RFQ_2025-05_Addendum_01_Pre-Bid Final.pdf

This document is posted to capture the questions received, and agency answers provided, during the Pre-Bid Conference, which was held on September 30, 2024.

All amendments, addenda, and notifications related to this procurement will be posted on the

OSPI website (if this was an open procurement) and on the Washington Electronic Business

Solution (WEBS) website. Additional questions concerning this procurement must be submitted to contracts@K12.wa.us. Communication directed to other parties will be considered unofficial and non-binding on OSPI and may result in disqualification of the Consultant.

1. Question: What are you looking for in the investigator?

Answer: OSPI is looking for an investigator that can conduct up to four (4) community complaint investigations per month pertaining to the IDEA, consistent with the general supervisory responsibility of OSPI and the State complaint procedures and timelines of

IDEA and OSPI and prepare written decisions. The investigator should be able to demonstrate a highly advanced understanding of IDEA, OSPI WAC 392-172A, and other applicable laws and an ability to analyze case law and IDEA Federal and State statutory and administrative law, policy and guidance, and apply to facts and circumstances of a particular situation.

2. Question: Is there an incumbent or is this a new contract? Have there been previous RFQs like this?

Answer: OSPI has issued previous RFQs and contracted with contract complaint investigators in the past.

3. Question: Is there a budget allocated for investigation work?

Answer: The contractor will be compensated at a rate of two thousand, five hundred dollars ($2,500) per completed investigation, and one thousand, two hundred fifty dollars ($1,250) per withdrawn complaint if substantial work has been demonstrated on the investigation.

4. Question: Are you looking specifically for a license attorney?

Answer: Being a Bar Association member in good standing is a desired qualification.

5. Question: How often are you looking for an investigator to conduct in person interviews or could interviews be conducted remotely? What are the expectations about going onsite in a school district?

Request for Qualifications No. 2025-05

Addendum 01 – Pre-Bid Conference Q&A https://www.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/contracting-ospi/competitive-procurements https://pr-webs-customer.des.wa.gov/ mailto:contracts@K12.wa.us

OSPI RFQ No. 2025-05 | Addendum 01 Page 2 of 3

Answer: Investigations can be conducted primarily remotely through document review and phone or video interviews. In the unlikely event that an onsite visit to a school is needed as part of an investigation, the contractor would be expected to coordinate and partner with OSPI staff.

6. Question: How many investigations are anticipated within a month, or week, or year?

Answer: Answer: OSPI is looking for an investigator that can conduct up to four (4) community complaint investigations per month, up to forty-eight (48) per year. In the last contract, OSPI assigned an average of three (3) to four (4) investigations per month.

7. Question: How many hours does a complaint investigation take?

Answer: It is difficult to give a set number of hours or an average for complaint investigations due to the variability between complaints. The time needed to conduct an investigation depends on the number of issues alleged in a complaint, the type of issues alleged, the time period the issues cover, etc.

8. Question: What is the timeline/time frame for conducting investigations?

Answer: The IDEA mandates a strict 60-day timeline for written state complaint investigations. OSPI expects contract investigators to have a completed draft decision to

OSPI by day 50 of the 60-day timeline for review and approval.

9. Question: How does the contractor work with the OSPI staff? Will the contractor be meeting with OSPI staff or will the contractor work solo?

Answer: OSPI’s investigator team is very collaborative, so while the contract investigator will be expected to conduct the investigation, they will always have an OSPI staff investigator as a point of contact. From there, the amount and method of collaboration during the investigation is flexible depending on the investigation and the contractors needs. OSPI staff regularly have calls or discussion with contract investigators during the investigation to brainstorm, talk through issues and analysis, etc. In addition, it is important to note that while the investigator drafts the written decision for the complaint investigation, the decision is reviewed and edited by OSPI’s Assistant Director of Special

Education Dispute Resolution and the Assistant Superintendent of Special Education.

The Assistant Superintendent of Special Education gives final approval and signs all decisions.

10. Question: What training is provided?

Answer: As we expect the contractor to demonstrate a highly advanced understanding of IDEA, OSPI WAC 392-172A, and other applicable laws, most of our training focuses on the Washington dispute resolution system and how our complaint investigation process and system works. We provide training on the complaint investigation process, how the contractor works with OSPI staff, and any resources and templates we have.

OSPI RFQ No. 2025-05 | Addendum 01 Page 3 of 3

11. Question: Are there example decisions?

Answer: OSPI utilizes a template for the decision draft that is shared with the investigator on every assignment. In addition, there are complaint decisions available for review and as a resource on the OSPI special education dispute resolution webpage.

12. Question: How soon do you expect to award this contract and start work?

Answer: PROPOSAL DUE DATE: 3:00 p.m., Pacific Time (PT) on October 21, 2024.

OSPI announces “Apparent Successful Bidder” & sends notification to unsuccessful

Bidder(s)October 28, 2024

ESTIMATED CONTRACT PERIOD: December 2, 2024, through September 30, 2025.

Amendments extending the period of performance, if any, shall be at the sole discretion of OSPI.

13. Question: Are applicants notified if they do not receive the contract?

Answer: Proposals that have not been selected for further negotiation or award will be notified via email by the RFQ Coordinator.

14. Question: If a contractor has less experience with special education but has investigative and school law experience, how would OSPI treat this? [Attendee’s] background is environmental and EEO investigation. Would the agency consider this as an approved past performance?

Answer: The investigator should be able to demonstrate a highly advanced understanding of IDEA, OSPI WAC 392-172A, and other applicable laws and an ability to analyze case law and IDEA Federal and State statutory and administrative law, policy and guidance, and apply to facts and circumstances of a particular situation.

No questions or responses included in this document require any changes to the solicitation document; this document stands alone.

https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/special-education/special-education-community-complaint-decisions