RFP for Outreach, Referral, and Language Services to Multicultural Populations with Disabilities

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Vocational Rehabilitation Services program issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking qualified vendors to provide outreach, referral, and language services to multicultural populations with disabilities across various Oregon counties. The RFP targets services for individuals where English is not their primary language, with the goal of assisting multicultural populations in overcoming employment barriers and obtaining meaningful employment outcomes. Proposers must submit detailed technical and budget proposals addressing target populations, service delivery models, staffing qualifications, community partnerships, and relevant experience. The original proposal deadline was extended from September 1, 2022, to September 15, 2022, with the initial contract term anticipated to end on September 30, 2024, and potential renewals up to a cumulative maximum of five years. Evaluation criteria will focus on the comprehensiveness of services, cultural and linguistic competence, and cost reasonableness. Proposals will be ranked and scored based on these criteria, with ODHS reserving the right to negotiate final contract terms with successful proposers.

The RFP includes a Certified Disadvantaged Business Outreach Plan, requiring proposers to indicate if they are an Oregon certified firm and provide details about their interactions with minority, woman-owned, veteran, and small businesses. Potential contractors must report subcontractor information to the Oregon Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity. The state intended to award multiple contracts on a county basis, with a Notice of Intent to Award initially identifying Bay Area Enterprises (Coos Bay), Easter Seals Oregon (Portland), and Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) as potential awardees. However, an Amendment 3 was subsequently issued to cancel the entire solicitation, stating it was in the best interests of the state. While the RFP suggested an anticipated contract value of $150,000 or more, no specific budget range was definitively established. The solicitation emphasized the need for culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate services that can effectively support multicultural populations with disabilities in achieving employment goals.