3202600157 Open Enrollment (OE) for Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind (ILS-OIB)

The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation (TWC-VR) division has issued Open Enrollment solicitation 3202600157 seeking qualified service providers to deliver Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind (ILS-OIB) to vocational rehabilitation customers throughout all Texas counties via Workforce Solutions offices statewide. This is an ongoing open enrollment opportunity with a five-year contract term from the date of full execution, with applications due by November 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CST. The scope of services includes Independent Living Skills Training, Orientation and Mobility training, Diabetes Management Training, Braille Instruction, equipment provision, guide services, reader services, transportation, information and referral services, peer counseling, advocacy training, and transition services. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with concentration in rehabilitation or a related field plus relevant work experience, designate a Director meeting VR Standards for Providers qualifications with an active UNTWISE credential, conduct background checks on all staff interacting with VR customers, and comply with all federal and state laws including The Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The fee schedule establishes compensation for Independent Living Skills Training at $75 per hour, contingent upon completion and approval of required documentation including service authorization forms, application statements, comprehensive assessments, and progress reports, with no guarantee of volume, usage, or total compensation provided to awarded providers. Applicants must submit complete applications through the TWC Procurement Portal in PDF format, including twelve required forms such as the Execution of Application, W-9 and Direct Deposit Form, Child Support Certification, Conflict of Interest Certification, Provider Insurance Verification, Entity Headquarters Information forms, Physical Location Certifications, and Provider Staff Information documentation.

The solicitation contains no stated set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or other restricted organizational categories, and no incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available documentation. Applicants must maintain general or business liability insurance, premises liability insurance if they own or lease service locations, and vehicle liability insurance if transporting customers, with current declarations of policy required on file with TWC. All service locations must meet specified safety requirements including working smoke detectors, non-expired fire extinguishers, posted fire escape diagrams, evacuation plans, accessible aisles and work zones, and full Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility compliance including accessible parking, ramps, level floors, wide aisles, and accessible bathrooms. Applicants are required to certify compliance with the VR Standards for Providers Manual, submit conflict of interest certifications prohibiting offers of value to TWC staff or hiring of current or recently separated TWC employees, and complete child support eligibility certifications under Texas Family Code Section 231.006. No specific total award value or budget range is identified in the solicitation documents; funding is contingent upon continued legislative appropriations and budget availability, and TWC retains the right to cancel the contract for convenience if no expenditures occur within a twelve-month period.