RFA_Foster_Family_Agency_Services_063-2596903-WM.pdf

REQUEST FOR APPLICATION

FOR

FOSTER FAMILY AGENCY SERVICES

County of Orange Social Services Agency

March 1, 2024

RFA#063-2596903-WM

Foster Family Agency Services Page 2 of 32 RFA #063-2596903-WM, February 16, 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. BACKGROUND AND GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 BACKGROUND

1.2 ANTICIPATED TERM AND FUNDING AVAILABILITY

1.3 GENERAL CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1.4 ELIGIBILITY TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS

1.5 QUESTIONS

1.6 COUNTY’S RIGHT OF ACCEPTANCE AND/OR REJECTION

1.7 COUNTY’S RIGHT TO CANCELLATION

1.8 COUNTY’S RESPONSIBILITY

1.9 OUTSTANDING DEBT WITH COUNTY

1.10 RFA CHANGES AND MODIFICATIONS

1.11 USE OF LOBBYISTS

1.12 INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

1.13 NEWS RELEASES

1.14 DISABLED VETERAN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DVBE) PREFERENCE POLICY

2. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

2.1 SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS

2.2 CONFIDENTIALITY OF APPLICATIONS

2.3 DUE DATE

2.4 APPLICATION PACKAGE

2.5 APPLICATION FORMS

2.6 APPLICATION SUBMISSION

3. EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS

3.1 APPLICATION EVALUATION PANEL

3.2 APPLICATION EVALUATION

3.3 APPLICANT INTERVIEW

3.4 ON-SITE PROGRAM REVIEW

3.5 APPLICATION SCORING

3.6 FINAL SELECTION

3.7 AWARD

3.8 BOARD APPROVAL

3.9 PROTEST PROCEDURE

4. EVALUATION CRITERIA

4.1 EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR FOSTER FAMILY AGENCY SERVICES

AGENCY APPLICATION

ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

AND COUNTY AGENCY OFFICERS

ATTACHMENT

Model Contract - Attachment A, Scope of Work for Foster Family Agency Services

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FORMS

A. Application Cover Page

B. Required Documents Checklist

C. Application

D. Statement of References

E. Organization Litigation

F. Applicant Certifications

G. Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Certification

H. Levine Act Campaign Contribution Disclosure Form

DATES TO REMEMBER DATE PAGE #

Written Questions Due March 18, 2024 9

Applications Due April 1, 2024 13

Tentative Interviews April 4-12, 2024 14

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1. BACKGROUND AND GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 BACKGROUND

The County of Orange (County) Social Services Agency (SSA) is currently requesting applications to provide Foster Family Agency (FFA) Services. The purpose of these services is to recruit, certify, train, and provide professional support to foster parents who accept foster youth into their homes when placement with relatives or extended family members is not possible.

SSA’s Children and Family Services (CFS) division is responsible for placing a child in the least restrictive, most family-like setting if the Orange County Juvenile Court determines that a child cannot safely remain with his or her family. Relative/guardian care is the primary placement considered, and if relatives are not available, the next best option is a Non-Relative Extended Family Member (NREFM). If relatives and NREFMs are not available, SSA may place the child in a County licensed foster family home, or a home provided by an FFA.

FFAs are licensed and monitored by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD). All FFAs applying for FFA Services are required to provide FFA General Services. These services include recruitment, certification, training, and professional support to foster parents who accept foster youth into their homes when placement with relatives or extended family members is not possible. Agencies develop and supervise specialized foster homes for the placement of children who require a higher level of care due to emotional or behavioral problems.

Applicants will also indicate if they will provide optional Temporary Evaluation Community Home (TECH) Services. TECH Services will provide dedicated beds that can exclusively accept immediate placement of SSA referrals. TECH placements are short-term and are designed to be limited to sixty (60) days in length unless an extension is approved by the County.

SSA and all FFAs are responsible for completing this Request for Application (RFA) process for family-based foster care homes as outlined in California Family Code Section 8712 and WIC Section 16519.5. During the RFA process, relative caretakers, foster parents, NREFMs, and adoptive parents must meet certain health and safety requirements before they can care for foster children or adopt children out of foster care.

Applicant(s) meeting the minimum qualifications will be considered for the contract award. Further, if an FFA is or becomes eligible and desires to contract with SSA anytime during the contract period after July 1, 2024, the FFA may submit for consideration, an application that includes all documents as required by this RFA.

1.2 ANTICIPATED TERM AND FUNDING AVAILABILITY

Contingent upon approval by the Orange County Board of Supervisors, the County intends to award three-year contracts to qualified Applicants that meet the requirements

Foster Family Agency Services Page 5 of 32 of this RFA. The term of the resulting contract will begin on or about July 1, 2024, and terminate on June 30, 2027. The initial three-year agreement may be renewed, subject to contractor performance and continued funding, for a two-year term, without a competitive bid process, at the sole discretion of the County.

The funding for the contract resulting from this RFA is contingent upon the State budget; receipt of funds from and/or obligation of funds by the Federal Government to the State and from the State to the County; and inclusion of sufficient funding for the services hereunder in the budget approved by the County’s Board of Supervisors for each fiscal year covered by said contract. If such approval, funding, or appropriations are not forthcoming, or are otherwise limited, the contract may be immediately terminated, reduced, or modified without penalty.

In awarding contracts, the County does not guarantee Applicants a specified sum of money nor a specified minimum number of referrals. FFAs are reimbursed for FFA General Services through CDSS at rates set by the Foster Care Rates Bureau. Current rates can be found at CDSS’ web site located at:

https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/foster-care/foster-care-audits-and-rates/foster-care-rate-setting (Foster Family Agency Rates). Reimbursement for TECH Services are provided through the County at a fixed rate. The estimated amount available for each year of the three-year contract will be $70,000 per year for TECH Services, to be shared by all providers, for an estimated maximum of $210,000 for all three (3) years.

An FFA may also be a licensed private adoption agency and be able to draw funds from the CDSS Private Adoption Agency Reimbursement Program (PAARP) program.

1.3 GENERAL CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The contracts resulting from this RFA will contain contract provisions included in the Model Contract. Provisions are subject to change between the release of this RFA and implementation of the contract. Additional provisions may be added before the contract is finalized.

Applicants must certify on Form F (Applicant Certifications) that Applicant has read and agrees to all terms and conditions in the Model Contract and requirements of this solicitation.

1.4 ELIGIBILITY TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS

Eligible Applicants

Only CCLD licensed FFAs that meet the following criteria are eligible to submit applications in response to this RFA:

FFA General Services (required)

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Applicant must be able to provide services to Resource Families who reside in Orange County or may reside in a contiguous county outside of Orange County (Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties);

Applicant must submit all completed documents required in Subparagraph 2.4 (Application Package); and

Have the ability to provide FFA General Services in accordance with the scope of work detailed in this RFA, as attested in Form F (Applicant Certifications).

TECH Services (optional)

Applicant must be able to provide TECH Services to Resource Families who reside in Orange County or may reside in a contiguous county outside of Orange County (Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties);

Applicant must submit all completed documents required in Subparagraph 2.4 (Application Package); and

Ability to provide TECH Services in accordance with the scope of work detailed in this RFA, as attested in Form F (Applicant Certifications).

Ineligible Applicants

Individuals, governments, and organizations/agencies not listed as Eligible Applicants above or listed on either the Cumulative Sanction List or the excluded parties list, explained below, are ineligible to submit an application.

Applicants must not be listed on the current Cumulative Sanction List of the U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services/Office of the Inspector General (http://exclusions.oig.hhs.gov/) or the System for Award Management (SAM)’s list of parties excluded from federal programs (http://www.sam.gov/). The County is required to reject an application submitted by an individual or entity on either list.

It will be the responsibility of each Applicant to verify that it is not on either list prior to preparing an application to submit in response to this RFA. Correction of any errors found on either sanction list is the sole responsibility of the Applicant and must be made prior to the day the application is submitted.

To further determine eligibility for a contract award, all Applicants must provide on Form C (Organization Profile) a DUNS number and SAM Unique Entity ID. The DUNS number is a nine-digit number established and assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. to uniquely identify entities. The Unique Entity ID is the official identifier for doing business with the U.S. Government. A non-federal entity is required to have a DUNS number and Unique Entity ID in order to apply, receive, and report on a federal award. Every Applicant is required to provide a DUNS number and Unique Entity ID regardless of the funding source of this solicitation. A DUNS number can be obtained free of charge from Dun and Bradstreet by telephone (866-705-5711) or online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. A Unique Entity ID can be obtained online at https://sam.gov/.

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All potential individuals and/or contract entities must self-disclose any pending charges or convictions for violation of criminal law and/or any sanction or disciplinary action by any federal or state law enforcement, regulatory, or licensing agency or licensing body.

During the term of a contract resulting from this RFA and in accordance with its existing provisions, if a Applicant becomes ineligible, the Applicant will be removed from any responsibility and/or involvement with County contracted obligations related to any direct and/or indirect federal or State social services programs and any other federal and State funds. Ineligible Applicant is defined as any individual or entity who is currently excluded, suspended, debarred, or otherwise ineligible to participate in the federal social services programs, or has been convicted of a criminal offense related to the provision of social services and has not been reinstated in the federal social services programs after a period of exclusion, suspension, debarment, or ineligibility.

Disqualification

The County reserves the right to disqualify any Applicant on the basis of any real or apparent conflict of interest that is disclosed by the application submitted or any other data available to the County. This disqualification is at the sole discretion of the County.

Any Applicant submitting an application herein waives any right to object to the County’s exercise of this right, now or at any future time, before any body or agency, including, but not limited to, the County of Orange Board of Supervisors or any court.

Causes for Disqualification

The County, at its sole, absolute, and unfettered discretion, will determine whether a Applicant is qualified and responsible to deliver the services requested in this RFA.

This determination may be based on one (1) or more of the following:

a) Evidence of collusion amongst Applicants.

b) Lack of business skills or financial resources necessary to operate this business successfully, as revealed by either financial statements or experience statement.

c) Lack of responsibility as shown by past work, references, or other factors.

d) Applicant is in arrears or in default to the County on any debt or agreement or defaults upon any obligation to the County or has failed to faithfully perform any previous agreement with County at the County’s sole determination.

e) Submission of an application that is late, conditional, incomplete, ambiguous, obscure or which contains alterations not called for, or irregularities of any kind, except as those determined by the County, at its sole discretion, as a minor irregularity or a defect or variation in the application that is immaterial or inconsequential.

f) Other causes, as the County deems appropriate, at its sole and absolute discretion.

The County’s determination as to whether an Applicant is qualified and responsible will be based on the information furnished by Applicant in response to this RFA, interviews

Foster Family Agency Services Page 8 of 32 with Applicant (if applicable), as well as from other sources determined to be valid by the County. The County reserves the right to verify and validate any information prior to awarding a contract and during the entire term of the contract. Award will not be made until after such investigations, as are deemed necessary, are made by the County regarding the experience and financial responsibility of Applicant which each Applicant agrees to permit by submitting its application.

1.5 QUESTIONS

The County has attempted to provide all information available with regard to the services described in this RFA. It is the responsibility of each Applicant to review, evaluate, and, where necessary, request clarification of information. Questions must be submitted through the County’s online bidding system, no later than 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) on March 18, 2024.

All questions related to this RFA must be directed to William Mo, County Deputy Purchasing Agent, via County’s online bidding system at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/ocgov : RFA 063-2596903-WM.

For technical assistance with the County’s online bidding system, please contact OpenGov Customer Service via email at procurement-support@opengov.com.

Written responses to questions submitted through the County’s online bidding system and deemed material will be posted throughout the open question submission period. A transcript, including all questions and answers, will be available on the County’s online bidding system.

The County reserves the right to decline to respond to any question, if, in the County's assessment, the information cannot be obtained and shared with all potential Applicants in a timely manner.

Applicants are directed to submit questions only as instructed above. Applicants may not contact any County staff directly in regard to this RFA.

1.6 COUNTY’S RIGHT OF ACCEPTANCE AND/OR REJECTION

Any application may be subject to rejection if it is conditional, incomplete, or deviates from specifications in this RFA. By submitting an application, the Applicant agrees to meet all the requirements set forth in the RFA. The County reserves the right to accept any part of the Application and is not obligated in any way to accept those parts that do not meet with the approval of the County. The County reserves the right to waive, at its discretion, any procedural irregularity, immaterial defect, or other impropriety not warranting rejection of the application. Any waiver will not excuse an Applicant from full compliance if awarded a contract. The Applicant shall disclose, on Form E (Organization Litigation), any litigation with the County. Reasons for rejecting any application may be provided to the Applicant at the sole discretion of the County.

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The County reserves the right to accept any application as offered, to reject any or all applications, or, based upon the County’s needs or availability of funding at the time of selection of a contractor or during contract negotiations, to modify the scope of service.

The County, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to contract for all or some of the stated services and to cancel this RFA in whole or in part.

Applications must be valid for a minimum of three hundred sixty-five (365) calendar days from the due date of this RFA.

Applications received after the stipulated due date and time will not be considered.

1.7 COUNTY’S RIGHT TO CANCELLATION

The County, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to cancel this RFA in whole or in part when such cancellation is determined to be in its best interest, pursuant to California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Manual of Policies and Procedures, Regulations 23-614. All Applicants will be notified in writing of the specific reason(s) for such cancellation.

1.8 COUNTY’S RESPONSIBILITY

The County will adhere to its established procurement policy and guidelines to assure fair, competitive access to governmental procurement.

1.9 OUTSTANDING DEBT WITH COUNTY

Selected Applicants may not have any outstanding debt with the County or shall be in the process of resolving outstanding debt to the County’s satisfaction, prior to entering into and during the term of the resulting contract.

1.10 RFA CHANGES AND MODIFICATIONS

The County reserves the right to interpret or change any provision of the RFA at any time prior to the application submission date. Any and all interpretations or changes will be in the form of a written addendum, which will be furnished through the County’s online bidding system. Addendums will become part of the RFA and resulting contract.

Applicants will be responsible for reviewing all changes and modifications to the RFA as published in the County’s online bidding system. Further, Applicants will be responsible for registering with the County’s online bidding system and for keeping their registration current. While reasonable efforts will be made to post notices on the County’s online bidding system in a timely manner, the County cannot guarantee delivery, or the delivery date, of any email announcements sent via the County’s online bidding system.

Should any addendum require information not previously requested, the County, at its sole discretion, may determine a time extension is required for the submission of

Foster Family Agency Services Page 10 of 32 applications, in which case an addendum will indicate the revised application submission due date and time.

The County will not be responsible for any spoken instructions given by any employees of the County in regard to the application instructions specifications or application documents, as described in this RFA.

1.11 USE OF LOBBYISTS

The County of Orange does not require, and neither encourages nor discourages, the use of lobbyists or other consultants for the purpose of securing business.

1.12 INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must submit evidence with the application that it has or can obtain all required insurance with certificates of insurance evidencing the required coverage as indicated in Paragraph 13 (Insurance) of the Model Contract. Prior to the provision of services under any and all contracts resulting from this RFA, Applicant agrees to purchase all required insurance at no expense to the County and to deposit with the County all required certificates of insurance, including all endorsements necessary to verify compliance to the County’s satisfaction.

1.13 NEWS RELEASES

Applicants will not issue any news releases or public announcements of any type pertaining to this RFA without prior written approval of the County which may be withheld at the County’s sole discretion. A minimum of two (2) business days’ notice is required for a determination.

1.14 DISABLED VETERAN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DVBE) PREFERENCE

POLICY

A. DVBE: Effective January 1, 2021, County of Orange Board of Supervisors adopted the DVBE Preference policy. The DVBE Preference policy supports local business opportunity, economy, and the development of the County’s tax base, and in addition recognizes the service and sacrifice given by the men and women of our Armed Forces.

To be certified as a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise by the County of Orange, a business shall meet 1) below:

1) Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Requirements:

a. Must be certified as a DVBE by the State of California Department of

General Services (DGS); and

b. DGS DVBE requirements must be valid at the time of application submittal.

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To participate as a DVBE please read and follow the process outlined in the County of Orange Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Affirmation form.

2. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

This RFA does not commit the County to award a contract or to pay any associated cost.

The application preparation cost is solely the responsibility of the Applicant.

2.1 SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS

Applications must be signed by an authorized representative of the Applicant.

If the Applicant is a corporation, two (2) signatures are required: one (1) signature by the Chairman of the Board, the President, or any Vice President and one (1) signature by the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer or any Assistant Treasurer. The signature of one (1) person alone is sufficient to bind a corporation, as long as he or she holds corporate offices in each of the two (2) categories described above. For County purposes, proof of such dual office holding will be satisfied by having the individual sign Form A (Application Cover Page), twice, each time indicating his or her office that qualifies under the provision described above. In the alternative, a single corporate signature is acceptable when accompanied by a corporate resolution or other documentation demonstrating the legal authority of the signatory to bind the corporation. An unsigned or improperly signed application submission is grounds for rejection of the application and disqualification from further participation in this RFA process.

2.2 CONFIDENTIALITY OF APPLICATIONS

Applications are not to be marked as confidential or proprietary. Applications submitted in response to this RFA are subject to public disclosure as permitted by the California Public Records Act and State regulations. Additionally, all applications become the property of the County of Orange. The County reserves the right to make use of any information or ideas in the applications submitted.

Regardless of any identification otherwise, including marking some or all of the pages as “confidential” or “proprietary,” information in applications will become part of the public record and subject to disclosure without further notice to the Applicant.

Applications should not include personally identifiable information such as social security numbers, dates of birth, criminal clearance documents, etc., in resumes or other documents. The County shall not in any way be liable or responsible for the disclosure of any such records.

2.3 DUE DATE

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The application package described in Subparagraph 2.4 below must be received on or before 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) on April 1, 2024.

NO APPLICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS DATE AND TIME.

2.4 APPLICATION PACKAGE

2.4.1 The applicant must clearly meet all of the requirements of this RFA. The Applicant is solely responsible for reviewing all requirements and instructions to ensure that each is clearly addressed in the application.

2.4.2 Application package must comprise of all required forms and documents incorporated into a single file in PDF format. The County will specify which forms can be provided in non-PDF format.

2.4.3 Form B (Required Documents Checklist) functions as a guide for verification, lists the correct order of documents to be submitted and also serves as a Table of Contents.

2.4.4 Failure to submit documents in the order listed on Form B, or not fully complete all required Forms, may result in rejection of the application.

2.5 APPLICATION FORMS

Applications will require a variety of forms which are provided by the County and available in the County’s online bidding system, along with the RFA. Forms that were developed in Microsoft Word will be uploaded in the County’s online bidding system as a single file titled “Applicant Forms.”

2.6 APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Applications must be submitted electronically via the County’s online bidding system.

Paper, faxed, or emailed applications will not be accepted. For technical assistance on uploading applications via the County’s online bidding system, Applicants can contact OpenGov Customer Service via email at procurement-support@opengov.com.

The following must be uploaded, as separate files, on the County’s online bidding system by the due date and time specified in Subparagraph 2.3:

Entire application in PDF format with all Forms and other required documents in the order specified on Form B.

Forms A – H in Microsoft Word file.

Allow sufficient time to upload all required files. Files will not upload successfully on the County’s online bidding system if the upload is not complete before the 4:00 p.m.

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(Pacific Time) deadline. For example, if file #1 uploaded successfully at 3:58:23 p.m.

and file #2 is in progress of being uploaded at 4:00:01 p.m. (Pacific Time), file #2 will not upload successfully.

3. EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS

3.1 APPLICATION EVALUATION PANEL

The County will establish an application evaluation panel consisting of representatives of SSA, and other County agencies/departments. Panel members will demonstrate no conflict of interest with any Applicant. The evaluation process will consist of a thorough review of the Applicants’ applications and qualifications.

3.2 APPLICATION EVALUATION

The contents of each application will be evaluated by the Evaluation Criteria set forth in Paragraph 4 of this RFA. The County will consider the submittal of an application to constitute an agreement by the Applicant to all provisions and conditions included in this RFA. Applicants are to submit any and all questions pertaining to this RFA as instructed in Subparagraph 1.5 above.

3.3 APPLICANT INTERVIEW

After the written applications have been received, selected Applicant(s) may be invited to participate in an oral interview to clarify aspects of the application. Interviews may be held with one (1) or more Applicants, as deemed necessary by the application evaluation panel and are tentatively scheduled for April 4-12, 2024.

3.4 ON-SITE PROGRAM REVIEW

Applicants accepted for consideration after the initial panel evaluation of applications may, at the County’s discretion, be required to participate in an on-site program review led by the County. If an on-site program review is determined to be necessary, the County will provide participating Applicants the evaluation criteria in advance.

3.5 APPLICATION SCORING

Each member of the panel will individually evaluate and assign ratings based on the rating criteria detailed in Paragraph 4, Evaluation Criteria.

FFA General Services applications will be evaluated to receive a pass or fail score. A fail determination shall be stated in writing explaining the basis for the determination.

Applicants with a passing score will be considered for a contract award.

TECH Services will be evaluated and selected through a competitive process and may receive a maximum of one hundred and eightyfive (185) points. Applications will be

Foster Family Agency Services Page 14 of 32 ranked and the County intends to award one (1) or more subordinate contract(s) to the highest scoring Applicant(s).

3.6 FINAL SELECTION

Following a review of applications and interview by evaluation panel members, SSA’s Executive Management will review and approve a recommendation regarding the selection of service providers.

3.7 AWARD

The County may negotiate contract terms with the selected Applicants prior to award, and expressly reserves the right to negotiate with multiple Applicants simultaneously and, thereafter, to award a contract to the Applicant(s) offering the most favorable terms to the County. Negotiations may or may not be conducted with Applicant(s); therefore, the application must contain Applicant’s most favorable terms and conditions. The selection and award may, at the County’s sole discretion, be made without discussion with any Applicant(s).

If a satisfactory contract cannot be negotiated in a timely manner, the County, at its sole discretion, may terminate negotiations with the selected Applicant and begin negotiations with the next Applicant.

The County reserves the right to negotiate and award a contract to the next highest ranked Applicant if the awarded Applicant fails to perform.

3.8 BOARD APPROVAL

The Master contract and subordinate contracts will be presented for approval to the County of Orange Board of Supervisors. Subordinate contracts will be awarded to qualified Applicants contingent upon such approval.

3.9 PROTEST PROCEDURE

Any actual or prospective Applicant or Contractor who alleges an error or impropriety by the solicitation or award of a contract may submit a grievance or protest to the SSA Contracts Services Manager.

All protests shall be typed under the protester’s letterhead and submitted in accordance with the provisions stated herein. All protests shall include, at a minimum, the following information:

a) Name, address, and telephone number of the protester;

b) Signature of the protester or the protester’s representative;

c) RFA solicitation title/number, or the contract number;

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d) The form of relief requested.

Written protests must be sent to:

County of Orange

Contracts Services Manager

500 N. State College Blvd., Suite 100

Orange, CA 92868

3.9.1 Protest of RFA Specifications

All protests related to the RFA specifications must be submitted to the SSA Contracts Services Manager no later than 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time), five (5) business days prior to the application due date. Protests received after the five

(5) business day deadline will not be considered by the County.

In the event the protest of specifications is denied and the protester wishes to continue in the solicitation process, protester must still submit a application prior to the close of the solicitation in accordance with the application submittal procedures provided in this RFA.

3.9.2 Protest of Award of Contract

In protests related to the award of a contract, the protest must be submitted no later than five (5) business days after the notice of the proposed contract award is provided by the Contracts Services Manager.

a) Applicants will have five (5) business days from the date of the notice in which to file a protest with the SSA Contracts Services Manager concerning the award of the contract.

b) Protests relating to a proposed contract award which are received after the five (5) business day deadline will not be considered by the County.

c) During the five (5) business day period, RFA information, including the final evaluator score sheets with the names of individual evaluators redacted, are subject to public disclosure.

d) Upon expiration of the five (5) business day period or proper resolution of a protest/appeal, the department may move forward with the contract award or if necessary, filing the item for approval by the Board of Supervisors.

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3.9.3 Protest Process

In the event of a timely protest, the County shall not proceed with the solicitation or award of the contract until the SSA Contracts Services Manager, the County Procurement Officer, or the Procurement Appeals Board renders a decision on the protest.

Upon receipt of a timely protest, the SSA Contracts Services Manager will, within ten (10) business days, issue a decision in writing which shall state the reasons for the actions taken.

The County may, after providing written justification to be included in the procurement file, make the determination that an immediate award of the contract is necessary to protect the substantial interests of the County. The award of a contract shall in no way compromise the protester’s right to the protest procedures outlined herein.

If the protester disagrees with the decision of the SSA Contracts Services Manager, the protester may submit a written notice to the Office of the County Procurement Officer requesting an appeal to the Procurement Appeals Board, in accordance with the process stated below.

3.9.4 Appeal Process

If the protester wishes to appeal the decision of the SSA Contracts Services Manager, the protester must submit, within three (3) business days from receipt of the SSA Contracts Services Manager’s decision, a written appeal to the Office of the County Procurement Officer.

Within fifteen (15) business days, the County Procurement Officer will review all materials in connection with the protest, assess the merits of the protest, and provide a written determination that shall contain the decision on whether the protest shall be forwarded to the Procurement Appeals Board.

The decision of the County Procurement Officer on whether to allow the appeal to go forward will be final and there shall be no right to any administrative appeals of this decision.

4. EVALUATION CRITERIA

4.1 EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR FFA GENERAL SERVICES

The following criteria will be used in the evaluation to determine a pass or fail score:

4.1.1 Completion of Forms A - H.

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4.1.2 Submission of a CDSS-approved FFA Program Statement / Plan of Operations;

or submission of a FFA Program Statement / Plan of Operations currently under CDSS review.

4.1.3 Submission of supporting documentation, which includes: Certificates of

Insurance; Current/valid copy(s) of organization license(s) to do business in California; a valid and active CDSS FFA License; a Board of Directors Resolution (if incorporated) or an Authorized Representative Statement (if unincorporated), designating official signatories.

4.2 EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR TECH SERVICES

The following criteria will be used in the evaluation to assign points and score TECH Services.

The maximum number of points to be assigned are as follows:

Maximum………………………………………………………...…………..185 Points

Applicant must attest they have the ability to provide services described in Attachment B, Scope of Work – TECH Services………………… (not scored)

Applicant can provide multiple TECH beds………………………... 35 points

Applicant is able to provide homes that can accommodate sibling sets of two

(2) children……………………………………………………………25 points

Applicant is able to provide homes that can accommodate sibling sets of three or more (3+) children…………………………………………………35 points

Applicant can provide homes with bilingual Spanish capacity…….. 25 points

Applicant can provide homes with bilingual Vietnamese capacity… 25 points

Applicant can provide homes to accommodate children awaiting Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program placements………………………. 10 points

Applicant can provide homes to accommodate children awaiting Regional Center of Orange County placements………………………………. 10 points

Applicant can provide homes to accommodate children awaiting Treatment Foster Care Oregon placements…………………………………….. 10 points

Applicant can provide homes to accommodate children awaiting Intensive Services Foster Care placements……………………………………. 10 points

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APPLICANT FORMS

Applicants are responsible to manually insert and/or adjust page breaks so that the submitted application is formatted with each Form beginning at the top of a new page.

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FORM A – APPLICATION COVER PAGE

Request for Application (RFA) Title: Foster Family Agency Services

RFA # 063-2596903-WM

Application Due Date/Time: April 1, 2024, 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)

Attention: William Mo

APPLICANT: [entered by Applicant]

Application for:

☐ FFA General Services (required)

☐ Temporary Evaluation Community Home (TECH) Services (optional)

☐ The undersigned read, understood, and agree to all statements, terms and conditions, Forms, and Attachments in the RFA referenced above. The signature(s) below are in accordance with RFA Subparagraph 2.1, Signature Requirements.

Applicant’s Name (as it appears on W-9 form)

Authorized Signature Printed Name Title Date

Authorized Signature Printed Name Title Date

An unsigned application may be subject to rejection.

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FORM B - REQUIRED DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST

INSTRUCTIONS:

Submit the following documents in the order listed on this form, in accordance with Subparagraph 2.4, Application Package. Applicant will indicate on this checklist whether or not all items requested have been included.

Required Documents Completed and Enclosed Page #

Form A – Application Cover Page

Form B – Required Documents Checklist

Form C – Application

Form D – Statement of References

Form E – Organization Litigation

Form F – Applicant Certifications

Form G – Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Certification

Form H - Levine Act Campaign Contribution Disclosure Form

FFA Program Statement /Plan of Operations

Certificates of Insurance

Current/valid copy(s) of organization license(s) to do business in California

CDSS FFA License Board of Directors Resolution (if incorporated) / Authorized Representative Statement (if unincorporated)

Adoption Agency License (if available)

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FORM C – APPLICATION

PART 1 OF 2

COUNTY OF ORANGE

SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY

AGENCY APPLICATION

Foster Family Agency Services Request for Applications #063-2596903-WM July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2027

This form must be completed in its entirety. Applications received without authorized signature, and/or Board resolution for authorized signature, will NOT be evaluated.

Agency Information:

Name:

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Phone: Fax:

Legal Status: Private Non-Profit Nonprofit Corporation Other: _____

Hours of Operation:

Holidays and other hours when business is closed:

Website:

FFA Contact Name and Title:

Phone: Email:

Billing Contact Name and Title:

Phone: Email:

Executive Contact Name and Title:

Phone: Email:

ID Numbers:

Federal Employers Tax ID Number (TIN):

State Employers Tax ID Number (EIN):

DUNS Number:

SAM Unique Entity ID Number:

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FFA Program Information:

FFA License Date:

FFA Program Statement State Approval Date:

If pending approval, provide date submitted and date is anticipated approval:

Summarize any changes in program statement since you were last awarded a contract:

Does your program statement include provisions for TFC (Yes/No):

Does your program statement include provisions for ISFC (Yes/No):

Adoption Agency License Date (if applicable):

Is your agency eligible to draw PAARP funds (Yes/No):

Emergency Contact Name and Title:

Phone: Cell: Email:

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PART 2 OF 2

Optional TECH Service Information:

Each TECH bed must be available for sixty (60) days. Only include beds that meet this criterion below.

How many TECH beds can you provide in Orange County, California?

How many TECH homes can accommodate sibling sets of two

(2) children?

How many TECH homes (not included in your answer to the previous question) can accommodate sibling sets of three (3) or more children?

How many TECH homes can you provide with bilingual Spanish capacity?

How many TECH homes can you provide with bilingual Vietnamese capacity?

Can your TECH homes accommodate children awaiting STRTP placements (Yes/No)?

Can your TECH homes accommodate children awaiting RCOC

Can your TECH homes accommodate children awaiting ISFC

Can your TECH homes accommodate children awaiting TFC

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FORM D – STATEMENT OF REFERENCES

Name of Applicant: ________________________________________________________________________

INSTRUCTIONS: Applicant must provide names and addresses of three (3) current references.

A minimum of two (2) of the references must be from organizations with whom the Applicant has had a contractual relationship for similar scope of services for some period during the past five (5) most recent years. NOTE: References from current or former SSA or Probation Department employees are not permitted.

Contractual Relationship ☐ Yes ☐ No Dates of Services:

Organization’s Name:

Address:

Contact Name and Title

Current Contact Phone and Email:

Brief Description of Contracted Services Provided or Nature of Relationship:

Address:

Contact Name and Title

Current Contact Phone and Email:

Address:

Contact Name and Title

Current Contact Phone and Email:

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FORM E – ORGANIZATION LITIGATION

Name of Applicant: ___________________________________________________________

INSTRUCTIONS: Check YES or NO to the following questions. If a YES answer is checked, please explain fully the circumstances and include discussion of the type of program involved as well as the potential impact on this program, if funded. Include court jurisdiction and case number where applicable.

1. Has the Organization, or any of its current or past principal officers, been involved or associated in litigation with the County of Orange at any time?

Yes No

2. Has any proposed subcontractor(s) or any company that holds a controlling interest in the subcontractor(s) been involved or associated in litigation with the County of Orange at any time?

Yes No

3. Is the Organization or any of its principal officers involved in litigation now or at any time?

Yes No

4. Has the Organization had performance issues within the last five (5) years that resulted in a corrective action plan or reimbursement of money to a funder?

Yes No

5. Has the Organization had any liens or monetary judgements issued against the Organization in the last five (5) years?

Yes No

6. Has the Organization ever had public or foundation funds withheld? Yes No

7. Has the Organization, if nonprofit, ever had its nonprofit status revoked or withheld?

Yes No

8. Is the Organization presently debarred or ineligible for the award of funds by any Federal agency?

Yes No

Response Section (Use extra pages, as necessary)

Applicant must specify any current and/or past litigation proceedings and indicate status.

Completed By: ___________________________________________

Name and Title: ___________________________________________

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FORM F – APPLICANT CERTIFICATIONS

Model Contract

It is understood that the only contract terms and conditions that will be applicable to this solicitation and resultant contract(s) are those issued by the County of Orange, as they now exist or may be hereafter amended. Applicant acknowledges that she/he has read and agrees to all terms and conditions in the Model Contract and the requirements of this solicitation and indicates concurrence below. The County reserves the right to disqualify Applicants taking exception to the terms and conditions in the Model Contract. Applicants taking exception after notice of award may be disqualified from award of contract as determined by County.

(Signature Required) Printed Name Date

Certificates of Insurance

Applicant certifies, by signing below, its willingness and ability to provide the required insurance coverage, certificates, and endorsements as set forth in the terms and conditions of the Model Contract.

☐ Organization acknowledges the terms and conditions as stated in the Model Contract to this RFA will be included in the resultant contract and does not take any exceptions.

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Conflict of Interest

Disclose any financial, business, or other relationship with the County of Orange, any other entity that the Orange County Board of Supervisors governs*, or any Orange County board member, officer, or employee, which could affect or influence award of the contract for the services you propose to provide.

Applicant must certify either Option 1 or 2 below:

1. Applicant certifies current/past financial, business, or other relationship with the above exists/existed as follows:

Use Additional Pages as Necessary

OR

2. Applicant certifies that no relationship with the above exists/existed as outlined above.

*Orange County Board of Supervisors govern: All Assessment Districts, All Community Facilities Districts, All Reassessment Districts, Housing and Community Development Commission, Housing Successor Agency to the Orange County Development Agency, In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority, Industrial Development Authority For Orange County, Local Redevelopment Authority Marine Corp Air Station (MCAS) El Toro, Orange County Financing Authority, Orange County Flood Control District, Orange County Housing Authority, Orange County Housing Authority Acting As the Housing Successor Agency, Orange County Public Financing Authority, Orange County Special Financing Authority, South Orange County Public Financing Authority, and the Successor Agency to the Orange County Development Agency

Name/Ownership Changes

Applicant must certify either Option 1 or 2 below:

1. Applicant certifies past company name changes and/or ownership changes for

Applicant’s firm and any proposed subcontractor firm, as follows:

a. Applicant shall provide detailed information regarding any company name changes (including legal business names) in the past seven (7) years.

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b. Applicant shall provide detailed information regarding any company ownership changes (including legal business names) in the past seven (7) years.

2. Applicant certifies that Applicant or any proposed subcontractors have not had any company name changes or ownership changes in the past seven (7) years.

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FORM G - DISABLED VETERAN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DVBE) CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

1) To participate as a DVBE the following requirements must be met:

A. A business must be certified with DGS as a DVBE -https://caleprocure.ca.gov/pages/sbdvbe-index.aspx

B. DVBE Certification must be valid at the date/time solicitation is closed, and it shall remain in effect at the time of contract award. County reserves the right to verify and/or reject incomplete documents.

C. Complete and sign the Affirmation form attached herein. The signed Affirmation form and the DVBE Certification are required and must be returned with the solicitation response in order to compete as a DVBE.

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County of Orange Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Affirmation

DVBE Certification Requirements: To be certified as a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise, a business must meet the following requirements:

1) Must be certified as a DVBE by the State of California Department of General Services (DGS); and

2) DGS DVBE requirements must be valid at the time of application submittal.

I, certify that ______________________, (legal company/business name) is certified as a DVBE and currently meets the respective Certification Requirements set forth above.

Print Name

Authorized Signature

Title

Date

Please check the following:

☐ State of California DVBE Certification attached.

County Use Only

Solicitation Number:

Solicitation Description:

File Folder Number:

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FORM H – LEVINE ACT

CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION DISCLOSURE FORM

Application or Solicitation Number:

Application or Solicitation Title:

Was a campaign contribution, regardless of the dollar amount, made to any member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors or to any County Agency Officer within the preceding 12 months by the applicant, or, if applicable, any of the applicant’s proposed subcontractors or the applicant’s agent or lobbyist?

Yes ____ No_____

If no, please sign and date below.

If yes, please provide the following information:

Applicant’s Name:

Contributor or Contributor Firm’s Name:

Contributor or Contributor Firm’s Address:

Is the Contributor:

o The Applicant Yes___ No ___ o Subcontractor Yes___ No ___ o The Applicant’s agent/ or lobbyist Yes___ No ___

Note: Under California law as implemented by the Fair Political Practices Commission, campaign contributions made by the Applicant and the Applicant’s agent/lobbyist who is representing the Applicant in this application or solicitation must be aggregated together to determine the total campaign contribution made by the Applicant.

Identify the Board of Supervisors Member(s) and County Agency Officer(s) to whom you, your subcontractors, and/or agent/lobbyist made campaign contributions, the name of the contributor, the dates of contribution(s) in the preceding 12 months and dollar amount of the contribution. Each date must include the exact month, day, and year of the contribution.

Name of Board of Supervisors Member or County Agency Officer:

Name of Contributor:

Date(s) of Contribution(s):

Amount(s):

(Please add an additional sheet(s) to identify additional Board Members or County Agency Officer to whom you, your subconsultants, and/or agent/lobbyist made campaign contributions)

By signing below, I certify that the statements made herein are true and correct. I also agree to disclose to the County any future contributions made to Board Members or County Agency Officers by the applicant, or, if applicable, any of the applicant’s proposed subcontractors or the applicant’s agent or lobbyist after the date of signing this disclosure form, and within 12 months prior to and following the approval, renewal, or extension of the requested license, permit, or entitlement to use.

Date Signature of Applicant

Print Firm Name, if applicable Print Name of Applicant

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5. ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

6. AND COUNTY AGENCY OFFICERS

Board of Supervisors

Donald P. Wagner, Chairman, Third District

Andrew Do, Vice Chairman, First District

Vicente Sarmiento, Second District

Doug Chaffee, Fourth District

Katrina Foley, Fifth District

County Agency Officers

Claude Parrish, Assessor

Andrew Hamilton, Auditor-Controller

Hugh Nguyen, Clerk-Recorder

Todd Spitzer, District Attorney-Public Administrator

Don Barnes, Sheriff-Coroner

Shari L. Freidenrich, Treasurer-Tax Collector