DYS PRE-INDEPENDENT LIVING -FEMALES, Statewide - Request for Responses

The Massachusetts Department of Youth Services is requesting responses for one pre-independent living residential program serving females from all five DYS regions, with proposals due August 17, 2026 at 4:00 PM EST. Only non-profit agencies with 501(c)(3) designation are eligible; respondents must have completed the Master Service Pre-Qualification Application (MSPQA) or submit both the MSPQA and this RFR simultaneously.

The program will serve 5–11 youth, typically aged 16–21, committed to DYS or engaged through the voluntary YES program. The scope encompasses 24-hour residential care with on-site support from caring adults, preparing youth for transition to independent living apartments, subsidized housing, community-based programs, or home environments. Respondents may propose up to three program locations, each complying with state and local code licensing requirements and including single or double-occupancy bedrooms, communal spaces, business-class broadband internet at minimum 75/15 Mbps, and proximity to public transportation and community resources. The program must maintain staffing aligned to Chapter 257 rate structure: Program Director (1.0 FTE), Assistant Director (1.0 FTE), Clinical staff (1.07 FTE), Direct Care staff (7.27 FTE), Direct Care Support (1.10 FTE), and Relief staff (1.43 FTE). All youth will be enrolled in MassHealth, with the majority of health services accessed through that network.

The contract commences October 2026 for an initial three-year term with two optional one-year renewals (maximum five years). The maximum annual obligation is determined by Chapter 257 rates at a daily rate of $493.50 per bed at 90% utilization, ranging from $810,574 annually for 5 beds to $1,296,918 for 8 beds. Electronic submission through COMMBUYS is required; proposals are limited to 30 pages plus appendices. Evaluation uses a consensus model with scoring across vision statement (8 points), program specifications (48 points), general specifications (4 points), and proposed program location (40 points). No bidder's conference will be held.