MDCPS CCCPA RFQ# 2026ICCCP001-(AMENDMENT 1).pdf

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 1

Andrea Sanders, Commissioner

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services

RFQ Number: 2026ICCCP001

RFx Number: 3140004481

Issue Date: January 15th, 2026

CLOSING LOCATION

Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services

750 North State Street

Jackson, Mississippi 39202

CONTACT

Shaquita Burke, RFQ Coordinator

601-359-1329

Contracts@mdcps.ms.gov

CLOSING DATE & TIME

Qualifications must be received no later than

Friday, February 13th, 2026 (by 12:00 p.m. CST)

FOR CHILDREN | FOR FAMILIES | FOR MISSISSIPPI

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 2

Table of Contents

SECTION 1: PROCUREMENT PROCESS

1.1 BACKGROUND

1.2 PROCUREMENT TIMELINE

1.3 QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATION

1.4 RECOMMENDED LETTER OF INTENT

1.5 QUALIFICATIONS ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

1.6 REJECTION OF QUALIFICATIONS

1.7 EXPENSES INCURRED IN PREPARING OFFERS

1.8 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

1.9 RESTRICTIONS ON COMMUNICATION WITH AGENCY STAFF

1.10 REGISTRATION WITH THE MISSISSIPPI SECRETARY OF STATE

1.11 DEBARMENT

1.12 MISSISSIPPI’S ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM FOR GOVERNMENTAL INFORMATION AND COLLABORATION (MAGIC)

1.13 DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFERORS

1.14 SOLICITATION DOCUMENT

1.15 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS

1.16 EXCEPTIONS

1.17 INFORMALITIES AND IRREGULARITIES

1.18 RIGHT TO REJECT QUALIFICATIONS

1.19 TYPE OF CONTRACT

1.20 GENERAL REFERENCES THROUGHOUT THE RFQ

1.21 MDCPS RIGHTS RESERVED

1.22 SOLICITATION CANCELLATION CLAUSE

1.23 DISCLOSURE OF ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

1.24 DEFINITION OF PRINCIPAL

1.25 VENDOR EXCLUSION NOTICE

1.26 REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF THE INTENT TO AWARD

SECTION 2: SCOPE OF SERVICES AND REQUIREMENTS

2.1 PURPOSE

2.2 SCOPE OF SERVICES

2.3 TERM

2.4 INSURANCE

SECTION 3: QUALIFICATIONS SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

3.1 QUALIFICATIONS SUBMISSION DEADLINE

3.2 MANNER OF SUBMISSION

3.3 CONTENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 3

SECTION 4: EVALUATION AND AWARD

4.1 STEP ONE: DETERMINATION OF RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE OFFERORS

4.2 STEP TWO: EVALUATION COMMITTEE

4.3 STEP THREE: NEGOTIATION

4.4 AWARD

SECTION 5: DEBRIEFING INFORMATION

5.1 POST-AWARD VENDOR DEBRIEFING

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 4

ATTACHMENTS

ATTACHMENT A: QUALIFICATIONS COVER SHEET

ATTACHMENT B: DEBARMENT VERIFICATION FORM

ATTACHMENT C: PROPRIETARYINFORMATION FORM

ATTACHMENT D: QUALIFICATIONS EXCEPTION SUMMARY FORM

ATTACHMENT E: REFERENCES

ATTACHMENT F: REFERENCE SCORE SHEET

ATTACHMENT G: SAMPLE CONTRACT

ATTACHMENT H: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS

ATTACHMENT I: RECOMMENDED LETTER OF INTENT

ATTACHMENT J: PRE-OFFEROR’S STATEMENT OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT

ATTACHMENT K: OLIVIA Y SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

ATTACHMENT L: PRICE RESOURCE PER DIEM PAYMENT AMOUNTS

ATTACHMENT M: CONGREGATE CARE/CHILD PLACING SERVICES COST FORM...66

ATTACHMENT N: RELEASE OF QUALIFICATION AS PUBLIC RECORD

ATTACHMENT O: PERFORMANCE REPORT VARIABLES

ATTACHMENT P: REQUIRED CLAUSES

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 5

SECTION 1: Procurement Process

1.1 Background

The Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services was created as the state’s lead child welfare agency by the 2016 Mississippi Legislature, separating it from the Mississippi

Department of Human Services. The mission of MDCPS is to lead Mississippi’s efforts in keeping children and youth safe and thriving by:

• strengthening families;

• preventing child abuse, neglect and exploitation; and,

• promoting child and family well-being and permanent family connections.

MDCPS is seeking to procure the services of Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency

Services vendors to join its Continuum of Care (CoC) network. The CoC is a network of agencies that work together to protect children and offer a wide range of family-centered services, including prevention, medical and legal support, licensed foster homes, and residential treatment.

This solicitation aims to select vendors to provide specified services, with the option of operating one or multiple facility types. The vendor must be willing to commit to their roles, fulfill all licensure requirements prior to Congregate Care placements being made, engage in evidence-based practices, and collaborate with MDCPS on referrals, admissions, discharges, placement transitions and aftercare recommendations/services. Additional information about the services the Agency is seeking can be found in Section 2 of this RFQ.

1.2 Procurement Timeline

RFQ Issued and First Advertisement Wednesday, January 15th, 2026

Second Advertisement Monday, January 19th, 2026

Deadline to Submit Questions or

Requests for Clarification Monday, January 26th, 2026 (by 12:00 p.m. CST)

Anticipated Posting of Answers to

Questions and Requests for Clarifications Wednesday, January 28th, 2026

Deadline to Submit the Recommended

Letter of Intent Friday, January 30th, 2026 (by 12:00 p.m. CST)

Deadline to Submit Qualifications Friday, February 13th, 2026 (by 12:00 p.m. CST)

Anticipated Notice of Intent to Award Wednesday, March 4th, 2026

Anticipated Initial Contract Term Wednesday, April 1, 2026 – Tuesday, March 31, 2028

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 6

Note: MDCPS reserves the right to adjust this schedule as it deems necessary. MDCPS may post Answers to Questions or the Notice of Intent to Award on dates other than those stated above without amendment to this RFQ. The initial contract term shall be two (2) years, but

MDCPS may change the dates of the initial contract term without amendment to this RFQ if the date changes are necessary because of the procurement schedule. No other dates shall be changed unless a written amendment is issued.

1.3 Questions and Requests for Clarification

Questions relating to the RFQ requirements, or the services shall be submitted in writing to the

RFQ Coordinator listed on the cover page of this RFQ at Contracts@mdcps.ms.gov no later than Monday, January 26th, 2026 person at the agency shall not be relied upon where it contradicts any portion of this RFQ, unless it is subsequently ratified by a formal written amendment to the RFQ. All questions and answers will be published on the MDCPS website and the Mississippi

Contract/Procurement Opportunity Search Portal website in a manner that all Offerors will be able to view. When submitting questions and requests for clarifications, “RFQ Number: 2026ICCCP001

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services” should be the subject for the email. Question submittals should include a reference to the applicable RFQ section and be submitted in the format shown below:

No. RFQ Section, Page No. Question/Request for Clarification

1.

1.4 Recommended Letter of Intent

Offerors should notify MDCPS of their intention to submit a qualifications package. The Letter of Intent (Attachment I) shall be submitted via e-mail to contracts@mdcps.ms.gov by Friday, January 30th, 2026 (by 12:00 p.m. CST). The Letter of Intent shall include the title and RFx number on the cover page of this RFQ, the Offeror’s organizational name and address, one (1) to two (2) sentences stating that the Offeror’s organization intends to submit qualifications for this service, location of the service area, and the contact person’s name, title, phone number, fax number, Tax I.D. number, DUNS number, address, and email address. MDCPS will acknowledge receipt of the letter of intent via return e-mail from contracts@mdcps.ms.gov.

1.5 Qualifications Acceptance Period

The Agency will accept qualifications until Friday, February 13th, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., CST.

Qualifications shall be delivered to the RFQ Coordinator listed on the cover page of this RFQ.

Qualifications submission requirements are contained in Section 3 of this RFQ.

1.6 Rejection of Qualifications

Qualifications which do not conform to the requirements set forth in this RFQ may be rejected by MDCPS. Qualifications may be rejected for reasons which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The qualifications contain unauthorized amendments to the requirements of the RFQ.

• The qualifications are conditional.

mailto:contracts@mdcps.ms.gov mailto:contracts@mdcps.ms.gov

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 7

• The qualifications are incomplete or contain irregularities which make the Qualifications indefinite or ambiguous.

• The qualifications were received late. Late Qualifications will be maintained unopened in the procurement file.

• The qualifications are not signed by an authorized representative of the party.

• The qualifications contain false or misleading statements or references.

• The qualifications do not offer to provide all services required by the RFQ.

• Any other reason MDCPS determines to be in the best interest of the State.

1.7 Expenses Incurred in Preparing Offers

MDCPS accepts no responsibility for any expense incurred by any Offeror in the preparation and presentation of an offer. Such expenses shall be borne exclusively by the Offeror.

1.8 Proprietary Information

The Offeror should identify any part of the qualification package considered to be proprietary information which may remain confidential in accordance with Mississippi Code Annotated §§

25-61-9 and 79-23-1 (1972, as amended), as a “Trade Secret.” Any pages not marked accordingly will be subject to review by the general public after award of the contract. Requests to review the proprietary information will be handled in accordance with applicable legal procedures. The

Offeror shall submit a completed Proprietary Information Form, attached to this RFQ as

Attachment C. Additional submission requirements regarding any part of the qualification marked as a “Trade Secret” are contained in Section 3 of this RFQ.

1.9 Restrictions on Communication with Agency Staff

At no time shall any Offeror or its personnel contact, or attempt to contact, any MDCPS staff regarding this RFQ, except the RFQ Coordinator listed on the cover page of this RFQ in the manner prescribed in Section 1.3. Unauthorized contact regarding the RFQ with other employees of the agency may result in the potential Offeror being disqualified, and the potential Offeror may also be suspended or disbarred from the State.

1.10 Registration with the Mississippi Secretary of State

By submitting a qualification, the Offeror certifies that it is registered to do business in the State of Mississippi as prescribed by Mississippi law and the Mississippi Secretary of State or, if not already registered, that it will do so within five (5) business days of being notified by the agency that it has been selected for contract award. Sole proprietors are not required to register with the

Mississippi Secretary of State.

1.11 Debarment

By submitting a qualification, the Offeror certifies that it is not currently debarred from submitting Qualifications for contracts issued by any political subdivision or agency of the State of Mississippi or federal government and that it is not an agent of a person or entity that is currently debarred from submitting Qualifications for contracts issued by any political subdivision or agency of the State of Mississippi or federal government. The Offeror shall submit a completed MDCPS Debarment Verification Form, attached to this RFQ as Attachment B.

Attachment B shall be received by MDCPS, in the Qualifications submitted by the Offeror, no

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 8 later than Friday, February 13th, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., CST. MDCPS reserves the right to deem any Qualifications not containing an executed MDCPS Debarment Verification Form as non-responsive to the RFQ.

1.12 Registration with Mississippi’s Accountability System for Governmental Information and

Collaboration (MAGIC)

If the Offeror is not already registered as a supplier in MAGIC, the Offeror should register as a supplier with the State of Mississippi. Registering as a supplier with the State of MS allows businesses to register for upcoming opportunity notifications by the products they supply, search the system for upcoming solicitations, respond to solicitations electronically, and receive purchase orders via e-mail. The registration can be completed at the following link:

http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliershttp://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfaoffices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/vendors/supplier-selfhttp://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/service/

Any questions regarding registration in MAGIC should be directed to the Mississippi

Management and Reporting System (MMRS) staff by e-mailing mash@dfa.ms.gov or calling 601-359-1343.

1.13 Discussions with Offerors

Discussions may be conducted with Offerors who submit Qualifications determined to be reasonably susceptible to being selected for award; however, Qualifications may be accepted without such discussions. Likewise, MDCPS also reserves the right to accept any Qualifications as submitted for contract award, without substantive negotiation of proposed terms, services or prices. For these reasons, all parties are advised to propose their most favorable terms initially.

1.14 Solicitation Document

The RFQ is comprised of the base RFQ document, any attachments, any amendments issued prior to the submission deadline, and any other documents released before contract award. The attachments to this RFQ are made as a part of this RFQ as if copied herein in words and figures.

1.15 Acknowledgement of Amendments

Offerors shall acknowledge receipt of any amendment to the RFQ in writing. The Agency shall specify the manner of submitting acknowledgements of amendments. Each offeror shall submit a written acknowledgement of every amendment to the Agency on or before the submission deadline.

1.16 Exceptions

Offerors taking exception to any part or section of the solicitation shall indicate such exceptions on the RFQ Exception(s) form, Attachment D. Failure to indicate any exception will be interpreted as the Offeror’s intent to comply fully with the requirements as written. Conditional or qualified submissions, unless specifically allowed, shall be subject to rejection in whole or in http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/ http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/ http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/ http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/ http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/ http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/ http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/ http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/ http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/ http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/ http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/ http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/ http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/ http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/ http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/ http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/ http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/supplier-self-service/

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 9 part. The qualifications must contain a high degree of acceptance of contract terms and conditions listed in Attachment G of this RFQ.

1.17 Informalities and Irregularities

MDCPS has the right to waive minor defects or variations of a Qualifications from the exact requirements of the specifications that do not affect the price, quality, quantity, delivery, or performance time of the services being procured. If insufficient information is submitted by an

Offeror with the Qualifications for MDCPS to properly evaluate the Qualifications, MDCPS has the right to require such additional information as it may deem necessary after the time set for receipt of Qualifications, provided that the information requested does not change the price, quality, quantity, delivery, or performance time of the services being procured.

1.18 Right to Reject Qualifications

MDCPS reserves the right to reject all Qualifications during any step of the procurement process, even after negotiations have begun. MDCPS reserves the right to reject any and all

Qualifications where the Offeror takes exception to the terms and conditions of the RFQ and/or fails to meet the terms and conditions and/or in any way attempts to limit the rights of MDCPS and/or the State of Mississippi, including but not limited to, the required contractual terms and provisions set forth in this RFQ.

1.19 Type of Contract

The resultant contracts from this RFQ shall consist of this RFQ and any amendments, the

Offeror’s Qualifications, and/or Offeror’s best and final offer (as applicable). Compensation for services under a contract resulting from this RFQ will be in the form of a firm-fixed-price contract with price adjustments made by MDCPS as provided in Section 1.19.4 of the RFQ.

Compensation will be based on a per diem rate. The payment rate for each placement type can be found in Attachment L.

1.19.1 Any work performed by the awarded Offeror prior to start date of a valid, executed contract is done at Offeror’s sole risk. The State is under no obligation to pay for work performed prior to contract start date.

1.19.2 Required Contract Terms and Conditions

Any contract entered into between MDCPS and an Offeror pursuant to this RFQ shall include the required clauses found in Attachment G and those required by the Public

Procurement Review Board Office of Personal Service Contract Review Rules and

Regulations as updated and replaced by PPRB.

1.19.3 Optional Contract Terms and Conditions

Any contract entered between MDCPS and an Offeror pursuant to this RFQ may have at the discretion of the MDCPS, the optional clauses found in Appendix E of the Public

Procurement Review Board Office of Personal Service Contract Review Rules and

Regulations.

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 10

1.19.4 Price Adjustment to Account for Inflation

A price adjustment may be allowed which does not exceed the lesser of either 5% or the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Any such price adjustment will be effective only once per 12-month period, on the anniversary of the contract start date. If the CPI-U is a negative number, no adjustment in price shall be allowed.

A negative CPI-U shall be counted against any subsequent increases in the CPI-U when calculating any price adjustment relative to later contract years. The Contractor shall provide any support for the request for a price adjustment required by MDCPS.

MDCPS has the sole discretion to determine whether a price adjustment will be allowed. No price adjustment will be allowed other than as described in this paragraph.

Any approval of a price adjustment shall be contained in a duly executed written amendment to this Contract.

1.20 General References Throughout the RFQ

Throughout this document, the various references below refer to the webpages or documents found at the specified link:

• “The MDCPS website” refers to the website found at: www.mdcps.ms.gov.

• “The Mississippi Contract/Procurement Opportunity Search Portal” or “the procurement portal” refers to the website found at:

https://www.ms.gov/dfa/contract_bid_search/Home/Buy.

• “The Public Procurement Review Board Office of Personal Service Contract Review

Rules and Regulations” or “the PPRB OPSCR Rules and Regulations” refers to the rules and regulations found at https://www.dfa.ms.gov/personal-service-contractreview.

1.21 MDCPS Rights Reserved

By and through this RFQ, MDCPS hereby reserves its rights to the following:

• Reject any and/or all Qualifications received in response to this RFQ.

• Waive minor irregularities if MDCPS determines that waiver would be in its best interest and would not result in an unfair advantage for other Offerors and potential

Offerors.

• Reject any timely and properly submitted Qualifications in their entirety for failing to meet any of the mandatory requirements identified herein.

• Select for contract or for negotiations, Qualifications other than that with the lowest cost.

• If negotiations fail to result in a contract or agreement prior to the anticipated contract start date, MDCPS may terminate negotiations and take such other action as MDCPS deems appropriate.

http://www.mdcps.ms.gov/ http://www.mdcps.ms.gov/ https://www.ms.gov/dfa/contract_bid_search/Home/Buy https://www.ms.gov/dfa/contract_bid_search/Home/Buy https://www.dfa.ms.gov/personal-service-contract-review https://www.dfa.ms.gov/personal-service-contract-review https://www.dfa.ms.gov/personal-service-contract-review

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 11

1.22 Solicitation Cancellation Clause

Right to Cancel Solicitation

The issuing agency reserves the right to cancel this solicitation, in whole or in part, at any time and for any reason, without incurring any liability or obligation to any offeror.

1.23 Disclosure of Organizational Structure

Disclosure of Principals, Parent Organizations, and Subsidiaries

Each offeror must provide a complete listing of its principals, parent organizations, and subsidiaries. This information must include legal names, business addresses, and the nature of the relationship to the offeror. Failure to disclose this information may result in disqualification from consideration.

1.24 Definition of Principal

Definition of Principal for This Procurement

For the purposes of this solicitation, a “principal” of the offeror is defined as any individual or entity with ownership interest, executive authority, or decision-making power over the offeror’s operations, including, but not limited to, owners, partners, officers, directors, or any person with controlling interest.

1.25 Vendor Exclusion Notice

Exclusion for Bad Faith Reductions

Vendors are hereby notified that any reduction in services, staffing, or deliverables made in bad faith—whether during the solicitation process or after award—may result in exclusion from current and future procurement opportunities. The agency reserves the right to determine bad faith based on evidence of intentional misrepresentation, concealment, or failure to perform.

1.26 Request for Reconsideration of the Intent to Award

An offeror who responded to an RFQ has an opportunity to request that the procuring Agency reconsider its intent to award the contract to a specific offeror(s). Any such request shall be filed with the Agency official primarily responsible for the procurement and the Director of

OPSCR within three business days following issuance of the Notice of Intent to Award and posting of the Agency Procurement File in compliance with Sections 6.9.1, 6.9.1.1, and 6.9.1.2.

It shall be the sole responsibility of the requesting offeror to ensure the request is timely received by all required parties. Failure to timely request reconsideration in compliance with this Section results in waiver of any claim an offeror may have as to the Agency’s decision to award the contract. The request shall contain the requesting vendor’s name, a single contact person, all contact information for the contact person, the RFx number of the solicitation, the date the RFQ was issued, and the date the Notice of Intent to Award was issued.

The request shall identify which of these rules and regulations and/or the terms of the RFQ the requesting offeror believes were violated by the Agency during the evaluation process, explain the factual basis for the alleged violation(s), and specify how the alleged violation(s) affected the outcome of the procurement. The request shall not be based on anything other than the

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 12

Agency Procurement File, these rules and regulations, and the terms of the RFQ. The request shall not be supplemented.

Exhibits shall not be included with the request. Rather, the requesting vendor shall clearly identify the portion(s) of the Agency Procurement File, the RFQ at issue in the request.

Reference to documents outside of or facts not supported by the Agency Procurement File, the

RFQ shall not be considered by the Agency when responding to the request.

If the requesting offeror believes the Agency Procurement File posted on the Agency website is incomplete (i.e., does not contain a document or documents required by these rules and regulations), the requesting offeror shall so state in the request and shall specify what it believes to be missing.

Should the requesting offeror believe the trade secrets and/or confidential commercial or financial information which were redacted from the Agency Procurement File posted on the

Agency website contain issues related to its request, the requesting offeror shall state those concerns in the request – even if speculative – in a manner which is specific enough for the

Agency to provide a response.

These rules and regulations provide the opportunity to request reconsideration of an Agency’s decision to award a contract requiring PPRB approval. No such opportunity exists where the contract will not require PPRB approval unless explicitly so stated by the procuring Agency.

SECTION 2: Scope of Services and Requirements

2.1 Purpose

The Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS) seeks to engage vendors who will actively participate in the MDCPS Continuum of Care (CoC). This solicitation aims to select award recipients to deliver specified services outlined in the proposal. Vendors can submit proposals to operate either a single facility or multiple facilities. Chosen agencies will undergo an organizational needs assessment, receive training for foster caregivers and staff, and review policies to better support and sustain the needs of the youth.

The MDCPS Continuum of Care is a network of partnering agencies working together to protect children and provide a comprehensive range of family-centered services. These services cater to children at all levels of involvement with the child protection system, covering prevention services, medical and legal support, licensed foster homes, and residential treatment settings.

When out-of-home placements are deemed necessary, the CoC ensures that children and youth are placed in quality therapeutic foster homes that are safe, licensed, child and family-centered, and trauma-informed. The CoC’s goal is to establish and maintain a robust statewide partnership of organizations serving children and youth in foster care, aiming to significantly reduce placement disruptions, decrease congregate care placements, and achieve permanency.

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 13

Each partnering agency within the CoC commits to its designated service role as per the contract and is required to engage in evidence-based practices that promote physical and psychological safety, shared parenting, and a culture of trauma awareness. Agencies must also actively collaborate with MDCPS on youth admissions and discharge transitions, ensuring that youth are not denied admission or discharge based on agreed contract criteria.

It is understood that any contract resulting from this RFQ may require approval by the Public

Procurement Review Board (PPRB). If any contract resulting from this RFQ is not approved by

MDCPS and/or PPRB (if required), it is void and no payment shall be made.

2.2 Scope of Services

MDCPS is seeking to procure the services of vendors that will agree to be an active participant in the MDCPS Continuum of Care. The outcome of this Solicitation will be the selection of an award recipient(s) to accomplish specified services contained in the proposal. Proposers may submit a proposal to operate a single facility or multiple facilities.

The MDCPS Continuum of Care (CoC) serves as a network of partnering agencies that work collectively to ensure that children are protected and are provided with a wide range of family centered services that meet their needs at any level of involvement with the child protection system. Ultimately, the CoC network of partner providers spans the entire spectrum of child protection services to include prevention services, medical and legal supports, licensed foster homes, and residential treatment settings.

When out-of-home placements have been deemed in the best interest of the child, the CoC ensures that children and youth are provided with quality therapeutic foster homes that are safe, licensed, child and family-centered, and trauma-informed. Moreover, the CoC purpose is to establish and maintain a robust statewide partnership consisting of organizations that serve children and youth in foster care that are committed to significantly decreasing overall placement disruptions, reducing congregate care placements, and achieving permanency.

As a part of the Continuum of Care, each partnering agency commits to its designated service role (according to the contract) within the CoC and is required to engage in evidence-based practices that promote physical and psychological safety, shared parenting, a culture of trauma awareness, and actively collaborate with MDCPS regarding youth admissions and discharge transitions. In addition, CoC members agree to work diligently to ensure that youth are not denied admission and/or discharge based upon agreed contract criteria. Ultimately, CoC members actively coordinate with MDCPS and other members of the CoC regarding referrals, admissions, discharges, placement transitions, and aftercare recommendations/services. Additional details and requirements for each setting type can be found here.

https://www.mdcps.ms.gov/about/business-opportunities

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 14

The Continuum of Care statewide partnership is comprised of dedicated organizations that serve children and youth in the following settings:

• Adolescent Diversion Units / Access Units are less structured and formalized than emergency shelters and shall include fully furnished living environments that include internet capability. Adolescent Diversion Units / Access Units will offer time limited use of individual spaces for youth in foster care. MDCPS will provide supervision via the use of approved caretakers 24 hours a day / 7 days a week as all youth must receive 24-hour supervision. The

Partner Provider agrees to notify MDCPS when their staffing capacity to provide supervision of youth is in place.

• Intake and Assessment Centers (Emergency Shelters) (IAC) shall be designated to provide emergency and/or temporary residential services (up to 60 days) to meet the basic needs of children and youth ages ten (10) to twenty-one (21). Intake and Assessment Centers are short term solutions for children and youth entering care until permanency may be achieved. No child shall remain in an Intake and Assessment Center for more than sixty (60) calendar days unless there are exceptional circumstances and the MDCPS Deputy Commissioner of Well-being and Safety has granted express written approval and documented the need for the extension. Placement of children or youth in facilities of this type will not occur prior to each facility’s satisfaction of all requirements for licensure.

• Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTP) are a specific category of a congregate care setting, for which agencies must meet detailed assessment, case planning, documentation, judicial determination and ongoing review and permanency hearing requirements for a child to be placed in and continue to receive title IV-E FCMP’s for the placement. The facility must also meet the definition of a CCI at sections 472(c)(2)(A) and (C) of the Social Security Act, including that it must be licensed (in accordance with section 471(a)(10) of the Act and that criminal record and child abuse and neglect registry checks must be completed in accordance with section 471(a)(20)(D) of the Social Security Act. Placement of children or youth in facilities of this type will not occur prior to each facility’s satisfaction of all requirements for licensure.

• Specialized Group Care for Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking (SGC) is a setting that is licensed to provide 24-hour care and supervision for children and youth identified to be involved in sex trafficking. Providers of this setting conduct services for commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC). This term is to be considered synonymously with victims of human trafficking or victims at risk of human trafficking and must meet the licensing requirements outlined in the Congregate Care Licensure Standards in addition to the program requirements outlined in this rule. Placement of children or youth in facilities of this type will not occur prior to each facility’s satisfaction of all requirements for licensure.

• Supervised Independent Living (SIL) is a licensed or approved setting in which young adults in foster care can reside in the least restrictive, non-traditional environment while continuing to receive casework and supportive services that promote independence and will help them become self-sufficient. The program should encompass a balance between

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 15 independence and dependence. Young adults in the program should not require 24-hour supervision but have scheduled and unscheduled intermittent check-ins. Youth (ages 18-21) currently in foster care that has been assessed and determined to be ready for living independently with supportive services provided by the approved Partner Provider.

Supportive services shall be provided by the program Partner Provider.

• Teen Maternity Homes are settings specializing in providing therapeutic prenatal, postpartum, or parenting supports for youth in foster care - ages twelve (12) years of age through age twenty (20) years and (11) eleven months.

• Therapeutic Foster Homes are licensed or approved by the state as a foster family home that meets the standards established to provide care for children or youth with Serious Emotional

Disturbance in a family setting, utilizing specially trained foster parents. Therapeutic Foster

Care services are intensive and supportive services provided to children in the custody of

MDCPS. These children have significant medical, developmental, emotional, or behavioral needs, who with additional resources, can remain in a family setting and achieve positive growth and development. Services include specialized training, clinical support, and in-home intervention to therapeutic foster parents and the child, allowing the child to remain in a family home setting.

• Therapeutic Group Home Services shall provide services to children in MDCPS custody ages ten (10) to twenty (20) years (or until the twenty first (21st) birthday if custody has been extended by the court) and should be designed to meet the needs of children who are unable to live at home, or with a Foster Family) with at least moderate emotional, behavioral, medical, or developmental problems, for instance, bipolar disorder, dysthymia (depression), intermittent explosive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, sexually deviant behavior, intellectual disability/developmental delays, behavior disorder, mental illness/on medication, other diagnosed psychiatric disorders according to the current Diagnostic and Statistical

Manual of Disorders and therefore require temporary therapeutic and mental health services in a group care setting that is integrated within the community. The goal for children in therapeutic group homes is lasting permanency through reunification, relative care, adoption or guardianship. Therefore, the primary work with the child and family should be focused on making this happen. The Therapeutic Group Home Applicant shall provide structure, therapeutic support, behavioral intervention and other services identified in a child’s permanency plan for children with moderate clinical and behavioral needs. The Therapeutic

Group Home Program shall be designed for children and youth in need of twenty-four (24) hour care and integrated planning to address behavioral, emotional, or family problems and the need for progressive reintegration into family and community living. Children and youth in a therapeutic group home placement shall remain involved in community-based schools (if possible) and participate in community and school-based recreational activities with appropriate supervision. Placement of children or youth in facilities of this type will not occur prior to said facilities satisfaction of all requirements for licensure.

• Traditional Foster Homes are licensed or approved by the state as a foster home that meets the standards established to provide care for children in a family setting with licensed foster parents to support lasting permanency and/or reunification with biological families.

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 16

• Traditional Group Home Services shall be designed to provide services to children and youth in MDCPS custody ages ten (10) to twenty (20) years (or until the twenty-first (21st) birthday if custody has been extended by the court). Group Homes may serve children younger than ten (10), upon written approval by the Assistant Deputy Commissioner (ADC), when they are siblings of a resident over age ten (10). The goal for children in Group Home Care is lasting permanency through reunification, relative care, adoption, or guardianship. The purpose of Group Home Care is to provide an environment and services that will help children, and their families develop the necessary skills to support lasting permanency. The

Group Home shall provide services to help children and youth return to their families, transition to a less restrictive setting, or to independent living. Placement of children or youth in facilities of this type will not occur prior to said facilities satisfaction of all requirements for licensure.

The outcome of this Solicitation will be the selection of an award recipient(s) to accomplish specified services contained in the proposal. Proposers may submit a proposal to operate a single facility or multiple facilities. In the event of multiple facilities being a part of the same campus under a contracted provider’s network of services, each individual facility must meet all requirements for licensure before the placement of children and youth can occur. Proposals must explain the Provider’s expertise and/or history in the provision of residential services.

Please refer to the specific setting type for additional details and requirements. All proposals must contain language on how the proposer can meet the identified needs of children and their families.

The proposal shall describe in detail specialized training given to direct care and administrative staff to adequately prepare them to provide care to children in a trauma-informed manner.

Proposals must explain how providers will address behavior management, methods of crisis intervention and stabilization, and strategies of behavior de-escalation.

MDCPS is seeking providers who demonstrate they will use a collaborative problem–solving approach and provide a child-centered nurturing environment. Proposers must acknowledge the performance measures outlined in the MDCPS Congregate Care Partner Provider Scorecard that will determine the effectiveness of their program.

Note: The MDCPS Congregate Care Provider Scorecard (see: Mississippi Department of Child

Protection Services (MDCPS) is a performance evaluation tool for agencies serving youth in foster care, focusing on Safety, Permanency, and Well-Being using nineteen (19) key metrics, with deficient outcomes (below 80% or 70% in safety) triggering Corrective Action Plans and potentially impacting contract renewal, ensuring providers meet standards for child welfare in

Mississippi.

Key Components of the Scorecard:

• Performance Metrics – Based on nineteen (19) measures across three (3) main areas: Safety, Permanency, and Well-Being;

https://www.mdcps.ms.gov/sites/default/files/Intake%20and%20Assessment%20Center%20Scope%20of%20Service%20-%20Complete%2012-16-2024.pdf https://www.mdcps.ms.gov/sites/default/files/Intake%20and%20Assessment%20Center%20Scope%20of%20Service%20-%20Complete%2012-16-2024.pdf

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 17

• Quartile Ranking – Providers are ranked in quartiles for their performance in these areas;

• Performance Thresholds – Metrics below 80% require a corrective action plan;

two (2) or more safety metrics below 70% trigger discussions for improvement plans.; and,

• Contract Implications – Consistent poor performance can lead to loss of contract and could affect contract renewal.

2.3 Term

The anticipated term of the contract shall be for a period of two (2) years, beginning on

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 and ending Friday, March 31, 2028, the contract may be renewed at the discretion of MDCPS for a period of one additional year under the same prices, terms, and conditions as in the original contract, and subject to approval by the PPRB. The total number of renewal years permitted shall not exceed one (1) or extend the contract’s liability past March

31st, 2030.

Renewal years are subject to the needs of MDCPS, as well as the availability and appropriation of funds. MDCPS shall notify the contractor, on a timely basis, that funds are or are not available for the continuation of the contract for each succeeding fiscal period. A multi-term contract will be canceled if funds are not appropriated or otherwise made available to support the continuation of performance in any fiscal period succeeding the first; however, this does not affect either the

State’s rights or the contractor’s rights under any termination clause in the contract.

2.4 Insurance

The company represents that it will maintain workers' compensation insurance which shall inure to the benefit of all the company’s personnel performing services under this Contract, comprehensive general liability insurance, and employee fidelity bond insurance. All general liability, professional liability and fidelity bond insurance will provide coverage to MDCPS as an additional insured.

All insurance policies shall be issued by companies authorized to do business under the laws of the State of Mississippi. A certificate of insurance providing the aforesaid coverage shall be furnished to MDCPS prior to commencement of services resulting from this RFQ. MDCPS reserves the right to request from carriers, certificates of insurance regarding the required coverage. Insurance carriers must be licensed or hold a Certificate of Authority from the

Mississippi Department of Insurance.

The Offeror shall be prepared to provide evidence of required insurance upon request by the

MDCPS at any point during the contract period and should consult with legal counsel regarding its obligations.

Contractor shall submit to Agency within five (5) business days of notification of intent to award a certificate of insurance and/or bond which outlines the coverage and limits defined in the procurement and contract. There are no provisions for exceptions to this requirement. Failure

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 18 to provide the certificates of insurance within five (5) business days may be a cause for your qualifications to be declared non-responsive or for your contract to be cancelled.

Contractor shall not commence work under this contract until it obtains all insurance and/or bond required under this provision and furnishes a certificate or other form showing proof of current coverage to the State. After work commences, the Contractor will keep in force all required insurance and/or bond until the contract is terminated or expires.

The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that any subcontractor provides adequate insurance and/or bond coverage for the activities arising out of subcontracts.

In no event shall the requirement for insurance, bond, or other surety be waived. Any failure to comply with the reporting provisions of this clause shall constitute a material breach of Contract and shall be grounds for immediate termination of this Contract by Agency.

2.5 Multiple Awards

MDCPS reserves the right to endorse multiple awards.

SECTION 3: Qualifications Submission Requirements

3.1 Qualifications Submission Deadline

All Qualifications submitted in response to this RFQ must be received by the RFQ Coordinator listed on the cover page of this RFQ no later than Friday, February 13th, 2026, at 12:00 PM

(CST).

Timely submission is the sole responsibility of the Offeror. Qualifications packages received by the RFQ Coordinator after the specified time shall be rejected and maintained unopened as part of the procurement file. All Offerors are urged to take the possibility of delay into account when submitting a qualification package. The agency will not be responsible for mail delays, lost mail, or any other delivery failure. All risk of late arrival due to unanticipated delay, whether delivered by hand, U.S. Postal Service, courier or other delivery service or method is entirely on the

Offeror. A qualification is considered delivered to the Agency when it is received by the RFQ coordinator.

The time and date of receipt shall be indicated on the envelope or package by the RFQ

Coordinator. The only acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt is the time and date stamp of the RFQ Coordinator on the qualifications or other documentary evidence of receipt used by the RFQ Coordinator. Offerors may request the RFQ Coordinator provide them with documentation of receipt of their Qualifications.

3.2 Manner of Submission

Qualifications must be submitted by U.S. Mail, other courier, or by hand delivery in a sealed envelope or package. The outside of the envelope or package should be marked:

Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 19

Request for Qualifications for Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services

Opening Date: Friday, February 13th, 2026

RFQ Number: 2026ICCCP001

RFx Number: 3140004481

Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services

750 North State Street

Jackson, Mississippi 39202

SEALED QUALIFICATIONS PACKAGE

***DO NOT OPEN***

Qualifications submitted via facsimile (fax) machine, e-mail, or other electronic submission methods will not be accepted.

3.3 Content of Qualifications

All qualifications shall be in writing. Offerors shall submit a labeled binder containing one (1) original, signed Qualifications package and one (1) electronic copy of the Qualifications package. The original Qualifications (physical copy – in the labeled binder) shall include six (6) tabs dividing appropriate sections of the Offeror’s Qualifications. The electronic copy shall be stored on a thumb drive that includes separate PDF file folders of each required Tab.

Each Tab should be labeled as follows and include the content discussed in Sections 3.3.1 through

3.3.6 of this RFQ.:

Tab 1 Transmittal Letter and Required Documentation

Tab 2 Minimum Qualifications

Tab 3 Technical Qualifications

Tab 4 Cost Sheet

Tab 5 Management Qualifications

Tab 6 Public Copy of Full Qualifications

Electronic files shall not be protected by passwords. Electronic files must be in PDF format, and they shall be capable of being copied to other media including a readable version of Microsoft

Word.

Modifications or additions to any portion of the procurement document may be cause for rejection of the qualifications. MDCPS reserves the right to decide, on a case-by-case basis, whether to reject a qualification with modifications or additions as non-responsive. As a precondition to qualifications acceptance, MDCPS may request the Offeror to withdraw or modify those portions of the qualifications deemed non-responsive that do not affect quality, Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services RFQ# – 2026ICCCP001 20 quantity, price, or delivery of the service. MDCPS reserves the right to address any minor informalities as provided by Section 3-202.12.4.1 of the PPRB OPSCR Rules and Regulations.

3.3.1 Transmittal Letter and Required Documentation

The Offeror should submit a Transmittal Letter which contains the following minimum information:

• The Offeror’s name, telephone number, location of Offeror’s principal place of business, and if different, the place of performance of services solicited by this

RFQ.

• The age of the Offeror's business and the average number of employees the

Offeror has employed for the past three (3) years;

• A statement the Offeror certifies that it is registered to do business in the State of

Mississippi as prescribed by the Mississippi Secretary of State or, if not already registered, that it will do so within three (3) business days of written notification of award. Sole proprietors are not required to register with the Mississippi

Secretary of State.

In addition to the Transmittal Letter, the following completed and signed documents should be included under Tab 1:

• Qualifications Cover Sheet with Certifications and Assurances (Attachment A)

• Debarment Verification Form (Attachment B)

• Proprietary Information Form (Attachment C)

• Qualifications Exception Summary (Attachment D)

• A minimum of 3 References (Attachment E)

• Reference Score Sheet (Attachment F)

• Acknowledgement of Amendments, if applicable (Attachment H)

• Copy of Previously Submitted…