130886 - TAP 26 RFR- QA_FINAL.pdf

MassAbility Transition to Adulthood Program 2026 - MassAbility TAP-2026 Bid #: BD-26-1071-AO-02021-130886

Q&A – Final Document

Q1: How do we measure student satisfaction and improvement?

A1: MassAbility will finalize performance measures, establish data collection tools, methods, and reporting frequency, and set annual performance targets in collaboration with successful bidders with whom we contract with. Student satisfaction can be measured by surveys, as one example.

Q2: Can you please discuss transportation component? The RFR states it won’t be covered, can it be billed separately if the agency owns a transportation vehicle(s)?

A2: The TAP RFR does not require providers to offer transportation to student participants.

Providers may choose to provide transportation using their own resources to support participant engagement; however, MassAbility will not provide additional funding or reimbursement for transportation costs.

Q3: I know you prefer services to take place in the community, but often schools mandate that they host the services, i.e., after hours.

A3: Section 2.A.V (p.17) states: Services must be offered in multiple domains. TAP services can be provided within a school setting during a school day when appropriate, but this should not be the only service delivery option. Services must also be delivered during non-school hours—such as after school, during vacations (including summer recess), school breaks, and on weekends—to ensure that students can participate without disrupting their academic schedules. Delivering services during school hours should be considered only when requested by schools or students as MassAbility seeks to minimize removing students from classroom instruction simply for TAP services.

The TAP RFR encourages services to be delivered outside of traditional school hours to minimize disruption to a student’s education.

Q4: Outcomes baseline if services are measured at 90% or 100% quarterly?

A4: Performance measures will be evaluated using provider performance during each reporting period. The initial reporting periods will establish baseline performance, which MassAbility will use to monitor trends, identify technical assistance needs, and support continuous quality improvement over the contract term.

Q5: For students over 18, is there an expectation to also work with the family if that isn’t what the student prefers?

A5: Notwithstanding Section 2.B. IV. (p.16) of the RFR which states, “As families are a critical component and vital resource towards a student’s success, providers should create a culture of family inclusivity, create space for family voice, and ensure students know that their families are welcome as part of their service planning team”, students 18 years and over, who do not have a legal guardian, are allowed to determine who, if anyone, from their family or support network can participate in service-planning.

Q6: Billing on metrics, how do agencies bid # of units?

A6: Section 3.0 (p.19) states: “This is a Unit rate contract with a maximum obligation of $126,953.28 (4120-4000). Services are to be billed at the rates established at 101 CMR

424.00: RATES FOR CERTAIN DEVELOPMENTAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES”

Q7: Is it ok to provide services intermittently for people between the ages of 14 and their 22nd birthday?

A7: Yes. Eligible participants may receive TAP services beginning at age 14 through their 22nd birthday, provided they continue to meet program eligibility requirements and are actively working toward identified Independent Living goals documented in their Independent Living Plan (ILP), when applicable.

Section 2.B.VI (p.18) states: Services provided under this procurement are intended to be targeted and time limited. This is to ensure that goals are actively being worked on and in the event a student cannot participate, they are welcome to return later to work on prior or new goals. It is expected that new students will be recruited into the TAP program, so ensuring services are time limited ensures capacity for TAP providers.

Q8: Will MBY be developing a survey to measure service outcomes, or are vendors expected to develop forms/tools to measure that?

A8: MassAbility will work with contracted ILCs to develop outcome measure reporting tools, including surveys.

Q9: Is it required or just recommended that providers attend IEP meetings? If so, are you expected to attend all IEP meetings or just as requested.

A9: Attendance at IEP meetings is encouraged as appropriate, but not a TAP program requirement to attend all IEP meetings.

Q10: Is there a time limit for the maximum amount of hours a student can receive services either 1:1 or in a group (ex: school group, afterschool workshop)? How do we define targeted and time limited?

A10: Students should receive services as they need them and there is no maximum amount per student cap. Targeted and time limited services are those that focus on specific skills and goals and have identified start and end dates. These services are clear enough that its progress can be measured appropriately and regularly.

Q11: On page 15, it mentions "regularly scheduled meetings" with student support networks. Can you explain what the expectations are for that.

A11: Service delivery should be grounded in a collaborative team approach, which may look different for each student. Providers should collaborate with each student's support network as appropriate to the students’ needs and circumstances, which may include meetings.

Q12: I understand the response cannot be any longer than 12 pages. Just to clarify, is this to be a separate document or embedded in the Vendor Response Template provided.

A12: The narrative response should be no more than 12 pages, but the Cover page of the Vendor Response Template does not count toward the 12-page limit.

Q13: Can a consumer self-identify a disability?

A13: Yes. Participants may self-identify as having a disability for purposes of TAP eligibility, particularly when supporting documentation is not readily available

Q14: Can you explain how the metrics/output measures (pgs. 20-23 in RFR) will be measured and how payment may be impacted?

A14: MassAbility will provide tools and reports to contracted vendors to track program outcomes. Payments for services are not impacted by the metrics reporting but contract obligations will take into consideration outcomes.

Q15: We are required to protect the privacy of people without legal guardians after the age 18. Is family involvement a requirement after age 18? Would providing information about possible community services/resources to family members be considered family involvement under this grant?

A15: The involvement of family and others in a student’s support network has proven to be a successful resource. However, students 18 years of age or older, without a legal guardian, do retain the autonomy to determine who may be involved in their service planning.

Providers must seek written consent from the student for every third party they wish to involve in service planning and delivery. General information available to the public about events, services, and other resources that may be available to the population served is not data or information that triggers data security and protection obligations required by applicable state and federal regulations.

Q16: How are outcome measures percentages calculated? Is it based on the numbers of participants who identified goals listed on the RFR? Or is it for all participants in TAP? Are outcome measures reviewed quarterly or yearly? On Page 20 of the RFR Outcome measure at least 90% of students/families are connected to at least one new community support. Is this quarterly? Is it all our consumers in TAP?

A16: MassAbility will finalize performance measures, establish data collection tools, methods, and reporting frequency, and set annual performance targets in collaboration with successful bidders with whom we contract with.

Q17: On Page 13 of the RFR it makes a distinction between mentoring and peer counseling. Please explain the difference or is this use interchangeably?

A17: For the purposes of this RFR, this term is used interchangeably.

Q18: What is the max number of hours (units) allowed per contract?

A18: This is a Unit rate contract with a maximum obligation of $126,953.28 (4120-4000).

Services are to be billed at the rates established at 101 CMR 424.00: RATES FOR CERTAIN DEVELOPMENTAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES as of 1/01/25, the hourly rate is $97.92, which adds up to 1296.50 units. This is subject to change over the course of the contract based on provider utilization and performance.

Q19: Do the contracts have to be statewide or can be regional within in the state of

MA?

A19: Determinations of service coverage areas will be decided and negotiated in contracting with qualified bidders. Providers are expected to serve the areas which their ILCs cover unless there is no qualified provider in any area.

Q20: Will ASL (American Sign Language) be included in the integration category along with interpreters?

A20: Section 1.A. (p.12) states: Services must also be linguistically and culturally accessible, with accommodations made for students who speak languages other than English or who require alternative modes of communication such as American Sign Language

Q21: Can you clarify the billing mechanism for this RFR? In the Billing and Invoice section it mentions submitting SDRs on the 15th of the month through EIM, but in the Contract Performance Specifications section it mentions payments will be made out to provider upon successful completion of specific deliverables.

A21: Bidders should reference and use the Billing and Invoice section 3.a. (p.19-20).

Q22: If an Independent Living Center has a vehicle that is designated specifically for transporting consumers, would it be permissible to use that vehicle to provide transportation for TAP participants attending program activities or services?

A22: The TAP RFR does not require providers to offer transportation to student participants.

Providers may choose to provide transportation using their own resources to support participant engagement; however, MassAbility will not provide additional funding or reimbursement for transportation costs.

Q23: Is this still accommodation rate billing? It looks like an SDR is going to be required for each student, which is not currently how this contract is billed.

A23: Bidders should reference Section 3, Compensation (p.19-20) on RFR rates/associated CMR and billing/invoicing requirements. This contract is not an accommodation rate.

Q24: If we can provide transportation with an ILC vehicle how would compensation be provided?

A24: The TAP RFR does not require providers to offer transportation to student participants.

Providers may choose to provide transportation using their own resources to support participant engagement; however, MassAbility will not provide additional funding or reimbursement for transportation costs.

Q25: Can we pay for consumers transportation such as through a rideshare or public transportation?

A25: The TAP RFR does not require providers to offer transportation to student participants.

Providers may choose to provide transportation using their own resources to support participant engagement; however, MassAbility will not provide additional funding or reimbursement for transportation costs.