QandA RESPONSE RFP# 2024-07-22.pdf

NORTHSHORE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 417

RFP# 2024-07-22 BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

RESPONSE DATE: 6/26/2024

Questions:

Q1: Is this a new bid, or has the District previously had copier bids?

A1: Behavior Specialist RFP# 2024-07-22 is a rebid from existing bid expiring 8-30-20244. The District uses funding resources that comingle Federal funds, which requires following Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) in competitive procurement process.

Q2: Please provide names of current vendors and pricing.

A2: No, this will require Public Records Request

Q3: What is the previous spending volume?

A3: Reference cover page of RFP for estimated spending value $2 -$2.5 million

Q4: Is there a local preference?

A4: Per RFP requirements, the Bidder must be registered with WA State Department of Revenue and/or Secretary of State with a valid Uniform Business Identifier # (UBI)

Q5: What are the issues with current vendors?

A5: No issues.

Q6: What is the anticipated number of awards for the current solicitation?

A6: District goal is to create a roster of lowest, responsive, responsible, bidders to meet changing needs for a school year(s). Weighted Criteria scoring will indicate number of awards.

Q7: Section 3.01, Item M – elaborate on transportation requirements to and from school. Are clinicians to transport students to and from home/school?

A7: Clinicians may be required to accompany student to and from school (typically by bus).

Clinicians will not be required to transport in private vehicle.

Q8: Attachment A referenced Excel spreadsheet included to propose cost, but not in bid attachments?

A8: Excel spreadsheet is not required, as the Attachment A proposal page will allow fee/rate structure the Bidder uses.

Q9: Clarify license type for Behavior Specialists under this RFP.

A9: Most specialists have been BCBA, RBT, or CBT

Q10: Would the District consider virtual services?

A10: NO. The requirement is for in-person support only

Q11: How many Behavior Specialists does the District anticipate needing for the upcoming school year?

A11: School year 2023-2024 had 30 students requiring contracted behavior support

Q12: If Virtual services are considered (NO), will the District require Bidder to list exceptions to the scope of services that require physical interactions?

A12: No Virtual Services. If there are ANY exceptions to physical interactions, it must be identified as an exception to the RFP. Not meeting requirements may impact scoring/responsiveness.

Q13. Can pricing increase for any optional extension term if reviewed and approved by District?

A13: Yes. Prices may allow increase annually at time of contract extension only, depending on market review/comparisons and justification.

Q14: Are there any requirements for the content within the "Technical Proposal" of the organized format listed in section

4.01 on pages 7-8 of the RFP?

A14: Many Bidders provide responses in line with each of the requirements listed as to whether or not they can be met. No formal format.

Q15: For Attachment A - Cost Proposal, since all costs must be submitted in a separate Excel attachment:

A15: Attachment A did not include separate Excel document (oversight).

a. Does the district have a preference for the rate structure, or can the vendor submit its own rate structure, tables, and narratives in the Excel file for consideration (e.g., hourly rates, rates per assessment, service fees, etc.)? Provide clear rate structure, preferably as a summary to easily read License/Rate per hour and other rates below.

b. Is the vendor still required to submit the original Attachment A on page 12 of the RFP with its proposal if pricing must be in an Excel attachment? Submitting rates via excel is optional, as Attachment A Excel was omitted. The PDF/Word Attachment A allows for further info maybe not captured on a spreadsheet format, but pricing could be included as a table.