SAP

State of South Carolina

Best Value Bid

Amendment One Responses to Vendors’ Questions

Solicitation:

Date Issued:

Procurement Officer:

Phone:

E-Mail Address:

Mailing Address:

5400026813 12/20/2024 Latitia Trezevant

(803) 896-9036 ltrezevant@scvrd.net SC Vocational Rehabilitation Dept.

Attn: Procurement Dept.

1410 Boston Avenue West Columbia SC 29170

DESCRIPTION: SELF-ADVOCACY - MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL

USING GOVERNMENTAL UNIT: SC VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION DEPARTMENT

SUBMIT YOUR OFFER ON-LINE AT THE FOLLOWING URL: http://www.procurement.sc.gov

SUBMIT OFFER BY (Opening Date/Time): 01/08/2025 by 11:00 AM EST (See "Deadline For Submission Of Offer" provision)

QUESTIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY: 12/18/2024 by 12:00 PM EST (See "Questions From Offerors" provision)

NUMBER OF COPIES TO BE SUBMITTED: ONLINE BIDDING ONLY

CONFERENCE TYPE: Not Applicable

DATE & TIME:

(As appropriate, see "Conferences - Pre-Bid/Proposal" & "Site Visit" provisions)

LOCATION: Not Applicable

AWARD &

AMENDMENTS

Award will be posted on 01/27/2025. The award, this solicitation, any amendments, and any related notices will be posted at the following web address: http://www.procurement.sc.gov.

You must submit a signed copy of this form with Your Offer. By signing, You agree to be bound by the terms of the Solicitation. You agree to hold Your Offer open for a minimum of sixty (60) calendar days after the Opening Date. (See "Signing Your Offer" provision.)

NAME OF OFFEROR

(full legal name of business submitting the offer)

Any award issued will be issued to, and the contract will be formed with, the entity identified as the Offeror. The entity named as the offeror must be a single and distinct legal entity. Do not use the name of a branch office or a division of a larger entity if the branch or division is not a separate legal entity, i.e., a separate corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, etc.

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE

(Person must be authorized to submit binding offer to contract on behalf of Offeror.)

DATE SIGNED

TITLE

(business title of person signing above)

STATE VENDOR NO.

(Register to Obtain S.C. Vendor No. at www.procurement.sc.gov)

PRINTED NAME

(printed name of person signing above)

STATE OF INCORPORATION

(If you are a corporation, identify the state of incorporation.)

OFFEROR'S TYPE OF ENTITY: (Check one) (See "Signing Your Offer" provision.)

___ Sole Proprietorship ___ Partnership ___ Other_____________________________

___ Corporate entity (not tax-exempt) ___ Corporation (tax-exempt) ___ Government entity (federal, state, or local)

COVER PAGE - ON-LINE ONLY (MAR. 2015)

mailto:ltrezevant@scvrd.net http://www.procurement.sc.gov/ http://www.procurement.sc.gov/

PAGE TWO

(Return Page Two with Your Offer)

HOME OFFICE ADDRESS (Address for offeror's home office / principal place of business)

NOTICE ADDRESS (Address to which all procurement and contract related notices should be sent.) (See "Notice" clause)

Area Code - Number - Extension Facsimile

E-mail Address

PAYMENT ADDRESS (Address to which payments will be sent.)

(See "Payment" clause)

____Payment Address same as Home Office Address ____Payment Address same as Notice Address (check only one)

ORDER ADDRESS (Address to which purchase orders will be sent) (See "Purchase Orders and "Contract Documents" clauses)

____Order Address same as Home Office Address ____Order Address same as Notice Address (check only one)

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

Offerors acknowledges receipt of amendments by indicating amendment number and its date of issue. (See "Amendments to Solicitation" Provision) Amendment No. Amendment Issue

Date Amendment No. Amendment Issue

Date Amendment No. Amendment Issue

Date Amendment No. Amendment Issue

Date

DISCOUNT FOR

PROMPT PAYMENT

(See "Discount for Prompt

Payment" clause)

10 Calendar Days (%) 20 Calendar Days (%) 30 Calendar Days (%) _____Calendar Days (%)

PREFERENCES - A NOTICE TO VENDORS (SEP. 2009): On June 16, 2009, the South Carolina General Assembly rewrote the law governing preferences available to in-state vendors, vendors using in-state subcontractors, and vendors selling in-state or US end products. This law appears in Section 11-35-1524 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. A summary of the new preferences is available at www.procurement.sc.gov/preferences. ALL THE PREFERENCES MUST BE CLAIMED AND ARE APPLIED BY LINE ITEM, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER AWARD IS MADE BY ITEM OR

LOT. VENDORS ARE CAUTIONED TO CAREFULLY REVIEW THE STATUTE BEFORE CLAIMING ANY

PREFERENCES. THE REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY HAVE CHANGED. IF YOU REQUEST A

PREFERENCE, YOU ARE CERTIFYING THAT YOUR OFFER QUALIFIES FOR THE PREFERENCE

YOU'VE CLAIMED. IMPROPERLY REQUESTING A PREFERENCE CAN HAVE SERIOUS

CONSEQUENCES. [11-35-1524(E)(4)&(6)]

PREFERENCES - ADDRESS AND PHONE OF IN-STATE OFFICE: Please provide the address and phone number for your in-state office in the space provided below. An in-state office is necessary to claim either the Resident Vendor Preference (11-35-1524(C)(1)(i)&(ii)) or the Resident Contractor Preference (11-35-1524(C)(1)(iii)). Accordingly, you must provide this information to qualify for the preference. An in-state office is not required, but can be beneficial, if you are claiming the Resident Subcontractor Preference (11-35-1524(D)).

____In-State Office Address same as Home Office Address ____In-State Office Address same as Notice Address (check only one) PAGE TWO (SEP 2009) End of PAGE TWO

AMENDMENTS TO SOLICITATION (JAN 2004)

(a) The Solicitation may be amended at any time prior to opening. All actual and prospective Offerors should monitor the following web site for the issuance of Amendments: www.procurement.sc.gov(b) Offerors shall acknowledge receipt of any amendment to this solicitation (1) by signing and returning the amendment, (2) by identifying the amendment number and date in the space provided for this purpose on Page Two, (3) by letter, or (4) by submitting a bid that indicates in some way that the bidder received the amendment. (c) If this solicitation is amended, then all terms and conditions which are not modified remain unchanged. [02-2A005-1]

RESPONSES TO VENDORS’ QUESTIONS

No. Vendors’ Questions Agency’s Responses

1. Can students be transported by our organization if the class is at a community setting? For example, we would like to plan summer classes/activities at our center.

This would be up to the bidding agency and their policies and procedures. Bids should take this into account if planning on transporting students. Organizations should also familiarize themselves with Jacob’s Law (56-5-195, SC Code of Laws) to ensure plans for service provision follow state laws.

2. The contract states Self-Advocacy but on several pages, as on page 16, Sections 2 & 3 under A.

Technical Proposal, it talks about work readiness training and all 3 Pre-ETS. Do we only talk about Self-Advocacy under these sections or about what is listed in the sections?

This solicitation is only to provide Self-Advocacy services to students. Section 2 and Section 3 should be updated to state this.

Section 2: The Contractor shall have experience in establishing and delivering curriculum-based instruction in self-advocacy and work readiness training.

Section 3: The Offeror shall submit its approach for the coordination, the collaboration, and the implementation of Self-Advocacy services. each of the three (3) Pre- ETS services

The Offeror shall submit examples of any relevant tools or resources that highlight coordination, the collaboration, and the implementation of Self-Advocacy services. each of the three (3) Pre-ETS services

Section 4: The Offeror shall submit experience in establishing and delivering curriculum-based instruction in self-advocacy and work readiness training.

3. In reference to invoicing, is the price per component of the curriculum or the entire curriculum? For instance, a curriculum has 8 components, do we invoice after each component or after the curriculum is completed?

Billing is to include services that have been completed in full. Curriculum should be developed to indicate when a section is complete and billing will occur.

4. Each lot has 350 students. Is the number of students flexible? SCVRD has been discussing the expansion of CareerBoost for years, but this does not appear to be the case.

This solicitation is looking to provide Self-Advocacy services to 350 students in each lot as indicated in the bidding schedule.

5. The current lots do not match our designated areas and are grouped together with other CILs' counties.

We are federally required to serve specific counties.

How can we place a bid on a lot that includes one or two counties within our territory?

SCVRD is charged with providing, or arranging for the provision of, Pre-Employment Transition Services to students statewide. This solicitation is intended to target the provision of Self-Advocacy services to students statewide. SCVRD has divided up the state into 8 Lots based off VR office service areas.

6. Why were the other sections of the Pre-ETS removed? We have achieved great outcomes. While we are disability-led, our youth transition team

SCVRD is charged with providing, or arranging for the students statewide. SCVRD is constantly reviewing consists of educated experts. We also engage in work beyond self-advocacy.

service needs and updating service provision methods as needed. At this time SCVRD is targeting the 4 other required Pre-Employment Transition services through other means.

7. Can you explain what is expected to submit for labor costs?

Labor costs should be considered when creating your bid for service provision. SCVRD is reimbursing for the service that is being provided to the student.

8. Is there a set price limit for the services (how much per hour?)

Vendor should indicate the cost per service in their bid.

9. Is there a set number of students allotted for each lot?

10. Is there a set number of maximum hours per month the students are allotted?

Each lot is to provide 350 student services per year. Bids should outline how service provision will be divided up and provided to students.

11. Can students participating in another grant be enrolled in this grant to support increasing service hours available to them? I am currently working with students on the Pre-ETS grant for students with Autism. The grant only gives 10 hours a month. I was curious if the students would be able to be enrolled in both so they could be eligible for a few more hours.

Any eligible or potentially eligible student can access services under this solicitation (following VR referral process as indicated on page 15 of the solicitation).

Services provided and billed for under this contract should not also be provided and billed for under any other grant/contract. Students receiving separate and unique services under any other contract/grant are able to receive services under this contract as needed.

12. Can peer mentoring still be offered? Is it a standalone pre-ets or part of self advocacy? Can it continued to be offered as a one-time service, or must it be structured like the other curricula?

Vendors may utilize a peer mentor to provide Self- Advocacy services. These services should be noted in the structured curriculum.

13. We will be restructuring per certificate earned fees to a flat rate?

Vendor should indicate the cost per service in their bid.

14. Is the limit of 350 students unique students served, or total services provided

350 indicates unique services provided. Curriculum should indicate breakdown of unique services to be provided. A student can be billed for their participation in each unique service.

15. Can we bill for multiple Self-Advocacy curriculum provided per student? Self advocacy is achieved with repeated practice and strategies.

Curriculum should indicate breakdown of unique services to be provided. A student can be billed for their participation in each unique service.

16. Will we continue to serve potentially eligible students by identifying them in the schools and receiving signed 454 forms?

Services are to be provided to eligible and potentially eligible students. Vendor will follow SCVRD referral process to get student and parental permission to receive services. This is done through the completion of the SCVR 454 form.

17. In efforts to provide the most accurate and competitive price possible, could you please inform us of the total number of students, as well as the number students in each Lot, that would be served with this award?

Each lot is to provide 350 student services.

18. Can you advise if there will be more than one award made per lot, or will there only be one provider in each lot?

There will be one vendor per lot.

19. How many providers are currently providing this Self Advocacy Service for SC students?

SCVRD provides services to students through our own Transition Counselors and Job Coaches along with contracted services. The current contract that is ending and this solicitation is replacing has 4 contracted partners.

20. There has been discussion of expansion of pre-ets services for many years, will the other areas that are currently being provided be placed up for RFP as well?

As an add on to this question, for those who are providing these services now, will those services be discontinued effective February?

students statewide. SCVRD is constantly reviewing service needs and updating service provision methods as needed. At this time SCVRD is targeting the 4 other required Pre-Employment Transition services through other means.

The current service provision under the expiring contract will be discontinued upon initiation of this contract.

21. The model and interest of this service for many years has been to assure that the services are delivered on a peer model with lived experience of people with disabilities, therefore delivered by Federally designated Centers for Independent Living, or Consumer driven organizations. The LOTS have been mixed to change up counties that are currently grouped together. As example, Richland and Lexington are not in the same lot. It is well noted that they are frequently referenced as the RICH-LEX area with many combined efforts from sports to curriculum, but they too are in different lots. Additionally, the Federal Cils have assigned counties by the Federal government and these lots to are mixed up with each other in the solicititation. Is there a way to realign lots so they align with the ACL and RSA identified regions?

students statewide. This solicitation is intended to target the provision of Self-Advocacy services to students statewide. SCVRD has divided up the state into 8 Lots based off VR office service areas.

22. Self Advocacy The three key elements of self-advocacy are understanding one's needs, knowing what kind of support is available, and communicating those needs to others. Best practices show that for people with disabilities that the peer model and delivery of such training best comes from others with like and lived experience as a person with a disability. Ex Other Self advocates verses allies (self-advocacy is about individuals speaking for themselves, while allies are supporting others by advocating on their behalf) Does the review process of selection include this value of Peer delivery to teach Self Advocacy?

This should be indicated in sections 3 and sections 4 of the Technical Proposal as appropriate.

23. Previously there were two rates awarded for large groups verses small groups. I do not see a differentiation in this one. So is the request for one rate regardless of group size?

The bid should indicate the cost per student service regardless of size.

24. Is the 350 per lot a required number to meet and is there a provision for more than 350 in some of these lots? As example, some of these counties all together will not produce 350 students, but in other cases like Richland that one county could generate

350. In our experience, with all of our rural counties combined, we have not reached 350 individual students. Keeping in mind, a large portion of eligible students enrolled is contingent on school preferences.

students statewide. This solicitation is one of the many ways we are working to reach all students needing this service in the state. Services beyond the indicated 350 will be addressed through VR Counselor and Job Coach service provision. Students located in rural and underserved areas of the state should be targeted.

25. If you are unable to provide the number of students that would be served with this award, would you accept tiered pricing?

See the responses above as to the maximum number of students to be served per lot. A fixed fee per participating student.

26. In the bidding system do we add the price per year or per unit price? Do they add the price for the entire year under each lot or the unit price? (The quantity shows as "1" but they need to account for 350 units per year), Unit price is your price per student. Extended price is your unit price times 350 students. Your extended price will be multiplied by the number of contract years to determine the total value of your offer per lot.

27. Do you have a template for the bidding schedule that needs to be uploaded? (Referenced on page 30 of the RFP but apparently not provided/we can’t find anywhere). Or do we enter it directly in portal and that is it? (Do we need to unlock with Adobe the bidding schedule in RFP on page 3, edit, and upload it?)

The bidding schedule is visible on our end. It is located on pages 30 and 31.