Special Education IEP Facilitation Services, Mediation & Complaint Resolution Services

The State of Oregon, through the Department of Administrative Services Procurement Services and the Oregon Department of Education, is seeking qualified providers for Special Education Individualized Education Program (IEP) Meeting Facilitation, Mediation, and Complaint Resolution Services specifically for Marion County and the City of Salem. The procurement is structured as a Request for Proposals (RFP) with responses due on April 5, 2023, and an anticipated initial contract term of 5 years. Proposers must demonstrate at least 4 years of experience in special education, possess comprehensive knowledge of special education laws, and have extensive training in dispute resolution. Key service requirements include facilitating IEP meetings, providing non-adversarial dispute prevention, conducting mediations, investigating complaints, and drafting resolution orders. Minimum qualifications mandate that proposers cannot be employees of public agencies involved in children's education, must maintain current knowledge of special education practices, and be capable of de-escalating high-conflict situations. Evaluation criteria will focus on the proposer's credentials, qualifications, relevant experience, and ability to meet the specified service requirements.

The RFP includes a Certified Disadvantaged Business Outreach Plan, encouraging participation from minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and emerging small businesses in Oregon. Proposers must describe their strategies for soliciting certified firms for potential subcontracting opportunities and report any existing relationships with certified businesses. The contract compensates providers at a rate of $150 per hour for work ordered, excluding travel expenses, with providers potentially subject to background checks. While current contractors must submit new proposals to continue service provision, no specific incumbent vendors are named. Proposers may submit proposals for one or more of the requested services: IEP meeting facilitation, mediation, or complaint resolution. The State reserves the right to award contracts to multiple providers using a rotational system based on factors such as recent service provision and availability. Successful proposers will be required to maintain specific insurance coverage and comply with confidentiality and intellectual property provisions.