Study Concerning the Family Support 360 & Shared Living Programs

The South Dakota Department of Legislative Audit has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP #23RFP8611) to engage a consultant for a comprehensive study of programs supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Harding County and statewide. Specifically, the study will analyze the Family Support 360 Medicaid waiver program and the Shared Living component of the CHOICES Medicaid waiver program. Key objectives include assessing program access, evaluating operational and administrative effectiveness, and determining program value and cost efficiency. The consultant will be required to provide a detailed analysis of current service provisions, potential improvements, and comprehensive recommendations. Evaluation criteria will include the vendor's technical approach, qualifications, experience, and proposed methodology. The RFP was posted on April 20, 2023, with proposals due by May 5, 2023, and an anticipated contract period from May 26, 2023, to December 31, 2023, with a potential one-year extension option. Interested vendors must submit inquiries by email to russ.olson@state.sd.us with a specific subject line format.

The RFP includes notable restrictions on vendor eligibility, explicitly prohibiting proposals from vendors and their affiliates who are currently utilizing former Department of Human Services (DHS) or Department of Social Services (DSS) staff or providing services to these departments. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly detailed, the RFP requires a comprehensive cost proposal that includes all expenses associated with performing the required services. The state reserves the right to negotiate the cost structure with the highest-ranked offeror. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the provided documentation. Vendors must ensure their proposals demonstrate an ability to conduct an independent, objective evaluation of the specified I/DD support programs. The RFP emphasizes the need for a vendor with specialized expertise in analyzing Medicaid waiver programs, healthcare services, and disability support systems, suggesting a preference for consulting firms or research organizations with demonstrated experience in healthcare policy and program evaluation.