PO26-013 safety assessment tool TP

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) intends to award a sole source contract to Action for Child Protection for the implementation of the Safety Assessment Family Evaluation (SAFE) Model, a comprehensive child welfare safety decision-making framework. This procurement will replace the existing Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol (CERAP) that has been in use since 1996. The contract, scheduled to run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, encompasses a statewide implementation of a new safety assessment tool designed to help child protection workers make more informed safety determinations across six domains of family functioning. The project will be implemented in three phases: Project Infrastructure, Installation, and Full Implementation, with key deliverables including change management, education and training, practice and policy supports, quality assurance, and technology integration. The procurement is time-sensitive, with a critical deadline of April 25, 2025, at 4 p.m. for potential interested parties to submit written comments or request a public hearing. The total project scope involves comprehensive training, consultation, and systematic implementation of the new safety intervention model across Illinois's child welfare system.

The contract is a sole source procurement, meaning it is specifically and exclusively available from Action for Child Protection, as the model is copyrighted and uniquely owned by this organization. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the documentation. The total contract value is estimated at $5,600,430, with funding coming from State Appropriate Funds and potentially reimbursable under the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). The budget includes $509,850 allocated for travel expenses and covers various implementation activities, with a 10% project management fee integrated into each project phase. The vendor, Action for Child Protection, has a history of similar contracts with state child welfare agencies, including previous contracts with Illinois ranging from $2,960,231 to $5,203,770. The implementation is part of a larger strategic process expected to be completed around calendar year 2028, with the ultimate goal of improving child safety decision-making and potentially reducing child maltreatment. The procurement will involve extensive stakeholder engagement, training development, policy review, and technology system integrations.