1201-26-R-IFBD-00001

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), Office of Human Resources, is soliciting bids for a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) contract through Invitation for Bid (IFB) number 1201-26-R-IFBD-00001. The procurement seeks a vendor to provide EAP services for approximately 400 MDE employees and their immediate family members within a 75-mile radius of Jackson, Mississippi. Required services include confidential counseling (up to 12 sessions per employee/family member), 24-hour phone support, educational seminars, critical incident stress debriefings, manager training, and quarterly utilization reporting. Bidders must be established vendors with a minimum of five years of experience, possess licensed counselors on staff, provide three professional references, and secure a performance bond for 100% of the annual contract amount. The contract will span from December 4, 2025, to June 30, 2030, with a bid submission deadline of October 20, 2025, and anticipated contract award on October 22, 2025. Evaluation criteria will focus on meeting minimum specifications and pricing, with the MDE reserving the right to award to the lowest responsive bidder.

The solicitation does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The pricing structure requires bidders to submit a total monthly cost for the entire five-year contract period, with services inclusive of all associated costs and no additional fees. A price adjustment mechanism allows for annual increases up to 5% or the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U), whichever is lesser. While specific budget ranges are not detailed, the contract will cover EAP services for 400 employees and their immediate families. The MDE will evaluate contract renewals based on prior year performance and fund availability. No information is provided about incumbent vendors or existing technological infrastructure that might require integration with the new EAP service provider.