The Department of Human Services is interested in contracting with agencies able to provide group home care for Dependent Adolescents ages 13-21. The qualified applicant(s) must have both capacity and...

The City of Philadelphia Department of Human Services is requesting proposals for group home care services for dependent adolescents ages 13–21 under an RFP posted June 8, 2026, with proposals due July 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Philadelphia local time via eContractPhilly. A mandatory pre-proposal meeting was held June 17, 2026; written questions are due June 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., with responses posted June 29, 2026.

Applicants must be licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and capable of delivering services within Pennsylvania; government agencies are ineligible. All for-profit vendors currently contracted with DHS to deliver these services must respond to the RFP to be considered for contract renewal in FY27. Applicants may hold optional Local Business Entity or LGBTQ certifications, which strengthen consideration; those with programs in Philadelphia or surrounding counties with adequate plans for frequent in-person family contact receive strong preference.

The scope requires 24-hour, 7-days-a-week trauma-informed, family-driven care with youth-guided decision-making, active school and community connections, and evidence-based clinical interventions promoting family engagement and permanency. Providers must ensure bilingual capability with qualified staff delivering services in preferred languages; machine-based translation tools are prohibited. All applicants must affirm LGBTQIA+ youth safety and ensure transgender and gender non-conforming youth are safely placed consistent with their gender expression. The contract capacity target is 18–24 beds for males and/or females, though applicants able to serve smaller numbers may apply. All employees must receive a living wage of $17.36 per hour for FY27.

The fixed-price contract value is $810,000 for the initial term of August 14, 2026, through August 13, 2027, with the City retaining an option to amend the contract to add up to four additional one-year terms at its sole discretion. Monthly invoicing is required, along with comprehensive written reports and quarterly outcome reports aligned with performance metrics. Site visits with selected applicants are scheduled for the week of July 27, 2026, with applicant selection targeted for July 31, 2026, and contract execution by August 14, 2026. Applicants must submit detailed cost proposals with line-item breakdowns, comply with Philadelphia's Tax and Regulatory Status and Clearance Statement, and provide three references for similar work.