Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
JULY 16, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: TALENT DEVELOPMENT BENCH
Action
ACTION: AWARD BENCH CONTRACTS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to:
A. AWARD seven task order based bench Contracts, Nos. PS133086000 through PS133086006 for talent development services for the agency’s workforce for a total Not-To-Exceed (NTE) amount of $3,626,800 for the initial two-year base term, plus $1,902,320 for the first, one-year option, and $1,995,686 for the second, one-year option, for a total NTE cumulative amount of $7,524,806, effective August 10, 2026, subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s):
1. Discipline 1: Soft Skills Training
1. Conscious Leadership Partners LLC (Contract No. PS133086001)
2. Insight Strategies Inc. (Contract No. PS133086002)
3. The OMNI Group, LLC dba OGx Consulting (Contract No. PS133086006)
4. Redwood Resources (Contract No. PS133086004)
2. Discipline 2: Technical Skills Training
1. The OMNI Group, LLC dba OGx Consulting (Contract No. PS133086006)
2. Redwood Resources (Contract No. PS133086004)
3. Discipline 3: Employee and Leadership Development
1. Conscious Leadership Partners LLC (Contract No. PS133086001)
2. Insight Strategies Inc. (Contract No. PS133086002)
3. McKinsey & Company, Inc. Washington D.C. (Contract No. PS133086003)
4. The OMNI Group, LLC dba OGx Consulting (Contract No. PS133086006)
5. Redwood Resources (Contract No. PS133086004)
4. Discipline 4: Employee and Executive Coaching
1. Conscious Leadership Partners LLC (Contract No. PS133086001)
2. Insight Strategies Inc.(Contract No. PS133086002)
3. The OMNI Group, LLC dba OGx Consulting (Contract No. PS133086006)
4. Redwood Resources (Contract No. PS133086004)
5. Discipline 5: eLearning Design/Development/Implementation Support
1. Advanced Problem Solving, LLC (Contract No. PS133086000)
2. The OMNI Group, LLC dba OGx Consulting (Contract No. PS133086006)
3. Redwood Resources (Contract No. PS133086004)
4. The Canton Group, LLC (Contract No. PS133086005)
6. Discipline 6: Project Management Support
1. Insight Strategies Inc. (Contract No. PS133086002)
2. The OMNI Group, LLC dba OGx Consulting (Contract No. PS133086006)
3. Redwood Resources (Contract No. PS133086004)
4. The Canton Group, LLC (Contract No. PS133086005)
B. EXECUTE Task Orders within the approved NTE value.
Issue
ISSUE
Metro seeks to establish a bench of contractors with expertise in delivering effective training programs to foster growth for its 13,000 plus diverse workforce. Specifically, the agency needs to augment its Talent Development programming to continue supporting employee development needs and strategic business goals and values. The Talent Development Bench will provide Metro with access to specialized consulting expertise and scalable resources necessary to deliver high-quality professional development programs across the agency. The contractors will support workforce development initiatives in areas such as leadership development, coaching, career growth, and technical and soft skills training. Utilizing a bench of qualified firms enables Metro to efficiently address evolving workforce needs, expand program capacity, and provide targeted expertise that supplements internal resources
Background
BACKGROUND
The Chief People Office oversees various programs and opportunities for learning and career growth, and monitors employee and departmental needs, and requires a bench of contractors to support these services as the previous contract has expired. With new rail line openings, the implementation of the Department of Public Safety, and operations for mega events, the Talent Development Bench needs to support existing programming and build on training program offerings to achieve Metro’s strategic goal for workforce development aimed at making Metro a learning organization that attracts, develops, motivates, and retains a world-class workforce.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Operating across three shifts, Metro’s 13,000 plus workforce is diverse and includes contract and non-contract personnel from five labor unions, more than 880 job classifications, and over 80 operating divisions, locations, and terminals across Los Angeles County. In addition, employees are at varying stages of their career journeys and skills, including some starting their careers as entry-level trainees, employees in management looking for career growth, and executives who are seeking to create succession plans.
The Talent Development Bench will augment internal resources and capacity to meet these needs by providing access to consulting firms with a wide range of specialized training and development services to support the agency. The bench will provide expertise and resources to support and enhance employee development opportunities, existing leadership development programs and provide a breadth of training opportunities for Metro employees.
The Talent Development Bench consists of six disciplines of work with consultants who will provide services in one or more of the disciplines through virtual and in-person programming dependent on agency needs:
1. Soft Skills Training including, but not limited to:
• Communication Skills (Verbal and Written)
• Collaboration
• Problem Solving
• Active Listening
• Time Management
• Stress Management
• Change Management
• Managing in Virtual Environments
• Organization
• Conflict Resolution
• Customer Service
• Expectation Setting
2. Technical Skills Training including but not limited to:
• Written and Verbal English Language Development
• Microsoft Office Suite and Tools
• Adobe Suite, Adobe Learning Manager and Captivate
• Basic Computer Training
• Interpreting Data
• Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Technologies
• Project Management
• SharePoint Web Design
3. Employee and Leadership Development including but not limited to:
• People & Culture Programs
• Succession Planning Programs
• Employee Customer Experience Programs
• Employee Engagement and Retention Programs
• Pre-Supervisory Programs
• First-Time Supervisor Programs
• Department and Project -Specific Programs (e.g., Team Building, Volunteer Training, Train-the-Trainer Program, Strategic Planning, Retreats)
• Entry, Mid, and Executive-Level Leadership Programs
• Fellowship and Mentorship Programs
4. Employee and Executive Coaching including but not limited to:
• Development Coaching
• Career Growth Coaching
• Executive Coaching
• 360 Evaluations
5. eLearning Design/Development/Implementation Support including providing eLearning design/development/implementation services for advancing Metro Online Learning Content that includes, but is not limited to:
• Initializing, Analyzing, and Planning eLearning needs
• Designing, Development, and Reviewing eLearning content
• Implementing of eLearning Content
• Evaluating effectiveness of training
• Customizing off-the-rack e-Learning modules for Metro’s workforce
6. Administrative and Project Support
• Measurement and Evaluation Tools (i.e., Interviews, Surveys, Assessments, Focus Groups)
• Instructional Design
• Development and implementation of Training and Workforce Programs
• Facilitation Services
• Internal Evaluation of Training Programs
• Internal Professional Development Program Enhancement
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Approval of the Talent Development Bench will allow Metro to continue developing and investing in its workforce. This action has no direct impact on the safety of employees, Metro customers, and the public at large.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Partial funding for the Talent Development Bench is included in the FY27 budget under cost center 6220 Talent Development, project 100001, task 01.01, General Overhead. Participating departments will be responsible for funding their respective task orders issued under these contracts.
Impact to Budget
The overhead cost is allocated out to all agency projects. The source of funding will be Federal, State, and local funds, some of which are eligible for Metro Bus and Rail Operations.
The cost center manager and the Chief People Officer, along with participating departments and cabinets, are accountable for budgeting costs for future fiscal years.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
When the Talent Development Bench procurement was originally solicited, the Diversity and Economic Opportunity Department established an overall 20% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for federally funded task orders, and an overall 17% Small Business Enterprise (SBE) goal and an overall 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) goal for state and locally funded task orders for this bench contract. However, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued an Interim Final Rule , effective October 3, 2025, that made changes to the DBE Program, including suspending the establishment of DBE goals, counting DBE participation, and enforcement. Each recommended bench participant committed to meet or exceed the overall 17% SBE goal and 3% DVBE goal. Although the DBE commitment is not a factor in the staff recommendation, five of the seven recommended bench participants are certified SBEs.
Investing in the development of employees across all departments, job classifications, and represented/non-represented labor groups requires sustained and intentional talent development strategies. Metro remains committed to ensuring that professional development opportunities are accessible, equitable, and aligned with the agency's workforce needs. The continued use of specialized talent development consultants will support in these efforts as well as help Metro strengthen leadership pipelines, enhance employee capabilities, support succession planning efforts, and foster a culture of continuous learning and growth throughout the organization.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled _Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
While this item does not directly encourage taking transit, sharing a ride, or using active
transportation, it is a vital part of training, developing and retaining Metro’s human capital which is critical to delivering transit services. By ensuring Metro continues to develop and retain internal talent, this action supports Metro’s ability to provide a reliable, safe, and attractive alternative to driving. Because the Metro Board has adopted an agency-wide VMT Reduction Target, and this item supports the overall function of the agency, this item is consistent with the goals of reducing VMT.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
This Board action supports Strategic Goal 3: Enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity. The Talent Development Bench will provide specialized expertise and resources to develop Metro’s workforce through leadership development, coaching, career growth, and technical and soft skills training. These efforts will strengthen employee capabilities, expand access to professional growth opportunities, and help build a skilled, engaged, and future-ready workforce that supports Metro’s mission of delivering safe, reliable, and equitable transportation services to the communities it serves.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may choose not to approve the recommendation. An alternative would be to manage the development of Metro’s talent entirely in-house, however, this approach is not recommended, as it would limit Metro’s ability to provide specialized expertise, scalable resources, and comprehensive development programs needed to support a workforce of Metro’s size and complexity. The Talent Development bench supports Metro by supplementing internal resources and leveraging industry best practices to meet evolving workforce needs.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute the Talent Development Bench Contracts Nos. PS133086000 through PS133086006 for talent development services for the agency’s workforce effective August 10, 2026.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Ayda Safaei, Deputy Executive Officer, Talent Development,
(213) 922-5229
Nancy Saravia, Deputy Executive Officer, Administration (213) 922-1217
Miguel Cabral, Deputy Chief People Officer, (213) 922-4245
Carolina Coppolo, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 922-4471
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Dawn Jackson-Perkins, Chief People Officer, (213) 418-3166
