RFP_35910-12703_Amd%204_Schedule.pdf

This is an Amendment No. 4 to a Request for Proposals issued by the Tennessee Department of Children's Services for Statewide Home Study Services across six geographic regions. The RFP, numbered 35910-12703, was originally issued on October 13, 2025, and seeks six separate contracts to provide comprehensive home study services including 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 dates for key milestones. The Notice of Intent to Respond deadline is October 20, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. central time, and the written questions and comments deadline is October 23, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. central time, with state responses provided by December 11, 2025. The proposal response deadline is December 19, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. central time. The state will complete technical response evaluations by January 9, 2026, and will open and score cost proposals on January 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. central time. Negotiation is scheduled for January 22-23, 2026, with the state releasing a Notice of Intent to Award on January 26, 2026. The open file period for public inspection ends on February 2, 2026, at 4:30 p.m., and the state will send the contract to the contractor for signature on February 3, 2026, with a signature deadline of February 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. central time.

The amendment confirms that all previously established terms and conditions of the RFP remain in full force and effect. The evaluation process utilizes 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 capability to complete 80 percent of home studies within 89 days. The initial contract term will commence from the effective date with options for up to four 12-month renewals, not to exceed a total contract period of 60 months. Cost proposals must include separate rates for traditional home studies, ICPC studies, and orders of reference for each of the six regions. The state has explicitly indicated a commitment to providing procurement opportunities to diverse business enterprises, including minority-owned, women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, disability-owned, and small business enterprises.