will be paid on a fee-for-service basis. The proposer is expected to serve at least 35 Ocean County residents.
Scope
Required services include soft and hard skills, on-the-job training and work experience, resume assistance, mock interviews, interview skills, technology training and assistance, socialization, credentials and certifications, intake and comprehensive assessment, service plans, referrals, performance tracking, quality improvement, and collaboration with the One Stop system and Ocean County Workforce Development Board.
The successful proposer must maintain a local office and provide services within the Local Workforce Development Area. Virtual service delivery mechanisms may be used on an as-needed basis.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education and local education agencies, community-based, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, private for-profit entities, government agencies, and other interested organizations such as chambers of commerce, business organizations, or labor organizations. Preference is given to applications that are readily accessible to residents throughout Ocean County.
Submission requirements
Proposal deadline: October 8, 2026 before 4:00 PM prevailing time. The County does not separately name a timezone. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the Ocean County OpenGov Procurement Portal. Manual or hard-copy submissions are rejected. Questions must be submitted through the portal by 12 noon on September 23, 2026.
The proposal package requires County execution and compliance forms, a program narrative, computed budget and budget narrative, current insurance, board list, organizational chart, certified audit or financial statement, New Jersey Business Registration Certificate or IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, affirmative-action documentation, EEO and ADA compliance statements, and the submission acknowledgement.
Fit assessment
Atlas Opportunity Score: 82/100. This is a well-defined local workforce and education opportunity with broad organizational eligibility, no required match, a clear $100,000 funding pool, and a defined older-adult service population.
N9+ Fit Score: 5/100. The verified scope does not establish a meaningful clinical, telehealth, or remote physical-examination role for the Nonagon N9+ device and platform. Technology training is part of the workforce curriculum, but that does not create a defensible N9+ funding pathway. QC Healthcare direct-vendor fit is likewise not established.
Official source: County of Ocean Older Worker Upskill Competitive Contract proposal.