Administration of the Communication Assistance Program

The South Dakota Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is seeking proposals for the Administration of the Communication Assistance Program through RFP #24RFP9736. This statewide contract will provide full-service, confidential communication support services for eligible deaf and hard of hearing individuals to enhance their community and workplace integration. The program will offer multiple service categories including Community Integration Skills Training, Communication Assistance, Deaf Awareness Presentations, Family Communication Assistance, Information and Referral, Peer Support, and Technical Assistance/Consultation. Qualified providers must screen applicants, maintain client data, provide customer service, and ensure staff are appropriately trained to serve the target population. Proposal inquiries must be emailed to Hailey Bowers at Hailey.Bowers@state.sd.us by a specified date, with all questions and responses posted on the state's e-procurement system. The RFP is due on February 23, 2024, with the contract period spanning five years and potential for an additional five-year renewal.

The RFP does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. The projected budget for fiscal year 2024 is approximately $359,821, with a service unit rate of $19.70 per 15-minute increment. The contract covers services throughout South Dakota, with a focus on serving deaf and hard of hearing residents who face barriers to community and employment inclusion. Payments will be based on a fee schedule that includes both billable service time and administrative overhead costs. The state reserves the right to reject any proposals and negotiate scope of services and compensation with the highest-ranked offeror. The DRS may also purchase additional resources to support language acquisition for deaf or hard of hearing children and their families, with such resources becoming state property. The contract will be subject to periodic on-site program reviews to ensure compliance with service delivery expectations and Americans with Disabilities Act standards.