Proposed Sole Source Award To Venture Together Inc. To Provide Just A Buck Employment Program For The Department Of Mental Health - Estimated Amount $164,150

The Just A Buck Employment Program is designed to provide individuals with developmental disabilities, including both students and adults served by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, with opportunities to gain meaningful work experience in a structured, supportive, and safe environment. The program aims to serve up to 15 participants annually across various community-based work sites, facilitating their integration into competitive employment settings. The contract for this program has been awarded as a sole source to Venture Together Inc., with an estimated value of $164,150, and will span one year, covering all counties in New York State. The procurement process was conducted without a competitive solicitation due to the sole-source nature of the award, and interested vendors can register on BidNet Direct to access related documents before the response deadline of January 18, 2024. The contract emphasizes supporting individuals with developmental disabilities in gaining employment experience and fostering independence within community settings. The program is part of the Department of Mental Health initiatives under the New York State organization, with the contract managed by the County of Rockland. For inquiries or further details, the primary contact is Paul Brennan, Director of Purchasing, reachable via email or phone. The project underscores a commitment to enhancing employment opportunities for a vulnerable population through a specialized, supported employment model.