RFI_2024-001_Early_Childhood_and_Adolescent_Supports_and_Services_Program_FINAL_WR.pdf

Jesse Reid, CPA Comptroller

Division of Business & Operations Department of Business Support Services

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

RFI – 2024-001

The Board of Education of Wicomico County will receive RFI submissions electronically for Early Childhood and Adolescent Supports and Services Program until 2:00 p.m., local time, September 26, 2024.

RFI submissions received after this time will be deemed late and non-responsive unless no other submissions are received.

This is step one of a multi-step competitive selection process which will include a later Request for Proposal (RFP) for the selection of a qualified contractor to provide services for our Early Childhood and Adolescent Supports and Services Program.

The Board of Education of Wicomico County reserves the right to reject any or all submissions and waive formalities, informalities, and technicalities therein.

The Board reserves the right to contact a firm for clarifications and may, at its sole discretion, allow firms to correct all formalities, informalities and technicalities in the best interest of the Board.

Rick D Konrad Rick D Konrad, NIGP-CPP Procurement Manager

RFI 024-001 Early Childhood and Adolescent Support and Services Program

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I. General Information

a. Background of project –

Wicomico County Public Schools is committed to providing all students with an educational foundation and set of skills which enable them to become responsible and productive citizens in our society. We offer a wide range of programs and services across our three high schools with grades 9-12, one middle/high school with grades 6-12, three middle schools with grades 6-8, one elementary/middle school with grades 4-8, 16 elementary schools, as well as an Early Learning Center, an Evening High School, Choices Academy, and online Learning lab, serving 15,000+ students every day.

Through the Early Childhood and Adolescent Supports and Services Program, WCPS seeks to engage with an entity able to deliver more intensive mental and behavioral health services and supports to our students in grades PreK through 8 who may be exhibiting worsening mental and emotional wellness, increasing behavioral problems in the school settings, and increasing need for more intensive services than are available in the schools and local area. This type of program would be located within Wicomico County and would include therapeutic services, day and/or residential program supports, and behavioral supports for students exhibiting high range mental and behavioral health concerns.

b. This RFI is issued for the purpose of gathering information from qualified companies, individuals, etc. who show a demonstrated capacity to provide local coordination, administration, and management of an early childhood and adolescent supports and services program focusing on mental and behavioral health needs of these students.

The provision of clinical and programmatic oversight in conjunction with the support for transition of early childhood and adolescent students from the program to the school setting are key components of this program for which potential qualified companies, etc. will be responding.

c. Program Overview – Section IV provides an overview of the program requirements/scope of services inclusive of deliverables and/or desired results that WCPS is considering.

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II. Administrative Information

a. RFI Coordinator – Rick D Konrad, Purchasing Manager

b. Schedule of Events –

Procurement Schedule (Estimate)

Date Description 8/23/2024 RFI Release

9/26/2024 RFI Opening

9/27-10/11 Review Submissions

10/22/2024 RFP Release (Estimate)

11/23/2024 RFP Opening (Estimate)

11/26-12/21 Score Submissions (Estimate)

1/10/2025 Award Decision (Estimate)

2/11/2025 Board Approval (Estimate)

2/15/2025 Contract Execution (Estimate)

c. Response Submittal

Responses are to be submitted via electronic submission at https://bidlocker.us/details/4406_Rfi___Early_Childhood_And_Adolescent _Support_And_Services_Program to the attention of Rick D Konrad, Procurement Manager, in a PDF file named " Early Childhood and Adolescent Supports and Services Program ".

d. RFI Addenda

All RFI questions are to be submitted via email to procurement@mywcps.org and cc to rkonrad@mywcps.org up to 5 calendar days prior to opening.

Answers will be provided on the Bid Locker portal at least three (3) days in advance of the opening. Please be sure to review for addendum’s and acknowledge them in your submission.

https://bidlocker.us/details/4406_Rfi___Early_Childhood_And_Adolescent_Support_And_Services_Program https://bidlocker.us/details/4406_Rfi___Early_Childhood_And_Adolescent_Support_And_Services_Program mailto:procurement@mywcps.org mailto:rkonrad@mywcps.org

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III. Response Content and Format

a. Executive Summary (max 2 pages) – proposer must provide an executive summary clearly stating their interest in applying to a future RFP to operate the Early Childhood and Adolescent Support and Services Program for Wicomico County Public Schools.

The summary shall exhibit qualifications to run these types of programs and their interest in responding to a future RFP for administration of this program.

b. Approach and Methodology based on program requirements (max 15 pages) –

The proposer should demonstrate the following:

• A comprehensive operational strategy to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal rules guiding program operation on a routine basis and ability to adapt when new laws are enacted.

• The organization shall develop and manage an adequate provider network for all covered benefits and services which ensures timely access to care for enrollees.

• The organization has an effective utilization management and care management system which meets applicable accreditation standards.

• They proactively identify and maintain the needs of enrollees at risk of hospitalization or out of home placement, and maintains the integrity of system career values, addresses over and under-utilization in a timely manner, meets service authorization timelines for expedited and routine requests, and has systems in place to inform care management and utilization management decisions.

c. Background and Experience (max 10 pages)

d. References Form (See Attachment A)

NOTE: Sections III a – d is to be submitted in an electronic file named Early Childhood and Adolescent Supports and Services Program Technical Submission

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IV. Program Requirements

• Intensive, psychiatric day treatment program.

• Designed to evaluate and treat children/youth ages 5 through 13 whose emotional and behavioral problems are interfering with their ability to function at home, in school, and in the community.

• Utilization of evidence-based treatments.

• Inclusive of Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP).

• Available for use as transition from care in an inpatient unit.

• Provide intensive care and therapy in safe and caring environment.

• Treatment team whose members may include but not be limited to board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, certified education specialists/teachers.

• Treatment team to include highly skilled and experienced staff with backgrounds in work with children/youth ages 5 through 13 and their families.

• Provision of the following for children/youth enrolled in program:

o Group therapy o Individual therapy o Family therapy o Psychiatric evaluation and medication management, when needed o Access to daily instruction aligned with Maryland content standards o Delivery of specially designed instruction and related services as outlined in student’s IEP when applicable.

• Development and implementation of individual treatment plans.

• Support of transition back to school/community.

See next page for RFI Response Form to be used as a cover page with the full submission.

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V. RFI Response Form

We have examined and understood the RFI 024-001 Early Childhood and Adolescent Supports and Services Program and submit the attached proposal for consideration and review.

a. RFI Submission Checklist

ITEMS: Yes No

• Acknowledgement of Addenda -

Addendum 1 Dated __________ ____ ____

Addendum 2 Dated __________ ____ ____

Other Dated ________________ ____ ____

• Executive Summary ____ ____

• Approach and Methodology ____ ____

• Background and Experience ____ ____

• References (Attachment A) ____ ____

b. Signature Section

Company Name _________________________________________

Address _________________________________________

Email _________________________________________

Telephone Number ________________________

POC Name _______________________________

Title _______________________________

Signature _______________________________

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ATTACHMENT A

PROPOSER’S EXPERIENCE/REFERENCES

Name of Proposer_____________________________________________________

REFERENCES are to be provided for a minimum of three (3) other clients who are being or have been provided by the Proposer with similar products, services and scope of work. Additional references are welcome.

Complete contact information for each reference, including name, telephone number, mailing address, and E-mail address, must be included with the Proposal.

A Proposer, which, in the sole judgment of the offeror, lacks sufficient specific experience, may be deemed non-responsible, and may not be considered for award of subsequent contract(s) by WCPS.

1) Company Name _____________________________________________________

Contact Name`______________________________________________________

Mail Address _______________________________________________________

Telephone Number _____________ Email Address _________________________

2) Company Name __________________________________________________

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3) Company Name __________________________________________________

4) Company Name __________________________________________________

5) Company Name __________________________________________________

Contact Name`______________________________________________________