Impartial Hearing Officers

Background
The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) is seeking to establish contracts with qualified bidders to provide hearing officer services for its Vocational Rehabilitation Programs. This includes participants from DARS, the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center, the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI), and the Randolph Sheppard Vending Facility Program.

The purpose of this solicitation is to ensure that individuals have access to impartial hearings regarding decisions affecting their vocational rehabilitation services, as mandated by the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Work Details
The contractor will be responsible for conducting vocational rehabilitation hearings within 60 calendar days of receiving a written request. Specific responsibilities include:
- Scheduling hearings within 10 days of assignment
- Notifying participants and agency representatives
- Conducting pre-hearing conferences
- Avoiding ex parte communications
- Documenting outcomes of pre-hearing conferences
- Recording hearings verbatim
- Rendering written reports within 30 days post-hearing.

The contractor must comply with all relevant laws and regulations governing confidentiality and impartiality. Additionally, they will conduct full evidentiary hearings for blind vendors under the Randolph Sheppard Act, ensuring timely scheduling and notification while maintaining order during proceedings.

Period of Performance
The initial contract period will commence upon award for a duration of twelve (12) months, with four (4) optional one-year renewal periods available.

Place of Performance
Services will be performed primarily in Virginia or in a geographically adjacent state no more than 25 miles from the Virginia border.

Bidder Requirements
Bidders must not be employees of public agencies or members of the State Rehabilitation Council. They should have knowledge of vocational rehabilitation services and relevant federal/state regulations. Bidders must also demonstrate no personal or financial conflicts of interest and must be willing to obtain notary public authority if not already certified.