1661-26-R-RFQF-00005

The Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS) issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ #2026ICCCP001) on January 15, 2026, seeking qualified vendors to provide Congregate Care and Child Placing Agency Services as part of the state's Continuum of Care (CoC) network. The solicitation targets providers capable of operating one or multiple facility types serving children and youth in the child protection system, including Adolescent Diversion Units, Intake and Assessment Centers, Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTP), Specialized Group Care for Sex Trafficking Victims, Supervised Independent Living, Teen Maternity Homes, Therapeutic and Traditional Foster Homes, and Therapeutic and Traditional Group Homes. Qualified applicants must demonstrate expertise in residential services delivery, develop comprehensive staff training plans emphasizing trauma-informed care, implement evidence-based behavior management and de-escalation strategies, and achieve full licensure for their respective service types before accepting child placements. Proposals are evaluated on technical qualifications (33 points), cost factors (35 points based on MDCPS-predetermined per diem rates), and management qualifications (32 points), with multiple awards anticipated. Key deadlines include a recommended Letter of Intent due January 30, 2026, a proposal submission deadline of February 13, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. CST, and a Notice of Intent to Award scheduled for March 4, 2026, with contract performance beginning April 1, 2026. All providers must comply with state and federal regulations, including the Olivia Y Settlement Agreement, and submit standardized performance data across ten reporting categories covering child demographics, safety, permanency, staffing, and financial metrics.

The RFQ does not identify specific set-asides or restrictions on respondent types, nor does it list incumbent vendors or current contractors. Compensation is structured as a firm-fixed-price contract with per diem rates established by MDCPS for each service type, ranging from $25.37 to $475.00 per day depending on the facility setting and child demographics, with annual price adjustments capped at the lesser of 5% or the Consumer Price Index increase. Selected providers must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including workers' compensation ($1,000,000), general and professional liability ($1,000,000), and fidelity bond ($100,000) insurance. The initial contract term extends for two years (April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2028), with an option for one additional one-year renewal period through March 31, 2030, subject to MDCPS discretion and fund availability. Providers must participate actively in the MDCPS Continuum of Care network and undergo organizational needs assessments, foster caregiver and staff training, and policy reviews as determined by MDCPS. No specific incumbent information or existing technological infrastructure integration requirements are outlined in the available solicitation documents.