Paraprofessional Staffing Services Addendum F.pdf

Addendum 1

Paraprofessional Staffing Services Bid

Solicitation No. 2026-0002

October 3, 2025

Q1. How should we fill out the non-submittal form if we are submitting a bid?

R1. Please write N/A on the form scan and return.

Q2. In the contract what should we fill in when it asks us to put in the total dollar amount for 5 years if we do not know quantity?

R2. The contract amount for the 5-year contract will be discuss with the awarded vendor.

Q3. Where can we find the BIDDER/CONTRACTOR DATA SHEET to fill out?

R3. The BIDDER/CONTRACTOR DATA SHEET is now optional is no longer a requirement.

Q4. Could you provide a list of previous vendors and the hourly rates paid for each discipline involved in the contract?

R4. N/A

Q5. Who is the designated individual coordinating the services for the various disciplines within the district, and could you share their contact information?

R5. TBD, but it will be in Human Resources.

Q6. How many hours constitute a school day for the purposes of this contract?

R6. 8 hours

Q7. How many school days are scheduled per year?

R7. 190 days

Q8. Are vendors permitted to bid on special education disciplines not explicitly listed in the RFP?

R8. No

Q9. What is the anticipated award date for this RFP?

R9. The award date will be the 3rd or 4th week in October, and contract start date TBD.

Q10. Are electronic signatures acceptable for signing the bid documents?

R10. YES.

Q11. Does the district require resumes to be included as part of the bid submission?

R11. No

Q12. Is this a new contract or renewal of an existing contract?

R12. New

Q13. If there is an existing contract, could you please share the names of the current vendors and their pricing?

R13. N/A

Q14. What is the estimated budget for this contract?

R14. This would depend on how many paraprofessional positions can actually be filled and any markup the vendor charges.

Q15. Is it mandatory to subcontract?

R15. No.

Q16. Could you please provide information on the daily duration of shifts required for the necessary professions? For example, the number of hours per day?

R16. 8

Q17. What agencies do you currently use for Paraprofessional services?

R17. N/A

Q18. What rates do those agencies charge for Paraprofessional services?

Will this be a single or multi-award?

R18. N/A

Q19. How many hours of Paraprofessional services were utilized in 2023 and

2024?

R19. This information is not readily available.

Q20. How many hours of Paraprofessional services do you anticipate for the

2025-2026 year?

R20. Uncertain

Q21. What is the annual spend that is projected for the contract?

R21. The annual spend will depend on how many positions can be filled and the agreed upon rate of the provider. Paras are currently on the district’s payroll. However, it is not the plan for all paras to be contracted. Those currently employed may have the option to remain on payroll primarily due to the school system's retirement plan. Those that are already vested (10 years) or close may not be interested in moving. Most newly hired would not be given a choice.

Q22. Do you accept DocuSign for original signatures?

R22. Yes

Q23. I have a quick question regarding vendor registration. The RFP notes that, in order to do business with RCPS, a vendor must register with the purchasing department by submitting a request to the Financial Division in the Office of Business Services. Could you kindly guide me on the process? Specifically:

Is there a link or application form we should complete and send?

R23. Vendor(s) do not have to be registered with RCPS to submit to this bid. We will register the award vendor after a vendor has been awarded.

Q24. If we are submitting the RFP through the EUNA BONFIRE procurement portal, is this step still mandatory?

R24. Bonfire is the only place to submit your bids. Please use link below:

https://rockdaleschools.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/20199

Q25. The pricing form asks for daily pay rates. Does an awarded vendor have the ability to offer different pay rates based on a candidate's relevant experience?

R25. Yes

Q26. Are resumes of potential paraprofessionals required to be included in our solicitation response?

R26. No

Q27. Can you help me to understand what needs to be uploaded for the below

2 questions

1. Sample reports upload section 2 - Methodology/Operations QuestionD

2. Entire Bid Packet (Section 1 - Section 4) Exclude Pricing R27. Sample reporting has been removed and the entire bid pack

Q28. Is this a multi-award bid?

R28. No

Q29. When awarded the solicitation to provide services, who would be the contact within the district to inquire about open roles for professions related to the RFP?

R29. The award date will be the 3rd or 4th week in October, and contract start date TBD.

Q30. How many Hours in a day are billable?

R30. 8 https://rockdaleschools.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/201996 https://rockdaleschools.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/201996

Q31. Is there a rate cap for the requested profession? If so, could the district please share the applicable rates?

R31. No

Q32. What are the anticipated number of openings?

R32. Uncertain as this may be gradual based upon what potential benefits come with the transition.

Q33. Who are the current vendors, and what are their bill rates for requested services?

R33. N/A

Q34. In the bid document it states "The selected vendor will offer a competitive benefits package that is comparable to what is offered to direct hires of Rockdale County Public Schools.: - Since we would independent contract the Paras will this still apply to us?

R34. Yes

Q35. Please confirm whether the district is seeking staffing for both full-time paraprofessionals and substitute paraprofessionals.

R35. Both

Q36. Does the district currently utilize any absence management or placement software (e.g., Frontline, Red Rover, SmartFind Express)? If so, which platform is in use? If not, would the district expect the awarded vendor to provide or manage such a system?

R36. Red Rover

Q37. How many full-time paraprofessionals are currently employed by the district? How many vacancies are presently open? Can you provide a breakdown on how many of these positions are general education and special education? If the vendor is expected to fill vacancies, will those individuals be employed by the district or by the vendor?

R37. Approximately 320

Q38. Is one of the district’s goals in issuing this RFP to reduce costs associated with rising health insurance premiums in the state?

R38. Yes

Q39. Please provide the current pay rates for all categories of paraprofessional staffing, including:

Day-to-day substitutes Short-term assignments Long-term assignments Permanent placements Vacant full-time positions R39. See the attached salary scale which includes paraprofessionals

: 2025-2026FY26RCPSClassifiedSalaryScale.pdf https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1752521465/rockdaleschoolsorg/nn0aurlhhoxq0caykjrt/2025-2026FY26RCPSClassifiedSalaryScale.pdf

Q40. What is the district’s current fill rate for paraprofessional positions?

R40. There are two vacancies posted.

Q41. Is it the district’s long-term objective to transition all paraprofessional employees to vendor employment through attrition?

R41. Unsure at this time.

Q42. Does the district anticipate or desire that the awarded vendor hire all currently employed paraprofessionals?

R42. We would like the current paras to have the option, but would not mandate it.

Q43. Would the district be open to including in our proposal the management and placement of other classified staff categories beyond paraprofessionals?

R43. Not at this time.

Q44. Does the district intend to transition its current substitute paraprofessional pool to vendor employment?

R44. Not at this time.

Q 45. Is the district seeking a vendor to manage only substitute paraprofessionals on a day-to-day basis, or is the expectation to assume responsibility for full-time paraprofessional staffing as well—including future hires and current vacancies?

R45. Full-time paraprofessional staffing.

Q46. Can you please provide a list of incumbent vendors and their bill rates.

What is the total budget/expenditure allotted for this RFP? What is the invoicing frequency?

R46. N/A

Q47. How long have the incumbent suppliers held this contract?

Are you satisfied with the incumbent suppliers? If not, what are you unsatisfied with?

R47. N/A

Q48. What is the expectation and frequency for on-call needs? What is expectation and frequency for replacing a candidate that is ill/calls off?

Does the district fingerprint and badge? How long once confirmed does the process take for the clinician to start?

R48. We would like the vendor to assist with substitutes. The Criminal background checks are done through Indentigo annually. Within a week.

Q49. Please clarify the reporting structure for Supervision of contract staff within the district?

R49. Contract paraprofessionals would report to the school-based administration.

Q50. What position provides clinical supervision within the district?

R50. See above.

Q51. Does the district provide student logs, documentation forms, etc?

R51. Yes

Q52. Are the medical personnel’s license, CPR card, resume and proof of references/background checks required upon submission of bid or upon award? If required on bid is an excel document acceptable?

R52. This is not regarding medical personnel.

Q53. Can you provide the name and contact information for the individual who will coordinate these services at your district?

R53. N/A for this RFP.

Q54. Would you accept bids from a Staffing Agency?

R54. Yes

Q55. Please clarify if the district or vendor provides any materials (i.e. medical supplies, assessments, protocols/scoring sheets, computers, printers, PPE, etc.).

R55. Yes

Q56. Do you accept new graduates if the vendor provides mentorship?

R56. Yes

Q57. Can you provide insight into why this RFP has been released for bid?

Specifically, what are the key drivers or needs prompting this solicitation?

R57. Please refer to the RFP. The primary reason for the request was made was to explore a way to fill these positions at a reduced cost as employer benefit costs have risen drastically.

Q58. Can you please clarify if the district intends to award a single vendor or multiple vendors?

R58. A single vendor is preferred.

Q59. Can you please clarify which page is the signature page of the RCPS contract that needs to be returned with bid submission?

R59. Only page #62, the contract signature page.

Q60. In the RFP, we can only seem to locate the Subcontractor Affidavit of

Compliance not the Sub-subcontractor Affidavit of Compliance. For compliance of bid submission, are we to just upload the same form to satisfy this requirement?

R60. The Sub-subcontractor Affidavit is now optional is and is no longer a requirement.

Q61. Regarding the BIDDER'S EXCEPTIONS required under the Requested Information, is there a form that will be provided, as we were unable to locate one within the RFP document? If we are not providing exceptions, do we just need to submit a statement on our own letterhead informing of such?

R61. The BIDDER/CONTRACTOR DATA SHEET is now optional is no longer a requirement.

Q62. Can RCSD clarify the specific components of the benefits package expected from the selected vendor to ensure it is considered comparable to those offered to direct hires of Rockdale County Public Schools (e.g., health insurance, retirement contributions, paid time off, etc.)?

R62. Employee Benefits - Rockdale County Public Schools

Q63. Is this solicitation a new opportunity or a recompete of an existing contract?

R63. New

Q64. Are digital signatures acceptable?

R64. Yes

Q65. Does the district have specific fill rate expectations or service-level agreement expectations regarding time-to-fill for daily supply substitutes?

R65. 90%

Q66. Can the district confirm the internal pay rates for each required role through the end of the 2025–2026 school year? Additionally, are vendors permitted to propose compensation rates that exceed those internal benchmarks?

R66. 2025-2026FY26RCPSClassifiedSalaryScale.pdf

Q67. What is your expected demand for substitute roles? Could you please confirm the number of current open positions that need to be filled?

R67. Please see above.

Q68. Will the district utilize the agency's contract for these services? If not, can the district provide an example copy of their contract?

R68. RCPS will utilize the sample contract that’s in the Bid document.

Q69. Is the district’s preference to award this to an exclusive vendor or to multiple vendors?

R69. Single or exclusive vendor is preferred.

Q70. Is there an estimated number of paraprofessionals or hours needed per school or district-wide to help with staffing projections?

R70. TBD

https://www.rockdaleschools.org/departments/human-resources/employee-benefits https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1752521465/rockdaleschoolsorg/nn0aurlhhoxq0caykjrt/2025-2026FY26RCPSClassifiedSalaryScale.pdf

Q71. Will the district provide training or orientation, or is the vendor responsible?

R71. The vendor would provide initial training.

Q72. Are there specific certifications or preferred qualifications beyond the paraprofessional certificate (e.g., special education experience, PBIS, ESOL, medical training)?

R72. That could vary by role and student need.

Q73. How will absences or emergency coverage be handled? Is there a minimum response time?

R73. We expect the vendor to support this need.

Q74. Should pricing be per day, per hour, or blended if assignments vary?

R74. Annual is preferred.

Q75. Are vendors expected to include costs like benefits, background checks, and fingerprinting fees in the billing rate?

R75. Please be comprehensive. The cost of benefits should not be passed on to the district.

Q76. What is the initial contract term and renewal period?

R76. 2026-2027

Q77. Are vendors or their staff required to be on the Georgia Registry of

Educational Personnel or similar databases?

R77. The staff selected for placement with RCPS will need to hold, or be eligible for, a Paraprofessional certificate with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Q78. How does RCPS handle background checks and E-Verify—will RCPS run them, or should the vendor?

R78. We work with the GCIC and the platform is Identigo.

Q79. Are there any local preference scoring points vendors should be aware of?

R79. Local Preference is 5 additional points.

Q80. Is a Georgia business license required for submission or will a business license from another state suffice?

R80. Any State Can Submit.

Q81. In section 5.5 of the RFP, under, Vendor Eligibility and Formal

Solicitation Information, it states that “In order to do business with RCPS a vendor must first register with the Purchasing Department. The vendor must complete and submit a request to the Financial Division in the Office of Business Services.” Is this required prior to submission or can it be completed after award?

R81. Vendors do not have to be registered with RCPS prior to submission. If you are the selected vendor, we will get you registered during the Intend to do Business process.

Q82. How do we submit the non-submittal response form if responding to the

RFP? Should we just upload a blank response form as it is a required upload?

R82. The non-submittal is now optional is no longer a requirement.

Q83. The uploads required include “Sample Reports Upload Section 2 -

Methodology / Operations Question D”, but Section 2, question D in the RFP says: “Describe the best practice approaches to providing services to Rockdale County Public Schools that enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Innovative solutions will be considered to Rockdale County Public Schools.” Do you want a response to that question about innovative solutions or did you want sample reports for this upload?

Could you clarify the types of sample reports you would like if so?

R83. This has been removed and is no longer a requirement.

Q84. This is included in the RFP under section 6.0 Vendor Requirements: “6.2

Vendor must be primarily engaged in the business of providing a comprehensive compensation review and update of classification/salary system.”. Is this included by mistake? If not, could you please clarify how this is related to paraprofessional staffing services so we can ensure we respond properly?

R84. This is a mistake and should read - Vendor must be primarily engaged in the business of providing Paraprofessional Staffing Services.”

Q85. Is the Registration Certificate upload referring to the Occupation Tax

Registration Certificate and is it only required for local vendors? If so, what should we upload in this space as it is a required upload?

R85. Business License

Q86. Can you also clarify what the submission for the "bidder/contractor data sheet" should be?

R86. The BIDDER/CONTRACTOR DATA SHEET is now optional is no longer a requirement.

Q87. The Paraprofessional Staffing Services Questionnaire is protected and asks for a password in order to add text to the responses. Could you provide a non-protected version so that we can add text as needed to respond?

R87. This has been fixed. Any issues please contact bonfire support.

Q88. Will RCPS provide an estimate of the number of paraprofessionals required district-wide or by school?

R88. By district, but that number will vary based on if any current direct hires choose to move over to the vendor.

Q89. Are paraprofessionals expected to support special education, bilingual classrooms, or general instruction, or a mix?

R89. A mix.

Q90. Will paraprofessionals be 1:1 assigned to students or float across classrooms?

R90. Both

Q91. Will RCPS provide any mandatory training/orientation, or should vendors include training time in pricing?

R91. See above.

Q92. What are the expected work hours (full school day, partial, after-school programs)?

R92. 8 hours a day, 185 days/year.

Q93. Is this a school-year only contract (180 days) or year-round including summer school?

R93. School-year only at this time.

Q94. Can the district please clarify if the pay rate for the price proposal form is based off of the district's pay for paraprofessionals, or the vendors?

R94. It is based on what the vendor proposes.

Q95. Is a registered nurse available on-site at each school building to provide clinical care such as seizure monitoring and intervention, tracheostomy care (including suctioning and trach tube replacement if necessary), urinary catheterizations, and gastrostomy tube feedings?

R95. Either a nurse or a clinic aide is available at each site.

Q96. Are paraprofessionals expected to perform any clinical procedures such as seizure interventions, tracheostomy care, urinary catheterizations, or gastrostomy tube feedings? If so, which specific procedures from this list are they responsible for?

R96. Paraprofessionals in the SID/PID classes support some gastrostomy tube feedings as well as tracheostomy care after being trained.

Q97. If paraprofessionals are assigned to perform clinical procedures, who within the district is responsible for providing training and on-site clinical supervision for these unlicensed staff members? Additionally, what is the district’s established process for nurse delegation of these tasks?

R97. RCPS staff would train both the teacher and the para for the small population for which this applies.

Q98. Are paraprofessionals required to accompany students during transportation to and from school? Will the District allow for deviations /exceptions to the final Contract Terms upon award?

R98. Not generally.

Q99. Can the District adjust or remove the "Time is of the Essence" requirement listed under Section 44 of the Contract Terms? If the District cannot remove "Time is of the Essence," can it provide the Contractor the most pertinent deadlines/SLA's which cannot be delayed?

R99. This language will not be removed. However we will work with the awarded vendor on deadlines.

Q100. Will the District agree to increase the Cure Period of Section 6.2A

Termination from 10 days to 30 days?

R100. This will not be increased.

Q101. The Paraprofessional Staffing Services Questionnaire is protected and asks for a password in order to add text to the responses. Could you provide a non-protected version so that we can add text as needed to respond?

R101. This has been fixed. Any issues please contact bonfire support.

Q102. Is this a new bid? If not, who was previously awarded this bid, and what was their proposed bill rate?

R102. See above.

Q103. If any, what are your issues or concerns with current vendors?

R103. Not applicable.

Q104. Do you have trouble meeting the demand for paraprofessionals?

R104. At times.

Q105. How many awards do you anticipate?

R105. One

Q106. Will existing paraprofessionals have the option to transition under the awarded vendor?

R106. Yes, that is the goal.

Q107. Are federal funds the source of funding? If so, would you need a copy of a Occupation Tax Registration Certificate or would a City of Atlanta Business License suffice?

R107. In some cases, federal funds are the source. We will research the second half of the question.

Q108. Do you have a set or preferred budget for this RFP?

R108. There is not a set budget. It would depend on how many positions are successfully transitioned or hired. These positions are currently funded as regular employees. Those that choose to move their employment would free up funds that will pay for this contract.

Q109. Are there specific high-need areas (special education, ESOL, PBIS, Elevate program) that the district has historically struggled to staff?

R109. Special Education

Q110. What is the estimated budget for this RFP?

R110. There is not a set budget. It would depend on how many positions are successfully transitioned or hired. These positions are currently funded as regular employees. Those that choose to move their employment would free up funds that will pay for this contract.

Q111. Could you please confirm whether this RFP has been released for a single Paraprofessional position?

R111. No

Q112. Could you please confirm if it is acceptable to provide the private client references?

R112. Yes

Q113. Since we are not a joint venture, could you please clarify whether we may indicate N/A in all blank fields of the form and still have it notarized.

R113. Please write N/A on form and submit. It’s a require document.

Q114. Can RCPS provide the historical utilization of vendor-supplied paraprofessionals (number of positions filled annually, average duration, etc.)?

R114. N/A

Q115. Are there current incumbent vendors providing paraprofessional staffing services? If so, can RCPS share their names and whether they are eligible to rebid?

R115. N/A

Q116. What percentage of the 320 paraprofessional positions does RCPS anticipate filling through this contract versus direct hire?

R116. 50%

Q117. Will RCPS consider multiple awarded vendors under this RFP or only a single provider?

R117. Single provider is preferred.

Q118. Can RCPS confirm if substitutes and short-term paraprofessional assignments will be billed at the same full-day rate?

R118. Further discussion is needed.

Q119. Is local preference scoring (+5 points) limited strictly to vendors with an active Occupation Tax Certificate in Rockdale/metro Atlanta, or will other Georgia-based vendors receive any consideration?

R119. Only Metro Area will receive the additional 5 points.

Q120. The pricing form only includes 'Paraprofessional – Full Day'. Are vendors permitted to add supplemental lines for specialty roles, or should all positions be priced under one flat rate?

R120. Supplemental lines are fine.

Q121. What is the expected average daily or annual utilization of paraprofessional substitutes?

R121. Varies, but that would be based on the substitutes staffed by the vendor.

Q122. Since the portal requires all forms (Subcontractor Affidavit, Sub-subcontractor Affidavit of Compliance, Affidavit of Exception) to be uploaded as mandatory, could you please confirm if we may enter N/A where applicable and then upload the form?

R122. Yes, if a form is N/A to your company. Please write N/A on Form and submit.

Q123. Could you please provide the current vendor details of this RFP?

What was the previous spent of this RFP?

R123. N/A

Q124. Is there any preference to local vendors? Please confirm.

R124. Yes, or at least have local offices.

Q125. Page 8 of the RFP states that to complete a submission, a vendor must register with the Purchasing Department. Is there a page you can you send a link to find the registration page? We've searched the rockdaleschools.org page and found no link to apply as a vendor

R125. All vendors can submit to this bid. Vendor do not need to be registered prior to submitting. Once a vendor has been selected, we get the vendor registered at that time.

Q126. Our company has experience staffing ancillary personnel in schools, including nurses, CNAs, and CMAs. Would this experience qualify us to be considered for staffing paraprofessionals under this solicitation?

R126. Yes

Q127. Is this a new solicitation, or a re-solicitation of an existing contract?

R127. New

Q128. If this is a re-solicitation, who are the current contract holders?

R128. N/A

Q129. If there are current vendors, are you satisfied with their performance?

R129. N/A

Q130. What challenges or gaps have you experienced in the past with staffing paraprofessionals that you hope to address with this solicitation?

R130. See above

Q131. After the solicitation closes, what is the anticipated timeline for evaluation, award, and start of services?

R131. Please see the RFP. Services are tentatively scheduled to begin in July/August 2026.

Q132. What circumstances have led RCPS to consider a partnership for paraprofessional staffing?

R132. Rising health insurance costs is one.

Q133. In consideration of responses, what is the number one priority to RCPS that the awarded vendor can provide?

R133. Qualified candidates and savings to the district.

Q134. What members of the RCPS team will serve on the evaluation committee?

R134. To be determined

Q135. I understand that this number will fluctuate and there is no guarantee – how many paraprofessional vacancies are currently open?

R135. Two

Q136. I reviewed (from the RCPS website) the current salary schedule for paraprofessionals and it is a range between $19,473 - $41,993, which is approximately $13.16/hour - $28.37/hour. Can you confirm this is correct and also provide the average current paraprofessional pay? Will you also confirm that the current substitute paraprofessional pay rate is $90/day ($11.25/hour)?

R136. The pay scale information is correct. The average para salary is not readily available.

Q137. On page 4 of the bid document, item 2.2 says “Rockdale County Public Schools is searching for a vendor partnership to fill vacant paraprofessional positions and additional positions to include substitutes, as needed.” By substitutes, does this refer to a substitute paraprofessional when the vendor provided full-time is absent, or is this substitutes on a larger scale to include teachers and other positions?

R137. This is in reference to paraprofessional substitutes.

ROCKDALE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Marki J. Dixon

Director of Purchasing Department