11-Attachment K- Contractor Questions -Final1 6-9-25.docx

Attachment K:

Pre-ETS Contractor Questions

- Please read this document first and build your proposal around the below -

· This document contains questions and/or specific qualifications for selecting the Pre-ETS Contractor(s).

· The purpose of this document is for the Contractors responding to the RFP to describe their skills and/or experience by answering the questions below.

· The Contractor will be evaluated on the overall expertise and experience provided. The State has determined that it desires specific experience and/or skills for the Contractor to possess in order for the Contractor to be able to complete the work efficiently while meeting the demands and deadlines of the State.

· Contractors must submit proposals that detail their experience and qualifications in the following areas. Each area must be addressed. Do not state “not applicable”.

Your response to this RFP should include a response to the following items, in this order:

A. Mandatory Minimum Requirements/Qualifications (Pass/Fail Criteria) Contractor must provide a narrative and/or documentation demonstrating that the Contractor is compliant with the stated Mandatory Minimum Requirements/Qualifications.

1. Vendor must be authorized to do business in the State of Utah as of the date of your response. The Contractor cannot be under suspension or debarment by the State or any other governmental authority. The Contractor must disclose in its response any convictions of the Contractor, its affiliates and all directors, officers and employees and its affiliates for any violation of State or federal law involving: fraud, bribery, collusion, conspiracy or misrepresentation with respect to insurance; or fraud or a criminal offense in connection with any offer or service. The Contractor must not have been issued a ‘Cease and Desist Order’ (or any similar order) from the Insurance Commissioner in the State of Utah for any reason within the past five years. Provide an affirmative statement that the Contractor complies with this requirement.

2. The Vendor must have demonstrated and significant professional experience with Pre-Employment Transition Services and service delivery for youth.

3. The Vendor must agree that the Department shall be the final authority in matters of policy, procedures and approval of any materials/services. If the Department determines that the Contractor’s work is not satisfactory or is outside the scope of Pre-ETS, the Contractor may not be paid for services provided.

4. The Vendor must be able to provide services in at least 19-29 counties in Utah.

B. Technical Response Requirements (Scored Criteria) The Technical Proposal submitted in response to this RFP shall include and be organized into the following areas of evaluation:

1. Experience, Performance References, and Reputation

1.1 Describe your organization’s knowledge of Pre-Employment Transition Services.

1.2 Describe your organization’s experience with providing Pre-ETS for students with disabilities.

1.3 Provide 3 references from your organization’s projects of similar nature that can confirm your ability to perform the requirements as outlined in the scope of work. For each, provide the names and contact information of the entities, and types of services provided. References must be valid, accurate and current (within the last 3 years). References will be evaluated in regards to the following:

1.3.1 How comparable were the services provided by the contractor to those requested in the SOW?

1.3.2 How well do the references support the services of the contractor?

Note: References may not include staff from DWS-USOR.

1.4 Describe any important features that distinguish the contractor’s qualifications and expertise from others in the field.

2. Contractor Staffing

2.1.1 Provide identification and description of staff members who will perform services under the contract. Include a description of how the contractor will adequately staff the program to ensure students are served and the contractor is meeting projections (number of students).

2.1.2 Include a description of staff experience related to this project, including knowledge of Pre-ETS and experience working with students with disabilities.

2.1.3 Include a description of how the contractor will ensure the administrative tasks included in the SOW will be completed (billing, student data entry, oversight of staff, etc).

2.1.4 Provide an overview of how your organization will ensure students have access to the 5 Pre-ETS in your proposed counties.

3. Program Services

3.1.1 Describe the scope of services you will offer to your targeted group

3.1.1.1 List the counties your entity is proposing serving. A minimum of 19 counties is required in order to apply.

3.1.1.2 Identify the proposed number of students your entity will serve each year of the contract.

3.1.1.3 Include a description of any curriculum, job skill training, self-advocacy, work readiness, and/or other elements used for program implementation.

3.1.1.4 Describe the structure of each of your proposed programs, including the duration, length and scope of the program and give a detailed description of implementation for participating students.

3.1.2 Work Based Learning Experiences

3.1.2.1 Describe how you will ensure students have access to work based learning experiences, including paid work experiences. Include your projected number of students participating in the Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 Work Based Learning experiences each year of the contract period.

4. Collaboration

4.1.1 Describe plans in collaborating and coordinating with partners such as educators, families, VR Counselors, and other stakeholders.

4.1.2 Describe how your organization will partner with businesses to ensure students have opportunities to participate in meaningful work-based learning experiences, particularly paid work experiences.

5. Budget

5.1.1 Applicant proposed a budget that is reasonable to meet USOR needs based on proposed coverage areas and the number of students projected to be served.

5.1.2 Budget does not exceed 2 million/year.

5.1.3 Applicant included rural frontier area coverage in the “counties served” area.

The budget shall be all-inclusive, including but not limited to travel, lodging, and per diem. Details of service not explicitly stated in this Scope of Work, but necessary to satisfy the terms of the contract, are deemed to be understood by the contractor and must be included in the contractor’s budget. Any cost not included in the contractor’s budget will not be allowed in the resulting contract.