ADDEN02_DCF RFP 2324 081.pdf

This is Addendum No. 02 to RFP 2324 081 issued by the State of Florida, Department of Children and Families, Office of Child and Family Well-Being, amending the Qualified Evaluator Network (QEN) solicitation. The addendum updates critical timeline dates, extending the response deadline from September 1, 2026, to September 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with public response opening scheduled for the same date at 2:00 p.m. via GotoMeeting. The written questions deadline was established as July 28, 2026, with the Department's anticipated answers posted by August 28, 2026. The award is anticipated to be posted on November 2, 2026. The QEN will establish a network of qualified evaluators to conduct clinical assessments on children in the Department's care and custody placed in or residing in residential treatment facilities, requiring the selected respondent to maintain a network of at least 20 qualified evaluators, including at least one Seminole Tribe Qualified Evaluator. The contract term extends from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2029.

The QEN provider must perform Initial Suitability Assessments, 60-day and 90-day independent assessments, reconsideration assessments, and BQRTP-specific assessments according to specified timelines, typically completed within 7-14 business days. Required staffing includes a Project Manager with 5+ years of behavioral health management experience, a QEN Program Manager holding a master's degree with 3+ years of behavioral health or child welfare experience, and qualified evaluators licensed as psychiatrists or psychologists with 2-3 years of child mental health experience. The provider must establish a toll-free 24/7 customer service system, develop training materials, implement internal quality control programs, and maintain administrative offices open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. The contract utilizes 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% of the annual contract amount is required within 30 days of contract execution, with financial consequences including invoice reductions of 2-5% for failure to meet performance measures related to evaluator qualifications, assessment completion timelines, assessment quality, report submission deadlines, and disaster recovery planning.