SD Department of Human Services -National Core Indicators

The South Dakota Department of Human Services is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to secure a contractor for conducting three National Core Indicators (NCI) surveys: NCI-Aging and Disabilities (NCI-AD), NCI-Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities In-Person (NCI-IDD), and NCI-National Family (NCI-NF). The selected vendor will be responsible for full survey administration, including recruiting and training qualified field staff, coordinating logistics, and conducting in-person or virtual interviews with program participants. The primary objective is to measure and track the quality and outcomes of home and community-based services (HCBS) from the perspectives of older adults, adults with physical disabilities, adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and families of children with developmental disabilities. The contractor must complete a minimum of 400 surveys per survey type, ensuring data collection complies with Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) specifications and maintaining high standards of confidentiality, cultural competence, and accessibility. Proposals are due by December 1, 2025, with the contract period anticipated to run from February 1, 2026, to December 31, 2030. The evaluation process will subjectively assess proposals based on specialized expertise, technical competence, available resources, past performance, project management techniques, and ability to handle project constraints.

The RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The document indicates that the State reserves the right to reject any proposals and will negotiate with the highest-ranked offeror to refine the scope of services, terms, and compensation. While no incumbent vendor is identified, the contract is contingent on the continued availability of appropriated funds, with the State retaining the ability to terminate the agreement if funding becomes unavailable. The total contract amount is not specified in the document, and offerors are advised to provide recommended billing milestones in their cost proposals. Prospective contractors must submit cost proposals separately, with clear itemization distinguishing costs for each survey type (NCI-AD, NCI-IDD, and NCI-NF). Interested parties may email inquiries for clarification, with a strict deadline for questions prior to the proposal submission date. The contract aims to support South Dakota's commitment to continuous quality improvement in HCBS programs by utilizing nationally benchmarked data to inform policy, program design, and service delivery.