Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) Services

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is seeking a contractor to operate the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) through RFP 19-2164, with services focused on child adoption support and recruitment. The selected vendor will manage a statewide electronic exchange system to identify and match adoption-eligible children with potential adoptive families, requiring comprehensive services including website management, toll-free telephone support, recruitment activities, training, family support, and adoption navigator services. Bidders must possess specific qualifications, including five years of experience identifying adoptive homes, facilitating placements, conducting MARE registrations, web development expertise, and experience creating promotional videos. The RFP requires contractors to maintain a child placing agency license in Michigan and develop robust technology infrastructure with multi-factor authentication and SOC 2 Type 2 or FedRAMP compliance. Evaluation will be based on a 100-point scoring system, with only proposals scoring 80 points or higher considered for award. The contract period is set for October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2022, with potential for up to five additional one-year renewals, and proposals were due by July 3, 2019.

The RFP does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged businesses or minority-owned enterprises. No incumbent vendor is identified in the provided documentation. The total contract value is structured at $4,200,000 over three years ($1,400,000 annually), with an additional $15,000 ($5,000 per year) allocated for specific assistance costs. Contractors are prohibited from charging MDHHS rates higher than those charged to other entities and must develop pricing independently without consultation with other potential bidders. The contract allows extension to MiDEAL members, including local governments, school districts, universities, community colleges, and nonprofit hospitals. Insurance requirements are comprehensive, including Commercial General Liability ($1M per occurrence), Automobile Liability ($1M per accident), Workers' Compensation, Employers Liability, and Privacy/Security Liability coverage. Contractors must also comply with strict data security requirements, including encryption standards, hosting within continental United States data centers, and maintenance of detailed security records.