Telecommunications Access Program (TAP) & DPRS

Background

The Kansas Corporation Commission is issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) to establish the Kansas Telecommunications Access Program (TAP) and the Kansas Dual Party Relay Service (DPRS/TRS). This initiative aims to provide essential telecommunications services to the hearing and visually-impaired communities in Kansas, ensuring they have equal access to communication services.

Work Details

The contractor will be responsible for providing comprehensive telecommunications services under the TAP and DPRS programs. This includes but is not limited to: 1. Establishing and maintaining a relay service that enables communication between individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired and those who can hear and speak. 2. Ensuring that all services provided are compliant with applicable federal and state regulations regarding accessibility for individuals with disabilities. 3. Providing training and support for users of the relay service, including outreach efforts to educate the community about available resources. 4. Regular reporting on service usage, customer satisfaction, and compliance with performance metrics as defined in the contract.

Period of Performance

The contract will commence upon final signature and will last for three years, with an option to renew for two additional twelve-month periods.

Place of Performance

The services will be performed within the state of Kansas, specifically targeting areas with significant populations of hearing and visually-impaired individuals.

Bidder Requirements

Bidders must comply with specific requirements including: 1. Certification that they are not currently engaged in a boycott of goods or services from Israel as per HB 2482. 2. Compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA). 3. Submission of a Tax Clearance Certificate from the Kansas Department of Revenue prior to contract award. 4. Acknowledgment of adherence to policies regarding sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation as mandated by state law.