2026 Nebraska VR Summer Transition Program

Location:	Nebraska
Posted:	Jan 8, 2026
Due:	Feb 24, 2026
Agency:	State Government of Nebraska
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	A - Research and development R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

NEBRASKA VR 2026 SUMMER TRANSITION PROGRAM

RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 8, 2026

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 24, 2026

Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is soliciting proposals for up to $49,000 for the development

and implementation of innovative short-term programs focused on Work-Based Learning Experiences

for students with disabilities during the summer of 2026. Nebraska VR intends to contract with

qualified applicants for up to four (4) months to develop and implement Work-Based Learning

Experiences for eligible and potentially eligible students with disabilities, aged 14-21 years old

enrolled during the 2026-2027 school year.

Proposal requirements are available at http://www.vr.nebraska.gov. Proposals are due by 5 pm CT on

2/24/2026 to Nebraska VR at lupe.stevens@nebraska.gov.

Nebraska VR will host an Informational Meeting for those interested in submitting a proposal to

address questions about the proposal requirements.

When: Wednesday, January 22, 2026

Time: 3:30-4:30 pm CT/2:30-3:30 pm MT

Attend via Zoom at the following link:

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://educationne.zoom.us/j/94389806546?pwd=UMZXWQmroBugYOQNoAEjxPCxfAdXRs.1

If you require accommodations for the Informational Meeting, contact Lupe Stevens,

lupe.stevens@nebraska.gov, at least three (3) days ahead of the meeting.

NEBRASKA VR

2026 SUMMER TRANSITION PROGRAM

RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 8, 2026

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 24, 2026

Intent

Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is seeking proposals for the development and

implementation of summer transition programs focused on providing work-based learning

experiences for students with disabilities during the summer of 2026. Proposals cannot exceed

$49,000.

Nebraska VR intends to award contracts to ensure students from across the state are provided an

opportunity to participate in a summer program. Programs must occur between April 1, 2026 and July

31, 2026. The selected contractor(s) will be responsible for designing and delivering a work-based

learning experience(s) to eligible and potentially eligible students with disabilities, aged 14–21 years

old who will be enrolled in school during the 2026–2027 school year.

As a state-federal vocational rehabilitation agency, Nebraska VR operates with a dual-customer

approach supporting individuals with disabilities in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining

competitive integrated employment, while also assisting businesses in recruiting, training, and

retaining employees with disabilities.

Nebraska VR receives 78.7 percent of its funding through a U.S. Department of Education grant. As

of September 2025, the total amount of federal funds awarded for FFY 25 were $23,606,598. The

remaining 21.3 percent of the costs ($6,389,079) are funded by State of Nebraska appropriation. In

accordance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), VR agencies are required to

allocate at least 15% of their federal grant award ($3,540,990) to Pre-Employment Transition

Services (Pre-ETS). This solicitation of proposals represents one of several Pre-ETS initiatives.

Funding is contingent on the availability of federal dollars.

Schedule

• Notice of Solicitation for Proposals: 1/08/2026

• Informational Meeting via Zoom: 1/22/2026, 3:30-4:30 pm CT/2:30-3:30 pm MT

• Proposal Due Date: 2/24/2026 @ 5 pm CT

• Notification of Selected Proposals: 3/20/2026

Qualified Applicants

Any Nebraska-based agency, business or organization interested in providing a work-based learning

experience to students with disabilities.

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Goal

The goal of the Summer Transition Program is to support the development of experiences for

students with disabilities, centered on work-based learning experiences. These experiences should

include exposure to Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career Fields and Career Clusters,

https://www.education.ne.gov/nce/careerdevelopment/nce-career-fields-career-clusters/, that are both

aligned with students’ interests and correspond to High Wage, High Skill, High Demand (H3)

Occupations within their community,

https://neworks.nebraska.gov/vosnet/gsipub/documentView.aspx?enc=oduMpwMRTIQnt7W7WO2/E

w==.

The work-based learning experience(s) should be the focus of the Summer Transition Program;

however, proposals may incorporate workplace readiness training to prepare the students for

participation in the work-based learning activities.

Definitions

1. Work-Based Learning Experiences (WBLE). Explore and develop career readiness and

employability skills through real-world, community-based experiences. Examples of eligible

activities include job shadowing, workplace tours, informational interviews, and paid or unpaid

work-based learning experiences provided in an integrated setting.

2. Workplace Readiness Training. Assist students in developing employability and independent

living skills while enhancing their understanding of workplace communication, interpersonal

skills, and employment expectations. Examples of eligible activities include managing

disclosure, how to request workplace accommodations, instruction in employability skills, job

seeking skills, financial literacy, and transportation training.

Targeted Population

Students with disabilities, aged 14-21 years enrolled in school during the 2026-2027 school year are

eligible. All students who participate in programs MUST have either:

1. A signed Nebraska VR Pre-Employment Transition Services Consent and Information

Release form; or

2. Applied for Nebraska VR services PRIOR to the beginning of the Summer Transition Program.

Assurance

Include a statement of assurance of the applicant’s ability to comply with the terms laid out in the

attached Standard Addenda to NDE Contract.

Proposals that do not include the above requirements will not be considered for scoring.

PROPOSAL AND BUDGET NARRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

Proposals must present information in the following order:

Name of Applicant:

Contact Person:

Address:

Phone Number:

E-mail:

Website:

Federal Tax Identification Number (FTIN):

Signatory Authority (Name/Email):

Proposal Narrative (55 points):

Partnership with local VR Service Office(s) is required in the planning and implementation of the

proposal. Provide a description of how the VR Service Office, https://vr.nebraska.gov/offices/, was

included in the planning of the proposed program;

The program should include exposure to Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career Fields and

Career Clusters, https://www.education.ne.gov/nce/careerdevelopment/nce-career-fields-career-

clusters/. Explain how the program will give students exposure to Career and Technical Education

(CTE) Career Fields and Career Clusters that are aligned with students’ interests and correspond to

High Wage, High Skill, High Demand (H3) Occupations within their community,

https://neworks.nebraska.gov/vosnet/gsipub/documentView.aspx?enc=oduMpwMRTIQnt7W7WO2/E

w==;

Provide a detailed description of the proposed program focusing on work-based learning

experience(s) and how it will prepare students with disabilities for competitive integrated employment;

Explain in detail how the program will work, and describe the work-based learning experience(s) and

workplace readiness activities that will be provided and the goal of each activity; include specific

measurable steps (objectives) that will be taken to reach the goals;

Indicate the number of students with disabilities to be served and explain how the number was

determined, e.g. based on referral data, historical participation, staffing, etc.;

Describe in detail the marketing outreach plan to recruit students with disabilities, ages 14-21 years

old and how the local VR Service Office will be included in identifying participants;

Provide a list of school districts, locations or communities to be served;

List actual start date and end date for the program (between April 1, 2026 – July 31, 2026); these

dates will be used on the contract so should include any time needed to develop the program and

prepare/submit final reports.

Personnel (10 points):

Provide a brief overview of the organization;

Describe the experience and qualifications of key personnel involved in the program.

Work Plan (20 points):

Provide an estimated schedule and narrative for program development. Examples include planning

phase, staff recruitment, material purchases;

Describe the tool/process to be used to track the time spent in each work-based learning experience

and workplace readiness activity for students and staff. The tool must allow time certification for each

student/staff for each work-based learning experience and workplace readiness activity provided.

Coordination of Services (30 points):

Describe the process that will be used for coordinating with the Nebraska VR Service Office on

student referrals and progress reporting activities;

Describe the process and steps that will be taken to ensure this coordination will continue during the

implementation of the program including the roles and responsibilities of VR and the contractor;

Describe consultation and any other involvement with local workforce development boards, one stop

centers, employers or local Career and Technical Education programs including utilizing existing

community partnerships or establishing new partnerships to support workplace learning for students

with disabilities.

Evaluation Report (60 points):

Describe how each of the following will be collected/evaluated:

1. The work-based learning experience and workplace readiness activities delivered including

successes and barriers;

2. Information that prevented services from being provided as outlined in the proposal;

3. Completed activities, outcomes, and any identified areas of growth or barriers identified for

each participating student;

4. The measures to be used to track and evaluate whether the proposed goal(s) and objectives

were met;

5. The process for gathering feedback from the students that participated in the program

including a student reflection that includes:

• Work Environment: A description of the department and/or worksite where the experience

was completed;

• Roles and Responsibilities: A summary of the key tasks, activities or projects the student

engaged in during the work-based learning experience;

• Evaluation of Experience: A summary of the positive aspects and challenges the student

encountered during the work-based learning experience;

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Project Documents	Date Posted	Document Format(s)
Request for Proposal:	01/08/26	PDF