RFP_35910-12703_Amd_1_Schedule.pdf

This is an Amendment #1 to a Request for Proposals (RFP #35910-12703) issued by the Tennessee Department of Children's Services for Statewide Home Study Services. The RFP was originally issued on October 13, 2025, and seeks to procure six separate contracts for home study services across six geographic regions (East, Mid-State, Mid-West, Northeast, Tennessee Valley, and West). Services include evaluations for traditional foster parent applicants, Interstate Compact on Placement of Children (ICPC) referrals, and court-ordered home assessments. The amendment updates the RFP schedule of events with revised critical dates. Key deadlines include a disability accommodation request deadline of October 17, 2025; a Notice of Intent to Respond deadline of October 20, 2025; a written questions and comments deadline of October 23, 2025; and a response deadline of December 4, 2025. The state will complete technical evaluations by December 12, 2025, open and score cost proposals on December 15, 2025, conduct negotiations on December 16-17, 2025, and issue the Notice of Intent to Award on December 22, 2025. The open file period will conclude on December 29, 2025, with the state sending contracts to contractors for signature on January 5, 2026, and a contractor signature deadline of January 7, 2026.

The evaluation will utilize a 100-point scoring system with 25 points for general qualifications and experience, 45 points for technical qualifications and approach, and 30 points for cost considerations. Proposers must demonstrate the capacity to complete 80 percent of home studies within 89 days, with compensation structured on a per-completed-study basis. Cost proposals will require separate rates for traditional home studies, ICPC studies, and orders of reference for each of the six regions. The initial contract term will commence from the effective date and includes options for up to four 12-month renewals, not to exceed a total contract period of 60 months. The state has indicated a commitment to providing procurement opportunities to diverse business enterprises, including businesses owned by minorities, women, service-disabled veterans, persons with disabilities, and small business enterprises.