Family Navigation Services

Charles County, Maryland is seeking qualified contractors to provide Family Navigation Services through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP 24-034) released on April 9, 2024, with proposals due by May 14, 2024, at 11:00 am. The procurement is being conducted by the County Commissioners of Charles County's Community Services Department and will be funded through a grant from the Governor's Office of Children, subject to annual renewal based on funding availability. The services involve establishing a peer support-based family navigation center staffed by two "Legacy Parents" (individuals with direct experience caring for youth with intensive needs) who will provide resource coordination and support to Charles County families with children experiencing mental health, behavioral health, or developmental challenges. The center will operate during both business and non-business hours, offering three levels of support: referral only (80% of calls), targeted intervention (15% of calls), and intensive care coordination (5% of calls), with cases averaging 30 days and not exceeding 120 days. Key deliverables include a dedicated phone line, screening assessments, care coordination services, and utilization of a HIPAA-compliant electronic case management system to track outcomes and identify service gaps. Family Navigators must possess a bachelor's degree and undergo training on racial/ethnic diversity and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The evaluation will be conducted on a 100-point scale, with 25 points for project understanding and capability, 35 points for key staff experience, 10 points for professional references, 10 points for firm representation projects, and 20 points for cost. The contract term will run from contract execution or July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, with four optional 1-year renewals at the County's discretion.

Proposers must have been in business for at least three years and must provide three completed representative projects as evidence of capability. The County has established an aspirational goal of 25% Minority Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) participation for this project, and all contractors must comply with MWBE and Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) program guidelines. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are referenced in the procurement documents. The contractor will be required to utilize an electronic case management system that complies with HIPAA standards and integrates with the County's reporting infrastructure, with payments structured as 25% upon contract execution, 25% after the first quarter report, 25% after the second quarter report, 15% after the third quarter report, and 10% after the fourth quarter report—all contingent on timely submission of required reports and actual expenditures. The total contract budget is not to exceed $80,000 per fiscal year, with funding primarily driven by grant allocations from the Governor's Office, which may impact renewal amounts and future year availability. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the County's eProcurement Portal, and the funding structure indicates potential variability in future years based on state appropriations and grant renewal decisions.