2-Request for Proposals - Mental Health Therapy Services and TCM.pdf

Fargo Public Schools (FPS) Request for Proposals Mental Health Therapy Services and Targeted

Case Management (TCM) Explorer Academy

Due: May 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Introduction:

The Fargo Public School District (District) is seeking qualified providers to deliver school-based mental health therapy services and Targeted Case Management (TCM) for students at Explorer Academy. Services will be provided on-site during the school day and aligned to the FPS academic calendar.

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:

Legal Ad Publication May 6 & May 13, 2026 Proposals Due May 21, 2026, at 10:00 A.M.

Review & Prepare Shortlist May 22, 2026 Interview Finalists June 1-10, 2026 Board Approval June 23, 2026

District Overview:

Explorer Academy is a K–8 special education day school within Fargo Public Schools serving approximately 40 students with intensive academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs. The school provides an integrated educational experience with a focus on STEAM and gross motor programming while embedding social-emotional learning throughout the school day. Instruction is individualized and aligned to the least restrictive environment made by IEP teams. The learning environment is intentionally designed with supports such as sensory rooms, small group spaces, and calming areas. A multidisciplinary team, including special education teachers, positive behavior technicians, and a Care Team, works collaboratively to provide proactive and responsive support to students.

https://fargok12.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities mailto:Support.Bonfire@eunasolutions.com https://vendorsupport.gobonfire.com/hc/en-us https://fargok12.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

Fargo Public Schools anticipates that approximately 15-25 students at Explorer Academy, who are not receiving community-based services, will require therapeutic mental health services and/or Targeted Case Management. Through this RFP, the District is seeking providers who can deliver these direct, school-based services aligned to the school day, collaborate closely with school staff and families, and reduce barriers to access by embedding services within the educational setting.

Contract Term:

The term of the service contract shall be from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, with the option to renew for up to two (2) additional calendar years. See Attachment A for the District’s 2026-2027 school calendar.

Scope of Services:

Option A: Mental Health Therapy Services The provider shall:

1. Deliver in-person, school-based therapy aligned to the FPS calendar

2. Provide:

• Diagnostic assessments

• Individual therapy

• Group therapy

• Family engagement as appropriate

3. Utilize evidence-based practices such as trauma-informed care, CBT, and DBT

4. Participate in school-based team meetings

5. Coordinate with school staff to minimize disruption to instruction

6. Manage billing (insurance/Medicaid) independently

Option B: Targeted Case Management (TCM) The provider shall:

1. Deliver Targeted Case Management services in accordance with North Dakota guidelines

2. Support:

• Care coordination across systems (school, family, community providers)

• Service planning and monitoring

• Resource connection and follow-through

3. Participate in school team meetings and planning processes

4. Maintain required documentation and compliance

Option C: Combined Services (Preferred) Providers who can deliver both therapy and TCM services are strongly preferred.

1. Proposals offering both services will receive additional evaluation points

2. If separate providers are selected:

• Agencies must demonstrate a formal partnership and coordination plan

• Providers must function as integrated members of the school team

Service Delivery Expectations:

All providers must:

1. Deliver services on-site at Explorer Academy

2. Provide clinical and Targeted Case Management supervision aligned with North Dakota requirements and agency standards

3. Follow the FPS school calendar and daily schedule

4. Collaborate with school and district administrators and staff

5. Participate in required school-based trainings such as CPI, Ukeru, mandated reporter, and suicide awareness and prevention

6. Maintain compliance with FERPA, HIPAA, and North Dakota regulations

7. Provide periodic aggregate reporting data

8. Adjust contract costs to the District based on Medicaid and/or insurance reimbursement for services provided to enrolled students

Staff Qualifications:

Providers must:

1. Hold appropriate North Dakota licensure

2. Demonstrate experience working with school-aged youth

3. Demonstrate experience with behavioral and mental health needs

4. Demonstrate experience in trauma-informed systems

5. Be able to operate effectively in a school-based, team-oriented model

Proposal Requirements:

Proposals must include:

1. Organizational overview and experience

2. Description of services (therapy, TCM, or both)

3. Staffing model (FTE, roles, credentials)

4. School-based service delivery approach

5. Collaboration plan with FPS staff

6. If applicable, plan for coordination between separate agencies

7. Data tracking and reporting capabilities

8. Cost structure (clearly separated by service type)

a. Present pricing as gross cost minus estimated reimbursement, with a clearly defined net cost to the District and reconciliation process for adjustments based on actual collections

9. References from similar partnerships

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.

Category Percent Service quality and alignment to the school-based model 25 Experience, qualifications, and staffing model 20 Collaboration and integration plan (including multi-agency coordination if applicable) 20 Capacity to provide both therapy and TCM 15 Data, reporting, compliance, and supervision 10 Cost effectiveness and reimbursement model 10

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.

ATTACHMENT A