IFB #SD25-00038 Blind Cane Tapping Training Services

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) are issuing Invitation for Bid (IFB) #SD25-00038 for on-site blind cane tapping training services to be provided at California Health Care Facility in Stockton, California. The contractor shall provide all necessary labor, materials, non-consumable supplies, transportation, equipment, travel, and per diem to deliver orientation and mobility training, cognitive skills instruction, and effective communication documentation for incarcerated persons who are visually impaired. Services will be delivered during normal business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday) under a one-year contract term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Mandatory minimum qualifications include two years of experience performing blind cane tapping training services, current Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) certification, business location within 100 miles of the facility, active business standing with California Secretary of State (or valid business license for sole proprietors), and three positive references from the past five years. The contractor must maintain commercial general liability insurance of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, automobile liability insurance of $1,000,000 per accident, and workers' compensation insurance with limits of $1,000,000. Critical procedural deadlines include May 8, 2026, for final bidder questions; May 15, 2026, for CDCR responses to questions; and May 22, 2026, at 3:00 PM for sealed bid submission with public bid opening at 2:00 PM. References will be contacted on May 22, 2026, with responses due by May 29, 2026; notice of intent to award is scheduled for May 29, 2026, with a proposed award date of June 9, 2026.

Award will be made to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder meeting all mandatory requirements and compliance obligations, including HIPAA compliance, bloodborne pathogen regulations, tuberculosis testing, CDCR security protocols, background clearance, and fingerprinting. Mandatory Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation of at least 3 percent is required, with bidders failing to meet this requirement deemed non-responsive; additional DVBE incentive reductions apply for participation exceeding 3 percent. Small business preferences of 5 percent are available to certified small businesses or non-small businesses committing to 25 percent subcontracting with small businesses. The contractor cannot employ ex-offenders on active parole or probation, sex offenders, or those with violent felonies, and must comply with all applicable state certifications, labor laws, California Public Contract Code requirements, and Executive Order N-6-22 regarding Russia sanctions. All bids must be submitted electronically via email as one combined PDF document (except for the separate Rate Sheet attachment) to the listed contract analyst. No budget range or award value is specified in the available procurement documents; compensation will be based on actual expenditures in accordance with rates specified in Exhibit B-1, with monthly invoicing submitted in arrears.