Open Enrollment (OE) for Employment Services

The Texas Workforce Commission is conducting an Open Enrollment for Employment Services contracts to serve Vocational Rehabilitation customers statewide across all 254 Texas counties, with applications due February 8, 2027 by 10:00 a.m. CST through the TWC Procurement Portal. Contract awards will be made continuously throughout the enrollment period as applications are received and approved, with multiple contracts potentially awarded within individual counties or county groups.

The scope encompasses five service categories: Employment Assessments (Vocational Evaluation, Situational Assessments, Environmental Work Assessment, Career Planning Assessment); Work Readiness Services (Personal Social Adjustment Training, Work Adjustment Training, Vocational Adjustment Training); Work Experience Services (Work Experience Placement and Training); Basic Employment Services (Job Placement, Job Skills Training); and Supported Employment Services. Providers must designate a qualified Director holding a University of North Texas Workplace Inclusion and Suitable Employment (UNTWISE) credential and supply at least one staff member meeting qualifications for each service category applied for. All staff interacting with customers require criminal background checks valid for three years, and staff providing assessments or specialized services must hold specific UNTWISE credentials (Supported Employment Specialist, Job Skills Trainer, vocational evaluator with master's degree or psychology license for assessments, autism endorsement for Environmental Work Assessment).

Compensation is outcome-based and varies by service. Employment Assessment fees range from $288 to $1,440 for Vocational Evaluation (billed daily, outcome-dependent), with fixed fees including $864 for Situational Assessments and Work Samples, $1,213 for Environmental Work Assessment, and $1,194 for Career Planning Assessment. Work Readiness Services hourly rates range from $9.00 to $46.00 depending on service type. Work Experience Services are billed at $919.00 per placement and $23.00 to $46.00 per hour for training (group or individual). Supported Employment fees include $184 for plan meeting, $1,875 for job development and placement benchmark, $1,838 per 28-day retention period, $184 for stability review, and $3,675 for closure benchmark.

Contracts commence upon full execution and expire five years from execution, with TWC reserving the right to cancel for convenience if no expenditures occur within twelve months. Applicants must submit execution of application, W-9 and direct deposit forms, child support certification, TWC VR Standards for Providers certification, conflict of interest certification, insurance verification, entity headquarters information, physical location certification and details, and provider staff information forms with supporting credentials. All providers must comply with the Vocational Rehabilitation Standards for Providers Manual, maintain required insurance coverage including general and premises liability (and motor vehicle liability if transporting customers), and operate facilities meeting safety and accessibility standards including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, accessible bathrooms, and handicapped parking. TWC makes no guarantee of volume, usage, or compensation under awarded contracts and reserves the right to reject or cancel applications at its sole discretion.