40DHHS-S3649-SOW- Transportation RFP.docx

DCFS Early Childhood Mental Health Transportation Services

SCOPE OF WORK

Agency Background The Nevada Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) Early Childhood Mental Health Services (ECMHS) and Latency Day Treatment (LADT) programs provide support and specialized therapeutic services to foster the social, emotional, and behavioral development of children ages 3–11 years.

Day treatment centers are operated in North Las Vegas, Henderson, and central Las Vegas, providing structured group sessions that promote stability and skill-building. Integrating mental health support with family engagement and community collaboration ensures children thrive in safe, nurturing environments. Reliable access to these services is essential for supporting the growth and well-being of children and their families.

Project Purpose DCFS seeks qualified and compassionate transportation providers to deliver consistent, reliable transportation services for children enrolled in ECMHS and LADT programs.

Transportation vendors play a vital role in removing barriers to care. By helping families overcome challenges such as distance, limited mobility, or lack of access to vehicles, transportation providers ensure that every child in our community has the opportunity to receive consistent mental health and developmental support. We view our transportation providers as essential members of the care team.

Project Goals Through this partnership, DCFS aims to:

· Enhance access to mental health services for families in the service area.

· Minimize missed treatment opportunities through reliable and consistent transportation.

· Provide a safe experience for every child during transit.

· Support emotional well-being through compassionate connections between drivers, children, and families.

· Foster predictability and trust for participating children and families through consistent driver assignments.

Project Background The current transportation contract ends October 31st, 2026. The new contract seeks to expand service coverage and ensure consistent driver assignments. DCFS aims to strengthen its partnership with transportation providers who share the agency’s commitment to accessibility, compassion, and high-quality service delivery for children.

Budget Information The available budget for this project will not be disclosed to encourage competitive bidding.

Project Timeline The contract will commence on November 1st, 2026, and continue through October 31st, 2030, with DCFS oversight and annual performance reviews.

Deliverables Children are transported between designated pickup points (home, school, or childcare) and program sites.

Program and Route Information:

Barring extenuating circumstances, children under 6 years old will only be in the vehicle for 1 hour or less and children 7-11 years old will only be on the vehicle for 2.5 hours or less. This means multiple drivers may be needed to keep travel time within the time limits if enrollment is high or children are located further away.

Vendor will schedule routes to maximize use of available seats while keeping time-in-vehicle within limits. Routes, mileage, and occupancy (actual/maximum) must be submitted with invoices.

Current enrollment requires a minimum of 6 drivers per day based on the following:

· Three program sites total.

· ECMHS sites:

· Two sites total

· Up to two sessions daily per site

· 6 children per session

· Ages 3-6 years old

· LADT site:

· One site total

· One session daily

· Up to 12 children

· Ages 7-11 years old

· Current enrollment requires two routes Program Sites

· 4538 W. Craig Rd. Ste. 290, North Las Vegas, NV 89032

· 1485 W. Warm Springs Rd. Ste. 109, Henderson, NV 89014

· 4530 S. Decatur Blvd. Ste. 201A, Las Vegas, NV 89103

· Additional sites may be added as needed.

Transportation Frequency

· Approximately 208 days per year, subject to program needs.

· Monday–Thursday, excluding state holidays and program closures.

· Schedules may be adjusted as needed.

Provided by DCFS

· At least 24 hours’ notice for emergency cancellations. Occasionally, there will be less than 24-hour notice. Anything less than 24-hour notice will be considered services rendered.

· At least one week’s notice for routine schedule or site changes.

· One week’s notice for occasional field trips to alternate destinations.

· Caregivers or siblings may ride when the caregiver is participating in program activities.

· A DCFS staff member will accompany each route to support supervision and safety.

Vendor Requirements Vendors Qualifications:

· Meet all applicable state and federal requirements for child transportation, including but not limited to Nevada Transportation Authority certification.

· Maintain and apply a plan for timely vehicle substitution if needed.

· Demonstrated reliability and professionalism in service delivery.

· Commitment to consistent driver assignments for continuity and trust.

· Sufficient number of drivers to meet DCFS’s current needs and allow for expansion.

· Proven system for driver background checks, DMV driving history reviews, and regular drug testing.

· Maintain required insurance coverage, including auto liability and general liability.

· Maintain and share compliance documentation with DCFS upon request.

· Compliance with HIPAA and confidentiality standards.

Vehicle Requirements:

· Sufficient number of vehicles to meet DCFS’s current needs and allow for expansion.

· Vehicles must meet Nevada safety standards and be well-maintained.

· Each seat must have a functioning seat belt.

· Properly installed age-appropriate car seats and booster seats (DCFS will provide age-appropriate car seats and booster seats).

· Vehicles must accommodate children, DCFS staff, and occasional caregivers.

· Functional air conditioning is required.

Responsive Proposals Ideal proposals will:

· Emphasize commitment to DCFS's goals.

· Offer consistent driver-to-route assignments to foster familiarity and emotional comfort for children.

· Provide drivers with a calm, caring, and patient approach suitable for working with children who may experience behavioral or developmental challenges.

· Include backup plans for drivers and vehicles to prevent service disruptions due to illness, breakdowns, or absences.

· Demonstrate the capacity to scale services as program enrollment grows or as new locations are added.

· Articulate a strong commitment to partnering with DCFS staff for coordinated scheduling, feedback, and problem-solving, as well as a willingness to adapt routes or schedules to align with family needs, therapy times, and school coordination.

All proposals must:

· Demonstrate that the vendor meets the vendor and vehicle requirements.

· Provide proof of Nevada Transportation Authority certification.

· Demonstrate ability and capacity to serve all three locations.

· Describe safety protocols and driver qualification procedures.

· Propose a rate schedule on a per trip basis.

· Include a summary of company experience.

Site Visits DCFS will host a scheduled site visit DATE, TIME for interested vendors to view program locations and gain a deeper understanding of the transportation needs and environment. Attendance is optional but highly encouraged. Questions will not be answered during the site visit but may be submitted after the site visit during the Q&A period of the solicitation.