Notice of Intent to Award RFP 1900000002164 MARE Services

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued Request for Proposal (RFP) 1900000002164 for Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) services, which was posted on SIGMA VSS on June 5, 2019, with proposals due by July 3, 2019. The comprehensive contract encompasses multiple critical adoption support services, including website and toll-free telephone line operation, recruitment, training, information sharing, administrative support, pre-adoptive family support, and adoption navigator services. Vendor qualifications require staff to have bachelor's degrees (preferably master's) in human services, with child welfare experience, and Adoption Navigators must have at least two years of experience as successful adoptive parents. The RFP evaluation focused on technical capabilities, with Judson Center, Inc. receiving a 98 out of 100 point technical score. The procurement process involved a competitive solicitation, though Judson Center was ultimately the sole bidder for the contract. The contract term is established for three years with potential for up to five additional one-year renewal options.

The contract does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Judson Center, Inc. was awarded the entire contract valued at $4,200,000.00, with a detailed pricing breakdown that includes unit rates for different service components: $20,677.83 per unit for website and telephone line, $50.88 per unit for recruitment, $39.23 per unit for training and administrative support, $38.42 per unit for pre-adoptive family support, and $28.93 per unit for adoption navigator services. An additional $15,000 was allocated for specific assistance, bringing the total proposed costs to $4,146,741.84. The procurement appears to be a direct replacement or continuation of existing MARE services, with Judson Center, Inc. positioned as the new contractor responsible for maintaining and potentially improving the existing adoption resource infrastructure. The comprehensive nature of the contract suggests a holistic approach to supporting adoption services across Michigan.