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Inside the QRF Program

Inside the QRF Program. A look at the history, procedures and benefits of using Qualified Rehabilitation Facility products and services. History of the Products of Individuals with Disabilities Law. 1939: Wagner-O’Day Act passes Co-ops form to educate children with developmental disabilities

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Inside the QRF Program

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  1. Inside the QRF Program A look at the history, procedures and benefits of using Qualified Rehabilitation Facility products and services By Corey Jeppesen

  2. History of the Products of Individuals with Disabilities Law • 1939: Wagner-O’Day Act passes • Co-ops form to educate children with developmental disabilities • 1971: Senator Javits amends Federal Act, creating JWOD • 1977: Representative Frohnmayer introduces ORA bill and it passes unanimously

  3. Policy of the Products of Individuals with Disabilities Law • ORS 279.840: The purpose of ORS 279.835 to 279.855, 279A.025 (4) and 279C.335 is to further the policy of this state to encourage and assist individuals with disabilities to achieve maximum personal independence through useful and productive gainful employment by assuring an expanded and constant market for sheltered workshop and activity center products and services, thereby enhancing their dignity and capacity for self-support and minimizing their dependence on welfare and need for costly institutionalization.

  4. Statute • PDIL:ORS 279 .835-.855 • Exemptions:ORS 279A.025(4)ORS 279C.335(1)(a)

  5. What is a QRF? • Non-profit 501(c)3 • Employs Oregonians with disabilities • Approved annually by Oregon Department of Administrative Services • 75% of all direct labor hours performed by persons with disabilities

  6. Why doesn’t a QRF have to compete? • Studies repeatedly show long-term financial benefits to society of employing individuals with disabilities • The special employment supports and training provided by QRFs to persons with disabilities add significant expense to the labor they provide • It’s the law: ORS 279.850 calls for “close cooperation” between QRFs and public contracting agencies

  7. When to do business with a QRF Public Agencies are always obligated to purchase from a QRF when: • the desired goods and services are on the QRF Procurement List; • they meet agency specifications; and • they are available when the agency needs them

  8. How does an item get on the QRF Procurement List? • QRF must be in good standing • DAS pre-screens each item through a Suitability Determination QRF submits a mini business plan that documents price, quality assurance, delivery timelines, etc.

  9. The process: how to buy from a QRF • Agency identifies product or service on the QRF Procurement List • Agency contacts QRF to see if they can meet specifications and timelines • Agency and QRF negotiate and agree on price • Agency sends signed “Request for Approval of Price Determination” to DAS • QRF sends “QRF Costing Workbook” to DAS • DAS approves/sets the price • Work commences after approval

  10. QRF Workbooks • Tie specifications to costs • Give clearer understanding of the QRF’s perspective • Answer the “how did you get to that price” question • You may or may not want to see them

  11. State Procurement Website http://www.oregon.gov/DAS/SSD/SPO/qrf-menu.shtml

  12. QRF Procurement List http://dasapp.oregon.gov/qrf/index.aspx

  13. QRF Procurement ListSearch by Service http://dasapp.oregon.gov/qrf/SearchBySrv.aspx

  14. QRF Costing Workbook http://www.oregon.gov/DAS/SSD/SPO/docs/qrf/janitorial_grounds_maintenance.xls

  15. ORA’s QRF Page http://www.oregonrehabilitation.org/qrf/index.html

  16. What if… • I already sent out bids but forgot to check the QRF Procurement List first, and now a QRF has contacted me? • There is more than one QRF in my area that offers a specific service? • The QRF’s price is more than I have in my budget? • I did business with a QRF years ago and didn’t have a successful experience? • The people working on the QRF contract don’t “look” disabled? • We’re contracting under our delegated purchasing authority? • A QRF contractor is not meeting the contract specifications?

  17. (Some of) the benefits of contracting with a QRF • Bypass formal competitive bid process • Long term relationships • Negotiate and renegotiate specs to work within budgets • Employ Oregonians with disabilities, turning them into first-time tax payers

  18. DAS Contact Information • Patty BeansState Procurement Analyst503.373.0975patty.beans@state.or.us • Darvin PierceState Procurement Analyst503.378.3690darvin.pierce@state.or.us

  19. ORA Contact Information • Corey JeppesenDirector, QRF Marketing & Development503.585.3337cjeppesen@oregonrehabilitation.org • Bruce GordonDirector, QRF Services503.585.3337bgordon@oregonrehabilitation.org

  20. Final thought…

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