1-Clinical Applied Behavior Analysis Services.docx

Fargo Public Schools (FPS) Request for Proposals Clinical Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Services Due: May 7, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Introduction:

The Fargo Public School District (District) is seeking proposals from qualified providers to deliver in person Clinical Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, including Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) supervision and Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) support, for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) requiring a Level D (separate school) Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) placement. Services will be provided on-site at Explorer Academy and will support the implementation of individualized behavioral programming aligned with each student’s IEP and behavior intervention plan.

Companies responding to this request must submit their proposal in accordance with the enclosed specifications and should reference the Euna Procurement (Bonfire) Submission Instructions attached separately for instructions on the District’s electronic submission process.

All submissions must be submitted through the online Euna Procurement (Bonfire) Portal at:

https://fargok12.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities Bidders should contact the Euna Support team at Support.Bonfire@eunasolutions.com for technical questions. Bidders can also visit Bonfire’s help forum at https://vendorsupport.gobonfire.com/hc/en-us.

Any communication related to submissions, including the posting of Addenda, will be available on https://fargok12.bonfirehub.com Any questions can also be asked through the available communication tools. Bidders must be registered and logged in to ask questions.

RFP Timeline:

District Overview:

The District presently operates sixteen (16) elementary schools, three (3) middle schools, three (3) high schools, one (1) alternative high school, one (1) K-8 special education day school, and one (1) virtual school. K-12 enrollment is approximately 11,300 students.

Objective:

Fargo Public Schools (FPS) is seeking a qualified and collaborative vendor/agency to support the implementation of a therapeutic Comprehensive Student Support Program through the establishment and support of an Educational Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Clinic-Based Classroom located at Explorer Academy, an LRE D setting.

This program is designed to serve students with complex learning and behavioral profiles, including those with significant social, emotional, communication, and adaptive skill needs. Students served in this setting will have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) with a Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) D placement, with Explorer Academy identified as the location of services.

The selected vendor/agency will partner with Fargo Public Schools to support the development, implementation, and ongoing delivery of services within the Educational Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Clinic-Based Classroom at Explorer Academy. All services provided through this partnership must be delivered in person. Through close collaboration with district staff and multidisciplinary teams, this partnership will support the delivery of a therapeutic and comprehensive student support environment aligned with each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

The vendor/agency will provide clinical expertise, consultation, and direct behavioral services to support the implementation of individualized behavior programming and interventions grounded in evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis practices. Services will be delivered in collaboration with Fargo Public Schools staff and will support students whose needs require intensive behavioral programming as determined by the student’s IEP team in accordance with Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) requirements.

The vendor/agency will ensure the provision of appropriately credentialed personnel necessary to support both the behavioral and educational programming within the classroom, located at the Explorer Academy. This includes qualified Applied Behavior Analysis staff as well as a certified special education teacher responsible for delivering specially designed instruction aligned with each student’s IEP and educational goals.

The vendor/agency will be responsible for, but not limited to:

· Employing appropriately certified and credentialed staff, including Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), and a certified special education teacher for the 26/27 School year in accordance with the FPS calendar, including ESY

· Conducting required assessments and supporting the development of individualized behavioral programming and care plans

· Providing direct, in-person service delivery, supervision, and oversight of each student’s behavioral and instructional programming within the Educational Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Clinic-Based Classroom at Explorer Academy, an LRE D setting

· Collaborating with FPS staff, including educators, related service providers, and administrators, to ensure alignment between behavioral programming and each student’s IEP

· Maintaining compliance with North Dakota Medicaid policies, applicable regulations, and district procedures

· Engage in school based Medicaid billing

· Collaboratively ensuring adherence to employee policies and procedures as outlined by both the agency and Fargo Public Schools including but not limited to trainings associated with Ukeru and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Fargo Public Schools seeks a provider with demonstrated expertise in supporting students with intensive behavioral and learning needs, as well as a strong record of effective collaboration with public school systems and multidisciplinary teams.

Contract Term:

The term of the service contract shall be from August 19, 2026 to May 27, 2027, with the option to renew for up to two (2) additional calendar years. See Attachment B for the District’s 2026-2027 school calendar.

Scope of Services:

The selected vendor/agency will provide individualized, in-person behavioral and educational services within an Educational Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Clinic-Based Classroom located at Explorer Academy. The classroom will support students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) who have a Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) D placement and require intensive behavioral and instructional supports.

The program will have the capacity to support up to seven learners at a time within the clinic-based classroom environment. Services must be delivered in person and in collaboration with Fargo Public Schools staff to ensure that both the behavioral and educational needs of each student are addressed in alignment with their IEP.

The vendor/agency will assign qualified personnel to support the classroom, including Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), and a certified special education teacher responsible for the delivery of specially designed instruction. All staff must work collaboratively with Fargo Public Schools personnel to ensure the integration of behavioral programming and educational instruction.

The vendor/agency will be responsible for providing the following services:

· Delivery of individualized behavioral programming grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis practices

· Implementation of instructional programming aligned with each student’s IEP through a certified special education teacher

· Case management responsibilities to support coordination of services, progress monitoring, and communication with the educational team and families in

· Conducting behavioral and instructional assessments as necessary to support individualized programming

· Development and implementation of individualized behavior intervention plans and skill acquisition programming aligned with each student’s IEP

· Supervision and oversight of behavioral staff, including RBTs and other assigned personnel in accordance with licensing boards

· Ongoing data collection, analysis, and progress monitoring to inform programming and instructional decision-making as defined by the students Individual Education Plan

· Participation in multidisciplinary team meetings, including IEP meetings, progress reviews, and family conferences

· Collaboration with Fargo Public Schools administrators, teachers, related service providers, and support staff to ensure consistency between behavioral and instructional programming

· Support for transitions to less restrictive environments when appropriate based on student progress and IEP team decisions The vendor/agency will ensure that all services are delivered in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), North Dakota Medicaid policy where applicable, and Fargo Public Schools policies and procedures.

If, after evaluation of responses to this proposal request, it is determined that the highest scoring vendor/agency cannot provide sufficient staffing or contract hours to meet the needs of the district, Fargo Public Schools reserves the right to award some or all services to the next highest scoring vendor(s)/agency(s) until all required services are covered.

The selected vendor/agency will work in close collaboration with Fargo Public Schools to ensure that behavioral, instructional, and programming within the Educational Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Clinic-Based Classroom is coordinated, consistent, and responsive to student needs.

While Fargo Public Schools, specifically the Explorer Academy administrative team, will provide administrative and instructional oversight, the vendor/agency will provide clinical expertise and support the implementation of behavioral programming within the classroom and/or school environment. This includes working closely with the certified special education teacher and other district staff to ensure alignment between behavioral strategies and each student’s IEP.

Collaboration expectations by the agency/vendor include:

· Coordinating daily programming and routines within the classroom to support student learning and behavioral development

· Aligning behavioral strategies and interventions with each student’s IEP goals and specially designed instruction

· Participating in IEP meetings, progress monitoring meetings, and family conferences as appropriate

· Providing consultation and coaching to instructional staff to support evidence-based behavioral practices

· Maintaining consistent communication with district staff to ensure effective implementation of student programming

· Participating in program review and continuous improvement efforts with Fargo Public Schools to ensure the effectiveness of the classroom program All personnel assigned under this contract must meet the education, certification, and licensure requirements appropriate to their role. The selected vendor/agency is responsible for ensuring that all assigned staff maintain current credentials throughout the duration of the contract and remain in compliance with all applicable federal, state, Medicaid, and district-level policies and standards for service delivery.

Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs):

· Must hold a current Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)

· Must possess a master’s degree or equivalent graduate-level education in Applied Behavior Analysis, Special Education, Psychology, or a related field

· Must be in good standing with the BACB and eligible to provide clinical supervision and oversight Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs)

· Must hold a current Registered Behavior Technician credential through the BACB

· Must maintain an active BACB registry number and remain in good standing

· Must work under the supervision of a BCBA and follow all required supervision and competency assessment protocols Certified Special Education Teacher:

· Must hold a valid North Dakota teaching license with appropriate endorsement in special education

· Must be responsible for the provision of specially designed instruction aligned with each student’s IEP

· Must collaborate with behavioral staff and related service providers to ensure coordination between instructional and behavioral programming Other Licensed Practitioners (if applicable):

Personnel providing clinical or rehabilitative services must hold appropriate licensure in North Dakota and meet all applicable regulatory and Medicaid requirements. Acceptable credentials may include:

· Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

· Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

· Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

· Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

· Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)

· Licensed Psychologist All staff assigned to the program must demonstrate experience working with students with intensive behavioral and learning needs and must collaborate effectively with school-based multidisciplinary teams.

In responding to this bid, vendors certify that they are independent contractors and that all employees providing services to District under this bid are employees of the vendor.

Upon request of District, vendor shall provide current profiles for staff serving students of the District. Profiles shall consist of resume, skill checklist, current license, certification, and two work references.

Vendor is solely responsible for compliance with all labor and tax laws pertaining to vendor, its officers, agents, and employees, and shall indemnify and hold District harmless from any failure by vendor to comply with such laws.

The District shall be charged only for personnel service provided and documented. If available, the vender shall reduce costs due to billable activity via insurance

Evaluation Criteria:

Each proposal will be evaluated and given a score based upon the quality of response to each of the following topic areas. The maximum number of points achievable is 100.

Award or Rejection:

It is the intention of Fargo Public Schools (District) to have a fair and open bid process.

Bidders shall prepare their submission in compliance with the instructions in this package. Failure to do so will constitute a No Bid.

The District reserves the right to reject any or all bids. Bid will be awarded to the lowest responsible bid meeting all specifications. Awards will not necessarily be based on price alone. Suitability to purpose, design, quality, past service, date of delivery, or other factors deemed to be in the best interest of the District may also be considered. The District shall be the sole judge of these factors. In all instances, the decision rendered by the District shall be final and not subject to contest by others.

The District reserves the right to award any Bidder which meets or exceeds the minimum acceptable level of quality as outlined in the specifications. Products that do not meet or exceed the specifications as outlined in the bid documents will not be considered. If the District chooses to consider a product of lesser quality than what has been specified, all Bidders will have the opportunity to rebid that specific product.

Item Specifications:

Specifications for requested items are provided.

Evaluation Criteria:

The Business Office will be responsible for leading the evaluation process and maintaining bid evaluation records. The Board of Education of the City of Fargo will give ultimate approval. The contract will be awarded to one responsible Bidder who can meet the terms and conditions, who can supply the specified item in the listed quantity and proposes the bid resulting in the lowest financial cost to the District. The Bidder’s Total Price listed on the proposal shall be the final delivered price. By submitting a bid, a Bidder is signifying agreement to the outlined terms and conditions.

Sales Tax:

Prices should NOT include Sales Tax. Do NOT include Federal Excise Tax as the District is exempt.

Delivery Charges:

All delivery charges, if applicable, must be included in the bid price.

Award of Bid:

Upon Board approval, the successful Bidder will execute a contract for services and corresponding Purchase Order.

Fargo Public Schools Bid Proposal Form Attachment A Educational Applied Behavioral Analysis Clinic Based Classroom Teacher

Company Name Address City, State, Zip Code Phone Email

May 27, 2027

Additional costs associated with the clinic based classroom setting

I certify by my signature below that the terms and conditions of this bid are understood and accepted, and that I have the authority to obligate the company listed above to perform under the conditions outlined in the attached bid and response remains valid for 60 days following the submittal date.

Authorized Representative Signature Date

ATTACHMENT B

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