Speech and Language Services

Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) in Florida issued Request for Proposals No. 24127-RFP-DST on August 23, 2024, seeking qualified vendors to provide speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) for short and long-term assignments on an as-needed basis to address critical staffing shortages and fulfill mandated speech and language services required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to provide Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). The solicitation anticipates approximately 100 SLP vacancies and 2 SLPA vacancies for the 2024-2025 school year, with services to be delivered throughout Hillsborough County at designated school sites. Vendors must respond to service requests within 48 hours and implement services within 10 calendar days, with SLPs working approximately 194 billable days at no more than 7.5 hours per day, and HCPS covering required training days. All vendors must provide proof of Florida licensure for SLPs and SLPAs, maintain E-Verify compliance, obtain required insurance including workers' compensation and commercial general liability coverage with limits of $1,000,000 general aggregate and $500,000 per occurrence, provide 24/7 customer support with 30-minute response times, and interview candidates with HCPS prior to placement. Pricing must remain firm for the contract period, with weekly invoices required containing detailed service documentation. The evaluation criteria awards 35 points for specifications and scope of work, 25 points for qualifications and experience, and 40 points for cost and value. An addendum issued February 26, 2026, extended the solicitation window with questions due March 6, 2026, and proposals due March 23, 2026, at 5:00 PM via electronic submission through the HCPS Vendor Portal.

The contract opportunity carries no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises; however, HCPS encourages vendors to register with the Office of Supplier Development and certify as Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), minority-owned businesses, or service-disabled veteran-owned businesses on a voluntary basis. All proposers must comply with mandatory compliance requirements including the Jessica Lunsford Act background screening, Fair Labor Standards Act compliance, FERPA and HIPAA student confidentiality requirements, non-discrimination laws, debarment certifications, prohibitions on employment of unauthorized aliens, and prohibitions on contracting with entities owned or controlled by designated foreign countries of concern (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria). Vendors must also execute affidavits certifying non-engagement in human trafficking or labor coercion practices. The initial contract term is approximately one year with automatic renewal for up to four additional years contingent upon appropriations, continued need, and mutual agreement. The annual budget is estimated at approximately $11,641,950, with IDEA Grant funding totaling up to $3,000,000 per year and an estimated 26% funded from other sources. Payment terms follow the Florida Prompt Payment Act with invoices due net 45 days from delivery or receipt of satisfactory invoice, all pricing on FOB Destination basis, and HCPS tax exemption applied. No incumbent vendors were identified in the documentation provided.