RFQ- ACUITY ASSESSMENT

The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SCDDSN) issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for consulting services focused on conducting comprehensive acuity assessments. The procurement seeks a highly qualified consultant to perform research and analysis of peer-reviewed literature regarding acuity assessment methodologies, landscape usage assessments, and development of research-based recommendations for best practices in assessment approaches. Prospective offerors must demonstrate substantial expertise through advanced educational credentials, specifically requiring doctorate-level professionals with specialized backgrounds in measurement, statistical analysis, evaluation, psychiatry, medical evaluation, and extensive experience working with individuals with disabilities across childhood and adult populations. The RFQ represents the first phase of a two-phase procurement process, with an evaluation panel ranking offerors based on qualifications, experience, and performance capabilities, with at least the top two qualified respondents advancing to the Invitation for Bid (IFB) phase. Key procurement dates include a mandatory pre-bid meeting on March 14, 2022, at 10:00 AM via Teams, a March 15, 2022, 10:00 AM deadline for written questions, and a qualification submission deadline of March 23, 2022, at 11:00 AM EST, with short-listing notification tentatively scheduled for March 28, 2022.

The RFQ does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The selected consultant will be required to complete research within six weeks of the kick-off meeting and participate in biweekly progress meetings, with an additional expectation of serving as a technical advisor during a subsequent pilot and implementation phase. Respondents must submit one original hard copy in searchable format, accompanied by audited financial statements for the past three years, current financial documentation, details of business relationships or recent mergers, information about any contract defaults or cancellations, and disclosure of legal actions or sanctions within the previous seven years. While no specific award value or budget range is explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the assessment and the requirement for doctorate-level expertise suggests a substantial professional services contract. The State reserves the right to reject any or all responses and can discontinue the procurement process at any point prior to contract execution. No incumbent vendors or existing technological infrastructure requirements were identified in the provided documentation.