Vocational Rehabilitation Impartial Hearing Officers

The Texas Workforce Commission is requesting qualifications for Impartial Hearing Officers to provide statewide vocational rehabilitation and Business Enterprises of Texas services on an as-needed basis under RFQ 3202600207, with responses due October 27, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time and a pre-solicitation conference on October 5, 2026. Subcontracting is not permitted.

Respondents must have a minimum of two years of professional experience managing complex disputes, evaluating evidence, or presiding over formal proceedings, including dispute resolution, mediation, hearing officer roles, or law practice. IHOs will preside over formal hearings and mediations, conduct pre-hearing conferences, issue written decisions with findings of fact and conclusions of law, and attend mandatory TWC trainings. Service level agreements require conducting hearings within 60 calendar days and issuing written decisions within 30 calendar days of hearing completion.

Compensation is fixed: $125 per hour for IHO services, $50 per hour for travel time (travel exceeding 50 miles round trip from home address only), $200 per day for required training (without travel time compensation), and reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses at Texas state rates with lodging reimbursable only for travel exceeding 80 miles one way. Incidental expenses such as copies, postage, and recording supplies are reimbursable. TWC makes no guarantee of minimum assignments; historical annual compensation has ranged from $700 to $25,000. Invoices must be submitted within 60 days of service delivery (30 days for travel expenses).

The initial contract term is one year with TWC holding the sole option to renew for four additional one-year terms. The contract is contingent upon continued funding availability. Award is anticipated for December 2026. Questions are due October 7, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Central Time.

Respondents must comply with a Data Use Agreement requiring NIST Special Publication 800-53, Revision 5 security standards, cybersecurity training certified by Texas Cyber Command, cyber liability and data breach insurance naming the State of Texas as additional named insured, and breach notification within one clock hour (federal data) or twelve hours (other confidential information). All responses require completion of financial questionnaire, references (minimum three, preferably governmental entities), security and privacy certification, direct deposit authorization, and execution form with disclosure of any sanctions, litigation, or contract defaults within the past five years.