VRS_RFP-Questions/Answers

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RFP-Questions/Answers

Dear VRS Community Partners,

Question and Answer Addendum to RFP

VRS has posted an RFP Addendum with answers to submitted questions regarding the VRS Request for Proposals on DEED’s Competitive Grants and Contracts webpage.

VRS RFP Information Session

Please join us for an information session where we will provide guidance on the RFP, RFP Attachments, and Sample Master Contract.

  • Date: April 25, 2022
  • Time: 9:00 a.m.
  • Register: To join the VRS P/T Contracts RFP Information Session, please register in advance for this meeting at https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsdOusrjkuErQeHOCu96BkNYG0_IzeT-Y. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
  • Accommodations: If you need accommodations for this Information Session, please contact Kim.Babine@state.mn.us.
  • Recording: The Information Session will be recorded and posted to the VRS website along with meeting materials.

The Monday, April 25, 2022 VRS RFP Information Session should not be confused with the Tuesday, April 26, 2022 State Services for the Blind RFP Webinar. More information about the SSB RFP can be found in the VRS posted addendum, or the SSB RFP information posted on DEED’s Competitive Grants and Contracts webpage.

2022 VRS Contracting

All current P/T contracts held by VRS Community Partners expire June 30, 2022. Some VRS Community Partners may have recently started a new contract, though the expiration date for that contract will be no later than June 30, 2022. You can always check your contract document to confirm your contract expiration date.

Each Community Partner must submit a new proposal in response to the new Request for Proposals that was published April 18, 2022. If a Community Partner does not submit a new proposal, that partner’s contract will end June 30, 2022 and VRS will not be able to authorize for services starting July 1, 2022. This may result in a break in services to individuals.

To ensure a contract start date of July 1, 2022, proposals must be received by 4:30 p.m., Monday, May 23, 2022.

The Request for Proposals solicitation published Monday, April 18 is for all VRS Community Partners, not simply new providers. The process to receive a new contract is the same for existing Community Partners and new Community Partners.

All documents for July 2022 Community Partner contracts are published on DEED’s Competitive Grants and Contracts webpage. The Request for Proposals contains information about what is required with a proposal. Please be sure to review the Sample Master P/T Contract language prior to submitting your proposal.

The deadline to ensure a contract start date of July 1, 2022 is 4:30 p.m., Monday, May 23, 2022. VRS will start reviewing proposals received by Monday, May 9 (we can’t review any proposals before that date.) RFP responses are welcome beyond May 23, 2022, but may result in a contract start date later than July 1, 2022.

Questions, Contact Information

  • Please submit questions regarding the RFP via email to me at Kim.Babine@state.mn.us.
  • Please include the following email subject line "VRS RFP Question: (organization name)."
  • Because this is an official RFP, your Community Partnerships Program Specialist contract liaison will not be able to answer questions regarding the RFP or your application during what is called the “initial solicitation period” which goes to May 9, 2021.
  • The official RFP solicitation rules prevent me from replying to your emailed questions individually. All questions are gathered and answered via addendum to the RFP as we’ve done here. This ensures all organizations have access to the information at the same time.

Conclusion

Thank you for all you do!

My best,

Kim

 

Kim Babine

VRS Director of Community Partnerships

651-259-7349

Kim.Babine@state.mn.us