DCYF RFQ Solicitation Intercept 12-4.docx

COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

RFQ-25-DCYF-CW-083

Project Title: Intercept

Estimated Contract Performance Period: May 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. 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: 952-21, 952-15, 952-13, 952-17, 952-47, 952-59, 952-67, 952-74, 952-95, 948-86

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 qualified Contractor(s) to provide Intercept services to eligible children ages birth to age eighteen (18) and their families who are involved in child welfare, children’s mental health and/or juvenile justice systems.

Intercept is rated “well-supported” by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse and has served tens of thousands of young people and their families since 2006, reducing out-of-home placements and accelerating permanency. Youth Villages, a national social services agency based in Memphis, Tennessee, provides training and technical assistance to organizations who wish to implement Intercept services in their communities.

DCYF received funding from the Legislature for SFY25 and SFY26 to launch two Intercept pilots (one on the Eastside and one on the Westside; the pilot locations will be in King and Spokane counties). Data will be gathered, reviewed and assessed to determine if additional funding should be requested in SFY26 to extend the pilot and/or deliver the services statewide.

DCYF, in accordance with Washington law, encourages small and diverse businesses to compete for and participate in DCYF procurements. 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.

2. Objective and Scope

Intercept is an evidenced-based intensive in-home parenting skills program used to safely prevent children from entering out-of-home care or to reunify them with family as quickly as possible if a period of out-of-home care is necessary (this includes, but is not limited to, foster care, residential treatment, or group home settings).

The Intercept staffing structure includes a Program Lead, a Team Supervisor, and Specialists. The Program Lead manages Intercept program operations by focusing on effective planning and marketing, quality of services, effectiveness of Intercept staff, customer relations, interviewing and hiring, implementation of training, implementation of quality management, and employee recognition and motivation. This position may assist in activities related to program growth and securing ongoing funding to sustain the program. This position will be a person within the contractor’s organization that directly supervises the Intercept Team Supervisor.

The Team Supervisor is responsible for managing the Intercept team and supervising the Intercept specialists in their day-to-day implementation of the Intercept model. The Supervisor conducts weekly group supervision and individual development, staffs red flag cases (e.g. elevated risk, high acuity) with the Youth Villages Licensed Program Expert (LPE) weekly and takes part in consultation. The Supervisor will participate in individual development meetings with specialists to work with the specialists on staff development, how to improve their skills, address any challenges, etc. The Supervisor reviews case documentation, conducts customer surveys, and provides additional support to specialists in the field in order to develop skills and ensure model adherence. The Supervisor provides coverage when staff have scheduled or unscheduled time off. The Supervisor will complete monthly data review with Youth Villages and will attend ongoing program model trainings on a quarterly basis. The supervisor will also have a weekly meeting with the Program Lead/Director.

Intercept Specialists work with both the child and the caregivers to address issues impacting the stability of the family, meeting an average of three times weekly in the home or community, depending on family need, and providing 24-hour on-call crisis support.

Intercept Specialists typically carry caseloads of four (4) to five (5) families. They work in all the areas that surround the child – family, school, peer group, neighborhood – providing evidence-based and research-informed interventions. Following a detailed case conceptualization process, Specialists collaborate with other providers, schools, case workers, courts, and other community supports to formulate individualized treatment plans. Specialists are personally responsible for managing their caseload. Specialists participate in three (3) required meetings (group supervision, consultation, and individual development) for program model adherence, case conceptualization, and professional development on a weekly basis.

The following staffing structure is a requirement of the Intercept model: One (1) Program Lead, one (1) Team Supervisor and four (4) to five (5) Specialists. Each pilot site will be required to have staffing for this structure. The Program Lead will be .25 FTE, the Team Supervisor will be 1.0 FTE and each Specialist will be 1.0 FTE. Intercept Specialists work in teams of four (4) to five (5) specialists with one (1) full-time Team Supervisor. A designated Program Lead within the contractor’s agency will supervise the Team Supervisor.

Specialists and supervisors receive initial and ongoing training provided by the Youth Villages support team. In addition, specialists receive individual, group, clinical, and field supervision to ensure service delivery is consistent with the Intercept model.

Organizations must be pre-certified by Youth Villages to deliver the Intercept service. Organizations who deliver Intercept services must have written approval through the pre-certification process with Youth Villages, the Intercept model purveyor. The Organization is responsible for contacting Youth Villages at strategic.partnerships@youthvillages.org to initiate and complete the certification process for becoming an Intercept Partner Agency. The pre-certification process typically takes approximately one month to complete. The pre-certification process occurs in two phases. In the first phase, prospective organizations need to complete and submit the pre-certification form and required documentation (which includes financial, program and operational components) to Youth Villages. Youth Villages will then conduct an initial review of the submission. Organizations who pass that review will move on to the second phase which includes a minimum of two (2) due diligence calls with Youth Villages and organizations may be asked to submit additional documentation. Youth Villages will make a final determination about pre-certification and will notify the prospective organization accordingly.

Organizations will be required to hold a current Intercept licensing agreement with Youth Villages and meet the expectations established by Youth Villages under that agreement. This will involve regular program model reviews, ongoing collaboration with Youth Villages, and recertification as an approved Intercept partner.

Scope

Intent of Services

The intent is for services to provide an integrated, intensive in-home parenting skills program used to safely prevent children from entering out-of-home care or to reunify them with family as quickly as possible if a period of out-of-home care is necessary (this includes, but is not limited to, foster care, residential treatment, or group home settings). Services will last four (4) to nine (9) months depending on referral type (typically, four to six months for prevention or six to nine months for reunification). Intercept Specialists work with both the child and the caregivers to address issues impacting the stability of the family, meeting an average of three times weekly in the home or community, depending on family need, and providing twenty-four (24) hour on-call crisis support.

The apparent successful bidders awarded this contract will at a minimum, provide the following specific services and shall work exclusively with DCYF referred clients who meet the criteria:

a. Emphasis on Safety & Supervision Planning

(1) Provide safety equipment, (i.e. fire/smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, lock boxes, trigger locks, door and window alarms, and car steering wheel locks).

(2) Specialists will support families with safety assessments and sweeps, as necessary, and will develop, update and review individualized safety plans.

b. Family/Youth Engagement

(1) Specialist will ensure the family and child are involved in the initial detailed assessment of the referral issues as well as strengths and needs.

(2) Specialist will work with the family and child with the creation of goals which are designed to develop skills in both parents and children to problem-solve in difficult situations (including, but not limited to school communication, negative peers, getting along with teachers).

c. Individualized, culturally relevant and family driven services

(1) Specialist will ensure families drive services through their input into service plans and goal development.

(2) Specialist will ensure interventions are adapted to the unique cultural context of each family.

d. Services for youth with severe mental health needs

(1) Services will include parent training that focuses on learning how to better manage the child’s mental health issues.

(2) Specialist will connect youth and family with psychiatry and other mental health services, as clinically indicated.

(3) In addition to providing twenty-four, seven (24/7) on-call services for crises, the Intercept Specialist completes safety plans with the parent/caregiver to teach skills that can help prevent crisis situations.

e. Services for unruly/delinquent behavior

(1) Services will include parent training, assistance with schools (including promoting positive attitude within the family regarding school attendance), and will include access to mentoring, tutoring, community service, sports, etc.

(2) Specialist will collaborate with existing community resources to ensure all family needs are met.

f. Managing Problem Behaviors

(1) Specialist will provide families with education on developing monitoring and supervision plans for their children.

(2) Specialists will provide support to families and will focus on teaching families how to more effectively manage their own and their children’s behavior.

g. Community mentors/volunteers Specialists will assist families with identifying support people within the family’s natural environment to create additional positive influences in a child’s life. School teachers, specialists, and community leaders such as church ministers are examples of positive role models who can mentor a child.

h. Educational services

(1) Specialists will help families access tutoring programs.

(2) Specialists will assist parents in learning to advocate for their children’s educational needs in the school system.

(3) Services will also focus on family attitudes toward school attendance and completion in order to reduce truancy and drop-out rates.

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

a. Must be licensed to do business in the State of Washington or provide a commitment that it will become licensed in Washington within thirty (30) days of being selected as the Apparent Successful Bidder (ASB).

b. Must be pre-certified by Youth Villages to provide Intercept services at the time proposal is submitted and include a copy of the certification in their response.

c. Must propose delivery of Intercept services in Spokane and/or King counties.

d. Must have a qualified Program Lead currently employed at their organization at the time proposal is submitted.

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 two (2) Contract(s) to provide the services described in this RFQ.

The initial term of the Contract(s) will be for fourteen (14) months commencing upon the start date May, 1 2025, or execution date, whichever is later. The term of the Contract may be extended by Amendment up to two (2) times for up to one (1) year per amendment, and will not exceed the date of June 30, 2028, if funding is available.

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 initial total amount for the Contract(s) shall not exceed $963,382.40 .

b. Any Contract(s) awarded because 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:

5. Average Scoring – Each member of the evaluating team reviews and evaluates the bid responses and determines the score to be given to each bidder. The scores are then compiled and averaged for the final award score.

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

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

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

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

17. 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).

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).

29. 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

March 25-April 30, 2025

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 listed on the cover page and below of this subsection of this Solicitation Document.

b. Proposal Content, Format and Submission, communications with the Solicitation Coordinator should be sent via email.

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

d. For this purpose, the published questions and answers from the pre-bid conference and any other pertinent information shall be provided as an Amendment to the RFQ.

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. 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 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.

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

1. Obligation to Cooperate. Contractor, , shall cooperate and comply with any Washington State agency investigation regarding any allegation that Contractor, 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, 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, is cooperating with the investigating state agency. In the event Contractor, 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, may be referred for debarment as provided in RCW 39.26.200. Contractor 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, 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 that thereafter become due, an amount for damages Contractor 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, B.1 and C-1, and C-2 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) 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 Small Business Self Certification (Optional) Bidders must submit a completed Small Business Self Certification if Bidder wants to be awarded preference points for being a Washington Small Business as defined in this RFQ.

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.

Attachment C-1, Administrative Requirements Response (Required) Attachment C-2 Bidder Response Form (Scored) 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.

3. Key Personnel 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) 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 February 13, 2025, at 1:30 P.M., Pacific Daylight Time, Washington. Bidder should participate; however, participation is not mandatory.

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Join the meeting now or copy link and put into browser: https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/ap/t-59584e83/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fteams.microsoft.com%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%253ameeting_ODdiNDZiMjItY2EyZC00MjAwLTgwZjktMjE0ZjE5YTU1ODVi%2540thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%252211d0e217-264e-400a-8ba0-57dcc127d72d%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%25225a265755-4da3-4dae-8fb9-ba277d081ae2%2522%257d&data=05%7C02%7Crachel.denney%40dcyf.wa.gov%7C1d12fba86dfe4c65b8c208dd3fc04d4e%7C11d0e217264e400a8ba057dcc127d72d%7C0%7C0%7C638736817337277945%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=zVE4%2FpDOahjRVt5MzyAEF5%2BiOtgulx5%2F21icc3KxpUE%3D&reserved=0 Meeting ID: 217 856 201 105 Passcode: cq7AN2z6

Dial in by phone +1 564-999-2000,,361324674# United States, Olympia

(833) 322-1218,,361324674# United States (Toll-free) Find a local number Phone conference ID: 361 324 674# 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. Doing so will not be honored and will disqualify your Response from further consideration.

If DCYF receives a request to view or copy a Bidder’s response, DCYF will respond according to applicable law and DCYF’s policy governing public disclosure. DCYF will not disclose any information marked “Proprietary” in a response without giving the Bidder ten (10) calendar days’ notice to seek relief in superior court per RCW 42.56.540. Bid submissions and Bid evaluations are exempt from disclosure until DCYF announces the ASB.

9. Submission of Responses

Bid…