Helen Keller International
Request for Proposal for Consulting Services

OPTOMETRIST

US Vision Program, New Jersey

(Greater Newark, New Jersey)
NATURE of SERVICES: Provide vision assessment to program participants (students and
vulnerable populations) within targeted communities. The program model includes an initial
visual acuity screening, refraction assessment, provision of eyeglasses, and/or referral for
additional care.
CONTRACTING ENTITY: Helen Keller International
Helen Keller Intl is a global health organization dedicated to eliminating preventable vision loss,
malnutrition, and diseases of poverty. Co-founded by Helen Keller – and guided by her fierce
optimism and belief in human potential – the organization delivers life-changing health solutions
to vulnerable families where the need is great but access to care is limited. In the US, Africa,
and Asia, Helen Keller’s proven, science-based programs empower people to create
opportunities in their own lives and build lasting change.
PLACE of PERFORMANCE: Newark and surrounding communities.
Most services are provided in schools in this geographic area, but they may also be provided in
community centers and/or homeless shelters serving vulnerable populations.
DURATION and TIMEFRAME:
Up to 5 days per week of involvement are anticipated over the course of the academic year.
Helen Keller will consider hiring either one or multiple Optometrists, and will entertain proposals
that include a minimum commitment of 1 days per week.
BACKGROUND:
Recognizing a lack of accessible, adequate vision care among low-income adults and children
in the US, Helen Keller International established the US Vision Program (formerly known as
ChildSight®). Since 1994, Helen Keller has provided free vision screenings for more than 2.2
million individuals in the United States and provided more than 375,000 of them with
prescription eyeglasses to solve common vision problems.
SCOPE of WORK:
The selected consultant(s) will conduct eye exams and vision tests and prescribe eyeglasses for
program participants. S/he work closely with the Program Manager and the local
implementation team to coordinate and schedule services.
Helen Keller requires all staff and consultants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, whether
they have had COVID. Helen Keller also requires all staff and consultants to wear masks and
observe social distancing during program activities and while working.
SPECIFIC REQUESTS for INFORMATION

Please describe the nature of your experience as an optometrist and why your experience is
well suited to the nature of the work described above. In particular please be sure to address
each of the following points:

• Professional experience
• Status of New Jersy and professional liability insurance
• Schedule of fees

In addition, please provide your CV and three references who Helen Keller Intl may contact.
These references should be existing clients with service requirements similar to Helen Keller
Intl.
Please submit your proposal to Tonya Suer, tsuer@hki.org noting US Vision Program-
Consultant Services in the subject line.

EVALUATION and AWARD PROCESS
This RFP is open to all persons or entities that are deemed capable of implementing the scope
of work, with a solid record of integrity and business ethics.
The award will be made to the Seller representing the best value to the project and to Helen
Keller. For the purpose of this RFP, price, delivery, technical and past performance are of equal
importance for the purposes of evaluating and selecting the “best value” awardee.

In the spirit of our founder and namesake,
Helen Keller places diversity and partnership at the core of our work.

~~~
We encourage small minority, women, or veteran-owned businesses to submit

proposals.