QRTP Independent Assessment

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is seeking a contractor to conduct Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) Independent Assessments through Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 250000002171. The primary objective is to perform comprehensive assessments of eligible children placed in or being considered for placement in qualified residential treatment programs using the Michigan-specific Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (MichiCANS) tool. Contractors must deliver 840 independent assessments, 12 reassessments, and 12 confirmation assessments annually, with a focus on determining appropriate placement and identifying treatment goals. Proposing organizations must have staff with bachelor's or master's degrees in human services fields and current MichiCANS certification. Assessors are required to be independent of the MDHHS placement system and must conduct thorough reviews involving the child, family, and permanency team. The proposal deadline is May 19, 2025, at 1:59 p.m. Eastern time, with the contract anticipated to commence on December 1, 2025, for an initial three-year term with potential for two one-year renewals.

The RFP does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Contractors will be required to submit monthly activity reports by the 10th of each month and will be subject to performance monitoring through service-level agreements that include potential credits for non-compliance. The total contract value will be determined based on unit rates for different assessment types, with funding apparently linked to federal Family First Prevention Services Act requirements for foster care placement assessments. While specific budget ranges are not detailed in the provided documentation, the contract structure suggests a unit-rate pricing model that will scale with the number of assessments performed. Successful bidders must demonstrate the capability to provide highly specialized, independent assessment services with a comprehensive understanding of child welfare placement considerations and the ability to utilize the MichiCANS assessment tool effectively.