TANF Tribal Collaboration

The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Economic Assistance Section, is soliciting proposals under solicitation SRC000483 for a qualified vendor to facilitate collaboration between the state government and federally recognized tribal nations. The primary objective is to strengthen partnerships and develop culturally responsive strategies for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Key deliverables include facilitating two annual meetings between state TANF administrators and tribal leaders, conducting assessments of outreach and service delivery, integrating TANF Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) and Tribal Native Employment Works (NEW) programs, and creating toolkits and guides for TANF workers. The successful vendor will be required to travel within North Dakota, including to rural and tribal communities, for up to 15 days per year. The contract is intended to run from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2028, with a total budget not to exceed 100,000 dollars; proposals exceeding this amount will be deemed non-responsive. The state maintains the option to extend the contract by up to 12 months and renew it for up to three additional 24-month periods. Proposals are evaluated on a 100-point scale, with 30 points each allocated to the understanding of the scope of work, the management plan, and experience and qualifications, while the remaining 10 points are based on cost. In the event of a tie, preference is given to resident North Dakota bidders. Proposals must be submitted electronically via the NDBuys portal by November 11, 2026.