ADDEN01_DCF RFP 2324 081.pdf

This is Addendum No. 01 to a Request for Proposals issued by the State of Florida, Department of Children and Families, for the development and management of a Qualified Evaluator Network (QEN). The addendum updates the timeline for solicitation DCF RFP 2324 081. Key dates include a written questions deadline of July 28, 2026, the Department's anticipated answers posted by August 18, 2026, and a revised response deadline of September 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. The public response opening is scheduled for September 1, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. via virtual meeting access (GotoMeeting). The anticipated posting of the award is November 2, 2026. The QEN will establish a network of at least 20 qualified evaluators to conduct clinical assessments on children in the Department's care and custody placed in residential treatment facilities. The selected respondent must perform initial suitability assessments, 60-day and 90-day independent assessments, reconsideration assessments, and BQRTP-specific assessments, with most assessments requiring completion within 7–14 business days. The contract term runs from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2029.

The proposal requires a Project Manager with five or more years of behavioral health management experience, a QEN Program Manager holding a master's degree and three or more years of behavioral health or child welfare experience, and qualified evaluators licensed as psychiatrists or psychologists with two to three years of child mental health experience. The provider must establish a toll-free 24/7 customer service system, maintain administrative offices open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday, and implement an internal quality control program. The contract uses a fixed unit-price structure with estimated annual volumes of 492–985 initial assessments, 705–1,410 follow-up assessments, and 205–410 rescheduling coordination fees. A performance bond equal to 3 percent of the annual contract amount must be established within 30 days of contract execution. Financial penalties include invoice reductions of 2–5 percent for failure to meet performance measures related to evaluator qualifications, assessment completion timelines, assessment quality, report submission deadlines, and disaster recovery planning. The contract is subject to annual legislative appropriations and compliance with Florida Statutes Section 39.407 and Florida Administrative Code Rule 65C-28.021.