HOW15044 05/05/2022 13:32

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce is seeking research and analysis services to investigate the state's critically low labor force participation rate of 57.2 percent, which ranks fifth lowest nationally. The procurement is a competitive sealed proposal process targeting comprehensive research addressing six primary and two preferred research questions. Deliverables include a final research report, a presentation to the task force, and a detailed project timeline, with all materials due no later than September 30, 2022. The research must cover extensive topics including literature review, policy recommendations, geographic analysis, individual characteristics of non-participating workers, and historical policy impacts. Proposal submissions were due on June 21, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., with a question submission deadline of June 3, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Evaluation criteria are structured around methodology (10 points), research team experience including principal investigator credentials (5 points), and cost (5 points), totaling a possible 20-point assessment.

The solicitation encourages minority business participation and offers applicable tax credits, though no specific set-aside percentages are defined. Offerors must be a single, distinct legal entity and can include various organizational structures such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporate entities, tax-exempt corporations, or government entities. All vendors must register with the State of South Carolina's procurement system and obtain a state vendor number. Contractors must submit certifications regarding debarment, drug-free workplace compliance, ethics compliance, and independent price determination. Any subcontractors exceeding 10 percent of project costs or involved in critical services must be explicitly identified. While no specific contract amount or funding source is explicitly stated, the department appears open to proposals that efficiently achieve the project's objectives, with work to be performed primarily at the contractor's facility using electronic communication methods and occasional on-site meetings.