Joe Esparza, Chairman and Commissioner

Representing Employers

Alberto Treviño III, Commissioner

Representing Labor

Brent Connett, Commissioner

Representing the Public

Steve Pier, Executive Director

Open Enrollment (OE) For

Project SEARCH

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209

Date of Release: August 11, 2026

Responses Due: February 9, 2027 by 10:00 a.m. CST

952-60 Job Search Workshop

924-16 Course Development Services, Instructional and Training

924-35 In-Service Training, Employees

924-41 Instructor-led, Classroom Training, Non-Technical

924-60 Not-For-Credit Classes, Seminars, Workshops, etc.

924-86 Vocational Training, All Types, Including Vocational Rehabilitation and

Technical Education

Sole Point of Contact for this OE

Meghan Osborn, CTCD

TWC Procurement Portal https://twc-texas-gov.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 2 of 55

Table of Contents

Article I Purpose, Authority and Schedule of Events

1.1 Purpose ............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Article II Scope of Work

2.1 Overview/Background

2.2 Provider Requirements, Responsibilities, and TWC Policies

2.3 VR Standards for Providers (VR-SFP) Manual

2.4 Scope of Work (SOW)

2.5 Service Area

2.6 Background Checks

2.7 Transportation of VR Customers

2.8 Provider’s Director

2.9 Provider Staff Providing Services to VR Customers

Article III General Information

3.1 Authority

3.2 Schedule of Events

3.3 Contract Documents

3.4 Sole Point of Contact

3.5 Addenda

Article IV Application Process

4.1 Deadline

4.2 General Information

4.3 Discrepancies

4.4 Submission Method

4.5 Required Application Documents

4.6 Binding Offer

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4.7 Franchise Tax – Right to transact business in Texas

4.8 Ambiguity, Conflict, or Discrepancy

4.9 TWC Rights

Article V Application Evaluation

5.1 Application Screening

5.2 Review of Applications

5.3 Public Information Act

Article VI General Terms and Conditions

6.1 Contract Award

6.2 Contract Term

6.3 Payments

6.4 Contract Amendments

6.5 No Guarantee of Volume, Usage or Compensation

6.6 Governmental Entities

6.7 Costs Incurred

6.8 Applicant Waiver-Intellectual Property

6.9 Required Insurance

6.10 Failure To Perform

6.11 Remedies

6.12 Change of Ownership or Financial Condition

6.13 Severability

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Definitions

Table 1: Definitions

Term/Acronym Definition

Addendum;

Addenda;

Amendment

A written addition, change, or supplement to this Solicitation that is posted to the ESBD and issued prior to the response due date.

Applicant An entity or individual who submits a Provider Enrollment Packet in response to this Open Enrollment.

Business Day The day and hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Central Time) at which TWC is open for business.

TWC is closed for business on the scheduled holidays indicated by the State Auditor’s Office available at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/holidays/.

The terms “Working Day” and “Business Day” may be used interchangeably. All uncapitalized references to “day” shall mean calendar day.

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/holidays/

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Term/Acronym Definition

Confidential

Information

Any communication or record (whether oral, written, electronically stored or transmitted, or in any other form) provided to or made available to Providers or that Privder may create, receive, maintain, use, disclose or have access to on behalf of TWC that consists of or includes any or all the following:

a. Customer Information;

b. Protected Health Information (PHI), in any form including, without limitation, Electronic Protected Health Information or Unsecured Protected Health Information;

c. Sensitive Personal Information, as defined by Texas

Business and Commerce Code, § 521.002(a)(2);

d. Federal Tax Information;

e. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) as defined by

Texas Business and Commerce Code § 521.002(a)(1);

f. Social Security Administration Data, including, without limitation, Medicaid information;

g. All privileged work product; all information designated as confidential under the constitution and laws of the State of

Texas and of the United States, including the Texas Health and Safety Code and the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 552;

h. Personally Identifiable Information defined by 2 CFR 200.1;

and

i. Information deemed confidential under The Rehabilitation

Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. Chapter 16, as amended, and implementing regulations 34 C.F.R. Parts 361 through 396.

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Conflict of

Interest

A situation that creates a risk that professional judgment or actions will be unduly influenced by a personal interest or relationship and creates substantial conflicts with the proper discharge of duties required by a contract and the public interest.

Each Applicant must comply with the content on Conflict of

Interest located in the VR-SFP Chapter 3: Basic Standards.

Contract The written agreement entered into by TWC and Provider, which will incorporate the contents of this Open Enrollment and the

Provider’s Application, except as may be provided in the Contract and any amendments thereto.

Contractor (also

Provider)

A legal entity or individual who TWC is contracted with to provide goods and/or services for TWC Customers. Contractor can be used interchangeably with Provider, Service Provider, or Vendor.

Contract Term The definite period of time that the Contract will remain in effect, including all stated renewals and extensions.

Customer An individual that has met the TWC eligibility criteria and has been approved to receive TWC Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services.

CTCD Certified Texas Contract Developer.

ESBD The Electronic State Business Daily. An online platform administered by the Statewide Procurement Division (SPD) of the

Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA). The ESBD may be accessed as http://www.txsmartbuy.com/esbd.

Fiscal Year (FY) Texas State Fiscal Year, September 1 through August 31.

https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/sfp#sfp-chapter-3 http://www.txsmartbuy.com/esbd

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PCS or

Procurement and Contract

Services

A department within TWC’s Business Operations division.

PS Procurement Services, a section within TWC.

Provider The Applicant(s) with whom TWC executes a Contract to provide the goods and/or services that this Solicitation requires.

SAO State Auditor’s Office

Solicitation This Open Enrollment, including all exhibits, attachments, forms, and Addenda, if any.

State The State of Texas and its instrumentalities, including TWC, its officers, employees, or authorized agents, and any other state agencies.

Subcontractor Any entity(ies) or person(s) providing goods or services under the Contract on Provider’s behalf, whether or not the entity(ies) or person(s) has/have a written agreement with the Provider.

The term does not include a state agency; rather a subcontractor may be an officer or employee of a state agency when the officer or employee contracts with a vendor in a private capacity.

TWC Texas Workforce Commission.

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Vocational

Rehabilitation

Division (VRD)

The TWC Vocational Rehabilitation Division (VRD) administers the

Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program, which is a joint state and federally funded program to assess, plan, develop, and provide VR services for eligible individuals with disabilities, consistent with their unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice so that these individuals can prepare for and engage in competitive integrated employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency. In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by

Title IV of WIOA (29 U.S.C. § 720 et seq.). VRD is the single designated state unit for the VR program.

Vocational

Rehabilitation

Standards for

Providers

Manual (VRSFP)

The VR Standards for Providers (VR-SFP) Manual focuses on the business practices, processes, and policies that must be followed for TWC and the Provider to comply with federal and state laws and TWC rules and requirements. The VR-SFP Manual ensures

TWC-VR Customers receive quality services. Each Provider should review the VR-SFP Manual and forms for changes every thirty (30) calendar days. Each Provider is expected to be familiar with and comply with the most recently published VR-

SFP Manual and use the most recently published forms applicable to their Contract.

VPTS Vendor Performance Tracking System, as described under Texas

Government Code § 2262.055 and 34 TAC § 20.115. Reporting requirements and vendor performance factors considered in VPTS are described in Texas Government Code § 2155.089 and 34 TAC

§ 20.509. The VPTS is available at:

https://www.txsmartbuy.gov/vpts.

https://twc.texas.gov/partners/vocational-rehabilitation-standards-providers-manual http://www.texasworkforce.org/partners/vocational-rehabilitation-standards-providers-manual http://www.texasworkforce.org/partners/vocational-rehabilitation-standards-providers-manual http://www.texasworkforce.org/partners/vocational-rehabilitation-standards-providers-manual http://www.texasworkforce.org/partners/vocational-rehabilitation-standards-providers-manual https://www.txsmartbuy.gov/vpts

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 9 of 55

ARTICLE I PURPOSE

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is seeking Applications from qualified

Service Providers to deliver services to be provided to Vocational Rehabilitation

(VR) Customers served by TWC’s VR division. This is an Open Enrollment (OE) opportunity.

Opportunities are available to provide services in all areas of the state.

Applicants must meet all requirements and specifications outlined herein to be eligible to provide services.

The TWC Procurement Services (PS) section will administer the procurement process for this OE, which includes OE publication, handling of communications from Applicants, as well as managing the receipt of Applications for review.

Information regarding TWC and its programs is available online and can be currently accessed at www.twc.texas.gov.

ARTICLE II SCOPE OF WORK

2.1 OVERVIEW/BACKGROUND

TWC’s mission is to promote and support a workforce system that creates value and offers employers, families, individuals and communities the opportunity to achieve and sustain economic prosperity.

This Open Enrollment is for Project Search. Project SEARCH is an international initiative that supports partnerships among businesses (employers), local school districts, vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies, and other entities that serve individuals with disabilities, including intellectual and developmental disabilities. Project SEARCH promotes the successful long-term employment of

VR customers in jobs that are stable, meaningful, integrated, and competitively compensated.

http://www.twc.texas.gov/

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 10 of 55

Project SEARCH prepares students with disabilities for the workforce through total immersion in a business environment where students develop competitive, marketable, and transferable skills. The program is conducted for a full academic year. Each VR customer completes Asset Discovery, has the opportunity to build skills through three (3) unpaid internship rotations, and receives assistance in securing permanent, long-term, competitive employment.

Project SEARCH is:

• an international initiative that fosters partnerships between a host business, school district, vocational rehabilitation (VR) and other local partners, to support individuals with disabilities.

• a one-year unpaid transition-to-work program using a total immersion model.

• designed specifically for students with significant disabilities (ages 18-

22), helping them gain the skills and experience at the host business necessary to secure competitive, integrated employment.

This Open Enrollment is to establish contracts with qualified vendors for

Project SEARCH to perform services in accordance with Vocational

Rehabilitation Standards For Providers (VR-SFP) Manual Chapter 16: Project

SEARCH Services.

2.2 PROVIDER REQUIREMENTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND TWC

POLICIES

Providers must be knowledgeable about their responsibilities, the service requirements, and TWC policies applicable to them.

To obtain and maintain a Project SEARCH contract, the applicant must also have an active TWC-VR Employment Services contract with one https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/sfp#sfp-chapter-16 https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/sfp#sfp-chapter-16

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 11 of 55

(1) or more of the following services options:

• Job Skills Training and Job Placement services,

• Work Experience Placement services and Work Experience

Training, or

• Supported Employment services.

Providers who are awarded a Project SEARCH contract are not guaranteed to be selected as the provider on a Project SEARCH program. Project SEARCH Providers are selected by the Host Business and the school district participating at the program site.

2.3 VR STANDARDS FOR PROVIDERS (VR-SFP) MANUAL

The VR Standards for Providers (VR-SFP) Manual focuses on the business practices, processes, and policies that must be followed for TWC and the

Provider to comply with federal and state laws and TWC rules and requirements. Providers must adhere to the current VR-SFP Manual when providing services to VR Customers.

An Applicant applying for a contract must comply with the following VR-SFP

Manual chapters in addition to the OE SOW.

• Chapter 1: Introduction to Vocational Rehabilitation

• Chapter 2: Obtaining a Contract for Goods and Services

• Chapter 3: Basic Standards

• Chapter 16: Project SEARCH Services

Notice of upcoming changes to the VR-SFP Manual are published on the

Vocational Rehabilitation Providers’ Resources page at least thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the effective date of the changes. Each Provider is contractually responsible for maintaining compliance with the most current VR-

SFP Manual.

https://twc.texas.gov/partners/vocational-rehabilitation-standards-providers-manual https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/sfp http://www.twc.state.tx.us/partners/vocational-rehabilitation-standards-providers-manual http://www.twc.state.tx.us/partners/vocational-rehabilitation-standards-providers-manual https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/sfp https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/provider-resources https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/sfp

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 12 of 55

A revision list that summarizes any formal changes to the VR-SFP Manual can be found on the Vocational Rehabilitation Standards for Providers Revision Log.

TWC GovDelivery notifies Providers every time revisions are posted to the VR-

SFP Manual and other important information. All Providers should subscribe to

TWC GovDelivery list to gain these notifications. Visit the TWC GovDelivery website, enter an email address, and select the topic “Vocational Rehabilitation

Contractors and Providers News” to subscribe.

For questions about the content in the VR-SFP email, contact vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.

All Providers must comply with all applicable chapters in the Vocational

Rehabilitation Standards for Provider Manual (VR-SFP) Chapters, including:

• VR-SFP Chapter 1: Introduction to Vocational Rehabilitation

• VR-SFP Chapter 2: Obtaining a Contract for Goods and Services

• VR-SFP Chapter 3: Basic Standards

At a minimum, the applicant must have:

• a Director as described in Chapter 3: Basic Standards;

• at a minimum, at least one (1) person that meets the staff qualifications in VR-SFP Chapter 16: Project SEARCH Services for the following positions:

o Skills Trainer o Job Placement Specialist; and

• a VR3455 Provider Staff Information Form with supporting documentation submitted for the Director(s) and each person who will be delivering services to customers.

The VR3455 must verify the qualifications are met as described in VR-SFP

Chapter 16: Project SEARCH Services.

https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/sfp/log http://www.texasworkforce.org/partners/vocational-rehabilitation-standards-providers-manual http://www.texasworkforce.org/partners/vocational-rehabilitation-standards-providers-manual https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/txwc/subscriber/new https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/txwc/subscriber/new mailto:vr.standards@twc.texas.gov https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/sfp https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/sfp https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/sfp#sfp-chapter-1 https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/sfp#sfp-chapter-2 https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/sfp#sfp-chapter-3 https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/sfp#sfp-chapter-3 https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/sfp#sfp-chapter-16

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 13 of 55

2.4 SCOPE OF WORK (SOW)

Each VR customer participating in Project SEARCH completes Asset Discovery, has the opportunity to participate in three (3) unpaid internships while receiving skills training, and receives assistance in securing permanent, long-term, competitive, integrated employment.

Providers must comply with the VR-SFP Chapter 16: Project SEARCH Services as published for the date(s) the services were delivered.

The VR-SFP Chapter 16: Project SEARCH Services includes:

• Overview of Project SEARCH

• Staff Qualifications

• Service Description

• Process and Procedure

• Outcomes Required for Payment

• Fee Table

2.4.1 Staff Qualifications and Training

The Employment Service Provider director must approve the VR3455, Provider

Staff Information form completed by each staff member, before providing any services to customers and must submit the approved form to the provider's assigned TWC contract manager and regional program specialist. The VR3455, Provider Staff Information form, must document qualifications and provide evidence, such as transcripts, diplomas, reference letters, credentials, or licenses, of meeting all qualifications. The form and supporting documents must be retained and provided to TWC staff upon request.

Provider staff qualifications for each service are described below. If a qualification requires a University of North Texas Workplace Inclusion and

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 14 of 55

Sustainable Employment (UNTWISE) credential, additional information can be obtained at Texas Credential Training | Workplace Inclusion & Sustainable

Employment.

Non-credentialed provider staff may provide services to a VR customer only when the Temporary Waiver of Employment Services Credential Standards are followed. For more information, refer to Chapter 3: Basic Standards, 3.4.5

Temporary Waiver of Staff Qualifications.

2.4.1.1 Skills Trainer General Qualifications

The following are the qualifications for skills trainers:

• A UNTWISE Job Skills Training credential is required.

• An additional UNTWISE Supported Employment credential is preferred.

• A High school diploma or GED is required.

• A Bachelor's degree or at least one (1) year of documented experience working with individuals with disabilities is preferred.

2.4.1.2 Job Placement Specialist General Qualification

The following are the qualifications for job placement specialists:

• A UNTWISE Job Placement credential is required.

• An additional UNTWISE Supported Employment credential is preferred.

• A High school diploma or GED is required.

• A Bachelor's degree or at least one (1) year of documented experience working with individuals with disabilities is preferred.

2.4.2 Project SEARCH Asset Discovery

The following outlines the service description, procedures, and payment requirements for Project SEARCH Asset Discovery services.

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 15 of 55

2.4.2.1 Project SEARCH Asset Discovery Service Description

The process used to collect information from a customer who is selected as an intern in the Project SEARCH program is called "asset discovery." The skills trainer meets with the customer to collect information about the customer's skills, interests, abilities, learning styles, and support needs. The trainer also gathers information on the internship opportunities and needs of the participating host business. The skills trainer provides the collected information to the Project SEARCH team to help determine appropriate internships.

2.4.2.2 Project SEARCH Asset Discovery Process and Procedure

The Provider receives VR5000, Referral for Provider Services, and a service authorization (SA) for asset discovery as soon as the customer is selected by the team to be an intern for the upcoming school year.

The assigned skills trainer:

• reviews the customer's Project SEARCH referral and, if available, the

Project SEARCH application;

• schedules a meeting with the customer and his or her circle of supports to collect the information necessary to answer interview questions identified on the VR3361, Project SEARCH Asset Discovery Report; and

• completes a minimum of four observation sessions with the customer

(one-on-one sessions, group sessions with other customers, or both) for a total of at least 20 hours to observe the customer's interests, skills, abilities, challenges, and support needs. Observation sessions may be completed at:

o the customer's home;

o places the customer goes for recreation;

o business sites for tour;

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 16 of 55 o environments where the customer's work skills may be simulated;

and o places where the customer does volunteer work.

Any meeting among the customer, provider, customer's circle of supports, or

VR staff may be conducted remotely.

2.4.2.3 Outcomes Required for Payment

The skills trainer must include the following information in descriptive terms on the VR3361, Project SEARCH Asset Discovery Report:

• The case information

• The date, time, location, and summary of all asset discovery sessions completed with the customer;

• Evidence of at least four asset discovery sessions and a total of at least

20 hours of contact with the customer, either individually or in a group setting

• A description of the customer's abilities

• Confirmation that services provided comply with all applicable standards

• Customer satisfaction and service delivery, which may be verified by VR staff contact with the customer or the customer's signature on the form

For information on signatures refer to VR-SFP sections 3.2.14 Documentation and 3.2.16 Signatures.

Payment for Project SEARCH Asset Discovery is made when the VR counselor approves a complete, accurate, signed, and dated VR3361, Project SEARCH

Asset Discovery Report, and an invoice.

2.4.3 Project SEARCH Skills Training Services

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 17 of 55 requirements for Project SEARCH Skills Training services.

2.4.3.1 Project SEARCH Skills Training Service Description

Project SEARCH services are based on experiential learning at a host business with support from the business and Project SEARCH team and are most effective when provided in person. When a host business does not allow interns or staff on-site for safety or other reasons, the Project SEARCH team may develop an alternate training method that must be noted by the VR counselor on VR5000, Referral for Provider Services. If the change in service delivery happens after the referral form was submitted, then an updated referral form should be completed and provided to the Employment Service provider. Remote services must follow guidance in VR-SFP 3.4.8 Remote

Service Delivery.

Skills Training Services include training and establishing accommodations and/or compensatory techniques as needed to increase a customer's independence and improve the customer's ability to demonstrate soft and hard skills to meet the expectations and production standards of a host business.

Examples of Skills Training Services include:

• providing skills training as needed throughout the internship;

• establishing compensatory techniques and accommodations; and

• training individuals who are supporting the customer at the host business.

The skills trainer must provide services in coordination with:

• a teacher from the local school district;

• a paraprofessional from the school district; and

• designated supervisors from the host business.

Skills trainers must provide goal-directed services and support as outlined in

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 18 of 55

VR3362, Project SEARCH Progress Report.

2.4.3.2 Project SEARCH Skills Training Process and Procedures

The customer, customer's legal guardian or representative (if applicable), VR counselor, and Project SEARCH team must meet to develop goals for the customer and document these goals on the VR3362, Project SEARCH Progress

Report.

The skills trainer must:

• work with the customer, the customer's mentors, and the Project

SEARCH team to help the customer achieve his or her goals;

• attend meetings related to the customer, as established by the Project

SEARCH team, and indicate relevant customer updates on VR3362;

• work as an active team member with the other partners to ensure that the most suitable internship is provided to enhance the customer's employability skills; and

• help the Project SEARCH team with providing training to the host business.

No invoice may be paid until the VR counselor receives and approves a complete and accurate VR3362, Project SEARCH Progress Report, with an invoice.

Any meeting among the customer, provider, customer's circle of supports, or

VR staff may be conducted remotely.

2.4.3.3 Project SEARCH Skills Training Outcomes Required for Payment

VR3362, Project SEARCH Progress Report, is submitted:

• at the conclusion of each internship rotation or throughout the rotation if the provider has arranged this with the VR counselor; and

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 19 of 55

• any time a change in the customer's needs or circumstances affect the customer's ability to continue participating in the internships.

• For payment, the skills trainer must:

• document in descriptive terms all the information on VR3362, Project

SEARCH Progress Report, including:

o evidence that goals were established and addressed for the reporting period;

o information describing the current internship;

o the date range of the start date, end date, and total hours provided during that date range;

o a summary of the services the skills trainer and Project SEARCH team provided and the customer's performance toward his or her goals for each date range entry;

o affirmation that at least three hours of training were provided each week for the eight–12 week internship rotation;

o evidence that the customer's soft and hard skills were evaluated and scored during the internship; and o customer satisfaction and service delivery, which may be verified by the customer's signature on the associated form or by VR staff contact with the customer.

For information on signatures refer to VR-SFP sections 3.2.14 Documentation and 3.2.16 Signatures.

No invoice may be paid until the VR counselor receives and approves a complete, accurate, signed, and dated VR3362, Project SEARCH Progress

Report, and an invoice.

2.4.4 Project SEARCH Job Placement

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 20 of 55 requirements for Project SEARCH Job Placement services.

2.4.4.1 Project SEARCH Job Placement Service Description

When the customer has participated in at least one internship rotation or, at any time during the rotations, the team determines job placement opportunities are available to the customer, the job placement specialist and

Project SEARCH team help the customer find employment.

The goal is to place the customer in a competitive and integrated work setting either with the host business or a business in the community that:

• meets the customer's employment goal and employment conditions;

• allows the customer to apply his or her unique strengths, interests, abilities, and capabilities;

• is permanent, rather than temporary or seasonal; and

• pays a customary wage for the same or similar work performed by employees who do not have disabilities.

Job placement specialists are responsible for:

• providing initial instruction;

• providing assistance to reinforce learned skills;

• monitoring the customer to ensure that the customer is demonstrating the skills learned; and

• using resources or tools necessary to help the customer secure employment.

Project SEARCH Job Placement Services may not be purchased with on-the-job training services, Job Skills Training, Non-bundled Job Placement Services, Bundled Job Placement Services, Work Experience Services and/or Supported

Employment.

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 21 of 55

There are times when participation in Work Experience or Supported

Employment Services may benefit a customer after participation in Project

SEARCH skills training. If this service is needed for a customer to help increase his or her employment opportunities, then an approved VR3472, Contracted

Service Modification Request, is required. Job placement specialists are paid only once for each benchmark completed by a Project SEARCH customer, even if the customer loses a job after the completion of a benchmark.

The customer must work 90 days in the same position. If a customer loses a job before the 90-day benchmark, the customer's progression towards completion of the benchmark ends. When the customer becomes employed again, the day count will start at day 1 for the new position.

Each benchmark is paid only once for each customer between Active Status

(customer has an Individualized Plan of Employment (IPE)) and Closure Status of a VR case. On a case-by-case basis, when the VR counselor determines the provider should be paid for making a second placement a VR3472 must be approved by the VR Director prior to the service authorization being issued.

The job placement specialist:

• verifies a customer's employment through employer or customer contact; and

• documents the verification on the appropriate form when invoicing VR.

If the employer has classified the customer as an employee during an orientation period, the orientation period counts as part of the customer's 90 days of cumulative employment. The time spent in a Project SEARCH internship rotation cannot be included in the job placement's 90-day count.

2.4.4.2 Project SEARCH Job Placement Process and Procedure

The following outlines the process and procedures for Project SEARCH Job

Placement services.

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 22 of 55

Job Placement Planning Meeting

The customer, VR counselor, job placement specialist, and any other Project

SEARCH team members, meet to develop and complete VR3363, Project

SEARCH Job Placement Services Plan:

• at the end of the third internship rotation; or

• at any time during the three (3) rotations when the team determines job placement opportunities are available to the customer because of skills gained in the internships.

VR3363 must only be completed one time and updated as needed.

The purposes of this meeting are to:

• review and clarify employment-related support and training that the customer needs to find employment;

• identify the customer's skills, abilities, experiences, training, education, attributes and/or barriers related to employment;

• identify negotiable and nonnegotiable employment conditions; and

• document the customer's identified employment goals and the Standard

Occupational Classification (SOC) codes and O'NET description of the job tasks responsibilities for each employment goal.

Any meeting among the customer, provider, customer’s circle of supports, or

VR staff may be conducted remotely.

VR3363, Project SEARCH Job Placement Services Plan, explains how services may be provided either in person, remotely, or a combination of both.

Remote services must follow guidance in VR-SFP 3.4.8 Remote Service

Delivery.

All parties attending the meeting must sign VR3363 at the end of the meeting.

Signatures on the VR3363, Project SEARCH Job Placement Plan, may be

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 23 of 55 obtained by following the steps in VR-SFP sections 3.2.14 Documentation and

3.2.16 Signatures.

After the Project SEARCH job placement plan meeting, VR staff:

• issues an SA to the provider for Benchmark A; and

• files the VR3363 in the customer's file.

The SAs for Benchmarks B and C are issued after the customer achieves

Benchmark A.

Job Placement

The job placement specialist uses resources and tools necessary to help the customer find a job that meets the criteria outlined in the VR3363, Project

SEARCH Job Placement Services Plan.

Once the customer is employed, the job placement specialist monitors the customer's progress on the job by:

• providing initial job coaching instruction to reinforce learned skills;

• monitoring the customer to ensure that the customer is demonstrating the skills that he or she learned and to ensure that the customer is successful; and

• determining whether there is a need for the Project SEARCH team to provide the employer with training and/or education on disability and accommodation issues.

If Job Skills Training is necessary to supplement the training provided by the employer, the Project SEARCH provider includes it as part of Job Placement

Services and may not bill it separately.

The customer must work 90 days in the same position. When a customer is placed in a new position with the same or new employer, a new 90-day count of employment is required to complete Project SEARCH Job Placement

Services.

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If a customer loses a job before the 90-day benchmark, the customer's progression towards completion of the benchmark ends. When the customer becomes employed again, the day count will start at day 1 for the new position.

The 90-day count for successful closure will start over anytime a customer:

• Loses their job;

• Changes employers;

• Changes positions with same employer;

• Receives a promotion; or

• Quits their job voluntarily.

Each benchmark is paid only once for each customer between Active Status

(customer has an IPE) and Closure Status of a VR case. On a case-by-case basis, when the VR counselor determines the provider should be paid for making a second placement a VR3472 must be approved by the VR Director prior to the service authorization being issued.

If the customer loses the job, the customer's progression toward completion of the benchmark ends and the job placement specialist must meet with the customer and VR counselor to:

• evaluate the reason(s) the customer lost the job and develop a plan to address any identified issues; and

• review and update a new VR3363, Project SEARCH Job Placement

Services Plan, when new employment conditions or goals need to be established.

When a job is lost, the customer begins with Benchmark A to secure another position. The count begins over at day one and continues through the benchmarks until the customer reaches 90 days of employment in the new position. The provider must resubmit an updated VR3364 for each benchmark.

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Each Benchmark is paid only once for each customer.

Additionally, any extended support or long-term support services that the customer needs to maintain successful long-term employment must be established by the job placement specialist and Project SEARCH team before the customer achieves Benchmark C.

All fees for services described in this chapter can be found in VR-SFP 16.6

Project SEARCH Service Fees.

2.4.4.3 Project SEARCH Job Placement Outcomes Required for Payment

For a provider to be paid for services, the job placement specialist must:

• as described in VR3363, Project SEARCH Job Placement Service Plan, ensure the customer has worked 90 days in the same position with the same employer and that the job meets:

o 100 percent of the nonnegotiable employment conditions;

o at least 50 percent of the negotiable employment conditions;

o all six digits of one of the SOCs listed within the employment goals based on the job tasks the customer is performing which are included in the O'Net description (not based on the customer's job title); and o services delivered as indicated on VR3363;

• for Benchmark C, accurately document in descriptive terms on VR3364, Project SEARCH Placement Report, all extended services necessary for the customer to maintain long-term competitive integrated employment after VR closes the case; and

• verify customer satisfaction and service delivery by the customer's signature on the associated form or by VR staff contact with the customer.

For information on acceptable signatures refer to VR-SFP sections 3.2.14

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Documentation and 3.2.16 Signatures.

No payment may be made for the achievement of a benchmark until the VR counselor receives and approves a complete, accurate, signed, and dated:

• VR3363, Project SEARCH Job Placement Services Plan (This form does not need to be resubmitted for Job Placement if the VR counselor has obtained a copy earlier in the internship.);

• VR3364, Project SEARCH Job Placement Report; and

• an invoice.

Each benchmark is paid only once for each customer between Active Status

(customer has an IPE) and Closure Status of a VR case.

Services must be delivered after the issuance of a Service Authorization, which will include the type of service, quantity, start date, end date of service delivery, and associated fee.

After a contract is awarded, the application forms must be kept up to date and on file with the TWC-VR as described in VR-SFP Chapter 3: Basic Standards.

This includes a VR3455 Provider Staff Information Form with Supporting

Documentation for each staff person.

2.4.5 Project SEARCH Service Fees

A provider cannot collect money from a VR customer or the customer's family for any service charged in excess of VR fees. If VR and another resource are paying for a service for a customer, the total payment must not exceed the fee specified in the VR Standards for Providers manual.

Project SEARCH

Services Unit Rate Comments

Asset Discovery $613.00 • Once per customer. VR3361, Project https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/sfp#sfp-chapter-3

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Project SEARCH

Services Unit Rate Comments

SEARCH Asset Discovery, must be completed.

• Requires four observations with a total of 20 hours.

• Partial payments are not allowed.

Skills Training

Must not exceed

$1,684.00 per customer for an eight–12 week internship rotation

• No more than three rotations per customer for each school year.

VR3362, Project SEARCH Progress

Report, must be completed.

• Partial payments are allowed. Divide the maximum amount ($1,684) by the number of weeks in the rotation.

For example, the partial payment for one week of a 10-week rotation is

$168.40.

• Requires a minimum of three reporting hours each week per intern.

Job Placement and Arrangement of Retention

Services

(Benchmark A)

$919.00

• Payable when the customer is placed in a job that meets the criteria on

VR3363, Project SEARCH Job

Placement Services Plan, and the customer has worked five days on the job.

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Services Unit Rate Comments

• Submit an invoice for payment the day after the fifth day of employment. The Benchmark A section of VR3364, Project SEARCH

Job Placement Report, must be completed.

• Partial payments are not allowed.

• Each benchmark is paid only once.

Job Placement and Arrangement of Retention

Services

(Benchmark B)

$919.00

• Payable when the customer completes 45 cumulative calendar days of employment in the same position with the same employer in a job that meets the criteria in

VR3363, Project SEARCH Job

Placement Services Plan.

• Submit an invoice for payment the day after the 45th day of employment. The VR3364, Project

SEARCH Job Placement Report, Benchmark B section must be completed.

• Partial payments not allowed.

• Each benchmark is only paid once.

Job Placement $1,225.00 • Payable when the customer

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Services Unit Rate Comments and Arrangement of Extended

Services

(Benchmark C) completes 90 cumulative calendar days of employment in the same position with the same employer in a job that meets the criteria in

VR3363, Project SEARCH Job

Placement Services Plan, and verification that the extended services are arranged and documented on VR3364, Project

SEARCH Placement Report. These services are required for the customer to stay employed after VR closes the case.

• Submit an invoice for payment the day after the 90th day of employment. The Benchmark C section of the VR3364, Project

SEARCH Job Placement Report, must be completed.

• Partial payments are not allowed.

• Each benchmark is only paid once.

• Customers must work 90 cumulative calendar days before achieving

Benchmark C when the customer changes positions with the employer or obtains employment with another

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Services Unit Rate Comments employer before achieving

Benchmark C.

2.5 SERVICE AREA

This is a statewide open enrollment solicitation. All Texas counties are included in this solicitation. If awarded a contract for these services, the Provider(s) may serve VR Customers throughout the state of Texas upon receipt of an approved service authorization issued on behalf of a VR Customer.

2.6 BACKGROUND CHECKS

VR-SFP Manual Chapter 3: Basic Standards require each Provider to run background checks on each Provider staff member who will interact with any

VR Customer. This includes any Provider staff who have any communication or other contact whether in person, on paper, by voice, by sign language, electronically or any other method. The only exception is for Provider staff who never communicate with or are physically present with a VR Customer.

Background checks must be completed by the Provider before the Provider staff interacts with any VR Customer.

Applicants and Providers are responsible for obtaining a background check for all applicable Provider staff. A background check consists of running a name-based search from the Texas Department of Public Safety and checking the

National Public Sex Offender public website.

For more information on required background checks refer to the following resources:

• VR-SFP Chapter 3, Section 2.18 Background Checks https://publicsite.dps.texas.gov/ConvictionNameSearch/ https://www.nsopw.gov/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

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TWC

o Contracted Service Exempt from Background Checks o Exception to Background Check Instructions o Background Check FAQ

• Form VR1307 Background Checks Attestation and Release Form found at https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/forms

• Webinar: Background and National Public Sex Offender Requirements

2.7 TRANSPORTATION OF VR CUSTOMERS

Transportation of VR Customers by a Provider (or Provider’s staff) is not required. However, if a Provider (or Provider’s staff or Provider’s subcontractors) do transport a VR Customer in the Provider’s vehicle or

Provider’s staff personal vehicle, they must meet the minimum liability requirements of the Texas Department of Insurance. The Provider must maintain current proof of insurance for any Provider staff who transports VR

Customers. When Provider staff transports VR Customers in personal vehicles, the Provider staff must submit to VR proof of auto liability insurance as required by the Texas Department of Insurance with Form VR3455.

Verification statements on Form VR3455 must be signed by the Provider staff represented on the form and the Provider’s Director appointed by the legal authorized representative.

2.8 PROVIDER’S DIRECTOR

Each Provider/Entity must have a Director who meets the qualification as stated in the VR-SFP Manual, Chapter 3 Basic Standards. The

Provider’s/Entity’s legally authorized representative must appoint Director(s) using Form VR3441A. The Provider’s/Entity’s Director must also have a VR https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/forms https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=ehh1h4_GeFY&feature=youtu.be

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3455 included in the Application. Anytime the VR3455 is completed and/or updated the Provider must keep a copy on file and submit it to VR. For additional information refer to VR-SFP Manual Chapter 3.

2.9 PROVIDER STAFF PROVIDING SERVICES TO VR CUSTOMERS

For any service selected by the Applicant on VR3441B, the Applicant must have at least one (1) person who meets the Scope of Work qualifications and have at least one person who meets the qualification of the position listed in the SOW. Staff qualifications are located in VR-SFP Chapter 16 section, 16.2

Staff Qualification and Training to provide the service(s) as described in

Article II Scope of Work

Each Provider staff must have VR3455 with the supporting documentation

(resumes, transcripts, proof of insurance, and credentials) included in the

Application.

After contract award, a VR3455 with supporting documentation must be submitted for each person who will be providing services under the Contract.

Each Provider must submit Form VR3455 and the supporting evidence that the staff member meets the required qualifications within 30 calendar days of:

• hiring new staff member;

• making a significant change to a staff member's job duties such as fundamentally altering the nature of the job, requiring new skills, responsibilities, or a substantial time commitment;

• changing staff qualifications and/or credentials; or

• terminating a staff member.

For additional information refer to the VR-SFP Manual.

ARTICLE III GENERAL INFORMATION

3.1 AUTHORITY

http://www.twc.state.tx.us/partners/vocational-rehabilitation-standards-providers-manual

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TWC is soliciting the services stated in this Solicitation under the statutory authority of Texas Labor Code §352.060.

All official communication (including, but not limited to, Schedule of Event changes, and Addenda will be posted to the Electronic State Business Daily

(ESBD). TWC has no responsibility to communicate personally with each potential Applicant for this OE. Each interested party is solely responsible for checking the ESBD for official TWC communication regarding this OE.

3.2 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

The dates in this Schedule of Events are tentative, and TWC reserves the right to modify these dates at any time. At the sole discretion of TWC, events listed in the Schedule of Events are subject to changes and cancellation. Scheduling changes or cancellation made prior to the Deadline for Submission of Applications will be published as an Addendum posted to the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) and the TWC Procurement Portal.

Applicant is required to sign and return all Addenda related to the Open

Enrollment.

Table 2: Schedule of Events

EVENT DATE and TIME

Open Enrollment Period Start Date: August 11, 2026

End Date: February 9, 2027 by 10 a.m. CST

NOTE: This solicitation may be closed sooner than the published end date if TWC receives sufficient applications to cover all required needs.

Applicants must submit their Application to TWC within the open enrollment period in accordance with Schedule of Events shown above, or as changed via a notification of an Addendum posted to the ESBD.

NOTE: TWC reserves the right to close this solicitation at any time

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 34 of 55 prior to the published deadline. If TWC determines that a sufficient number of applications or awarded contracts exist, this solicitation will be closed.

3.3 CONTRACT DOCUMENTS

The Contract(s) resulting from this solicitation may consist of the provisions in this OE (including its attachments, forms, exhibits, and any Addenda); the

Provider’s Application, any TWC Request for Revised Application, the Provider’s

Response to the Request for Revised Application, and TWC’s Service

Authorization (SA). No prior agreement or understanding, oral or otherwise, of the parties or their agents will be valid or enforceable unless embodied in these documents. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of these documents, the documents are given the following order of priority: (1) TWC

SA; (2) most recent Request for Revised Application (if any); (3) Provider’s

Response to the Request for Revised Application; (4) Request for Application

(OE); and (5) Provider’s Application.

TWC may elect to have the Contract(s) resulting from this OE consist of a single document. This document will contain all rights and duties of the parties extracted from the relevant terms and conditions of the OE (including its attachments, forms, exhibits, and any Addenda), the Provider’s Response, the

Request for Revised Response, if any, and Provider’s Response to the Request for Revised Response, if any. Prior to award, TWC will prepare the Contract for review by the Provider.

Discussions may be had concerning possible revisions to the draft Contract to clarify points, further define Contract text, or to correct minor technicalities.

These discussions are to be finalized and all requests for revisions resolved within ten (10) Business Days after the Provider receives the draft Contract for review or such additional time that may be agreed to by TWC. If discussions are not finalized within such time frame, the Application/Enrollment Packet

Open Enrollment No. 3202600209 Project SEARCH Page 35 of 55 may be rejected.

3.4 ATTACHMENTS AND FORMS

Attachment/Form Title

Attachment 01 VR OE T&Cs (12/18/25)

Attachment 02 OE Application Submission Checklist

Attachment 03 Chapter 1

Attachment 04 Chapter 2

Attachment 05 Chapter 3 and…