The Washington Center Advantage

The Washington Center provides a customized approach to each federal partnership.  No two programs are identical and each has specific goals it strives to achieve. Despite the differences, TWC provides a consistently high level of quality by leveraging its extensive resources to add value to each partnership.

TWC’s long track record of designing high-impact internship programs, along with its rigorous recruitment and screening process, enables various federal agencies to achieve their goal of finding recruits that are the right fit for them. This process generates a well-targeted pool of potential interns, saving agencies substantial time and money that would otherwise be spent on job recruitment and candidate vetting.

In addition, TWC has a rigorous training program that prepares students for the federal workforce of the future. Our unique experiential education curriculum helps students hone the skills and qualities employers want: communication, teamwork, analytical and technical skills and helps them develop a strong work ethic. We also provide extensive training to students on getting a job in the federal government which includes navigating USA Jobs and writing federal resumes. TWC also provides the necessary infrastructure in the form of housing accommodations including full-time student life staff and disability services office to ensure students’ needs are being met.

Soon a large number of “baby-boomers” in government service will reach retirement age. Many positions will need to be filled with highly qualified and well-trained personnel. Government agencies working with TWC can hire directly from the interns already working for them. This reduces or even eliminates the need for otherwise costly hiring efforts.

More interns are being requested by federal agencies each year; The Washington Center will continue to be an invaluable asset in providing high-caliber students eager to work in the public sector across the country.

Current Programs

The Washington Center is viewed by the federal government as a vital partner in its efforts to attract young people with the skill-sets and diversity that it seeks to rebuild its workforce. TWC has provided internship opportunities for more than 50,000 students since 1975. Twenty-five percent of our alumni remain dedicated to public service and currently work in the public sector at the local, state and federal levels.

 

With affiliated relationships with over 500 colleges and universities across the country, The Washington Center is able to attract a highly skilled, diverse population of students. Many of TWC’s interns are hired by their placement agencies either upon completion of the program or upon graduation. This program is an excellent way to recruit and attract a high-quality workforce of the future. The Washington Center provides the essential infrastructure to both students and agency supervisors to ensure a high quality experience for all participants.

 

The Washington Center currently works with various federal agencies including:

 

• U.S. Department of Transportation
  • Federal Aviation Administration
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • U.S. Coast Guard
• U.S. Department of Commerce
• U.S. Department of the Treasury
  • Internal Revenue Service
• U.S. Department of the Interior/Bureau of Indian Affairs
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• U.S. Department of Agriculture

Working with The Washington Center

Federal partners have great flexibility in how they work with The Washington Center.

 

The Washington Center maintains a GSA Multiple Award Schedule Contract. This permits federal agencies to take advantage of TWC’s services with minimal contracting requirements. Additionally, since all fees are approved through the GSA, our federal partners know that they are getting an excellent deal and that all quantity discounts are pre-negotiated.

 

Larger federal programs facilitated by TWC are done through competitively bid contracts negotiated with individual federal partners. In this way, federal partners are able to design their own programs which can target the needs and priorities of the specific agency. Though direct contracting may take some time, the benefits of a specially designed program for your agency make the wait worthwhile.

 

Some agencies use grants to sponsor their workforce development programs and design programs unique to their goals. Recognizing internships have educational and capacity-building nature, grant dollars allow agencies to instill their mission in the next generation of workers.

Outside of Washington, D.C.

Three-fourths of federal employees work outside of Washington, D.C., and are facing the same workforce development issues as Headquarters.  The Washington Center can develop and manage internship program across the country.  Over the last three years, we have had hundreds of interns located in over 50 different locations from Alaska to Hawaii to Maine to Florida.  Some of current regional internship partners include:

 

• Department of Transportation
• Federal Aviation Administration
• Internal Revenue Service
• U.S. Coast Guard
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Veterans Affairs

Building Your Workforce Development Program

Here are a few suggestions based on TWC’s extensive experience for anyone currently developing a contract vehicle to launch an internship program, recruit excellent students and ensure a high quality experience for all involved.

Develop the Scope of Your Internship Program

• Identify your overall goals for the internship program; for example, determine whether you’re filling mission-critical needs, diversify your workforce, or attracting specific skills.
• Determine how many students would you would like to sponsor.
• Set a length (semester, summer, year-long) that is most appropriate for your agency.
• Identify the most appropriate majors or skill sets for your organization.
• Choose where will the interns will be based (Washington, D.C., or regional locations).
• Determine the cost (look at GSA schedule or speak to The Washington Center for an unofficial quote).

Develop a Statement of Work (SOW) and Project Description

• Detail what you are expecting the contractor to deliver.
• Consider what will make a successful internship program.
• Consider what institutional experience the contractor should have.
• Identify other services you would like to provide to your students. For example: housing, travel facilitation, supplemental training activities, facilitation of academic credit, etc.
• Summarize the tasks students will work on in the project description.

Contact your Contracting Officer

• Provide them with SOW and the scope of your internship program needs; they will give you instructions on next steps.
• Please let them know that TWC currently holds a GSA schedule contract that simplifies contracting with the government.
• They will develop a Request For Quote (RFQ).

The Contracting Officer will then solicit bids from two to three likely sources

• We suggest that agencies solicit their bids through GSA Ebuy. We have found this enables us to submit the quotes much more quickly and easily.
• The Washington Center will respond to the solicitation on Ebuy.

Once the Contract is Approved, a Purchase Order (PO) is Created and Sent to the Vendor

• If The Washington Center is the chosen vendor, targeted recruiting efforts begin at this point.
• One contract vehicle you may want to consider when talking with your Contracting Officer is the Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). We can provide more information on the BPA upon request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose my own intern?

The Washington Center will refer the applications of three to five qualified candidates for each position sponsored by the agency. At that point, the program office will have the opportunity to review the candidates and interview those students that they believe are the best fit. If none of these students are suitable for the position, TWC will forward another set of applications. When the agency selects the best candidate, the program office will contact TWC, and TWC will confirm the offer with the student. Ultimately, the final decision to take the internship lies with the student; however, most students are incredibly excited about federal opportunities, so acceptance is almost guaranteed.

 

In some cases, agencies do their own recruitment for their internship program. As such, agencies sometimes have preselected candidates that they are interested in sponsoring. TWC is happy to facilitate such arrangements, as long as the agencies have no internal policies against this.

 

_{How do I refer students to your program?}

The Washington Center facilitates various internship programs focusing on many different skill sets and educational backgrounds. Students should visit our website at www.twc.edu [16] to learn more about these programs. If a student is only interested in applying to federally sponsored opportunities, they should be encouraged to visit the Competitive Government Programs section [2].

 

How does TWC recruit for the students who it places?

The Washington Center has affiliations with approximately 500 academic institutions around the country. Each fall and spring, TWC staff members visit approximately 230 of these institutions each fall and spring to encourage students to participate in internship opportunities in the Washington, D.C., area.

 

In some cases, federal agencies have unique needs and priorities such as students from minority serving institutions or students with specific academic backgrounds like accounting, business, finance, engineering, human resources, and acquisitions. To accommodate for these needs, TWC does targeted, electronic recruitment to attract students from these backgrounds. TWC also works with each of its federal partners on an individual basis to ensure that these needs are being met.

 

How much does it cost to host an intern?

The cost to host an intern varies by the individual agency’s relationship with The Washington Center. As different relationships request different service from TWC, the costs do vary slightly. However, TWC does administer a GSA Multiple Award Schedule contract that allows all federal agencies to take advantage of a standard pricing structure with pre-established quantity discounts. Agencies can view our GSA Schedule Brochure.

 

For unofficial quotes or to discuss pricing options, feel free to email federalrelations@twc.edu [17] or call (202) 238-7900 and ask to speack to someone in federal relations.

 

What benefits do students get out of the internship?

Through federal sponsorship, students receive a stipend that is distributed throughout the semester along with a stipend that covers the students housing for the semester. Most programs also cover the students travel to the internship location.

 

_{What is the conversion rate of students to federal employees?}

The average conversion rate for federal internship programs is approximately 7%, according to the Partnership for Public Service. The conversion rate for students who intern in federal agencies through The Washington Center is approximately 25%. We attribute this success to the training spent with agencies and students on strategies for conversion and retention.

 

Who do I contact for questions?

For more information about costs or about the value-added services that The Washington Center can provide to your office. Feel free to contact The Washington Center’s Federal Relations Team at the information below:

 

Nick Catanzaro, Manager of Federal Relations

Nick.Catanzaro@twc.edu [11]

202-238-7995

 

 

Jason Giaconia, Senior Operations Coordinator

Jason.Giaconia@twc.edu [12]

202-238-7914

 

 

How does my organization partner with TWC?

Federal agencies have a variety of options of working with The Washington Center including direct contracts, grants, memorandums of understanding, and even through TWC’s GSA Multiple Award Schedule contract. To learn more visit the Working with TWC page [4].

 

What other services does TWC provide other than intern recruitment and placement?

Once the students have been recruited and placed at the hosting agency, The Washington Center facilitates a comprehensive, intensive training program for the students exposing them to the federal sector and educating them in the federal hiring process.

 

Additionally, The Washington Center offers free seminars and training to current federal partners on various topics related to strategic workforce development including:

 

• Developing a Successful Internship Program
• Calculating a Return on Investment for Workforce Development Programs
• Mentoring and Supporting Students in the Workplace
• Recruiting and On-boarding Techniques
• Working with the Millennial Generation

Why partner with TWC?

The Washington Center is proud of its history of partnering with federal agencies to assist in meeting their workforce development goals. Having 35 years of experience in the field of internships, TWC is uniquely situated to provide this support. TWC is the most prominent facilitator of federal internship programs, managing programs for the Department of Transportation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of the Treasury and various others.

 

To learn more about the value that TWC can bring to your human capital development goals, check out The TWC Advantage [3].

 

_{When do I need to prepare for incoming interns?}

The Washington Center usually needs a full 3 months before the start of the internship program to successfully recruit and place students, especially those from specific skill sets or diverse backgrounds that require targeted recruitment. Because there can be delays in the contracting process, it’s suggested that agencies submit their requests 5 months in advance to the date they would like the intern to start.

 

How long are student interns with my agency?

The Washington Center operates on the academic calendar, mimicking that of most colleges and universities. As such, we facilitate programs year-round. The summer term is a ten week program beginning early June through mid-August. During the fall and spring, TWC facilitates semester long programs that run for 15 weeks and quarter based programs that are 10 weeks long. To view a detailed calendar, please visit the student affairs site.

Request for Information: Federal Agencies