STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PLAN

The South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for a Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA), required by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and mandated to be conducted every three years. The procurement seeks a contractor to perform a mixed-methods research project assessing agency performance, needs of individuals with significant disabilities and vision impairments, underserved populations, youth transition services, and community rehabilitation program requirements. Deliverables include a final report with findings and actionable recommendations, utilizing quantitative and qualitative data collection methods such as electronic and hard copy surveys, focus groups, and key informant interviews. Contractors must conduct on-site research visits to all eight SCCB offices statewide, review existing agency data, and perform stakeholder interviews. Key qualifications include demonstrated experience completing CSNA based on Rehabilitation Services Administration guidelines, access to qualified staff with RSA CSNA experience, and immediate work readiness. The solicitation specified a contract period from May 25, 2022, through May 24, 2023, with bid submissions due by May 24, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. via the online procurement system. Bidder questions were required by May 18, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., and award notification was scheduled for May 25, 2022.

The solicitation permitted only single offers and included South Carolina resident vendor and subcontractor preferences that could be claimed in the bid. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly mentioned. The previous CSNA was completed by the San Diego Research Foundation in 2019, indicating no current incumbent. The procurement utilized the AWARE case management system, though specific integration requirements were not detailed. While no explicit budget range was provided, the contract was valued at $50,000 or more, as evidenced by the mandatory Drug-Free Workplace Act affidavit requirement for contracts at that threshold. Award criteria specified selection of the lowest responsible and responsive bidder meeting mandatory qualifications, which included submitting signed cover pages, qualifications documentation, past CSNA report examples, two years of financial statements, three reference contracts, and a Drug Free Affidavit. Notably, the solicitation ultimately resulted in no bids being received, leading to the cancellation of the award process.