Intent to award sole source - persevere

The South Carolina Department of Corrections issued an Intent to Award Sole Source contract to Persevere for comprehensive inmate job skills training and support services. The procurement specifically targets instructor-led facilitated courses in coding and related professional certifications, including Responsive Web Design, JavaScript Algorithms & Data Structures, Front-end Libraries, Data Visualization, APIs & Microservices, and Information Security & Quality Assurance. Beyond technical training, Persevere will provide job search and placement services, soft skills training, life skills education, mentoring support, and entrepreneurial training to help inmates develop coding service businesses post-release. The sole source procurement was posted on June 21, 2022, with a response deadline of July 7, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Interested vendors were required to submit sealed responses to the SC Department of Corrections Purchasing Branch, either physically at 4530 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210, or via email to purchasing@doc.sc.gov with "SOLE SOURCE" in the subject line. Vendors were mandated to demonstrate full authorization to perform all listed services and training, and to hold their offers open for a minimum of thirty calendar days after the opening date.

The procurement was limited to a sole source award, which suggests no competitive bidding was anticipated. Persevere will not only provide training but is expanding into residential transitional services by creating structured home-like environments for program graduates. No specific set-aside designations or enterprise restrictions were mentioned in the documentation. While a specific contract value was not disclosed, the comprehensive nature of the services suggests a significant investment in rehabilitation and workforce development for incarcerated individuals. The procurement was conducted through standard state procurement channels, being posted in the South Carolina Business Opportunities (SCBO) for at least ten business days as required by state law. Vendors were given specific protest provisions, with five business days to file an initial protest and fifteen days to submit a complete protest. The procurement was overseen by Brittany Driggers (Procurement Officer) and Ruthie Bishop, CPPB (Procurement Director), with contact information provided for potential inquiries.