Response to Offeror Questions document.pdf

Department Of Health, Office of Child and Family Services Home Visiting Expansion RFP No. 25-0904004-002

State of South Dakota 402 S. Main

Aberdeen, SD 57401 605-626-2660

#25-0904004-002 Date: September 4th, 2024

Subject: Questions and Answers for RFP No. 25-0904004-002

In accordance with the subject Request for Proposal (RFP), the following are answers to questions which have been submitted prior to 5:00pm CDT on September 03, 2024. These questions are for informational purposes only; they do not alter the requirements specified within the RFP. Any changes to the RFP will be accomplished by the Office of Procurement Management through the use of an addendum.

1. Question: Is the expectation to cover all counties listed in the RFP or just some of them?

Answer: Applicants can propose to serve one or more of the identified counties. There is not an expectation to serve all listed counties.

2. Question: How many home visiting staff can be supported?

Answer: The budget ceiling for the RFP is $450,000 for a one-year period. Applicants should propose a staffing plan that aligns with the budget requested.

3. Question: Is this a grant that, if we demonstrate progress toward intended goals, we could receive year after year?

Answer: The initial agreement will be for a pro-rated 7-month period to align with the state contracting cycle and then up to four additional years of funding may be available under this RFP. Continuation of funds is dependent upon the awardee’s success in meeting program objectives, timely reporting of progress and required data, and availability of appropriated funds.

4. Question: I'm assuming families aren't charged for these home visits.

Answer: Applicants should budget all costs to provide home visiting services as it is expected that home visiting participants would not pay a fee for receiving services.

5. Question: Is the $450,000 the whole pot of money to be distributed to any agency that gets the

RFP?

Answer: $450,000 is the total funding ceiling, for the first full year, under the RFP. The negotiation process will occur according to section 6.5 Award, as outlined in the RFP. The top scoring offeror(s) and associated cost proposal(s) will determine if funding is available to award more than one offeror under the RFP. (i.e., If the top offeror is awarded $450,000 no other award would be made under the RFP).

However, if the top offeror is awarded $250,000 and the second highest rated offeror is awarded $200,000, two awards may be made.) Funding for subsequent years may be increased depending on fund availability. As noted in the RFP, in-kind is viewed favorably as it may be used to secure additional federal match funding in subsequent years.

6. Question: Is the funding a monthly draw down or is it a lump sum for the year?

Answer: The selected offeror(s) will enter into a subrecipient agreement with the State of South Dakota, Department of Health. Monthly invoices will be submitted for reimbursement in accordance with an approved budget.

Department Of Health, Office of Child and Family Services Home Visiting Expansion RFP No. 25-0904004-002

State of South Dakota 402 S. Main

Aberdeen, SD 57401 605-626-2660

7. Question: What is the criteria for eligibility to enroll in PAT?

Answer: PAT services can be delivered to families whose children are prenatal to kindergarten entry. For further guidance on the PAT model, please contact PAT https://parentsasteachers.org/contact/.

Applicants should identify proposed participant eligibility criteria as part of their application. These criteria may be negotiated further as part of the RFP awarding process.

8. Question: Does the person have to live within the county being served, example Minnehaha county and what happens if they move out of that county while still enrolled?

Answer: Clients must reside within the county boundary of the county the offeror is authorized to serve at the time of enrollment. If a client moves outside of the boundary of the approved area while enrolled, they may still be served by the offeror if desired so long as they remain within the State of South Dakota.

Awarded offeror will work with the state to develop policies to address these types of situations though a shared decision-making process.

9. Question: Is there any out of state travel related to training for the Model. When looking at the website for PAT it appears all training is virtual.

Answer: Currently, all model required training is virtual. PAT does host an annual conference that applicants may request to attend as part of the budget.

10. Question: Will all costs be covered by the contract or will applicants need to use philanthropist dollars to cover some of the cost?

Answer: Allowable costs to run the program may be requested through the budget request. In-kind support is viewed favorably as it may be used to secure additional federal match funding in subsequent years; however, it is not required.

11. Question: Would you please provide details on non-personnel expenses such as in-state meetings, out-of-state travel, and PAT affiliate fees?

Answer: Plan to budget for at least one in-state office of home visiting required meeting per year.

Applicants may also budget for other relevant in-state professional development meetings. There is no required out-of-state travel; however, relevant out-of-state professional development can be requested.

Final budget negotiation will occur with the selected applicant(s) as part of the contracting process with additional, specific guidance provided at that time. For further guidance on PAT fees, please contact PAT https://parentsasteachers.org/contact/.

12. Question: What are the education requirements for the PAT educator?

Answer: The minimum qualifications for parent educators, per PAT requirements, are a high school diploma or GED or equivalency and two years of previous supervised work experience with young children and/or parents. While it is beneficial for parent educators with an associate’s degree/60 college hours to have previous supervised work experience, this is required only for those with a high school diploma or GED as their highest level of education. PAT recommends that parent educators have at least an associate’s degree or 60 college hours—preferably a bachelor’s or four- year degree (or comparable degree from outside the United States)—in early childhood education, social work, health, psychology, or a related field. Individual affiliates may have additional educational or work history requirements. For further guidance on PAT model requirements, please contact PAT https://parentsasteachers.org/contact/.

https://parentsasteachers.org/contact/