REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL to Vend Services to State Services for the Blind

Description: Date Posted: June 8, 2026 As of July 1, 2025, certain terms are unenforceable in state contracts per applicable session law. Proposals for the initial evaluation period (21-day publication) must be received by 4:30 p.m., Central Time, Monday, June 29, 2026. This Request for Proposals will remain open on the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and Department of Administration Office of State Procurement (OSP) websites. RFP responses are welcome beyond the initial evaluation period and will be considered on an as needed basis. Late responses will not be considered after 4:30 p.m. Monday, November 30, 2026 (Close Date). Minnesota's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: The State of Minnesota is committed to diversity and inclusion in its public procurement process. The goal is to ensure that those providing goods and services to the State are representative of Minnesota communities and include businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and those with substantial physical disabilities. The Department of Administration operates a program for Minnesota-based small businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and those with substantial physical disabilities; contact information is provided in the solicitation materials. Special Notice: This is a request for proposal. It does not obligate the State of Minnesota to award a contract or complete the proposed program, and the State reserves the right to cancel this solicitation if it is considered in its best interest. Procurement Overview and Goals: The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), State Services for the Blind (SSB) requests applications to provide Adjustment To Blindness (ATB) and other rehabilitation training, employment-related services, and pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) to applicants and eligible blind, low vision and DeafBlind customers. "Applicants" refers to individuals who have applied for services through the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program and have not yet been determined eligible. The goal of this project is that SSB customers have available community resources that DEED will purchase on their behalf so that they may achieve vocational and personal independence. The pool of resources should be sufficient to offer customers a breadth of choices from which to make informed selections. This RFP will result in multiple contracts awarded to qualified responders to meet the State's needs. Sample Tasks and Deliverables: Tasks and deliverables include, but are not limited to: - Operate a comprehensive adjustment to blindness center providing braille, rehabilitation teaching, orientation and mobility, assistive technology training, and related services and programs on a full-time and part-time basis; housing may also be included. - Provide itinerant or group training services in braille, rehabilitation teaching, orientation and mobility, and assistive technology. - Provide specialized employment-related training services and employment placement services under a performance based agreement. - Provide ProTactile/Haptic and Tactile American Sign Language training. - Provide keyboarding training and other rehabilitation services. - Provide Pre-Employment Transition Services to students aged 14-21 on a program, group, or itinerant basis. Contractors will work closely with DEED personnel and services will be part of the customer’s employment plan. Responders must provide any license agreements, maintenance agreements, or other terms and conditions relevant to work under a resulting contract for State review and approval prior to contract execution. Anticipated Contract Term: The contract term is anticipated to begin in August 2026 or upon full execution of the contract, whichever is later, and will end on or before June 30, 2027, with no option for extension. Evaluation Procedure and Criteria: Evaluation will occur in three phases: Phase 1 (responsiveness and pass/fail requirements), Phase 2 (evaluation on criteria with scoring), and Phase 3 (select finalists). Scoring factors include Qualifications and Experience (600 points), References (300 points), and Cost Proposal (100 points) for a total of 1000 points. The State will make selections based on best value and may award multiple contracts. Additional Solicitation Terms: The solicitation contains provisions on unenforceable contract terms, competition, addenda, data security (foreign outsourcing prohibited), joint ventures, withdrawing responses, rights reserved by the State, samples and demonstrations, data privacy during evaluation, trade secret handling, conditions of offer (costs and terms firm for 180 days unless otherwise approved), award discretion, and requirements prior to contract execution (such as insurance and other submittals). Federal funding percentages and amounts for relevant SSB programs are summarized in the solicitation.