RFA :# 25-RFA-13800 Title: Family Support Programs

Questions & Answers Log

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Section Reference Question Answer

1.

Are you considering outside grant reviewers for 25-RFA-13800? If so, I am interested in applying. I have experience administering Family Support Programs and have reviewed both state and federal grant applications.

Please let me know how to register for this and future funding opportunities review.

This information is not necessary to prepare a response to the RFA.

Section Reference Question Answer

2.

SUMMIT Early Learning is a current OCDEL MIECHV-funded Local Implementing Agency with an existing agreement through June 30, 2027. Does this RFA represent a competitive procurement for the continuation or replacement of existing MIECHV-funded Family Support agreements, or is this a separate funding opportunity that current MIECHV grantees may apply for in addition to their existing awards?

All Family Support Program funded agreements will expire on June 30, 2027. This RFA represents a competitive solicitation for Federal and State funding to implement Evidence Based Home Visiting and Family Support programs with anticipated start dates of July 1, 2027.

Section Reference Question Answer

3.

If current grantees may apply for additional funding while maintaining their existing agreement, may an applicant propose maintaining its existing EBHV service capacity and request additional funding primarily for enhancements to that existing program? Specifically, would behavioral/mental health consultation and home-visiting coaching/professional development support be allowable Program Enhancements or EBHV Model Enhancements under this RFA?

Refer to response to Question # 2, Section 1- 3.B, and Section III-8 for information regarding Enhancements.

Section Reference Question Answer

4.

I am new to this process as I was not working for Tri County Community Action when the last RFA was released. Currently my team works a Family Center Funded grant for Dauphin County. I believe Dauphin County itself holds the grant. Are we to apply for this grant ? Or do we forward to Dauphin County? It is my team that completes the home visits and fills out all of the data reporting. Thanks for any information you can supply.

An agency or a county may apply for this RFA.

Section Reference Question Answer

5.

Can you tell me which grant 25-RFA-138000 refers to?

We have two under OCDEL: Grant 4100091347 (Family Center Grant) or Grant 4100093090 (Family Support Grant).

Refer to the response to Question #2.

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Or both?

I am confused.

Please get back to me as soon as possible.

If I am addressing the wrong office, please let me know.

Section Reference Question Answer

6.

Can you tell me which grant 25-RFA-138000 refers to?

We have two under OCDEL: Grant 4100091347 (Family Center Grant) or Grant 4100093090 (Family Support Grant).

Or both?

I am confused.

Please get back to me as soon as possible.

If I am addressing the wrong office, please let me know.

Refer to the response to Question # 2.

Section Reference Question Answer

7.

Hello. We are a PA affiliate of the Parents As Teachers program in Fayette County.

Are we eligible to apply for a Family Support Programs grant for an existing program, as opposed to a new implementation? If not, would a proposed expansion involving additional staff to serve more families be an eligible proposal?

Refer to the response to Question # 2.

8.

For the Appendix C Cost Submittal Worksheet, do we need to list salaries for each position (we have 41 employees) or can we simply list total salary for each job category - i.e. total salary for all supervisors, total salary for all home visitors, etc). If a line is required for each employee, the spreadsheet is locked and additional lines cannot be added.

Applicants do not need to list each individual employee and instead, may group personnel by position title. Applicants should provide a justification for each position, especially when costs vary. For example: Home Visitor 1

– salary justification (salary × allocated rate if less than 100%, or hourly rate × hours);

Supervisor 1 – salary justification. If multiple positions have the same salary, they may be combined into one line with an explanation in the justification. Refer to Addendum 1 of this RFA for the revised Cost Submittal.

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9.

Regarding Section III-3 B Staffing Item #4 Key Personnel (page 36)

This sections states:

"If applicable, provide copies of clearances and mandated reporter training.

(Department approved clearances and mandated reporter training will be required for any staff who have direct contact with children in the course of employment.)" and "Submitted responses for staffing are not to include personal information that will, or will be likely to, require redaction to release of the application under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, including but not limited to home addresses and phone numbers, Social Security Numbers, driver’s license numbers or numbers from state identification cards issued in lieu of a driver’s license, and financial account numbers. "

Question: When providing copies of Key Personnel's clearances and mandated reporter training, are we to redact this information prior to submitting?

Applicants may provide a redacted version with their application.

Section Reference Question Answer

10.

For Appendix J - Service Capacity Worksheet and Model Implementation Approval under "Amount Requested for Evidence - Based Home Visiting Services" we include all program costs, not just the cost of Direct Service Staff FTE, correct?

Applicants should include all costs.

Section Reference Question Answer

11.

The Nurse- Family Partnership model is sometimes able to bill Medical Assistance for certain types of visits that occur during delivery of the program, depending on the type of funding that is awarded. Are we expected to take this MA reimbursement into consideration in our cost submittal? It would be difficult to determine as reimbursement varies by funding awarded.

MA reimbursement should not be included in the Cost Submittal, as these costs are not known or guaranteed.

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12.

Linked Family Services is preparing an application for RFA 26-25 and intends to propose Parents as Teachers (PAT) as our Evidence-Based Home Visiting model.

We are currently completing the Parents as Teachers Affiliate Plan. The Pennsylvania Parents as Teachers State Office has confirmed that they are able to provide us with proof of model approval for implementation; however, the Affiliate Plan itself may still be in the review and approval process at the time the RFA application is submitted.

Could you please clarify whether the Model Implementation Approval requirement associated with Appendix J requires an applicant using Parents as Teachers to have a fully approved PAT Affiliate Plan and be recognized as an official PAT affiliate at the time of application?

Alternatively, would written documentation from the Pennsylvania Parents as Teachers State Office approving Linked Family Services to implement the PAT model satisfy the Model Implementation Approval requirement while our Affiliate Plan is still in the approval process?

We want to ensure that we understand the requirement correctly before proceeding with our application.

Refer to Section I-3.A.4. of the RFA.

Section Reference Question Answer

13.

Our agency, JayCare LLC, currently provides Early Intervention services in Pennsylvania, and we are interested in applying for this opportunity. We also already have providers on staff who are certified in ABC (Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up), which may be relevant to the EBHV services outlined in the RFA.

Could you please clarify whether an agency that currently provides PA Early Intervention services is eligible to apply for this RFA? Specifically, is there any conflict of interest, restriction, or other limitation related to providing both Early Intervention and Family Support/EBHV services?

Additionally, if we are eligible to apply, are there any specific requirements regarding the separation or coordination of the two programs, particularly with respect to referrals, staffing, billing, or serving the same families?

An agency that provides PA Early intervention services is eligible to apply for the RFA. Staff must be assigned to either Early Intervention or Family Support/EBHV services, but not both.

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We want to make sure we fully understand any potential conflict or restrictions before moving forward with an application.

Section Reference Question Answer

14.

Are NFP program fees considered a direct cost? NFP program fees are considered a direct cost because they are required to deliver the program to mothers and families.

Section Reference Question Answer

15.

-Are there any changes to required service delivery expectations compared to the current grant cycle (e.g., required number of families served, home visits, group connections, screenings, or outreach activities)?

-Our Family Center is currently exploring the implementation of evidence-based fatherhood programs, including 24:7 Dad® and potentially InsideOut Dad®, as enhancements to our existing Family Support and Parents as Teachers services.

Could you please clarify whether fatherhood-focused programming such as 24:7 Dad and InsideOut Dad would be considered an allowable enhancement within the Family Support Program model?

-Additionally, would applicants be permitted to request funding to support the implementation of these programs, including the possibility of hiring a dedicated Fatherhood Coordinator/Facilitator? Given the unique focus of father engagement services, we are interested in understanding whether grant funds could support a position specifically dedicated to recruiting, engaging, and facilitating services for fathers and male caregivers.

-Will a scoring rubric be made available to applicants before the submission deadline?

As this is my first year serving as Director and my first experience completing and submitting an OCDEL Family Support Program application, any additional guidance, recommendations, or resources you can provide to help applicants successfully navigate the RFA process would be greatly appreciated.

Applicants should carefully review the RFA.

For questions regarding Enhancements, refer to the response to Question #3.

Evaluation information may be found in Part II – Criteria for Selection.

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16.

Previous RFA’s cost submittal forms had a category for communications. I do not see it in this RFA’s cost submittal form. Should we include the costs for things such as postage, telephone, computer equipment lease and support, and advertising in the other costs category? If not, then where?

These costs should be included under the Other Operating category. Each cost should be listed as a separate subcategory, with sufficient justification and calculations provided on the Cost Submittal Narrative tabs.

Section Reference Question Answer

17.

Applicants are only being asked to provide a budget for years one and two. If a grantee is awarded extensions (years three though five), will they be able to modify the budget before the start of each fiscal year?

The Cost Submittal only requires Applicants to submit a budget for the base term which is two years. Renewal terms are optional and do not need to be included on the Cost Submittal.

Section Reference Question Answer

18.

1. If the agency is in the process of establishing the evidenced based model, and hasn't yet implemented, does that still qualify them to be considered for the grant?

2. Can an agency apply for multiple counties; is one application able to be used for multiple counties or does the agency have to submit separate or only need to submit a separate budget?

3. What is the grant start date?

4. Can the grant timeline be extended; no cost extension (ex: if the money isn't spent during the original timeframe).

5. Can the agency give incentives/stipends to the families to participate in the evidenced based model; is this an example that would fall under enhancement?

6. How much indirect costs can be allocated to the budget?

1. Applicants should review the RFA to determine if they can fulfill the requirements.

2. One application can be used for multiple counties.

3. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2027.

4. This information is not necessary to prepare a response to the RFA.

5. An agency may give incentives to families to participate, but those costs do not qualify as enhancements. Refer to the response to Question #3.

6. This depends on the organization's applicable policies. If using the Indirect line item, the applicant must either have (1) a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement that applies

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7. Is there a minimum amount of families served or does the agency determine that?

organization-wide, or (2) elect to use the De Minimis Rate Calculation, which applies 15% to Modified Total Direct Costs (“MTDC”). Please note that this is not a straight 15% of the total budget, as certain costs are excluded from the MTDC calculation.

7. Applicants should identify the number of families they are proposing to serve.

19.

I was wondering if this RFA is intended to cover both Family Support funds and Family Center funds. In the past the Family Support grant did not cover state funded family center funds and a separate work statement was submitted to request those funds. I want to make sure that I request the appropriate amount of funds.

Refer to Addendum 1 of the RFA.

20.

1. Part III-3(B)(3)—Salary Justification The RFA requests the “starting salary” for each position description. For existing staff who are already in their positions and are compensated at different rates within an established salary range, should applicants list each staff member’s individual salary or hourly rate and provide justification based on factors such as experience and tenure?

2. Billable Revenue Nurse-Family Partnership may generate billable revenue for certain home visits when established criteria are met. How should applicants identify or account for anticipated billable revenue in the cost submittal?

3. Part III-4—Financial Capability and Part III-5—Emergency Preparedness Is there a page limit for either or both of these sections?

4. Part III-6—Reports and Project Control

1. Each salary should be listed on the cost submittal. Starting salary refers to the salary the staff person will be compensated at the beginning of the grant.

2. Refer to the response to Question #11.

3. There is not a page limit.

4. In Part III-6, Sections A through F, Applicants should include a brief statement acknowledging their understanding of the requirements and intent to comply with the requirements after each respective section.

5. The current federal micro-purchase threshold is $15,000. Purchases at or

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Sections A through F do not include specific questions but appear to require acknowledgment of the stated requirements. Is an attestation of understanding sufficient, or should applicants also describe their current practices? If additional narrative is expected, is there a page limit?

5. Part III-6(C)—Fiscal Accountability and Management What dollar amount constitutes the “defined threshold” for micro-purchases under this RFA?

6. Part III-7—Key Performance Standards Is there a page limit for the narrative describing the applicant’s ability to meet or exceed the minimum performance standards? For existing programs, should the requested sample reports consist of reports previously submitted to the Department, or may applicants provide other representative reports?

7. Part I-22—Term of Agreement Part I-22 states that the agreement will have an initial two-year term, with the possibility of up to three additional one-year extensions. However, the PA eMarketplace posting identifies a three-year term with two additional one-year options. Which term and extension structure is correct?

below the applicable threshold do not require competitive quotes, but the price must be documented as reasonable and major costs must be approved prior to purchase. The threshold applies to the aggregate procurement. For example, 100 laptops at $500 each would total $50,000 and would not qualify as a micro-purchase, whereas a single $500 laptop would fall below the threshold. Other applicable requirements, such as equipment requirements, may still apply.

6. There is not a page limit. Applicants should provide a clear, concise response in accordance with Section I-12. Economy of Preparation.

Applicants should include either a previous corrective action report or a sample report template with their application - not both.

7. The term in the RFA is correct. The Duration field on e-Marketplace has been corrected.

Section Reference Question Answer

21.

ParentChild+ is an evidence-based early childhood home visiting model serving families with young children and is not currently included on the HomVEE list referenced in Section I-3.A. Could ParentChild+ be proposed as an Evidence Informed Program and/or Program Enhancement under this RFA when paired with an approved EBHV model? If so, what requirements or documentation would be needed for ParentChild+ to be approved in either capacity?

Applicants may only select an Evidence Based Home Visiting model that is included on the HomVEE list. Refer to the response to Question #3 for direction on where to find information on Enhancements.

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22.

Could you please clarify the page limits for the technical portion of the request? The first two sections are clear, but it is very confusing after that point.

Applicants should provide concise responses that efficiently and effectively detail the Applicant’s expertise and experience in the key tasks identified for this RFA.

Refer to Section I-12. Economy of Preparation.

Section Reference Question Answer

23.

1. Does this RFA replace the Family Center RFA and utilizes the Community Based Family Center funding in the line item? If we received Family Center and Family Support funding before, should we combine them in this RFA?

2. If the response to #1 above is yes, this replaces the Family Center RFA and yes, combine Family Center and Family Support Programs, where should we put our additional Family Center supported programs? (In our county, we implement three outreaches, parenting classes and Parent Cafés.) In Program Enhancements?

3. Please clarify the explanation concerning enhancement funding in I-3B.

4. In Appendix J, and III-2B 3 where it states, “If a FTE equals 1 fulltime staff person working 40 hours per week,” is the expectation that all FTE staff persons work 40 hours per week? Our Fulltime staff people work between 35 and 37.5 hours per week. If a FTE must work 40 hours per week, would our FTE be .875 FTE for the 35 hour per week staff person and .9375 FTE for the 37.5 hour per week staff person? Or is it just whatever our overseeing agency sets as FTE? Ours sets 35 hours per week as fulltime.

5. Must a resume be provided for Key Personnel? Or is a paragraph describing their duties and experience enough?

6. Is there a particular form or chart to fill out for Section III-7 (Key Performance Standards) or should explain how we intend to fulfill these be in paragraph form?

1. Refer to the response to Question #2.

2. Refer to the response to Question

#19.

3. The Department is not certain as to what part of the “enhancement funding” needs clarification. If this is referencing calculating the 25% threshold for enhancements, Applicants should review the Instructions and Cost Worksheet tabs in Appendix C - Cost Submittal.

4. 40 hours a week was given as an example of how to calculate FTEs.

FTEs should be calculated based on the number of hours that is considered full time at the Applicant’s organization.

5. A resume is not required to respond to that question. If not providing a resume, Applicants should provide a similar document that details the qualifications and experience of the Key Personnel, in a project of similar size and scope.

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6. There is no form or chart available.

The Applicant may explain how they will fulfill Key Performance Standards in paragraph form.

Section Reference Question Answer

24.

1. Does this RFA replace the Family Center RFA and utilizes the Community Based Family Center funding in the line item? If we received Family Center and Family Support funding before, should we combine them in this RFA?

2. If the response to #1 above is yes, this replaces the Family Center RFA and yes, combine Family Center and Family Support Programs, where should we put our additional Family Center supported programs? (In our county, we implement three outreaches, parenting classes and Parent Cafés.) In Program Enhancements?

3. Please clarify the explanation concerning enhancement funding in I-3B.

4. In Appendix J, and III-2B 3 where it states, “If a FTE equals 1 fulltime staff person working 40 hours per week,” is the expectation that all FTE staff persons work 40 hours per week? Our Fulltime staff people work between 35 and 37.5 hours per week. If a FTE must work 40 hours per week, would our FTE be .875 FTE for the 35 hour per week staff person and .9375 FTE for the 37.5 hour per week staff person? Or is it just whatever our overseeing agency sets as FTE? Ours sets 35 hours per week as fulltime.

5. Must a resume be provided for Key Personnel? Or is a paragraph describing their duties and experience enough?

6. Is there a particular form or chart to fill out for Section III-7 (Key Performance Standards) or should explain how we intend to fulfill these be in paragraph form?

Refer to the response to Question #23.

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25.

1. The eMarketplace has the duration of the grant as 3 years with possibility of two one year additions but the application itself has the duration as 2 years with three additional one year possibilities. Please confirm duration.

2. Can we use our most up to date NFP data to address complexity etc.

3. Does each page need to have a header and a footer and page number, including the appendix?

4. Can we use AI as a tool in the application?

1. Refer to the response to Question #20.

2. Applicants may use their most up to day NFP date to address complexity.

3. Refer to Section I-11. Application Requirements for guidance.

4. The Department is unsure what question is being asked. Applicants should review and respond to the RFA, as it is written. If an Applicant is proposing the use of Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) in the provision of services, the Applicant should clearly explain and may be required to comply with additional requirements regarding the use of AI.

26.

Regarding I-16 (“the Grantee must perform services valued at least at 50% of the total agreement cost”): Our county utilizes an integrated family support model for our network of home visiting services. This model is designed to simplify access for families, provide shared basic-needs and other network-wide supports, and promote coordination across programs. Several home visiting models within the network are operated by different agencies, with all providers operating under shared expectations, county oversight, monitoring, and close partnership with the County.

Given this structure, is the Department able to grant a waiver or exception to the 50% grantee service requirement when the proposed service delivery model relies on multiple contracted providers within an integrated, county-coordinated network?

The Department will not grant a waiver or exception to the 50% requirement

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27.

Our main office is the primary base for all Home Visitors, while several team members work out of community sites. Because our affiliate serves only one county, should these sites be listed as separate locations on the Appendix J Service Capacity Worksheet? I am specifically asking so that I complete Appendix J Service Capacity Worksheet correctly.

Applicants may list only the main site for their Application.

Section Reference Question Answer

28.

For the contractor partnership program, the application states that entities who are awarded contracts valued at a minimum of $5 million for the initial term are required to participate in the program. Does “term” refer to one program year or is the combination of funds across the total years of the grant?

The “term” refers to the combined total costs for Year 1 and Year 2.

Section Reference Question Answer

29.

1. If an applicant proposes multiple EBHV models within a single application, should a separate Appendix C - Cost Submittal Worksheet be completed for each model, or should all models be included in a single worksheet?

2. If an applicant proposes services in multiple counties, should a separate Appendix C - Cost Submittal Worksheet be completed for each county, or should all locations be included in a single worksheet?

3. If a selected EBHV model includes screening tools that address all required performance measures, does use of the model-required screening tools satisfy OCDEL requirements, or are there additional OCDEL-specific screening tools that must be used?

1. Please submit only one Cost Submittal Worksheet. Refer to response to Question # 8.

2. Please submit only one Cost Submittal Worksheet. Applicants may identify different county positions and associated costs in the justification.

3. The applicant shall use validated and approved performance measure screening tools. A list of tools can be found on The Maternal, Infant, And Early Childhood Home Visiting Program Form 2 - Performance Indicators and Systems Outcomes Toolkit found here:

https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs -impact/programs/home-visiting/miechv-data-continuous-quality-improvement https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/programs/home-visiting/miechv-data-continuous-quality-improvement https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/programs/home-visiting/miechv-data-continuous-quality-improvement https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/programs/home-visiting/miechv-data-continuous-quality-improvement https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/programs/home-visiting/miechv-data-continuous-quality-improvement

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30.

Should part III Technical Submittal include the directions and questions for each section with the "Applicant Response" filled in with my answers, or should the outline exist with headings and ONLY my responses be included?

Applicants should include the headings and only their response to each section, in accordance with Section I-11. Application Requirements.

Section Reference Question Answer

31.

1. Is there a recommended tool, methodology, or guidance applicants should use to determine appropriate annual service capacity and average cost per family for their selected EBHV model?

2. May enhancement funding support personnel costs?

3. May an organization submit its own application while also participating as a subcontractor or partner under another applicant’s proposal?

4. Does participation in a current CQI or improvement plan process affect applicant eligibility or scoring beyond the disclosure and explanation requirements contained in the RFA?

5. Is it allowable to include other letters of support, including from partners or referral sources?

6. Can applicants remove the prompt for each question while maintaining the preferred formatting of the answer? Or should the question text remain?

1. There is not a recommended tool, methodology, or guidance to determine annual service capacity and average cost per family.

2. Enhancement funding may support personnel costs.

3. Applicants must be able to comply with Section 23 of Appendix H – Grantee’s Conflict of Interest.

4. Applicants should review Part II – Criteria for Selection which details the evaluation criteria.

5. The RFA does not require Applicants to submit references.

6. Refer to the response to Question #30.

Section Reference Question Answer

32.

Can you please provide clarification regarding Section III-3.B.4: If the Primary Program Contact is a program administrator who is a mandated reporter but does not have direct contact with children in the course of employment, are copies of clearances and mandated reporter training certificates required as part of the application submission, or are these only required for personnel who have direct contact with children?

In accordance with the second paragraph of Section III-3.B.4., only staff who have direct contact with children in the course of employment must provide copies of their clearances and mandated reporting training.

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33.

1. Do we need to or may we include MOUs for our formal collaborations?

2. May we include letters of support?

3. on p23. "Include position descriptions, minimum qualifications, and time devoted to the program which should be described in FTEs." Is this a formal job description, or just a summary?

1. Submittals of MOUs is not required.

2. Refer to the response to Question

#31. (Item 5.)

3. Applicants may include a summary.

Section Reference Question Answer

34.

1. If an agency proposes to implement two EBHV models, should the agency submit one application (a single application that includes both models), or two applications (a separate application for each model)?

2. Is the CPP Submittal required when an applicant’s cost submittal is $5 million for Year 1, or is the CPP Submittal required when an applicant’s cost submittal is $5 million for Years 1 and 2?

1. Applicants that are proposing more than one EBHV model should submit one application and list each EBHV model on the Appendix A – Application Coversheet & Checklist.

2. The CPP submittal requirement is based on the combined cost for Year 1 and Year 2.

Section Reference Question Answer

35.

1) In EBHV Service Capacity, it states that 40 hours per week equals one FTE and 20 hours per week equals a .5 FTE. If our agency's business week is 37.5 hours, can we use 37.5 hours per week per FTE and 18.75 hours per week for a .5 FTE?

2) Re: Disclosures of Termination, should a termination due to a federal funding loss be included, or just for lack of performance? Also, does this include any agency-wide program terminations, or just terminations of an EBHV program/service?

3) Can you provide more information/guidance on what the model approval letter should look like, contain, or what would qualify as one?

4) We have a position for a home visitor who is trained in both SafeCare Augmented and Parents as Teachers. The position is used to cover vacations, maternity leave, and FMLA leave. Would this position qualify as an enhancement?

5) Will there be a separate application for Family Center funding?

1. Refer to the response to Question 23 (item 4).

2. Any termination should be included.

this includes terminations for the entire agency that is applying, not just EBHV programs.

3. Applicants should work with the model they are applying for to obtain this letter. There are no specific requirements for the letter.

4. Refer to the response to Question #2.

5. Refer to Addendum 1 of this RFA.

There will not be a separate application for Family Center funding.

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36.

Additional information is needed on how to complete Appendix H.

OCDEL is the sole funder of our 4-person program. The funding passes through a local school district. Should the district complete this document?

Is the spreadsheet at the end of the document the only portion of Appendix H that needs to be completed?

Appendix H – Department of Human Services Addendum to Standard Terms and Conditions for Grants and Audit Clause A/B is informational only.

37.

1. Can you clarify the grant award duration period? The e-Marketplace solicitation notes “3 years with 2 additional 1-year options.” Page 13 lists the term “will end two years after the effective date. Subject to the performance of the Applicant in the previous term and other considerations, the Department may extend the agreement on the same terms and conditions for up to three additional one-year periods.”

2. Which state and federal funding streams are included in this Project? For example, does this combine MIECHV, Home Visiting and Family Supports, NFP, Promoting Responsible Fatherhood, and/or other funding streams?

3. Will family center grants be included in this Project or will funds supporting family centers (non-EBHV programming) be included in a separate RFA?

4. How will OCDEL ensure that at least the current number of enrolled families continues to be served despite rising costs and inflation and no new state money in the past four budget cycles?

5. If the 2027-2028 state budget includes an increase in state funds for home visiting services, will OCDEL consider selecting additional applicants to award? Or will any unplanned funds between now and the new grant period beginning July 1, 2027 be open only to programs receiving a notice of award?

6. Since there is no average cost per family target, how will OCDEL fairly score applicants with significantly varied implementation expenses and varied compensation amounts in order to retain and recruit home visitors?

1. Refer to the response to question #20 (Item 7)

2. All State and Federal Evidence Based Home Visiting and Family Supports funding available to OCDEL will be used for this project.

3. Refer to the response to Question #35, (Item 5).

4. This question is not relevant to preparing a response to the RFA.

5. Refer to Section II-6. Final Ranking and Award for guidance on how the Department intends to select Applicants for award.

6. Applicants should refer to Part II – Criteria for Selection which details the evaluation criteria.

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38.

1. Is it considered subcontracting when you are coordinating the delivery of a program enhancement with another entity within your health system?

Applicant and other department are part of the same overall system but each has a separate EIN?

2. What is required for the response to Section III-3.B.8 f. "Status of charter and corporate charter number?"

1. The Department does not have enough information to provide a response to this question. Applicants should consult with their legal counsel to determine if their specific scenario involves a subcontractor.

2. “Status of Charter” indicates a business’s legal standing — either Active/ Good Standing (authorized to operate) or Inactive, Suspended, Revoked, or Dissolved (non-compliant and not permitted to conduct business).

“Charter Number” is the company’s State Registration Number.

Section Reference Question Answer

39.

1. Can OCDEL provide examples of enhancements that would be considered allowable and competitive? Specifically, would Parent Café’s, transportation assistance, basic needs support, groups, parent leadership activities, or family resource coordination, qualify as Program Enhancements?

2. If Enhancement staff provide services to enrolled families, should those FTEs be reflected in service capacity calculations, or should only EBHV direct service staff be counted?

3. If one supervisor, CQI person, data specialist, or administrative staff member supports multiple EBHV models, how should costs be allocated and reported within the Cost Submittal and model-specific justifications?

4. For Enhancements, should the Family Goal represent unique enrolled families receiving the enhancement, or can it include families receiving multiple enhancement services?

5. For currently funded Family Support providers, what was the range of annual award amounts under the most recent funding cycle?

1. Enhancements are programs and services added to the EBHV model.

2. The Enhancement Staff should be reflected in service capacity calculations.

3. Applicants should show the amount of time the individual works on the model with FTE %.

4. Applicants may include families receiving multiple enhancement services in the Family Goal.

5. This information is not relevant to preparing a response to this RFA

6. Per PART IV of the RFA, assumptions should not be included in the cost submission, as doing so may

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6. The cost proposal instructions state that assumptions should not be included. Can OCDEL clarify what constitutes an "assumption" for purposes of the cost submission? If budget calculations are based on factors such as staffing patterns, utilization estimates, or anticipated costs, may those underlying assumptions be documented, and if so, where should they be included?

introduce costs that cannot be verified. The dollar amounts in the cost proposal must be based solely on concrete, verifiable figures rather than projected scenarios. All costs must be fully explained in the Submittal Narrative tabs of Appendix C – Cost Submittal.

Section Reference Question Answer

40.

Are any of the Family Support data collection requirements new this year, or different from previous years?

Applicants should review and respond to the RFA, as it is written.

Section Reference Question Answer

41.

Today is the final day for submitting questions regarding RFA 25-RFA-13800, and I want to ensure that my application package is being prepared and submitted correctly.

Could you please confirm the full list of required documents and any specific formatting or structural requirements for the final submission?

I want to make sure that my folders, file naming, and included materials align with DHS expectations before I upload.

Refer to Appendix A – Application Cover Sheet and Checklist and Section I-11.

Application Requirements for guidance.

Section Reference Question Answer

42.

The info for this bid was sent to me from a colleague. I noticed that with in the advertisement it states: This Is Not A Public Opening...I wanted to make sure we were able to apply for this? Please keep me posted.

Any entity can submit an application in response to 25-RFA-13800. “This is not a Public Opening” refers to the fact that Applications are submitted electronically.

Section Reference Question Answer

43.

There aren't any headings for Columns 2 and 3. Can you advise the information that should be reflected? (Cost Submittal Supplies and Materials)

Refer to Addendum 1 of this RFA for the revised Cost Submittal Worksheet.

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44.

1. Can an applicant be the subcontractor for an enhancement on another proposal?

2. Can an enhancement be subcontracted to another grantee? If so, are there limits? (FAIR question)

3. If the awarded funding is less than requested, is the top-line number changed or specific line items?

4. To what extent will past awards influence current proposals?

5. If an org is serving two counties, how is the funding decision made - which county?

1. Refer to the response to Question #31 (Item 3).

2. Grantees may not subcontract or outsource any part of this Project without the express written approval of the Commonwealth. Refer to Section III-6.F. for additional information.

3. Refer to the Section II-6. Final Ranking and Award.

4. Past awards will have no impact on current proposals.

5. Refer to Section II-6. Final Ranking and Award for guidance.

Section Reference Question Answer

45.

1. Is there a preference of the agencies applying or the local county government?

2. If the local county government were to apply, do we have to have the named provider?

1. There is not a preference.

2. Applicants should include the named provider in their Application.

Section Reference Question Answer

46.

When will an addendum with questions/answers be posted on the e-marketplace webpage?

Addendum 3 with the completed Question and Answer Log was posted on eMarketplace.

Section Reference Question Answer

47.

I am unable to access the link to the answered question if you can please send to

me. Additionally, when would successful applicants be notified and what would be the start date?

Addendum 3 with the completed Question and Answer Log was posted to eMarketplace.

Selected Applicants will be notified after completion of the evaluation process. The anticipated start date for services is July 1, 2027.

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48.

I just wanted to reach out to clarify a question I have as an existing EHS Home Based provider. Is this RFA, Solicitation/Project#:25-RFA-13800, something that existing programs could/should apply for, or is this only to support new programs in our community?

Refer to the response to Questions #2 and #35 (Item 5).

Section Reference Question Answer

49.

There are typically expense line items for Occupancy and Communications. Neither is included on the forms. Does the form need to be modified, or should Occupancy and Communication expenses be detailed in Other Operating Expenses or some other way?

Applicants should include these expenses in the Other Operating Expenses section of the Appendix C -Cost Submittal.

Section Reference Question Answer

50.

1. Model Implementation Approval Documentation For applicants actively engaged with an Evidence-Based Home Visiting (EBHV) model developer and currently working through the implementation approval process, what documentation would be considered acceptable for Appendix J if formal implementation approval has not yet been finalized by the application submission deadline?

2. Financial Capability Documentation for Newer Organizations If an applicant organization does not yet have three full years of organizational financial statements available, what alternative documentation would the Department consider acceptable to demonstrate financial capability and organizational readiness?

3. Family Support and Household Stabilization Expenses May grant funds be used for family emergency assistance, household stabilization supports, clothing assistance, home safety items, furnishings, and other family support resources when such expenditures are directly related to family stability, child well-being, and successful participation in the program?

4. Community Collaboration and Partnership Documentation

1. A letter stating status in the process from the Model Developer.

2. If the Applicant has been in business less than three years, they should submit their completed financial statements to date.

3. Each request must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Department to ensure it aligns with the funded program model and is allowable under applicable funding requirements and program policies before approval.

4. The RFA does not require Applicants to submit references.

5. Applicants should follow the layout guidance provide in Section 1-11 of the RFA.

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Are letters of support from community organizations, referral partners, healthcare providers, housing agencies, educational entities, or other collaborative partners considered during the evaluation process as evidence of community collaboration, referral capacity, and organizational readiness?

5. Application Submission Formatting The RFA specifies that applications are to be submitted electronically via email. Beyond the requirements outlined in Section I-11, does the Department have any preferred guidance regarding file organization, naming conventions, combined versus separate attachments, or recommended presentation of Technical Submittals, Cost Submittals, Appendices, and Supporting Documents to facilitate application review?