(a) On or before June 1, 2017, the Board shall issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an operator for the Program.
(b) The operator shall meet the qualifications established by the Board.
(c) The RFP shall include the following elements and expectations for the operator:
(1) Identifying meaningful service opportunities for corps participants that address the social needs of the community that are provided by nonprofit organizations or government agencies;
(2) Identifying service opportunities that will teach 21st century skills to corps participants;
(3) Identifying academic credit opportunities for corps participants;
(4) Creating a selective recruitment process for corps participants, giving priority to low–income individuals;
(5) Creating and implementing an orientation and training program for corps participants and the nonprofit or government agencies where corps participants effectuate their service;
(6) Providing support to corps participants in finding placements;
(7) Emphasizing and encouraging the importance of being a successful contributor to society, a measure of which is a vocational certificate, an associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree;
(8) Creating tools to measure the success of corps participants as they transition from high school to an institution of higher education for a vocational certificate, an associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree;
(9) Facilitating the award of stipends for corps participants during their year of service;
(10) Facilitating the award of scholarships for corps participants who complete the Program to be used at institutions of higher education toward vocational certificates, associate’s degrees, or bachelor’s degrees;
(11) Identifying what State support will be necessary and what public and private grant opportunities are available to sustain and increase the size of the Program; and
(12) Any other characteristics that the Board determines will improve the quality and success of the Program.