RFP-Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment

Executive Summary The New Hampshire Department of Education, Division of Workforce Innovation, Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation is seeking proposals from vendors who can design and implement a comprehensive statewide needs assessment of the rehabilitation needs of individuals with disability in New Hampshire. Introduction and Background i. The Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation ("Bureau") is responsible for the administration and operation of vocational programs that provide a wide variety of services to individuals with disabilities and to a wide range of ages from students to adults. The Bureau issues this Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals from interested parties to develop and complete an official Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA). The CSNA would assist the Bureau in determining the current state of available programs for individuals with disabilities being served by the Bureau or others. The CSNA would also specifically identify the characteristics of individuals in New Hampshire who are not being served who would benefit from available services if the individuals were aware of their availability. ii. The Rehabilitation Act, as amended, Public Law 105-220, Title IV, Section 101 (a) requires that in order to be eligible to participate in programs under this Title, a State shall submit to the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) a State Plan for vocational rehabilitation services that meets the requirements of this section and includes a CSNA every three years. iii. The Agency intends, through this statewide assessment, to comply with those requirements incumbent upon VR as found in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) 361.29 as described in the Scope of Work of this RFP. iv. The State Plan shall include the results of a CSNA, jointly conducted by New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation and the State Rehabilitation Council every three (3) years, describing the rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities residing within the State, particularly the vocational rehabilitation needs of: 1) Individuals with the most significant disabilities, including their needs for supported employment and transition services; 2) Individuals with disabilities who are minorities and individuals with disabilities that have not been served or who are underserved by the vocational rehabilitation program carried out under this Title; 3) Individuals with disabilities served through other components of the statewide workforce investment system (other than the vocational rehabilitation program), as identified by such individuals and personnel assisting such individuals through the components; (4) Youth with disabilities, and students with disabilities, including their need for preemployment transition services or other transition services; and an assessment of the needs of individuals with disabilities for transition services and pre-employment transition services, and the extent to which such services provided under this part are coordinated with transition services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) in order to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. 5) Include an assessment of the need to establish, develop, or improve community rehabilitation programs within the State; 6) Include state defined populations including Developmental and Cognitive Disabilities, Mental Health; substance addiction and dual diagnosis; and 7) Provide that the State shall submit to the RSA Commissioner a report containing information regarding updates to the assessments for any year in which the State updates the assessments. The CSNA will require analytical fact finding and the understanding of services provided to individuals with disabilities in the State. The CSNA is not just about services and rehabilitation needs of New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation customers, but the rehabilitation needs of the larger statewide system that includes services provided by the Bureau. The CSNA will be available to all Agencies, Agency Partners and the general public. The work must include the total geographic area of the State of New Hampshire. This CSNA, due on September 30, 2025, assessment will assist the Bureau in evaluating its priorities and establishing an action plan to guide future rehabilitation program development. Proposer Inquiry Period Ends 7/21/2023 4PM Final Agency Responses to Proposer Inquiries 8/4/2023 4PM Estimated Date of Approval of Final Contract/Work Begins: October/November 2023 The Agency reserves the right to amend this Schedule at its sole discretion and at any time through a published Addendum.

Division 01 -	General Requirements.
Division 10 -	Specialties.
Division 11 -	Equipment.