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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 04-577

NOTICES

Innovation and Expansion Grant to Provide Coordination and Administration Services for the PA Telecommunications Device Distribution Program; OVR RFP 2004-4

[34 Pa.B. 1862]

   The Department of Labor and Industry, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), under the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Dual Party Relay Service and Telecommunication Device Distribution Program Act (act), announces that competing applications to provide coordination and administration services for the PA Telecommunications Device Distribution Program (TDDP) will be accepted.

   Funding for this competition is under the auspice of the State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation and the OVR, which will serve as administrator and fiscal agent for the grant awarded under this competition. Applications will be written to accomplish the following area of emphasis.

   The TDDP is intended to provide adaptive telecommunication equipment to persons with disabilities who cannot access telecommunication equipment without adaptive equipment. The equipment is provided free of charge to persons who meet the eligibility criteria for disability and income.

   For purposes of this grant award, the TDDP consists of an administrative function and a consumer education function. These two functions have separate funding sources. It is anticipated that the Consumer Education funding will be limited to approximately the level of past years; that funding has been under $70,000 annually.

   The award recipient of this grant will be responsible for administering the TDDP in accordance with the act and guidelines established by the OVR.

   The specific objectives of this grant competition are:

   *  To distribute, accept and process applications for the TDDP and determine eligibility of the persons submitting applications.

   *  Order appropriate equipment for distribution to eligible persons and approve payment of the equipment through a third party.

   *  Provide training to the recipient on the equipment purchased, as needed.

   *  Solicit bids and enter contracts with successful bidders on an annual basis for the equipment as to maintain an approved vendor listing or equipment likely to be purchased.

   *  Prepare and submit a monthly invoice to the OVR.

   *  Prepare and submit a quarterly and final report of activities to the OVR.

   *  Prepare and submit a draft annual budget estimate to the OVR.

   *  Keep abreast of new and current equipment suitable for the TDDP.

   *  Ensure the presence of a website with a printable application.

Service Information

   This competition will result in one award and funding for a 1-year period, beginning October 1, 2004, with an option for the OVR to renew the award for three successive 1-year periods. Activities allowable under this grant competition include those noted in the previous section.

   The successful applicant will enter a contract with the OVR to serve as the Commonwealth's agent administering coordinative and administrative services, as described.

   For purposes of this competition, an eligible applicant is an individual, a for-profit or nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth or a government agency or political subdivision experienced in effectively managing and operating an eligibility-based equipment distribution program.

   A successful applicant must be able to demonstrate the effectiveness of previous experience in its grant application.

Application Information

   Applications received by 5 p.m. on May 7, 2004, which are complete and conform to established specifications, will be accepted for review. Applications submitted after this date and time will be ineligible for consideration.

   Applications will be evaluated by a panel of reviewers convened for that purpose.

   The effective dates for the contract will be October 1, 2004, through September 30, 2005. Final awards made through this competition are subject to the approval of the Executive Director of the OVR.

   A complete application package for RFP 2004-4, which includes more detailed information, is available by contacting Jacqueline B. Lucas, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Contracts and Grants Management Section, 1521 North Sixth Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102, (717) 787-7016, fax:  (717) 705-9345, TDD:  (717) 787-4885.

Pre-Proposal Conference

   A pre-proposal conference to deal specifically with technical questions regarding applications will be held for applicants on Thursday, April 15, 2004, at 1:30 p.m. at the OVR Central Office, 1521 North Sixth St., Harrisburg, PA. Copies of the application package will also be available at the pre-proposal conference.

   Persons planning to attend the pre-proposal conference who have special needs that should be considered to participate fully should contact Jacqueline B. Lucas at the previous telephone number at least 1 week before the pre-proposal conference.

STEPHEN M. SCHMERIN,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 04-577. Filed for public inspection April 2, 2004, 9:00 a.m.]


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