| For Immediate Release Contact Information Cynthia Santana Phone: 206-256-5219 Email: cynthia.santana@seattle.gov Seattle Office of Labor Standards Announces $1.1 Million in Funding for Business Outreach and Education Seattle, WA – (September 23, 2020) – The Office of Labor standards (OLS) announced the availability of $1.1 million dollars in Business Outreach and Education funding to facilitate labor standards outreach, education and compliance assistance for small businesses operating in Seattle. Today, OLS released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to guide the application and selection process for these contracts, which will be awarded for a two-year term. This funding cycle begins on January 1, 2021 and ends December 31, 2022. The amount of available funding is contingent upon sufficient appropriation by the City Council in 2021 and 2022 adopted budgets. The Business Outreach and Education Fund (BOEF) is designed to: · Increase knowledge of and compliance with Seattle’s labor standards; · Develop new partnerships and build capacity among community organizations serving the business community to expand labor standards compliance; and · Build trust and collaboration between OLS, the business community, and business organizations serving the business community. The purpose of the BOEF is to reach businesses not typically served by traditional outreach methods: businesses owned by low-income and historically disenfranchised communities, including immigrants and refugees and people of color, as well as women, veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ community. Applicants from business associations, chambers of commerce, community-based organizations, private businesses, and non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply and may submit an RFP as individual organizations or as a part of a collaborative partnership. The deadline for applications is Friday, October 23, 2020 at 5:00 PM (PST). Applicants must submit proposals electronically as an attachment. Please include the following in the subject line: 2021-2022 BOEF Proposal to OLS at labor.standards@seattle.gov. OLS will provide an orientation webinar to cover the purpose and scope of the fund and funding requirements. RFP Orientation Webinar Date: October 6, 2020 Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/October6orienwksh For more information and to download application materials please visit the BOEF webpage by clicking here or call 206-256-5297. ### |