Community-Based Care Lead Agency Circuit 6

The State of Florida, Department of Children and Families, Office of Child and Family Well-Being is requesting proposals to serve as the Community-Based Care Lead Agency for Circuit 6 (Pinellas and Pasco County) under ITN 2526 082, with responses due August 27, 2026 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time and a public opening on August 28, 2026.

The scope comprises comprehensive foster care and related services delivered 24 hours per day, seven days per week, including child abuse prevention and protection, family preservation, family reunification, emergency shelter, residential group care, therapeutic foster care, intensive residential treatment, foster care supervision, case management, mental health service coordination, adoption services, post-adoption services, independent living services, guardianship assistance, and permanent foster care planning. The Lead Agency must serve all children referred through the Department's abuse and neglect hotline with verified reports or moderate to extremely high risk assessments. Services must comply with Florida Statutes Chapters 39, 63, 402, and 409 and applicable federal requirements under Titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act.

The contract term is five years with potential renewal for one to five additional years contingent upon performance. Funding derives from state and federal grant funds (exact amounts identified in Standard Contract Part 2, Exhibit F1 Schedule of Funds), subject to Florida Legislature appropriation. All funding is contingent on fiscal year appropriation; the Department does not fund cost-of-living increases or start-up or readiness activities. Respondents must satisfy a minimum local community match of 25% of expended Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) grant dollars. Administrative costs, including indirect costs of an administrative nature, must not exceed 10% of total operating program budget.

The evaluation comprises 700 programmatic points across Executive Overview (150 points), Core Team Qualifications (100 points), Services Approach and Solution—Safety Services (90 points), Services Approach and Solution—Judicial and Permanency Services (80 points), Services Approach and Solution—Well-Being Services (70 points), Management and Administrative Capacity (110 points), and Innovation (100 points), plus 300 financial points (Financial Management 200 points, Budget 100 points) for a combined total of 1,000 points. Evaluators score independently using five performance categories: Exceptional (81–100%), Good (61–80%), Adequate (41–60%), Poor (21–40%), and Insufficient (0–20%).

The Lead Agency must maintain a performance bond equal to 2% of total annual contract amount, obtain Department-approved Cost Allocation Plans under 2 CFR 225 (government agencies), 2 CFR 230 (nonprofits), or 45 CFR 74 (commercial organizations), and establish a Board of Directors with at least 75% Florida residency and 51% service-area residency. Administrative employee salaries are capped at 150% of the Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary's annual salary from state-appropriated funds. Written questions are due August 3, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. The Department anticipates posting its intended award on November 2, 2026, with an anticipated effective date of January 1, 2027. Responses must be submitted electronically in PDF format to Sally Johns at Sally.Johns@myflfamilies.com with a copy to hqw.procurement.team.activities@myflfamilies.com.