IW270424 - Employment Assistance Program - Austin Area

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is soliciting bids under IW270424 to establish a purchase order for an employment assistance program serving previously incarcerated individuals in the Austin area, with bids due November 20, 2026. Vendors must document an established business presence in the City of Austin area for at least one year and one year of experience providing employee assistance services. TDCJ reserves the right to award multiple vendors.

Services include intake and individual needs assessments, vocational skill assessments, job search assistance, job application support, resume development, interview preparation, and financial and employment guidance. The listed jurisdictions are Travis County and the City of Austin.

Vendors are reimbursed monthly against itemized invoices. Each invoice must list every client assisted by name, SID number, type of assistance, and amount paid. Vendors also submit quarterly service summaries covering individuals assisted, assistance types, denial reasons where applicable, and participant outcomes.

Award factors are the vendor's business establishment date in the Austin area, its experience providing employee assistance, and the time needed to commence service delivery. The attachment does not weight these factors.

Response prices must remain firm for 30 days from the due date. TDCJ may terminate for convenience on 30 days' written notice, and the contract is governed by Texas law with venue in Travis County. Performance requires E-Verify compliance and cybersecurity training, and the standard terms require several statutory certifications.

Responses must be submitted electronically through the Euna Procurement (Bonfire) portal at tdcj.bonfirehub.com, and vendors must register before submitting. Vendors should allow at least one business day for file uploads, and no modifications are permitted after the due date and time. Questions go through the electronic bid system by the dates stated in the solicitation, and amendments issue as Public Notice through the same system. A Notification of Additional Information also requests a Statement of Work submittal. The procurement contact is Haley Seils, CTCD, at Haley.Seils@tdcj.texas.gov. The opportunity was posted October 28, 2026.