INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE- ECKERD YOUTH

The South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) has issued an Intent to Sole Source procurement for Motivational Interviewing (MI) training services, specifically targeting institutional and community corrections staff. The procurement focuses on complementing SCDC's Risk-Asset assessment (GRAD) program and associated CREST intervention program, with Eckerd Youth Alternatives identified as the intended sole source vendor. The contract will have an initial term of one year, from June 2, 2023 to June 1, 2024, with four automatically renewable one-year terms potentially extending the contract period to five years through June 1, 2028. The original procurement was initially awarded on May 2, 2018 under Best Value Bid Solicitation 5400014791, where Eckerd Youth was the sole respondent. Key deliverables include comprehensive MI training for corrections staff, with specific emphasis on enhancing the existing GRAD and CREST program methodologies. The response deadline was June 2, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., with submissions directed to the SC Department of Corrections Purchasing Branch located at 4530 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210.

This sole source procurement does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Eckerd Youth Alternatives has been selected based on demonstrated expertise and prior successful completion of training initiatives at the SCDC Training Academy. The notice was publicly posted in the South Carolina Business Opportunities (SCBO) for the required five to ten business days, with interested parties granted the right to protest the intended award within five business days of notice posting. Formal protests were required within fifteen days and would be governed by Section 11-35-4210 of South Carolina Code, with submissions directed to the Chief Procurement Officer at the Materials Management Office. While specific contract values were not disclosed, the multi-year potential contract structure suggests a significant investment in training services. The procurement appears focused on continuing an existing relationship with Eckerd Youth, leveraging their specialized knowledge in corrections staff training and intervention methodologies.