RFQ Attachment A.pdf

South Carolina Commission for the Blind

REQUEST FOR QUOTE

ATTACHMENT A: SCOPE OF WORK

08/17/2026

I. Background

The South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB), as a Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) federal grant recipient, is a State VR Employment Network entity that can be selected by Social

Security beneficiaries to receive services from as part of the Ticket to Work (TTW) Social

Security Administration (SSA) program. The TTW Program is a voluntary employment initiative that provides eligible Social Security disability beneficiaries with employment-related services and supports designed to help them obtain, maintain, and advance in competitive integrated employment while reducing dependence on disability benefits.

Through its participation in the TTW Program, SCCB assists Social Security disability beneficiaries in understanding the impact of employment and earned income on their Social

Security benefits and in achieving successful employment outcomes. SCCB is also responsible for complying with SSA requirements related to benefits counseling, Ticket assignment, program reporting, documentation, and reimbursement claims.

II. Purpose

The purpose of this Request for Quote (RFQ) is to obtain consulting, training, and technical assistance services from a qualified individual or firm with extensive experience in the SSA’s

TTW Program. The selected Contractor will serve as a mentor and resource to SCCB’s Benefits

Specialist staff, evaluate SCCB's current benefits counseling and TTW program operations, recommend improvements and provide training and technical support to SCCB Benefits

Specialist staff; services will be provided on an as-needed basis.

The overall objectives of this engagement are to:

• Enhance SCCB’s capacity to provide high-quality benefits counseling services to Social

Security beneficiaries.

• Ensure compliance with SSA policies, procedures, and reporting requirements.

• Increase staff knowledge and proficiency in the TTW Program, benefits planning, and reimbursement processes.

• Improve SCCB’s ability to identify, document, and pursue eligible SSA reimbursement opportunities.

• Support beneficiaries in achieving greater financial independence and successful employment outcomes through informed benefits planning and counseling.

III. Scope of Work

Social Security Benefits Training and Technical Assistance Services

The Contractor shall provide professional training, technical assistance, and support services to assist the SCCB in strengthening its Social Security benefits counseling program, ensuring compliance with Social Security Administration (SSA) requirements, maximizing reimbursement opportunities, and enhancing staff knowledge and capabilities. These services will not perform TTW duties or submit Social Security reimbursement claim on SCCB's behalf.

SCCB estimates that the services required under this contract will average approximately twenty (20) hours per month, or approximately two hundred forty (240) hours per fiscal year. These estimates are provided solely for planning and budgeting purposes. Because

SCCB has not previously procured these services, the estimated hours are not guaranteed and shall not be construed as either a minimum commitment or a maximum limitation on the volume of services that may be required. The actual number of hours and services requested may vary based on SCCB's operational needs throughout the term of the

Agreement.

The total compensation paid under this Agreement shall not exceed Twenty-Five

Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00).

Contractor Responsibilities

The Contractor shall:

1. Policy and Procedure Evaluation

A. Review and evaluate the SCCB’s current benefits counseling policies, procedures, forms, and practices.

B. Provide a written assessment identifying strengths, deficiencies, compliance concerns, and recommendations for improvements or corrective actions.

2. Meeting Participation

A. Attend SCCB meetings, either virtually or in person, as requested by the SCCB to discuss program operations, training activities, SSA requirements, reimbursement opportunities, and related matters.

3. SSA Reimbursement Assistance

A. Provide guidance and technical assistance to the SCCB in completing and submitting all necessary documentation and processes required by the Social

Security Administration (SSA) for reimbursement claims related to benefits counseling services.

4. Historical Reimbursement Research

A. Assist the SCCB in researching and reviewing previous payments and reimbursements received from the SSA for benefits counseling services provided to beneficiaries who achieved gainful employment.

B. Identify potential reimbursement opportunities and recommend corrective actions, if applicable.

5. Benefits Specialist Training

The Contractor shall provide comprehensive, hands-on training to the SCCB’s Benefits

Specialist(s), including but not limited to:

A. Education on the SSA Ticket to Work (TTW) Program, including federal reporting requirements, compliance obligations, and effective methods for communicating program benefits to Social Security beneficiaries.

B. Instruction on the interaction between earned income and Social Security disability benefit eligibility, including work incentives and program regulations.

C. Demonstration of how to conduct comprehensive benefits assessments using SSA records, including obtaining, interpreting, and utilizing Benefits Planning Query

(BPQY) reports.

D. Training on calculating projected changes in Social Security cash benefits, healthcare coverage, Medicaid, Medicare, and other public assistance programs under various employment and wage scenarios.

E. Guidance on identifying and implementing strategies that maximize beneficiaries’ financial self-sufficiency while minimizing the risk of overpayments, loss of benefits, or disruption of critical support services.

6. Technical Assistance and Documentation Support

A. Provide technical guidance navigating and utilizing the SSA Ticket Portal.

B. Provide instruction and assistance in the completion and submission of SSA Form

SSA-199 for cost reimbursement claims.

C. Assist in the development and enhancement of SCCB forms, templates, and documentation related to SSI and SSA reimbursement processes.

D. Stay up-to-date on all SSA updates related to the TTW program to provide technical assistance to the agency.

7. Deliverables

At a minimum, the Contractor shall provide:

A. Written recommendations for improvement in agency policies and procedures for reimbursement optimization and compliance improvements. Written recommendation must be submitted to SCCB’s Consumer Services Director within sixty (60) business days of beginning work.

B. Resource materials, reference guides, and supporting resources for blind individuals and SCCB staff.

C. Documentation of completed training activities and technical assistance provided.

8. Equipment and Supplies

The SCCB will provide a laptop computer and cellular phone to the individual performing services under this contract. All equipment issued by the SCCB shall remain

SCCB property and must be returned in good working condition upon expiration, termination, or completion of the contract.

9. Delivery

Services may be provided either in-person or virtually or as a hybrid model. The in-person location is SCCB’s Columbia campus located at:

1430 Confederate Avenue

Columbia, SC 29201

10. Travel Reimbursement

No travel expenses will be reimbursed.

11. Invoice and Payment

The Contractor shall submit invoices for services rendered under this contract on a monthly basis unless otherwise approved by SCCB. Invoices shall be emailed to accounting@sccb.sc.gov.

Each invoice shall, at a minimum, include the following:

A. Contractor name, address, and contact information.

B. Invoice number and invoice date.

C. Purchase order number.

D. Billing period covered by the invoice.

mailto:accounting@sccb.sc.gov

E. A detailed description of services performed, including dates of service and the number of hours worked.

F. Total amount due for services and reimbursable expenses.

G. Payment will be made only for services satisfactorily performed and accepted by

SCCB. SCCB reserves the right to request additional documentation or clarification regarding any invoice submitted.

H. Payment terms shall be Net 30. SCCB will remit payment within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt and approval of a complete and accurate invoice. If an invoice is determined to be incomplete, inaccurate, or otherwise requires correction, the thirty

(30) day payment period will begin upon SCCB’s receipt of the corrected invoice.

I. The Contractor shall submit invoices no later than thirty (30) calendar days following the end of the billing period in which the services were provided. Failure to submit invoices within this timeframe may result in delayed payment or denial of reimbursement, unless otherwise approved by SCCB.

12. QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL STANDARDS OF RESPONSIBILITY

(MODIFIED)

This section establishes special standards of responsibility. UNLESS YOU POSSESS THE

FOLLOWING MANDATORY MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, DO NOT SUBMIT AN

OFFER:

1. Ticket to Work (TTW) Experience

A. Possess a minimum of five (5) years of experience working with the SSA TTW Program and this experience must include working with the new Ticket Program Manager, Accenture Federal Services. The experience must directly related to the services identified in this Scope of Work, including benefits counseling, SSA reimbursement processes, Ticket Portal utilization, beneficiary support, SSA reporting requirements, and the delivery of training and technical assistance services.

The Offeror shall submit documentation supporting the qualifications of the proposed individual with the signed Request for Quote (RFQ) response.

Required documentation shall include:

A. A current resume detailing the individual's education, professional experience, certifications, and relevant TTW and SSA-related work history.

B. Any additional documentation deemed necessary by the Offeror to demonstrate the individual's qualifications and ability to perform the required services.

C. Signed copy Appendix A: SCCB Confidentiality Agreement by the Offeror’s proposed staff.

Optional documentation shall include:

D. Professional references

After award and prior to starting work the Contractor staff providing services shall

Failure to provide the required documentation may result in the Offeror being determined non-responsive and ineligible for award.

IV. Information for Offerors to Submit

INFORMATION FOR OFFERORS TO SUBMIT -- GENERAL (MODIFIED)

You shall submit a completed and signed Cover Page and Page Two of the Request for Quote. If you submit your offer electronically, you must upload an image of a signed Cover Page and Page

Two. Your offer should include all other information and documents requested in this part and in part III. Scope of Work; and any appropriate attachments addressed in III. Scope of Work.

Attachments to Solicitations. You should submit a summary of all insurance policies you have or plan to acquire to comply with the insurance requirements stated herein, if any, including policy types; coverage types; limits, sub-limits, and deductibles for each policy and coverage type; the carrier's A.M. Best rating; and whether the policy is written on an occurrence or claims-made basis. [04-4010-2]