STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
153 HALSEY STREET, POBOX 47017
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07101
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to assist the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired to develop a Request for Proposal (RFP) to provide Assistive/Adaptive Technology training to visually impaired and blind children and adults and children who are multi-impaired.
Judith Liebman
973-693-5025
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to assist the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) in developing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to provide Assistive/Adapative Technology training to visually impaired and blind children and adults and children who are multi impaired. As a preliminary step to this process, this RFI seeks responses from entities that perform such services on an individual,district, county, region or statewide basis and from other interested, relevant parties that may have information helpful to this RFP.
CBVI is issuing this RFI in order to identify qualified vendors as well as developing a price analysis for contracted technology services. We are seeking to establish prices for a variety of services based on a price analysis using criteria as detailed in the Department of Human Services Contract Reimbursement Manual (CRM 3.2) so that CBVI can analyze the “going price” for each service in question. This includes information about costs for assistive/adaptive technology training and evaluation for students, assistive/adaptive technology training for adults; assistive/adaptive technology services to children that are multiply impaired (MI).
In addition, we are seeking information on the qualifications of trainers, agency experience with individuals who are blind and visually impaired, agency experience providing services to children and adults that are disabledand geographic areas served.
We are requesting that you assist CBVI in determining prices for providing the services stated below as well as determining vendors who may qualify to become CBVI service providers.
CBVI is planning to issue an RFP to seek qualified contractors to provide multi-tiered, creative applications and training approaches and options to CBVI consumers seeking assistive technology training.
BACKGROUND
The New Jersey Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CBVI) is the designated State agency to provide rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. CBVI is committed to assisting individuals within the State who have visual impairments to achieve their maximum potential and full integration into the mainstream of social and economic life of the community. CBVI promotes and provides services in the areas of education, employment, independent living and eye health through informed choice and partnership with persons who are blind or visually impaired and their families and community.
The Commission recognizes three major thrusts in carrying out this mission which are (1) providing specialized services to persons with vision problems, (2) educating and working in the community to reduce the incidence of vision loss and (3) to improve attitudes concerning people with vision loss.
CBVI provides educational services from birth through high school years to eligible children and their families. These services are designed to allow students who are visually impaired to participate equally with other students in regular classroom activities. Equipment is loaned to stsudents’through the Commission’s GeorgeFMeyerInstructionalResourceCenter.
CBVI offers special services to children who are multiply impaired to help meet their special needs. This includes children who have difficulty with both vision and hearing, as well as children who are visually impaired and have other disabilities. These services include assessing the level of the child’s impairment, consulting with family members, teaching staff, and loaning the district special adaptive equipment and materials. The equipment is loaned through the Commission’s GeorgeF.MeyerInstructionalResourceCenter.
Vocational Rehabilitation services assists adults who are blind or visuallyimpaired in the development, acquisition or updating of skills that will enable them to secure and maintain employment including working in the labor force, operating their own business, supportive employment or managing their own home. These individuals include college students who have some knowledge of technology, to those going from visual to non-visual computer users, to individuals in job jeopardy because of their vision impairment
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
CBVI has for the past 18 years contracted with several organizations to provide the following services. Most of the services indicated below are provided on an individual basis in the field at the client’s school, home or worksite for example
For Students: Evaluation of individual child’s technology needs;
Training in use of assistive/adaptive technology;
And,installation and interface with the student’s home or classroom situation.
For Adults:Providing assistive/adaptive technology training for adults in educational settings, colleges, training programs, or on the job;
And, installation and integration of the technology into the adult’s workplace, home or office..
NOTE: CBVI has staff that provides the evaluation and technology recommendations for adults in the VR program.
For children that are multi impaired:
The goal is to provide communication technology for those children that are multi impaired. This includes evaluation of needs, working with teachers, parents, children and school personnel in use of the technology.
DISCLAIMER
Please note that this is a Request for Information (RFI), not a Request for Proposal (RFP). Responses to this RFI will not lead directly to a contractual relationship between a provider agency and the State of New Jersey, Department of Human Services or the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. It is anticipated that the information received in response to this RFI will be used to develop appropriate documentation in support of future contracts. While it is anticipated that many of the respondents to this RFI will be potential contractors, CBVI solicits information from any interested party on the topics described above.
SUBMISSIONS IN RESPONSE TO THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
Responses to this RFI must be directed to:
New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
153 Halsey Street, PO Box 47017
Newark, New Jersey07101
Attention: Judith Liebman
973/693-5025
Responses to this RFI must be received no later than Tuesday, December 7, 2011 via mail or email.
NOTE TO RESPONDERS: PLEASE ANSWER ONLY THOSE
QUESTIONS THAT APPLY TO YOUR PROGRAM
WE APPRECIATE YOUR HELP.
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION RESPONSE FORMAT
Organization Name
Address
Contact Person, Title
Phone, email, other contact information.
Brief description of your organization’s goals and mission statement
Qualifications
Does your organization presently provide assistive/adaptive technology for:
Children
Adults
Multi Impaired.
Does your agency presently provide these services to people who are blind or visually impaired?
What State(s)/counties/areas do you serve?
Do you have other contracts/agreements with the State of NJ, with another State, with School districts or other entities? If so, please indicate what services your organization provides and the dollar amount of these contracts
What are the qualifications of staff that providethe assistive/adaptive technology services to people with disabilities?with visual impairments?
What is your training staff/client ratio?
What curriculum do you use? Have you utilized on-line computer training?
What are your training hours? Do you have the ability to provide services to clients afternoons, evenings, weekends?
Costs Analysis
Do you have a price list? If so, please submit. In addition, please provide the following
Do you charge an hourly fee or other predetermined fee to provide specified services?
If so, please indicate below
What is the average cost for an evaluation for a student?
Or fee for evaluating a student per hour?
What is the average cost for training a student?
Or fee for training a student per hour?
What is the average cost for training an adult?
Or fee for training an adult per hour?
What is the average cost for integration and installation of equipment?
Or fee for integration and installation of equipment
For a student?
For an adult?
Cost for providing services to a student who is multi impaired; per service, per hour?
Additional Comments
We encourage your comments and ideas for best providing creative assistive technology services indicated in this RFI.
Feel free to attach any other information or materials to this submission that you believe would be helpful.
Thank you for your assistance.
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