Intent to sole source-persevere

The South Carolina Department of Corrections has issued an Intent to Award Sole Source contract to Persevere for comprehensive inmate job skills training and support services. The procurement focuses on providing instructor-led technical training in coding, including multiple certification courses such as Responsive Web Design, JavaScript Algorithms & Data Structures, Front-end Libraries, Data Visualization, APIs & Microservices, and Information Security & Quality Assurance. Beyond technical training, the contract requires Persevere to deliver job search and placement services, soft skills instruction, life skills education, mentoring support, and entrepreneurial training to prepare inmates for post-release employment or business opportunities. The initial contract term is set from June 5, 2023 to June 4, 2024, with options for four additional one-year automatic renewals, potentially extending the contract period through June 4, 2028. Responses to the sole source award were required by June 5, 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.

The sole source notice does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. Persevere is identified as the sole source vendor, indicating they were selected without competitive bidding. Respondents had the right to protest the sole source award, with formal protests due within fifteen days of the notice posting date. While no specific pricing information or funding amounts were detailed, the contract includes expanding services into residential transitional services, offering structured home-like environments for program graduates. Interested parties or potential protestors were instructed to direct inquiries to Procurement Officer Myrtle K. deWerdt at 803-896-8582 or bidsubmissions@doc.state.sc.us, with additional procurement information available on the SC procurement website at http://www.procurement.sc.gov. The contract appears to be focused on providing comprehensive rehabilitation and workforce development services for inmates within Richland County's correctional system.