Enhanced communication
Closed State & local contract opportunity Posted
- Solicitation number
- HSS-26-020
- State
- Delaware
- Responses due
Opportunity facts
- NIGP codes
Opportunity details come from dhss.bonfirehub.com. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Delaware Health and Social Services Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS) is seeking a vendor to provide Enhanced Communication services through Request for Proposal (RFP) No. HSS-26-020. The primary objective is to facilitate communication opportunities for Deaf service recipients receiving residential habilitation services across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. Services include communication support between service recipients, their housemates, and staff, as well as educational sessions for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) about Deaf Culture and functional American Sign Language (ASL) vocabulary. The project targets 15-25 service recipients and involves up to three home visits per day, twice weekly, for up to 8 hours daily. Vendors will be evaluated on multiple criteria: qualifications (30%), experience with service recipients (20%), person-centered philosophy (10%), recruitment and training abilities (10%), cost-effectiveness (20%), and references (10%). The RFP was released on September 5, 2025, with proposals due on October 31, 2025, at 1:00 PM EST, and an anticipated award notification date of December 15, 2025. The initial contract term is one year with four optional one-year extensions.
The solicitation encourages participation from various business enterprises, including Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Woman Business Enterprise (WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Veteran Owned Business Enterprise (VOBE), and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business Enterprise (SDVOBE). Vendors must provide staff fluent in ASL who have passed background checks and be prepared to submit monthly reports detailing service recipient progress and any concerns regarding health, welfare, safety, and service access. While specific contract value details are not explicitly stated, the total maximum expenditure will be determined during negotiations. Vendors must comply with all applicable state and federal laws, rules, policies, and procedures referenced on the DDDS policy website. The contract emphasizes that this is not a traditional interpreter service but a specialized communication facilitation and educational program. Potential bidders must demonstrate expertise in Deaf Culture, communication strategies, and the ability to support individuals with developmental disabilities in residential settings.
Opportunity text
The Vendor will provide facilitated communication opportunities for Deaf service recipients that receive residential habilitation services through DDDS with their housemates and their staff, as well as education to Direct Support Professionals (DSP's) that are supporting Deaf service recipients about Deaf Culture and functional ASL vocabulary in order to better meet the needs of the service recipients they are supporting. This is not for traditional direct interpreter services. All awarded vendors will conduct their business and provide services in compliance with all applicable State and Federal laws, rules, policies, and procedures which are incorporated into this Agreement by reference, including with and without limitations, the laws, rules, policies, and procedures that are listed and referenced on the websites located at the following URL addresses: Division of Developmental Disabilities Policies: http://dhss.delaware.gov/ddds/ddds_policy_main.html Please refer to Appendix B for the full Scope of Work.
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