DCSS_SDU_RFI_243.docx

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY Gavin Newsom, Governor

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES

P.O. Box 419064, Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9064

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY Gavin Newsom, Governor

P.O. Box 419064, Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9064

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

DCSS RFI 243

Table of Contents

Request for Information (RFI)

Introduction and Overview This Request for Information (RFI) is being released by the State of California, Department of Child Support Services - DCSS (hereafter referred to as “State”). The RFI is to solicit information and best practices from the vendor community in an effort to assist the State in determining what is currently available in the marketplace based on the objectives and requirements and to gather cost information for the services described herein.

Purpose of this RFI

In 1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) was enacted to increase Federal Automation Requirements by requiring all states to establish and operate a State Disbursement Unit (SDU). Section 454B of the Social Security Act requires the State IV-D Agency to establish and operate an SDU for the collection and disbursement of all child support payments for the following types of child support cases:

1. All IV-D Cases: A IV-D case is one in which the State is required by Federal Law to locate parent ordered to pay support, establish paternity, establish and enforce child support obligations, and collect and distribute support payments. Public assistance recipients are required to open a IV-D case with the State. The State must also accept applications from families who do not receive public assistance to assist in the collection of child support.

2. All non-IV-D Cases: A non-IV-D case is one in which the State is required by Federal Law to only collect and distribute child support payments. Non-IV-D cases do not receive any other child support service, such as enforcement of the child support obligation. Non-IV-D cases are private child support cases in which the parent ordered to pay support has been ordered by the court to pay support by income withholding.

The SDU must be operated by the State Child Support Agency or a vendor responsible directly to the state agency. The SDU must be operated in coordination with the California Child Support Enforcement (CSE) system.

The SDU must have one location for all collection and disbursement of child support payments.

The State procured the current SDU Service Provider in 2019 with a contract effective date of April 1, 2019. The current contract expires in August 2026 with an optional 2-year extension to extend through August 2028.

Interested parties (vendors) are invited to describe and demonstrate how they can help meet the needs of the State and its customers with any current and upcoming payment processing tools, processes, and technology tools that will provide a great customer experience for customers paying and/or receiving support for their families. The RFI response may describe multiple tools, products, or solutions.

Collective information provided by the vendor community may be used to develop alternatives for consideration, and may be used to estimate costs related to these services. The State understands that the data provided in this RFI is not sufficient to enable detailed analysis and costing by vendors. Please provide your best innovations and solutions based on your experience with other organizations and initiatives of this kind. Responses to this RFI should adhere to the questions listed in the Attachments: A - Vendor Profile, B - Experience/Qualifications, and C - Questionnaire.

Completion of this RFI will be performed at no cost to the State. Please read this RFI document thoroughly and adhere to the response submission guidelines.

Key Action Dates Listed below are the RFI Key Action Dates and times (all times noted are Pacific Time) by which actions should be taken or completed.

RFI Response Instructions

1. Responses to this RFI must be submitted via e-mail, preferably in the native file format of Microsoft Word, to the State’s contact listed in Section D, Contact Information, and must include the following information in the email subject line: DCSS RFI 243

2. Responses must be submitted by the date and time stated in the Key Action Dates.

3. Vendors should respond to all applicable information in Attachments A-C, that includes the following:

a. Attachment A - Vendor Profile

b. Attachment B - Experience/Qualifications

c. Attachment C - Questionnaire

4. The State is requesting Voluntary Cost Information from Vendors for this RFI. The State understands that the costs provided are voluntary and non-binding and will only be used for informational budgeting purposes. Vendors may also submit additional lists of products/services and costs that would support this effort.

Contact Information Vendors must submit their written response via e-mail to the State contact listed below:

Contact: Crystal Huckleberry Email: DCSSITPurchasing@dcss.ca.gov

Vendor Questions Vendors must submit questions regarding this RFI, via e-mail, by the specified date and time stated in the Key Action Dates to the email contact stated in Section D, Contact Information. Written Questions and Answers will be provided without identifying the submitter. Questions and Answers will be posted to Cal eProcure on or before the Written Questions & Answers Released date specified in Section B, Key Action Dates.

What to Include in an Inquiry

1. Include in the subject line of the e-mail: DCSS RFI 243 and “Question(s).”

2. Vendor name and contact, telephone number, e-mail address.

3. A description of the subject or issue in question, or discrepancy found.

4. RFI section, page number, or other information useful in identifying the specific problem or issue stated in the in question.

RFI Disclaimer The State is not taking any steps in a competitive bidding process in this RFI and is under no obligation to vendors in any manner whatsoever. Neither this RFI nor any information provided by any vendors hereto shall or shall be deemed to create any legally binding agreement or obligations upon the State. A response to this RFI is not an offer and cannot be accepted by the State to form a binding contract. This RFI is solely designed to provide the State with meaningful information to enable the State to determine how to proceed with its activities.

This RFI is issued only for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Vendors are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. The State is not responsible for any expenses associated with responding to this RFI. The State may consider vendor responses in developing a solicitation such as, but not limited to, a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Proposal (RFP), or other action.

The submission of a response does not constitute any commitment on the part of the interested party. However, the vendor agrees that the submitted information is correct to the best of the vendor’s knowledge. Also, the right to compete in future procurements is not affected in the event that the party chooses not to submit a response to this RFI.

Vendors are advised that all documents submitted in response to this RFI will become the property of the State of California and will be regarded as public records under the California Public Records Act (CPRA) pursuant to Government Code Section 6250 et seq. and subject to review by the public. The intent of this RFI is to validate project objectives and requirements for possible future solicitations. Please do not include any confidential or proprietary information in response to this RFI as it may be disclosed or subject to the CPRA.

The intent of this RFI is solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. A contract will not be awarded based on this RFI.

Vision/Goal Background In1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) was enacted to increase Federal Automation Requirements by requiring all states to establish and operate a State Disbursement Unit (SDU). Section 454B of the Social Security Act requires the state IV-D Agency to establish and operate an SDU for collection and disbursement of all child support payments.

Current Environment Operation of a fully functioning SDU to perform all child support and related fiscal functions under Title IV-D Child Support Program, inclusive of, but not limited to, the collecting, receipting, processing, banking, reconciliation, and disbursement services, including payment receipt/adjustments, check stops/voids/re-issues and recovery and recoupment of all payments for all services.

Proposed Environment DCSS seeks an environment that is proven yet progressive, stable yet innovative, and utilizes industry best practices to provide SDU Services that will meet California families’ needs today and in the future.

Specifically, DCSS seeks to:

· Explore child support payment processing methods, specifically advancements toward real-time payments and guaranteed funds.

· Explore advancements in the integration of collection options for persons paying support to pay their child support, including but not limited to cash, electronic, and mobile payment types.

· Explore advancements in the integration of disbursement options for families to receive their child support.

· Explore customer service methods and opportunities to improve the child support customer experience.

· Explore advancements in document imaging and data repository systems.

· Explore enhancements in safeguarding personal and financial information.

· Explore fraud detection methods related to the collection and disbursement of child support.

image1.png