HSS26070-BRSTFDCOUN_pr.pdf

This is a bidders' submission list for Request for Proposals HSS-26-070, issued by the State of Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, for WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Services. The procurement seeks professional services to implement breastfeeding peer counselor programs statewide designed to increase breastfeeding initiation rates, exclusivity, and duration to meet Healthy People 2030 targets. The RFP closed on June 29, 2026, at 1:00 PM EDT, with five proposals submitted by the deadline: CRHB Holdings (submitted June 27, 2026), Latin American Community Center (June 29, 2026 at 10:07 AM), Westside Family Healthcare, Inc. (June 29, 2026 at 12:34 PM), Nemours Children's Health (June 29, 2026 at 10:52 AM), and ChristianaCare Health System (submitted June 24, 2026). The contract term is one year with four optional one-year extensions. Award notification was estimated for July 21, 2026, with an estimated project start date of October 1, 2026. Multiple awards will be made based on service volume and bidder capacity.

Eligible applicants include hospitals, federally funded health care facilities, pediatric offices, obstetrician offices, and other agencies offering support to women of childbearing age. Key requirements include employment of peer counselors working 20 to 40 hours per week, provision of a private office for counseling sessions, maintenance of WIC-approved Medela breast pumps, and designation of a qualified Breastfeeding Expert. Proposals are evaluated using a weighted scoring system across five criteria: Qualifications of Vendor (25 points), Methodology Proposed (25 points), Responses to Scope of Work (20 points), Ability to Recruit, Hire, Schedule, and Train Qualified Applicants (15 points), and Evaluation of Proposed Costs (15 points). Vendors must maintain Commercial General Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and Professional Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, provide at least three business references, and hold Delaware business licensure or initiate the application process. Subcontracting is not permitted; however, current breastfeeding peer counselor service providers may expand existing services. Specific budget values or award amounts are not disclosed in available solicitation documents.