Division of unemployment insurance-resea program study

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), specifically the Division of Unemployment Insurance, is seeking proposals for an extension of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) impact study of the federally funded Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program. The procurement, identified as RFP 2025000285, targets research partners who can leverage existing data and identify new research questions to evaluate the effectiveness of the Colorado RESEA program in helping Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants secure employment and improve earnings. Primary deliverables include one interim report annually and a final evaluation report, totaling four reports over a 36-42 month project period. The research must examine whether the RESEA program reduces UI benefit duration, increases reemployment rates, and improves cost-effectiveness, utilizing state-of-the-art analytic methods and UI data. Proposals are due by May 19, 2025, at 11:59 pm MST and must be uploaded to Bidnet. Evaluation criteria will focus on company qualifications, pricing, and key personnel qualifications, with a committee conducting a comprehensive, fair, and impartial selection process. The final report must comply with the Colorado Governor's Office of Information Technology accessibility standards.

While specific set-aside designations are not explicitly detailed in the documentation, the RFP suggests a competitive procurement process open to qualified research entities. CDLE will provide program information, subject matter expertise, and facilitate data transfer to the selected contractor. The project will utilize existing UI data infrastructure and requires integration of current research methodologies from an ongoing RCT. Although precise budget details are not specified, the multi-year nature of the study and its focus on comprehensive program evaluation indicate a substantive research engagement. The contractor will be expected to provide policy-relevant analysis that can inform future unemployment support services and program design. Geographic scope includes Denver County and Denver City, with potential statewide implications for unemployment insurance program effectiveness. While no incumbent vendors are explicitly mentioned, the RFP suggests this is an extension of an existing research initiative, indicating potential continuity with previous research efforts.