UI Technology Modernization Roadmap

Background
The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) is seeking a qualified contractor to develop a comprehensive technology roadmap for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. This initiative is funded by a legislative proviso from the 2025 session, aimed at evaluating current UI technology systems, identifying challenges, and recommending future enhancements to improve service delivery for claimants, employers, and staff.

The project is critical due to the increasing strain on aging systems and evolving federal requirements.

Work Details
The contractor will be responsible for:
1. Discovery & Stakeholder Engagement: Conducting interviews and workshops with ESD internal teams, customers, and relevant partners.
2. System & Business Capability Assessment: Documenting current UI systems, identifying challenges and gaps, and mapping business capabilities.
3. Vision and Recommendations: Defining a future state vision aligned with ESD’s goals, recommending enhancements, and prioritizing them based on urgency and impact.
4. Roadmap Development: Creating a sequenced roadmap with timelines, dependencies, risks, and strategies for implementation.
5. Cost Estimation: Providing detailed cost estimates for each recommendation including implementation costs and ongoing operational expenses.

Period of Performance
The anticipated initial term of the contract will run from June 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026.

Place of Performance
The contract will be performed in Washington State.

Bidder Requirements
Bidders must be licensed to do business in Washington State and comply with data safeguards as outlined in the sample contract. They should demonstrate experience in analyzing technology systems for government agencies and possess expertise in modern technology approaches suitable for public sector environments.