Caregiver Supports Area 11

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is seeking a contractor to provide Caregiver Support Services for Catchment Area 11, which encompasses Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Franklin Counties. The procurement aims to implement new contracts that increase access to placement supports for both licensed and unlicensed caregivers of children and youth in out-of-home placement. The primary objective is to enhance placement stability, reduce resource allocation disparities, and support caregiver retention through a tiered support model with seven levels of service. Contractors must develop and implement comprehensive support strategies, including outreach and engagement activities tailored to individual caregiver and child needs. The evaluation will be based on a 195-point scale, with a minimum score of 100 points required, emphasizing technical and management capabilities across 14 criteria. A pre-bid conference is scheduled for December 30, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time via Microsoft Teams, with complete applications due by February 20, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time. DCYF will announce successful applicants on March 2, 2026, with the contract period running from April 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, and potential extensions up to September 30, 2029.

The solicitation includes voluntary numerical goals for diverse business participation, targeting ten percent for Office of Minority and Woman Owned Businesses (OMWBE), one percent for Veteran-Owned Businesses, and twenty percent for Washington Small Businesses. Bidders must demonstrate a commitment to these diversity goals through a comprehensive Diverse Business Inclusion Plan. Minimum qualifications require applicants to be licensed to do business in Washington, possess three years of experience providing support services to caregivers and children, and maintain an Executive Director with a physical office within or adjacent to the catchment area. The funding structure is a mix of 90 percent state and 10 percent federal funds, utilizing a rate-based contract model with various payment mechanisms including pre-service cost reimbursement, ramp-up funding, manager supplemental funding, initial engagement funding, and ongoing service capacity payments. The catchment area serves approximately 191 children, with potential for an additional 3 children under tribal jurisdiction. Contractors are prohibited from subcontracting core service elements such as management positions and placement support management, though case aide services may be subcontracted with prior approval.