Notice of intent to award RFP260000000867

This is a Notice of Intent to Award for RFP 260000000867 issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for family preservation and support services. The procurement solicits qualified contractors to provide Families Together Building Solutions Services in Cass and St. Joseph Counties. The requested services encompass family preservation and support programming with deliverables including direct client services, family-centered interventions, and ancillary support such as transportation and specific assistance. Required qualifications include bidder experience and past performance, appropriate education and credentials, adequate staffing with necessary training, and organizational capacity to implement comprehensive family support programs. The evaluation criteria utilized a 125-point scoring system across five weighted categories: Bidder Experience and Past Performance (20 points), Education/Credentials/Qualifications (10 points), Staffing/Training/Agency Organization/Location (25 points), Program Implementation (45 points), and Vendor Question Worksheet (25 points). The RFP was posted on SIGMA VSS on January 29, 2026, with a proposal submission deadline of March 12, 2026. The contract term is three years with up to two one-year renewal options, with services expected to commence on October 1, 2026. Four bidders submitted proposals, with two advancing to technical evaluation after meeting responsiveness and responsibility requirements.

Samaritas received the award recommendation based on superior technical evaluation performance and best value considerations, with a proposed contract value of $570,000.00 pending State Administrative Board approval. The awardee proposed 2,088 annual units serving 30 clients annually at a rate of $86.41 per unit, with transportation and specific assistance costs totaling $27,000. Samaritas achieved a technical score of 123 points, exceeding the 100-point minimum threshold for pricing consideration, while the competing qualified bidder, Catholic Charities West Michigan, scored 122 points with a slightly higher total bid of $569,985.60. The award recommendation prioritized Samaritas's higher technical score, lower bid price, and demonstrated staff readiness to commence services on the required October 1, 2026 start date. No information regarding set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise restrictions, or specific incumbent contractor preferences was provided in the available documentation.