Notice of intent to award RFP 2600000001271

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued RFP 26-1271 for Permanency and Connections Expert (PACE) services statewide and has posted a notice of intent to award to Orchards Children's Services, Inc. on July 29, 2026, with an opportunity to file protests by August 4, 2026.

The contract spans three years with up to two one-year renewal options and covers three service deliverables: Permanency and Connections Expert-Recruiter services, Permanency and Connections Expert-Permanency Review Facilitator services, and Technical Assistance and Outreach services, collectively serving 275 clients annually (1,650 over the three-year base term). The awardee must sustain a staffing model including five supervisors, one program manager, twenty-two recruiters, and four Permanency Review Facilitators.

The recommended award to Orchards Children's Services, Inc. is $9.57 million. Three proposers submitted: Methodist Children's Home Society, Spaulding for Children, and Orchards Children's Services, Inc. The evaluation committee employed weighted technical criteria totaling 125 points with a minimum threshold of 100 points for pricing consideration. Orchards Children's Services, Inc. scored 124 points (highest), Spaulding for Children scored 104 points, and Methodist Children's Home Society scored 100 points. All three bidders met the technical threshold and proceeded to pricing evaluation. The award was based on best value determination, prioritizing Orchards' highest technical score, sustainable staffing model, realistic workload assumptions, and demonstrated capacity for long-term program stability. Competing pricing proposals ranged from $9.569902 million to $9.57 million, showing competitive alignment across all three bidders.

The RFP was originally posted May 21, 2026, with a submission deadline of June 26, 2026. Award is pending Michigan State Administrative Board approval.