Parent Technical Assistance Center

The Florida Department of Health (FDOH), Bureau of Early Steps and Newborn Screening, Early Steps Program is seeking to purchase the development of technical assistance materials and people-first and disability-friendly materials from Family Network on Disabilities of Florida, Inc. These materials are intended to build the professional competencies of the Early Steps Family Resource Specialists and provide resources for families of children receiving services in the Local Early Steps Program offices. The technical assistance materials will support the Family Resource Specialists, who serve as the parent liaisons between the Early Steps Program and the families. The disability-friendly materials will explain the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act to families. The contract term is for 3 years, with an estimated dollar amount of $2,100,000. The posting will remain open for at least 15 business days, with a due date of July 17, 2024.

The FDOH has determined that Family Network on Disabilities of Florida, Inc. is the sole provider eligible to deliver these services, as it has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) as the sole provider within the state of Florida. This is a single-source acquisition that is justified by the requirement to comply with 34 CFR 303.117(b) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which mandates that the state provide up-to-date resources from professional and other groups that provide assistance to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. There are no set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond, and no incumbent vendors or current contractors are listed.