RFQ VR Business Network Consultation October_ 2025.docx

Request for Quote: Vocational Rehabilitation Business Network Partnership Introduction:

The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) is seeking technical assistance to support continuation of a pilot in Hamilton county, Indiana to support employment opportunities for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) participants with disabilities. Activities are authorized through Services to Groups: technical assistance to businesses that are seeking to employ individuals with disabilities (34 C.F.R. § 361.49(a)(4)).

VR provides a wide range of services to assist eligible individuals with disabilities in preparing for, obtaining, maintaining, regaining, or advancing in employment. VR operates in all 92 Indiana counties through 19 local field offices. More information about Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation can be found at FSSA: DDARS: Vocational Rehabilitation / Employment.

Scope of Work:

BRS seeks to partner with a state or public entity in Hamilton county, Indiana to bridge VR access to a network of local business partners. BRS seeks access to business partners to provide opportunities for VR adult and student job seekers with disabilities, including informational interviews, work experiences and internships, job shadowing, hiring opportunities, or other activities that support individuals in working toward achievement of employment.

Local VR team members will identify participants. The contractor will then leverage their network of businesses to connect participants with opportunities. Businesses will obtain more streamlined access to qualified candidates with disabilities, and training and technical assistance to support recruitment, hiring and onboarding of qualified job candidates with disabilities. Deliverables will be outlined in an awarded contractual agreement and may include targets for expanding

Matching Requirement:

Respondents must demonstrate commitment to meet a non-federal match requirement of 21.3%. A match calculator is enclosed to determine match amount based on proposed budget. A bid of $150,000 would require a contractor share of $40,597.20 to meet the match requirement for the $150,000 contract budget. A bid of $100,000 would require a contractor share of $27,064.80. The contractor share is required to be deposited into a BRS account and would support BRS costs for the project (separate from the contract budget), such as provision of job coaching, job seeker transportation, contract management and oversight costs, or other necessary services. Any contractual arrangement awarded through this RFP will outline the following requirements:

Local, non-federal funds provided by Contractor will be submitted to BRS within 60 days of contract execution in the amount specified in the contract. Contractor may not submit claims for reimbursement for contract activities until non-federal contribution is deposited into the VR account. BRS will reimburse contractor for agreed upon contract expenditures to carry out the contract scope of work. Contract reimbursement is not to exceed $150,000 [or amount determined through RFQ if less than $150,000] for the term of the contract. Non-federal funds received through this interagency cash transfer agreement will be used to satisfy VR program matching requirements (34 C.F.R. § 361.60(b); 2 C.F.R. § 200.306(b)) and will support VR’s costs associated with this pilot.

Estimated project start-date:

March 1, 2026. DDRS is seeking a contract agreement for a six-to-seven-month period. Based on the success of the pilot, BRS will consider a future bid opportunity for a longer-term project.

Bidder Requirements and Experience:

1. Bidder must be a state or public entity in Hamilton county.

2. Bidder must demonstrate commitment to providing the applicable non-federal match from a state or public fund source that will be deposited into a BRS account.

3. Bidder must currently have a network of business partners in Hamilton county with at least 25 business partners committed to serving as a VR Business Network partner to support activities outlined above. VR Business Network partner businesses should cross a wide range of different industries.

4. Respondent must have demonstrated knowledge of career pathways and access to data and other information to identify in demand industries and targeted career pathways in Hamilton county.

5. Respondent must be positioned to meet the required scope effective day one of contract term, targeted for March 1, 2026.

Submission Requirements:

1. Brief proposal addressing the 5 bidder requirements and experience outlined above.

2. A budget and budget narrative estimated term March 2026 – September 2026.

3. Qualifications and resume for key staff, including education/certification attainment and experience relevant to the SOW. Include any relevant sub-contractual staff.

4. Description of business partner network strategies for recruiting network partners to serve as VR business network partners, including strategies for providing technical assistance.

5. At least two references are preferred, but not required, from entities whom related services have been provided (DDRS employees may not serve as references for this solicitation).

6. Completed Quotation Confirmation Form.

7. Signed acknowledgement of Standard Terms and Conditions (Attached A).

8. Certification regarding small business, MBE/WBE/VBE status, if applicable.