2023-1.v2.04222024 RFP – Agency Solicitation Specifications Page 1 of 7 Revised 4/22/2024

RFP26006760

AGENCY SOLICITATION SPECIFICATIONS

RIDE Child Nutrition, School Health, Career and Tech Programs Education Support

SECTION A. BACKGROUND

The Rhode Island Department of Administration/Division of Purchases, on behalf of the Rhode Island Department of Education (“RIDE”), is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to coordinate Child Nutrition Program, School Health Program and Career and Technical Education Support.

RIDE, in order to meet the regulatory requirements of the USDA federally supported Child Nutrition Programs, relies on numerous long term contractual employees providing programmatic and fiscal supports to all facets of the Child Nutrition Programs. RIDE seeks a vendor to support its long-term contract employees and ultimately support overall staffing and support plans for the Child Nutrition Programs.

Additionally, The State of Rhode Island was awarded funding from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This federal program was designed to strengthen and modernize health care in rural communities. RIDE is receiving a portion of those funds to support tele behavioral health in designated rural communities, access to PD to promote awareness and support for mental health in schools and the development of health career pathways in high school. This is a time limited grant over a four year period. As this work evolves and RIDE secures additional grant funding, other positions may be added in mutual consultation and agreement with the vendor.

The grant support and technical assistance services sought by this RFP are specific to those federal programs housed in the Office of School Health and Wellness and outlined in the 7. CFR 226 Title 7—Agriculture Subtitle B—Regulations of the Department of Agriculture Chapter II —Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture Subchapter A—Child Nutrition Programs of the USDA and as required by State Statute. CFR (NSLP, SMP, SBP, SFSP, CACFP):

These programs are codified in federal regulation at 7 CFR Part 210, 215, 220, 225, and 226, with additional requirements outlined in state statute. The Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program was authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Section 71401 of Public Law 119-21) and empowers states to strengthen rural communities across America by improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes by transforming the healthcare delivery ecosystem. Through innovative system-wide change, the RHT Program invests in the rural healthcare delivery ecosystem for future generations.

Grant support and technical assistance are part of a comprehensive system of compliance and program quality assurance, to provide municipalities, community-based organizations (CBOs), Local Education Agencies (LEAs), and schools with the

2023-1.v2.04222024 RFP – Agency Solicitation Specifications Page 2 of 7 Revised 4/22/2024 information and support needed to meet federal and state grant requirements and improve education outcomes. The skills and capacities necessary to successfully execute this project include:

• Understanding of the Child Nutrition Programs, including programmatic and regulatory requirements related to food and nutrition;

• Knowledge of the options available to meet each federal and state requirement;

• Familiarity with data collection, reporting, and monitoring requirements, and the ability to assess compliance with these requirements;

• Ability to implement effective professional learning opportunities, as well as provide individualized technical assistance;

• Commitment to continuous program improvement that aligns with stakeholders’ workplans, including LEA Strategic Plans and School Improvement Plans (SIPs), District Health and Wellness Plans to achieve better outcomes for students and communities;

• Support for partnerships between different entities (e.g., municipalities, LEAs, schools, and CBOs) that make use of all parties’ expertise; and

• Support for using CNP Connect to track fiscal and program progress.

SECTION B: SCOPE OF WORK AND REQUIREMENTS

Overview:

RIDE is seeking a vendor to manage the hiring, salaries, and overall talent management for the following positions and services, at minimum:

A. Nutrition Specialist (3 individuals) These three full time consultants will provide technical assistance and support to the RIDE Child Nutrition Coordinator and 2 RIDE Nutrition Health Specialists who lead the National School Lunch Program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

The specialists will assist with providing professional learning activities that are available to all Child Nutrition Programs, including the Summer Food Service Program. The rate for these positions will be negotiated with RIDE upon award.

Responsibilities include:

• Provides technical assistance to program sponsors in meeting all regulatory requirements related to food and nutrition, which includes: providing onsite assistance; providing training and support via telephone, email, and/or other electronic or in-person methods; developing and distributing appropriate information; preparing memos and updates for distribution; and performing other related activities.

• Develops, evaluates, and ensures compliance with applicable procedures to meet Federal audit requirements and to conduct required compliance reviews and site visits; conducts appropriate follow-up to ensure corrective action is appropriate and maintainable.

• Sets and implements priorities for training, monitoring, etc. related to the program(s) to which they are assigned and is responsible for carrying out those priorities with an assigned team.

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• Prepares and ensures timely submission of reports and other materials required by Federal and State agencies.

• Ensures the timely and accurate review and processing of applications for participation in the Child Nutrition Programs and ensures program integrity by determining sponsor capability, accountability, and fiscal viability.

• Evaluates the nutritional integrity of all Child Nutrition Programs to ensure compliance with established nutrition standards.

• Plans and conducts workshops and training activities to ensure program sponsors, teachers, parents, and other interested parties are aware of current nutrition/administrative facets of Child Nutrition Program requirements.

• Supports the development of grant proposals; participates in grants management; prepares and ensures timely submission of grant reports.

• Supports program staff with innovative grants and initiatives such as Farm to School to further enhance healthy food options throughout the Child Nutrition Programs.

The hourly rate for these consultants incorporates the costs of in-state travel.

B. Business Analyst (3 individuals)

These positions will be responsible for working with Nutrition Specialists in the RIDE’s Child Nutrition Program to ensure compliance with USDA regulations.

These positions will also collaborate with school districts, child care centers, adult care centers, community organizations, wellness coalitions, and food service management companies. The rate for these positions will be negotiated with RIDE upon award.

Responsibilities include:

• Assists Nutrition Specialists in conducting administrative and program reviews of sponsors and Districts;

• Assists Nutrition Specialists in conducting nutritional analysis of menus and foods serviced through the USDA Child Nutrition Programs;

• Assists Nutrition Specialists in application process, training, coordination, and monitoring of the USDA Child Nutrition Programs;

• Develops and provides training and technical assistance to the sponsors and sites participating in the USDA Child Nutrition Programs;

• Manages the dissemination of information to sponsors and Districts via the CNP Connect website;

• Assists Child Nutrition Coordinator with state and federal reporting;

• Assists Nutrition Specialists in coordinating the application process, training, administration, monitoring, and reporting of grant programs related to the USDA Child Nutrition Programs; and

• Assists Nutrition Specialists in the development of standard operating procedures to support program work.

The hourly rate for these consultants incorporates the costs of in-state travel.

Other positions may be included to support RIDE’s Child Nutrition Programs in the future.

C. Education Specialists (3 individuals)

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These positions will help support the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Rural Health Transformation Project work and other federal grant work.

Responsibilities include:

• Directs and supports statewide leadership and involvement in the development of the state education system.

• Develops, advises, and informs federal and state legislation and regulatory policy.

• Assists and supports inter-agency/inter-governmental collaboration and coordination.

• Represents the state agency and assigned department with various publics to advance federal and state agenda and provides responsive public information regarding a wide range of policy, program, networking, due process and other technical topics.

• Facilitate implementation of regulations over which the office has primary responsibility.

• Represent the department with key stakeholders to advance federal and state agendas and provide responsive public information regarding a wide range of policy, program, networking, due process, and other technical topics.

• Collect, synthesize and evaluate data in a systematic manner that informs key initiatives within the office and the agency.

• Manage large-scale projects designed to deliver technical assistance to key stakeholder groups.

• Participate in various committees, panels, work teams, and task force as assigned.

• Provide periodic written reports of work describing progress, barriers, and recommendations.

• Develop and administer grant programs and other fiscal resources.

• Provide technical reports and briefs to local, state, and federal officials

• Provides oversight, guidance, and policy development that ensures that health services are high quality and provided in a consistent, manner to meet identified needs and reflects best practices at schools.

• Provides on-going development expertise and policy development for RIDE-wide initiatives and priorities.

• Assists schools and districts in creating safe, healthy, and nurturing schools through the development of policies, programs and best practices.

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Deliverables and Schedule for the Contractual Partner:

Deliverables Due Date(s) 1 Job descriptions for project-related staff and consultants will be articulated in collaboration with RIDE staff.

By January 1, 2 In collaboration with RIDE Project Leads, professional and support staff to accomplish the work outlined in the Scope of Work will be recruited and employed.

Upon contract approval

3 Changing needs and emerging issues in the Child Nutrition and School Health Programs will be assessed and addressed in collaboration with RIDE staff.

Quarterly upon execution of contract

4 Annual brief summative reports submitted to RIDE regarding summary of activities, beneficiaries, and next steps.

By June 30th of each contract year

5 Participation as requested in meetings with RIDE staff for program review and revision as needed.

As requested by RIDE

SECTION C: PROPOSAL

1. Technical Proposal Narrative and format: Vendors must submit a technical proposal which addresses each of the following elements. The proposal is limited to six (6) pages, excluding any appendices and as appropriate, resumes of key staff that will provide services covered by this request:

A. Staff Qualifications – Provide staff resumes and describe the experience of key staff who will be involved in facilitating this project, including their background with federal programs (including Child Nutrition Programs, School Health and Education if applicable) and in successfully delivering technical assistance, professional development, and quality improvement services.

B. Capability, Capacity, and Qualifications of the Vendor - Please provide a detailed description of the Vendor’s experience/ability to coordinate and deliver the project tasks and deliverables outlined below.

Bidders must submit relevant organizational information, a list of similar projects undertaken and/or clients served, agency expertise relative to the services requested, and a statement of existing workload as it impacts the performance of this project. The following elements should be included: 1) Ability to coordinate personnel contracts and produce project deliverables including any ability for paid time off and benefits; 2) Ability to collaborate with RIDE; 3) Similar projects delivered by vendor.

C. Work Plan - Please describe in detail the framework within which requested reports and deliverable outlined above will be performed. The following elements should be included: 1) Tasks and

2023-1.v2.04222024 RFP – Agency Solicitation Specifications Page 6 of 7 Revised 4/22/2024 activities, including the designation of responsibilities; 2) Schedule of activities; 3) Possible barriers and solutions to address barriers; and 4) Methods to report to RIDE activities, deliverables and outcomes as requested.

D. Approach/Methodology – Define the methodology to be used for technical assistance and quality assurance services.

2. Cost Proposal Provide a cost proposal for the required services. Since the salary costs will be negotiated with RIDE, please include the budget and justification for administrative and overhead charges as a percentage of direct costs. The estimated 5-year administrative fee total will be used for the cost proposal evaluation. A cost proposal worksheet has been provided for the submission.

3. Supplemental Bidder Attestation Form

See Appendix A on the “Overview” tab in Ocean State Procures™ for information. Vendors are required to complete, sign and submit this form with their overall proposal.

4. ISBE Proposal

See Appendix B on the “Overview” tab in Ocean State Procures™ for information and the MBE, WBE and/or Disability Business Enterprise Participation Plan form(s). Vendors are required to complete, sign and submit these forms with their overall proposal. Please complete separate forms for each MBE, WBE, and/or Disability Business Enterprise subcontractor to be utilized on the solicitation.

SECTION D: EVALUATION AND SELECTION - SOLICITATION SPECIFIC

Technical proposals must receive a minimum of 55 (78.5%) out of a maximum of 70 points to advance to the cost evaluation phase. Technical proposals scoring less than 55 points shall not have the accompanying cost or ISBE participation proposals opened or evaluated; such proposals shall not receive further consideration.

Technical proposals scoring 55 points or higher shall have the cost proposals evaluated and assigned up to a maximum of 30 points bringing the total potential evaluation score to 100 points. As total possible evaluation points are determined, vendor ISBE proposals shall be evaluated and assigned up to 6 bonus points for ISBE participation.

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Proposals shall be reviewed and scored based upon the following criteria:

Criteria

Possible Points

Staff Qualifications 10 Points

Capability, Capacity, and Qualifications of the Vendor

20 Points

Work Plan 20 Points

Approach/Methodology 20 Points

Total Possible Technical Points

70 Points

Cost proposal

30 Points

Total Possible Evaluation Points 100 Points ISBE Participation 6 Bonus

Points

Total Possible Points

106 Points

Additional evaluation criteria can be found at:

• For those with an OSP account, see the “Requirements” tab of this solicitation in OSP for additional information on the evaluation and selection process in the “RFP Standard Specification” section.

• For those without an OSP account, public access to the full bid can be found at https://ridop.ri.gov/vendors/bidding-opportunities. Search for this solicitation, open the record, click on the “Print/Download Solicitation Summary” button in the upper right corner for all the solicitation requirements and supporting documents are found at the bottom of the page in the “Solicitation Attachments” section.

https://ridop.ri.gov/vendors/bidding-opportunities

SECTION D: EVALUATION AND SELECTION - SOLICITATION SPECIFIC