DCYF RFQ Solicitation ATLP 7-7.docx

COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

RFQ NO. 26-DCYF-CW-104

Project Title: Adolescent Transitional Living Program (ATLP)-Region 6

Estimated Contract Performance Period: October 1, 2026 through 9/30/2027. Amendments extending the period of performance, if any, shall be at the sole discretion of Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF).

Response Due Date: All responses must be received in their entirety by Pacific Time set forth in Section C.1 of this Solicitation Document unless an Amendment is issued modifying the Solicitation Schedule.

Submit Response To: Responses must be submitted to:

Rachel Denney, Solicitation Coordinator Email: Rachel.Denney@dcyf.wa.gov

Solicitation and Amendments Will Be Posted on WEBS: WEBS Website: https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/

Applicable WEBS Commodity Codes: 952-43 Family and Social Services 952-53 Home Management 952-55 Homeless Prevention Services 952-62 Mental Health Services: Vocational, Residential Etc.

952-68 Personal Care Services 952-78 Safe Housing 952-95 Youth Care Services 952-85 Support Services 952-90 Training and Instruction (for clients) 952-91 Transitional Domicile 952-92 Transitional Living 952-15 Case Management 952-17 Child Abuse: Identification, Treatment and Prevention 952-21 Human Services; Counseling 948-86 Therapy; Rehabilitative Services 948-76 Health Related Services; behavioral management 924-05 Educational/Training Services 918-38 Consulting Services; education and training

Additional Resource: Washington APEX Accelerator (formerly Washington PTAC) website: www.washingtonapex.org

* Contract start date is subject to change

Table of Contents

A. OVERVIEW, BIDDER QUALIFICATIONS, AND CONTRACT TERM

1. Purpose and Background This Competitive Solicitation is issued to assist the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) in seeking Contractors to provide Adolescent Transitional Living Program (ATLP) services to eligible youth, ages 16 to 21, under the care and custody of DCYF.

The Adolescent Transitional Living Program provides transitional living services with the goal to ensure stability, promote the maintenance of positive mental health and wellbeing, and prepare young people for independent living as they emerge into adulthood. Young people must be a D.S. Class Member or at risk of becoming a class member and be age 16 or 17 at the time of program admission.

The program structure, philosophy, service planning, and approach shall ensure services authorized under this contract are individualized, build on the engaged young person’s strengths and driven by young person voice. These services must also align with the young person’s developmental needs and apply a housing first, harm reduction approach. Programs must promote positive supportive relationships, utilize a trauma responsive and culturally affirming approach, and provide coordination in collaboration with other caregivers and support systems.

DCYF, in accordance with Washington law, encourages small and diverse businesses to compete for and participate in DCYF procurements as contractors and as subcontractors to awarded Bidders. See, e.g., RCW 39.19 (OMWBE certified businesses); RCW 43.60A.200 (DVA certified veteran-owned businesses); and RCW 39.26.005 (Washington Small Businesses).

In support of the state’s economic goals and to support a diverse supplier pool, DCYF has established the following voluntary numerical goals for DCYF Competitive Solicitations:

· Ten percent (10%) Office of Minority and Woman-Owned Businesses;

· One percent (1%) Veteran-Owned Businesses; and

· Twenty percent (20%) Washington Small Businesses.

Achievement of these goals is encouraged whether directly or through subcontractors.

2. Objective and Scope

ATLP services are provided in licensed residential homes that provide 24-hour care and supervision. ATLP residences must meet licensing standards specified in WAC 110-145 for Staffed Residential Homes (SRH) as required by RCW 74.15. See Section 3 below for more information regarding residence types and licensing requirements.

Young people in the ATLP program work with a case manager to develop a service plan addressing, and including but not limited to, support with independent living, housing, education and career planning, physical and mental health wellbeing, and community connections and relationships. Addressing barriers to education, housing and employment must be considered. This includes support with any court ordered requirements or ramifications resulting from criminal charges. The case manager and young person will collaborate through quarterly Child and Family Team Meetings (CFTM) connecting the young person’s DCYF caseworker and other relevant members of the young person’s care team supporting program participation.

Through program engagement, young people have opportunities to exercise autonomy and develop independent living skills. Young people will have the opportunity to maintain their own daily schedule which may include going to school, work, community, or social events, hanging out with friends, etc. The young person’s schedule must have developmentally appropriate parameters established in partnership by the ATLP provider, assigned case worker and young person taking into consideration all legal requirements and any active supervision plans (ex. curfews, safety plans, etc.). Young people have voice in establishing house rules, may have opportunities to prepare their own meals or meals for others, and take responsibility for the general upkeep of personal and shared spaces of the home. Young person engagement as part of the household is paramount to program success. Program community expectations need to be discussed with any young person considering this program.

Young people are selected for the program based on eligibility criteria, the young person’s identified needs and goals, bed availability, as well as the contractor’s ability to provide adequate support and supervision. Prior to a referral, DCYF and the contractor may facilitate a meeting with the young person, including an in-person program or virtual program orientation /walk through. After a referral is made by the young person’s caseworker, through DCYF Placement, the ATLP contractor, any applicable support will participate in a Youth and Family (YFM) meeting to discuss the youth’s eligibility and desire to engage in the ATLP program. The Contractor, in partnership with DCYF, will determine whether the young person may be admitted into the program after consideration of the young person’s needs, strengths, and goals.

As a transitional living program, it is expected service durations may last anywhere from a few months to years, beyond what’s traditionally available through short-term emergent type placements. ATLP participation is expected to last for as long as necessary to ensure a planned and stable transition into independence. Young people may remain in the program until age 21 if they choose to enroll in Extended Foster Care (EFC). ATLP case managers will make referrals to other appropriate housing for young adults when needed to support the youth’s ongoing wellbeing and maintenance of stability.

a. Residence Types

ATLP residences are licensed as Staffed Residential Homes (SRH) subject to licensing requirements for group care facilities as specified in WAC 110-145. SRH’s may be licensed for six or fewer children per license.

A residence is a single dwelling or building where DCYF clients will live and reside as part of their ATLP placement. A residence will share a single address but may consist of and be separated into multiple units (ex. Unit A, B, C) as in the case of a duplex or triplex. A duplex or triplex is a residence with 2-3 units that each have their own living areas (living room, kitchen, bathroom) and are conjoined by a single wall or floor of a building. Each unit in a duplex or triplex residence will be licensed separately but are considered one residence for the purpose of meeting ATLP Contract requirements.

At least one bedroom per residence must be set aside to be utilized as a secure office for program staff, preferably in central proximity to all other units or rooms in the residence. The ATLP Contract will require a minimum of 2 FTE direct care staff per residence for all types, however, additional staff are required for duplex and triplex residences to meet licensing requirements given each unit has its own entrance and is licensed separately.

Contractors will be responsible for operational costs that exceed the per bed rate regardless of the residence type used. Contracts awarded because of this RFQ will provide funding to support five beds per contracted residence. Additional beds may be considered on a case-by-case basis subject to additional funds up to the maximum occupancy allowed for each residence type.

Table 1: Residence Types & Staffing Required

Staff Required Per Shift

*SRH’s for 6 beds are required to have a Washington State Patrol and WA State Department of Health inspection, per ATLP beds may not be co-located with any other placement types without prior and explicit permission from DCYF licensing and all applicable program managers.

3. Minimum Qualifications All Bidders must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Bidders submitting a proposal must complete and submit Bidder Response forms C.1 and C.2 for evaluation purposes. Bidder must respond to each requirement as noted in the instructions below.

· Mandatory Pass/Fail (M): Minimum requirement; Bidder that does not meet this requirement will not be considered any further.

a. Mandatory Pass/Fail (M):

Must be licensed to do business in the state of Washington and have a licensed facility that meets the ATLP contract requirements or provide a commitment that it will submit a licensing application for facility-based care to Washington State’s DCYF’s Licensing Division sixty (60) days of being selected as the Apparent Successful Bidder (ASB).

Must propose to operate the ATLP in DCYF Region 6. For a DCYF regional map visit: https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/publications-library/COMM_0008 Must attest on the Bidder’s Technical/Management Response Form (Attachment C-2) they will have a residential home owned or leased by the bidder’s organization which meets local zoning requirements at the time of Contract execution for ATLP services. If leased, the lease must be legally binding throughout the Contract’s duration. DCYF will not execute the ATLP Contract until evidence is provided that the Bidder has a residence owned or leased by the Bidder’s organization for the purpose of delivering ATLP services. A copy of the lease/documentation of ownership will be required.

Bidders failing to demonstrate in their Bids that they meet these minimum qualifications will be considered non-responsive and will therefore be disqualified from further consideration.

4. Period of Contract Performance DCYF intends to award up to one (1) Contract in Region 6 to provide the services for five (5) male identifying young people as described in this RFQ.

The initial term of the Contract will be for one year commencing upon the start date October 1, 2026, or execution date, whichever is later. The term of the Contract may be extended by Amendment, at the sole discretion of DCYF.

Additional services that are appropriate to the scope of this RFQ, as determined by DCYF, may be added to the resulting Contract(s) by a written Amendment mutually agreed to and executed by both parties.

5. Funding

a. DCYF will pay the contractor $13,137 per bed per month for the delivery of ATLP services as specified in Attachment A, Sample Contract and the ATLP Fee Table located here: ATLP-Fee.xlsx, as further summarized below:

i. Base Rate - $6,174

ii. Occupancy Rate - $6,963

b. DCYF will pay the Contractor startup funding as specified in Attachment A, Sample Contract as further summarized below:

i. Phase One – Up to $12,828.00 for reimbursement of costs to support Facility, Director, and Program Manager.

ii. Phase Two- Up to $13,595.00 for reimbursement of costs to support Advertising, Facility, Director, and Program Manager.

iii. Phase Three- Up to $60,142.00 for reimbursement of costs to support Advertising, Facility, Director, Program Manager, Case Manager, and Direct Service Staff.

Startup funding is provided to support Contractor’s administrative capacity to meet licensing requirements including but not limited to developing program policies and procedures, maintaining residences, and hiring and training direct care staff.

Bidders are required to complete a Readiness Assessment and submit a Project Schedule as part of their Response. Bidders who demonstrate they are further along in their readiness to assume licensing and meet contractual requirements will have their Proposals scored higher according to the Evaluation Criteria specified in Section E.

Each Bidder may be starting from a different phase according to their own readiness. There is no specific time limit for the completion of each startup phase. DCYF will work with Apparent Successful Bidders ahead of Contract execution to determine which phase aligns with the Bidder’s Project Schedule for the purpose of startup funds.

Any Contract(s) awarded as a result of this Solicitation is contingent upon the availability of funding.

6. Auxiliary Aids and Services for American with Disabilities Act (ADA) DCYF will provide access to this Solicitation Document to individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Solicitation Coordinator to request auxiliary aids and services.

If an individual believes that the Department has discriminated based on a disability, please contact the DCYF Solicitation Coordinator.

B. DEFINITIONS

Additional definitions for Contract-specific terms are found in the Sample Contract set forth as Attachment A to this Solicitation and shall apply to those terms as they are used in this Solicitation. The following terms have the meanings set forth below:

4. Bid - An offer, proposal or quote for goods or services and all related materials prepared and submitted by a Bidder in response to this Solicitation. The terms Bid, quotation, response, and proposal are all intended to mean the same thing.

5. Bidder– An individual or entity who submits a Bid, quotation, or proposal in response to a Solicitation issued for such goods or services by DCYF per RCW 39.26.010(3).

6. Client Services – Are services provided directly to DCYF clients per RCW 39.26.010 (4).

7. Complaint – Is a process that may be followed by a Bidder prior to the deadline for Bid submission to alert DCYF of certain types of asserted deficiencies in the Solicitation per RCW 39.26.170.

8. Complex Contract - Written agreements between two or more parties that are legally binding with the added complexity of competing priorities such as financial targets, support capabilities, and delivery schedules.

9. Consensus Scoring –The selected evaluation teams review and evaluates bid responses as a team and agrees on the score to be given to each bidder.

10. Contract – A written agreement entered between an Apparent Successful Bidder and DCYF as a result of this Solicitation.

14. Evaluator – Is a person designated by DCYF to evaluate proposals received in response to a Competitive Solicitation Document.

15. Non-Responsive Bidder - A Bidder who has submitted a bid, which does not conform to all requirements of the solicitation documents.

16. Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) Certified Business – Means business or the status of a business that has been examined by the Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) and deemed to be a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), a Minority Women’s Business Enterprise (MWBE), a Combination Business Enterprise (CBE), or a Socially and Economically Disadvantage Business Enterprise (SEDBE) per chapter 39.19 RCW.

OMWBE Certification. The Bidder must have provided certification documentation to the OMWBE and be certified by OMWBE and listed as such on OMWBE’s website (OMWBE’s Directory of Certified Businesses).

24. Unsuccessful Bidder (USB) - A supplier of goods or services that submits a quotation or request for proposal but is not selected once the evaluation decision has been made.

25. Veteran-Owned Business – means businesses certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) as a Certified Veteran-Owned Business. See RCW 43.60A.010(7) & RCW 43.60A.190. Such firms must meet three requirements:

a. 51% Ownership. The firm must be at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned and controlled by:

(1) A veteran as defined as every person who at the time he or she seeks certification has received a discharge with an honorable characterization or received a discharge for medical reasons with an honorable record, where applicable, and who has served in at least one of the capacities listed in RCW 41.04.007;

(2) A person who is in receipt of disability compensation or pension from the department of veterans’ affairs; or

(3) An active or reserve member in any branch of the armed forces of the United States, including the national guard, coast guard, and armed forces reserves.

b. Washington Incorporation/Location. The firm must be either an entity that is incorporated in the State of Washington as a Washington domestic corporation or, if not incorporated, an entity whose principal place of business is located within the State of Washington.

DVA Certification. The firm must have provided certification documentation to the DVA and be certified by DVA and listed as such on DVA’s website (WDVA – Veteran-Owned Businesses).

28. Washington Small Business - An in-state business, including a sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity, that: (a) certifies, under penalty of perjury, that it is owned and operated independently from all other businesses and has either: (i) fifty (50) or fewer employees; or (ii) a gross revenue of less than seven (7) million dollars annually as reported on its federal income tax return or its return filed with the Department of Revenue over the previous three (3) consecutive years.

Small Business Self-Certification. The Bidder must provide a signed Attachment B.1 Small Business Self-Certification as part of their proposal.

C. EXPLANATION OF SOLICITATION PROCESS

1. Solicitation Schedule The Solicitation Schedule set forth below outlines the tentative schedule for important events relating to this Solicitation. Except as modified in an Amendment issued by the Solicitation Coordinator, the dates and times listed through the date of response submission are mandatory deadlines. The remaining dates are estimates and may change without the posting of an Amendment. It is the Bidder’s sole responsibility to periodically check WEBS at https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/ for RFQ amendments. Failure to meet the response deadline will result in Bidder disqualification.

Negotiate Contract

9/8/2026-9/30/2026

2. Solicitation Coordinator

a. The Solicitation Coordinator is the sole point of contact for DCYF for this Solicitation. All communications concerning this Solicitation must be directed to the Solicitation Coordinator via email listed on the cover page and below of this subsection of this Solicitation Document.

Rachel Denney, Solicitation Coordinator Email: Rachel.Denney@dcyf.wa.gov

3. Posting of Solicitation Documents DCYF shall post this Solicitation, and all Amendments and announcements relating to this Solicitation, on WEBS. WEBS can be accessed at https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/.

All Bidders must register as a vendor on WEBS, using an appropriate commodities code listed on the front page of this Solicitation, and must download this Solicitation from WEBS. This should be done as soon as possible for the Bidder to receive notifications automatically generated on WEBS, but no later than the date set forth on Section C.1., Solicitation Schedule for Announcement of the Apparent Successful Bidder(s).

4. Amendment, Cancellation and Reissuance of Solicitation

5. Questions and Answers Bidders may send written questions concerning this Solicitation to the Solicitation Coordinator by the date and time set forth on the Solicitation Schedule in Section C.1. for submission of Questions. Questions should be sent via email and should include the number and title of this Solicitation in the subject line.

DCYF will document all questions received in writing by posting an Amendment to the Solicitation on WEBS. Only Bidders who have properly registered and downloaded the original Solicitation directly via the WEBS system at https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/ will receive notification of Amendments and other correspondence pertaining to this Solicitation.

6. Complaints

7. Small and Diverse Businesses DCYF in accordance with Washington law, encourages small and diverse businesses to compete for and participate in state procurements as contractors and as subcontractors to awarded bidders. See, e.g., RCW 39.19 (OMWBE certified businesses); RCW 43.60A.200 (WDVA certified veteran-owned businesses); and RCW 39.26.005 (Washington small businesses). In support of the state’s economic goals and to support a diverse supplier pool.

a. Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) Participation Bidders may contact the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) at http://omwbe.wa.gov/ to obtain information on certified firms for potential subcontracting arrangements or for information on how to become certified. Nothing in this section is intended to prevent or discourage participation from non-MWBE businesses.

b. Washington State Small Business Participation In accordance with the legislative findings and policies set forth in Chapter 39.26 RCW, the State of Washington encourages participation in all of its Contracts by Bidders defined as a Small Business. Participation may be either on a direct basis in response to this Solicitation or on a Subcontractor basis.

Bidder is a Washington Small Business as defined in RCW 39.26.010. To qualify as a Washington Small Business, Bidder must meet both of the following requirements:

Location. Bidder’s principal office/place of business must be located in and identified as being in the State of Washington. A principal office or principal place of business is a firm’s headquarters where business decisions are made and the location for the firm’s books and records as well as the firm’s senior management personnel.

Size. Bidder must be owned and operated independently from all other businesses and have either: (a) fifty (50) or fewer employees; or (b) gross revenue of less than seven million dollars ($7,000,000) annually as reported on Bidder’s federal income tax return or its return filed with the Washington State Department of Revenue over the previous three consecutive years.

c. Certified Veteran-Owned Business Participation In accordance with the legislative findings and policies set forth in Chapter 43.60A.200 RCW, the State of Washington encourages participation in all of its Contracts by firms certified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).

Bidder is a Certified Veteran-Owned Business under RCW 43.60A.190. To qualify as a Certified Veteran-Owned Business, Bidder must meet four (4) requirements:

51% Ownership. Bidder must be at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned and controlled by:

A veteran as defined as every person who at the time he or she seeks certification has received a discharge with an honorable characterization or received a discharge for medical reasons with an honorable record, where applicable, and who has served in at least one of the capacities listed in RCW 41.04.007;

A person who is in receipt of disability compensation or pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs; or An active or reserve member in any branch of the armed forces of the United States, including the national guard, coast guard, and armed forces reserves.

Bidder must have provided certification documentation to the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and be certified by WDVA and listed as such on WDVA’s website (WDVA – Veteran-Owned Businesses).

8. Procurement Priorities and Preferences.

DCYF will apply the following Priorities and Preferences, as set forth in this RFQ.

a. Evaluation for Executive Order 18-03 (Contractors without Mandatory Individual Arbitration for Employees) Pursuant to RCW 39.26.160(3) (best value criteria) and consistent with Executive Order 18-03 – Supporting Workers’ Rights to Effectively Address Workplace Violations (dated June 12, 2018), DCYF will evaluate bids for best value and provide a bid preference in the amount of Five percent (5%) to any bidder who certifies, pursuant to the certification attached as Attachment B – Bidder Certification and Assurances, that their firm does NOT require its employees, as a condition of employment, to sign or agree to mandatory individual arbitration clauses or class or collective action waiver.

b. Washington Small Business DCYF will evaluate bids for best value and will provide a bid preference in the amount of ten percent (10%) to any Bidder who certifies, pursuant to Attachment C.1 and Attachment B.1 – Bidder’s Washington Small Business Certification, that Bidder qualifies as a ‘Washington Small Business’ as set forth in Section C.7.b.

c. Certified Veteran-Owned Business DCYF will evaluate bids for best value and will provide a bid preference in the amount of ten percent (10%) to any Bidder who certifies, pursuant to Attachment C.1 – Bidder’s Response, that Bidder qualifies as a ‘Veteran-Owned Business as set forth in Section C.7.c. Bidder must provide certification documentation to the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and be certified by DVA and listed as such on DVA’s website (WDVA – Veteran-Owned Businesses).

9. Cost to Prepare Response DCYF will not be liable for any costs incurred by the Bidder in preparing of a Bid submitted in response to this Solicitation, conducting a site assessment and/or presentation, any other activities related to responding to this Solicitation, and/or submitting a response to this Solicitation.

10. Joint Proposals If Bidders submit a joint response with one or more other persons or entities, these persons or entities must designate a prime Bidder. The prime Bidder will be DCYF sole point of contact through the Solicitation process. If selected as the ASB, the prime Bidder shall sign the Contract and any Amendments and will be liable and responsible to DCYF for all performance under the Contract.

11. Withdrawal of Responses After a response has been submitted, Bidders may withdraw their response at any time up to the response due date and time as specified in Section C.1, Solicitation Schedule. A written request to withdraw the response, signed by an Authorized Representative of the Bidder, must be submitted to the Solicitation Coordinator. After withdrawing a response, the Bidder may submit another response at any time up to the response submission date and time.

12. Wage Theft Prevention Bidder certifies that Bidder has not, within the three (3) year period immediately preceding the date of release of this Competitive Solicitation, been determined by a final and binding citation and notice of assessment issued by the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries or through a civil judgment to have willfully violated state minimum wage laws (RCW 49.38.082; Chapters 49.46 RCW, 49.48 RCW, or 49.52 RCW). Bidder attests under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statement is true and correct. Bidder must submit Attachment B, attached hereto and incorporated herein as though set forth in full.

13. Wage Violations Contractor represents and warrants that, during the term of this Contract and the three (3) year period immediately preceding the effective date of this Contract, it is not determined, by a final and binding citation and notice of assessment issued by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries or through a civil judgment entered by a court of limited or general jurisdiction, to be in willful violation of any provision of Washington State wage laws set forth in RCW Chapters 49.46, 49.48, or 49.52. For purposes of this Section 13 and pursuant to RCW 49.48.082 as now or hereafter amended, “willful” shall mean a knowing and intentional action that is neither accidental nor the result of a bona fide dispute, as evaluated under the standards applicable to wage payment violations under RCW 49.52.050(2).

14. Pay Equality Contractor represents and warrants that, as required by Washington State law (Laws of 2019,Chap. 415, §225(4)(f)), during the term of this Contract the Contractor agrees to equality among its workers by ensuring similarly employed individuals are compensated as equals.

15. Worker’s Rights Pursuant to the Washington State Governor’s Executive Order 18-03 (dated June 12, 2018), DCYF is seeking to contract with qualified entities and business owners who certify that their employees are not, as a condition of employment, subject to mandatory individual arbitration clauses and class or collective action waivers.

16. Nondiscrimination

1. Nondiscrimination Requirement. During the term of this Contract, Contractor, including any subcontractor, shall not discriminate on the bases enumerated at RCW 49.60.530(3). In addition, Contractor, including any subcontractor, shall give written notice of this nondiscrimination requirement to any labor organizations with which Contractor, or subcontractor, has a collective bargaining or other agreement.

1. Obligation to Cooperate. Contractor, including any subcontractor, shall cooperate and comply with any Washington State agency investigation regarding any allegation that Contractor, including any subcontractor, has engaged in discrimination prohibited by this Contract pursuant to RCW 49.60.530(3).

1. Default. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, DCYF may suspend Contractor, including any subcontractor, upon notice of a failure to participate and cooperate with any state agency investigation into alleged discrimination prohibited by this Contract, pursuant to RCW 49.60.530(3). Any such suspension will remain in place until DCYF receives notification that Contractor, including any subcontractor, is cooperating with the investigating state agency. In the event Contractor, or subcontractor, is determined to have engaged in discrimination identified at RCW 49.60.530(3), DCYF may terminate this Contract in whole or in part, and Contractor, subcontractor, or both, may be referred for debarment as provided in RCW 39.26.200. Contractor or subcontractor may be given a reasonable time in which to cure this noncompliance, including implementing conditions consistent with any court-ordered injunctive relief or settlement agreement.

1. Remedies for Breach. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, in the event of Contract termination or suspension for engaging in discrimination, Contractor, subcontractor, or both, shall be liable for contract damages as authorized by law including, but not limited to, any cost difference between the original contract and the replacement or cover contract and all administrative costs directly related to the replacement contract, which damages are distinct from any penalties imposed under Chapter 49.60, RCW. DCYF shall have the right to deduct from any monies due to Contractor or subcontractor, or that thereafter become due, an amount for damages Contractor or subcontractor will owe DCYF for default under this provision.

17. Most Favorable Terms DCYF reserves the right to make an award without further discussion of the Bid submitted. Therefore, the Bid should be submitted initially on the most favorable terms which the Bidder can propose. DCYF does reserve the right to contact a Bidder for clarification of its Bid.

The Bidder should be prepared to accept this RFQ for incorporation into a Contract resulting from this RFQ. Contract negotiations may incorporate some or all of the Bidder’s Bid. It is understood that the Bid will become a part of the official Solicitation file on this matter without obligation to DCYF.

18. Announcement of Successful Bidder(s) DCYF shall announce the ASB(s) via WEBS on the date indicated in Section C.1., Solicitation Schedule. All announcements of ASB(s) are subject to the negotiation of a Contract satisfactory to DCYF.

19. Ethics, Policies and Law This Solicitation, the evaluation of responses, and any resulting Contract will be made in conformance with applicable Washington State laws and policies.

Specific restrictions apply to contracting with current or former state employees pursuant to RCW 42.52. Bidders should familiarize themselves with the requirements prior to submitting a Response. Bidders must include information regarding any current or former state employees who are employed by, or subcontracted with Bidder in Attachment C-1, Administrative Requirements Response.

D. PROPOSAL CONTENT, FORMAT AND SUBMISSION

Bidders shall submit their responses utilizing the forms set forth on Attachments B, C and D to this Competitive Solicitation. Each attachment represents a separate section of the response. Failure to complete and submit all Required attachments, and to sign them, if applicable, may result in Bidder disqualification. Responses should be neatly typed in 12-point font, using proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and should be submitted in the following order with each section of the response clearly labeled.

1. Attachment B - Certifications and Assurances (Required Pass/Fail) All Bidders must submit a completed Certifications and Assurances in the form and with the minimum contents set forth on Attachment B, which must include all the required acknowledgments and information. The Certifications and Assurances must be signed by an individual authorized to bind the Bidder contractually.

Attachment B-1 Bidder Small Business Self Certification (Required to Receive Preference Points as a Small Business)

2. Attachment C - Bidder Response Forms (Required/Portions Scored) Using Attachment C-1 and C-2, Bidders must provide answers to the questions set forth on the Bidder Response Forms to demonstrate satisfaction of administrative requirements and, as applicable to this Solicitation, their qualifications, approach, and proposed pricing to provide the services as outlined in this Solicitation, including the sample Contract set forth on Attachment A. The number of points allocated to each answer is indicated next to the question.

The Bidder Response Form is posted separately from this Solicitation Document in Microsoft Word format. Except for limits that are noted on the Bidder Response Form, Bidders may utilize as much space as is reasonably required to respond to each question, provided all questions are repeated and remain numbered and ordered as set forth in Attachment C-2. Bidders should not submit product brochures, white papers, and customer testimonials, cut sheets, or other pre-prepared materials in response to any of the questions.

Use of Attachment C-2 assures that Bidders respond to specific questions in space immediately below those questions and helps to avoid confusion among Evaluators about the question that is being responded to. Failure to use the form set forth on Attachment C-2, and failure to respond to all questions and/or failure to submit any documents requested in the Bidder Response Forms may result in Bidder’s disqualification.

Bidders must submit complete, well-organized explanatory answers that address all of the specific questions asked in the Bidder Response Form. Bidders should not assume that Evaluators will be familiar with their businesses before conducting the evaluation.

If Bidder is awarded a Contract, DCYF may require the Bidder Response Form C-2 to be incorporated, in whole, into the Contract by reference.

Attachments. Attachments must be labeled and the question number to which it responds must be indicated.

Points Awarded for Responses. The number in parentheses after each question or requirement represents the maximum number of points that may be awarded for the Bidder’s response to that question or requirement.

3. Attachment D-Small and Diverse Business Inclusion Plan – Subcontractors

a. Bidders who, if awarded a Contract, intend to use subcontractors, must complete Bidder Response Attachment D – Small and Diverse Business Inclusion Plan – Subcontractors in the form set forth herein. Awarded bidders who do not submit a Diverse Business Inclusion Plan will be precluded from utilizing subcontractors to perform the Contract.

b. As part of the Diverse Business Inclusion Plan – Subcontractors, Bidder is encouraged to include an anticipated list of small/diverse subcontractors who may assist Bidder in fulfilling Bidder’s contractual obligations, if bidder is awarded a Contract pursuant to this Competitive Solicitation. This list should identify any subcontractors who are small/diverse businesses as defined above.

c. If awarded, the Bidder’s Diverse Business Inclusion Plan – Subcontractor will be incorporated into the terms and conditions of the resulting Contract and bidder will report performance and progress to DCYF as set forth in the Contract.

d. Bidders must describe their efforts in engaging and reducing any barriers to participation by small/diverse businesses, including outreach, education/mentorship, and process changes designed to increase small/diverse business participation.

e. The small/diverse business goals set forth herein are voluntary. Bidders will not be considered non-responsive if the Diverse Business Inclusion Plan – Subcontractors has a zero small/diverse business participation amount. DCYF, however, encourages bidders to be proactive in engaging small/diverse business participation. No preference will be included in the evaluation of bids based on the Diverse Business Inclusion Plan – Subcontractors. No minimum level of small/diverse business participation is required as a condition for receiving a Contract award.

4. Project Schedule (Required Pass/Fail) Bidders must submit a project schedule which specifies timelines associated with the implementation of their ATLP Program. Project Schedules should be submitted as a PDF or an Excel Gantt Chart format.

The schedule should include project tasks, activities, milestones, and deliverables involved in implementing the ATLP Program from contract execution to first enrollment of an eligible youth. This includes but is not limited to those activities specified for each startup phase specified in Attachment A, Sample Contract: Exhibit B Statement of Work. The project schedule should specify start and end dates for each activity identified.

5. Key Personnel (Required Pass/Fail) Bidder shall identify the key personnel it shall utilize in performing this Contract, and their experience and qualifications, as part of its proposal. If awarded a Contract, Bidder shall not make changes to such key personnel during the term of the Contract except as requested or approved by DCYF.

6. Letters of Reference (Required Pass/Fail) Bidders must submit three (3) Letters of Reference which demonstrate their ability to provide services as described in this Solicitation. Letters of Reference from a current DCYF employee will be considered non-responsive. The Bidder must grant permission to DCYF to contact the references and others who may have pertinent information.

7 Pre-bid Conference A Microsoft Teams pre-bid conference is scheduled to be held on July 16, at 2:00 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time, Washington. Bidder should participate; however, participation is not mandatory.

Microsoft Teams meeting Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/251392386621241?p=Kw9HvkD9C0sGFFNW44 Meeting ID: 251 392 386 621 241 Passcode: Zm6rz2vM DCYF will be bound only to DCYF’S written answers to questions. Questions arising at the pre-bid conference or in subsequent communication with the Solicitation Coordinator will be documented and answered in written form. A copy of the questions and answers will be posted in WEBS.

8. Proprietary Information/Public Disclosure Materials submitted in response to this Solicitation shall be deemed public records as defined by RCW 42.56. All responses and accompanying documentation shall become the property of DCYF upon receipt and will not be returned.

The Bidder’s response must include, on Attachment C-1, a statement identifying the pages of its response, if any, which contain information the Bidder considers proprietary. Each page claimed to be proprietary must be clearly marked by stating the word “Proprietary” printed on the lower right-hand corner of the page. Bidders must be reasonable in designating information as proprietary or confidential. Bidders may not mark their entire Response proprietary.