Employment Services Provider

The South Dakota Department of Human Services, specifically the Division of Rehabilitation Services, is seeking to establish a pool of approved for-profit businesses to provide comprehensive employment services to eligible Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) applicants and clients. The procurement is a Request for Proposal (RFP) focused on employment services that include situational assessments, job seeking skills assistance, job development, job coaching, and on-site job monitoring. Proposals are due by April 26, 2024, at 5 PM CDT, with potential oral presentations scheduled for May 3, 2024, and anticipated contract award/negotiation on May 10, 2024. The contract is expected to have an initial five-year term with a potential five-year renewal option. Evaluation criteria and specific qualifications are outlined in the RFP document, with services to be funded through the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services grant, which is 78.7% federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education and 21.3% funded by state appropriations.

The RFP specifically targets for-profit businesses, explicitly noting that non-profit organizations primarily serving individuals with disabilities are already considered approved providers and need not respond. The procurement is open to businesses capable of supporting individuals with disabilities in achieving competitive integrated employment, with Harding County identified as one of the jurisdictional areas of service. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly detailed, the funding mechanism suggests potential for substantial contract value through the federal and state rehabilitation services grant. Providers will be selected into a pool from which VR applicants/clients can choose their preferred employment services partner. The procurement appears designed to create a competitive, client-choice driven approach to vocational rehabilitation services, with a focus on supporting individuals with disabilities in achieving meaningful employment outcomes.