Temporary Professional Staff Services 2

The South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) has issued RFP13379 for Temporary Professional Staff Services 2, seeking professional services to support activities across multiple state programs including Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, TANF, LIEAP, Child Care Services, Child Protection Services, and Behavioral Health Services. The RFP covers seven primary service areas: Information Systems, Provider Reimbursement and Financial Analysis, Policy and Program Implementation, Project Management Support, Subject Matter Expertise Consulting, Administrative Support, and Communication Services. Vendors must demonstrate proven experience in their proposed service areas, with specific capabilities including information system development, rate setting methodologies, policy implementation, project management, and administrative support. Proposals are due by March 13, 2025, at 5 PM, with a Letter of Intent requested by February 13, 2025. The contract period will run from May 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026, with work orders issued on an as-needed basis. Vendors must submit hourly rates for professional resource categories, with travel expenses to be reimbursed separately at state rates. Inquiries about the RFP must be emailed to Kirsten.Blachford@state.sd.us with the subject line RFP13379 Inquiries, and all questions and responses will be posted on the state's e-procurement system and DSS website.

The RFP does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types, allowing broad participation from professional services firms. Current vendors under the existing RFP8461 are prohibited from submitting proposals to change rates. Vendors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverages, including Commercial General Liability, Professional Liability, Business Automobile Liability, and Worker's Compensation Insurance. The solicitation includes mandatory IT contract terms from the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications (BIT), which require stringent data security protocols, including AES256 encryption, multifactor authentication, annual risk assessments, and specific security incident notification procedures. Vendors must also comply with restrictions on using hardware/software from banned entities and ensure data storage within the continental United States. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the broad scope of services suggests potential for significant contract value across multiple professional service categories. The RFP indicates that most work will be based on hourly costs, with potential for limited fixed-bid proposals on specific projects.