Foster/adoption assessment services

The State of South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) is soliciting fixed-price bids for Foster/Adoption Assessment Services across four geographic regions: Upstate, Midlands, Pee Dee, and Low Country. The procurement seeks certified adoption and foster care investigators to conduct comprehensive home assessments for new and reapplying adoptive/foster families in all South Carolina counties. Specific deliverables include performing in-home assessments with a minimum of two visits for new home assessments (within 45 calendar days) and one visit for reapplication assessments (within 30 days), interviewing applicants and household members, reviewing documentation, and submitting detailed narrative reports. Mandatory qualifications require bidders to hold current Certified Investigator credentials from SCDSS and complete required training before contract award. The solicitation timeline includes a submission deadline of January 5, 2023, at 11:00 AM, with questions due by December 7, 2022, at 10:00 AM, and a non-mandatory pre-bid conference held on December 6, 2022, via Microsoft Teams. Award notification is expected on February 1, 2023, with a contract start date of February 15, 2023.

The contract is open to all certified investigators meeting SCDSS requirements, with no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises mentioned. Pricing is fixed at a maximum of $600 per new family home assessment and $300 per reapplication home assessment, with providers able to bid lower rates. All responsive and responsible certified investigators will be awarded contracts, though this does not guarantee work assignments. Providers must maintain current certification, complete ten annual training hours, attend placement committees and court hearings as requested, and maintain flexible working hours including evenings and weekends. The contract term is structured as an initial one-year period with four one-year renewal options, creating a maximum potential contract duration of five years. Providers may be removed from the Qualified Provider List for failure to renew certification, misconduct, or receiving more than four written complaints. Payment will be processed via electronic funds transfer within seven business days of invoice submission, with invoices requiring three signed copies in blue ink.