Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program Administration

The Arkansas Department of Transformation and Shared Services - Office of State Procurement is seeking a contractor to administer the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLFP) for state employees. The primary objective is to enhance employee engagement and assistance through comprehensive student loan guidance, including eligibility determination, benefits education, loan payment options, and program navigation. The contract requires providing both virtual and in-person counseling services for approximately 6,000 eligible state employees annually, with contractors responsible for all travel expenses. The RFP evaluation will be based on a 1,000-point system, with 700 points allocated to technical factors (Experience 20%, Solution 30%, Risk 20%, Interview 30%) and 300 points for cost considerations. Proposals are due January 21, 2025, at 2:00 PM Central Time through the ARBuy eProcurement system, with an anticipated contract start date of May 1, 2025. The initial contract term is three years, with four optional one-year renewals, creating a potential maximum contract period of seven years. Currently, only 15% of Arkansas's eligible workforce has initiated the PSLFP process, and approximately 80% of applicants are denied due to misunderstandings or errors.

The solicitation does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations, but the Technical Proposal Packet indicates that minority or women-owned businesses must provide Arkansas certification numbers. Contractors must complete a Contract and Grant Disclosure form revealing relationships with state government officials and entities. The pricing structure anticipates an annual service volume targeting 6,000 state employees, with costs covering promotional materials, reporting, employee engagement, virtual counseling, and in-person counseling services. While specific budget ranges are not definitively stated, the pricing sheet suggests contractors will need to provide comprehensive, all-inclusive pricing for the seven-year program duration. Contractors must submit pricing in U.S. dollars and cents, with payments processed exclusively through ACH direct deposit. The state may request detailed cost breakdowns during the Discussion Phase, and contractors have the option to include additional line items as needed. The solicitation emphasizes the importance of addressing the current low participation rate and high denial rate in the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program.