Sole Source Notice - Structured Analysis Family Evaluation

Agency:	Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS)
State:	Mississippi
Type of Government:	State & Local
NAICS Category:	541611 - Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services 541690 - Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Posted Date:	Apr 16, 2024
Due Date:	May 1, 2024
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Contact information:	Please Login to View Page
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Notice of Intent to Certify Sole Source

RFX #: 3150005636

Service Overview:

The Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS) is currently seeking to enter into

a sole-source contract for Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) services as described

below. Anyone objecting to this purchase as a sole source shall follow the procedures outlined

below before Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 3:00 pm CST.

Purpose:

The Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS) is committed to ensuring the

safety and well-being of all children in the state. As part of this mission, MDCPS licenses homes to

care for children in need of placement. These homes must meet certain standards to ensure that the

children entrusted to their care are provided with a nurturing and safe environment.

MDCPS seeks to provide foster parents and agency staff with effective measures to support youth in

placements with stability and a nurturing environment. By focusing on the quality of care and support

within the home environment, MDCPS hopes to improve the overall well-being and outcomes of

these youth. This initiative is crucial in ensuring that families have the tools and resources they need

to succeed in providing a nurturing and stable environment for children in their care. Ultimately, the

success of families in providing a supportive home to study is vital in improving the lives of

vulnerable children and adolescents.

Scope of Services:

MDCPS has partnered with the Consortium for Children to implement the Structured Analysis

Family Evaluation (SAFE) methodology. The SAFE methodology is a standardized and uniform

home study process that assesses the suitability of prospective families to care for children. By

using a standardized method like SAFE, MDCPS can ensure that all licensed homes are evaluated

consistently and thoroughly.

The Structured Analysis Family Evaluation provided by the Consortium for Children program is a

key component of ensuring that families have the resources and support needed to be successful.

This program is a direct response to the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services'

(MDCPS) Improving Care plan, which emphasizes the importance of enhancing training for staff.

By equipping providers and staff with essential skills, MDCPS aims to improve the quality of care

and support provided to vulnerable children and adolescents who come from challenging

backgrounds.

• The vendor would provide an evidence based supported home study training that has

demonstrated measurable impacts within similar environments.

• The vendor would provide ongoing training certification programs for both the partner

provider and MDCPS agency team members.

• The vendor would provide MDCPS access to an established online-learning platform.

• The vendor would provide designated certification at the completion of all learning

activities of the attendees (MDCPS staff and providers).

• The vendor would provide MDCPS with access to a complete training report for all

newly certified practitioners.

• The vendor would provide MDCPS with a 90-day notice of recertification for all

certified Practitioners.

• MDCPS would receive notification of updates to curriculums.

MDCPS has identified three key learning objectives related to Structured Analysis Family Evaluation:

1. Understand the principles of providing a safe and supportive environment for children who

have experienced abuse or neglect.

2. Develop skills in recognizing signs of abuse or neglect and knowing how to appropriately

respond and report concerns.

3. Gain knowledge of trauma-informed care and techniques for helping children heal from past

trauma in a home setting.

Part II – Work Requirements

1.) The vendor will conduct the initial 2-day certification training, which is in-depth

training on how to use the Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE)

methodology.

2.) The vendor will conduct a half-day SAFE supervisor training, which is designed to train

Supervisors in the proper supervision of SAFE which is required when performing a

SAFE home study.

3.) The vendor will conduct a full day SAFE refresher training, which covers the entire

SAFE methodology and the SAFE tools, any updates to SAFE, and provides a forum

for participants to ask questions.

4.) The vendor will provide access to all SAFE tools and documents needed to conduct a

SAFE home study.

5.) The vendor will provide access to SAFE resource center, including access to sample

home studies, tutorials, and skill building articles.

6.) The vendor will provide ongoing technical assistance for partner providers and MDCPS

team members.

7.) The vendor will provide access to forms, reports, and support tools.

Location/Delivery Setting:

Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) Training will be offered in a location agreed upon

by both parties.

Explanation of why the source is the only person or entity that can provide the required

services.

The Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) program was created to train and support child

welfare professionals who conduct home studies for foster and adoptive families, which is a primary

mission for CPS staff. SAFE is currently used throughout the United States and Canada, SAFE

provides a uniform home study tool which also facilitates inter-state and inter-country placements.

Today, the Consortium for Children has achieved international recognition for its unique

contribution to child welfare and adoption. PPM and SAFE have led the way in helping children

move to permanence while maintaining their important connections, as well as ensuring the quality

and safety of their homes.

Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) is a structured home study methodology that allows

child welfare agencies to thoroughly evaluate prospective kinship, foster, adoptive, and/or

guardianship families in a uniform manner. To use the SAFE methodology, HSPs must be SAFE

certified and have a SAFE certified Supervisor. All SAFE Supervisors must have completed both

the SAFE 2-Day Training and the SAFE Supervisor Training. The SAFE certification training is

provided by Consortium for Children. Once a HSP and Supervisor are SAFE certified, they receive

access to all SAFE tools and documents needed to conduct a SAFE home study. In addition, they

receive access to the SAFE Resource center, which contains sample home studies, tutorials, and skill

building articles that can enhance their knowledge of the SAFE process. Support from the SAFE

team doesn’t end when the training does! SAFE Specialists are available to provide consultation to

SAFE certified HSPs and Supervisors on an ongoing basis. Technical assistance is also available.

Objection to Sole Source Procedure:

Any person or entity that objects and proposes that the services listed are not sole source and can

be provided by another person or entity shall submit a written notice to:

Procurement & Contracts

contracts@mdcps.ms.gov

The subject line must read “Sole Source Objection - Structured Analysis Family

Evaluation (SAFE)Training.

The notice shall contain a detailed explanation of why the service is not a sole source procurement.

Appropriate documentation shall also be submitted if applicable.

If after a review of the submitted notice and documents, MDCPS determines that the service in the

proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then MDCPS will

withdraw the sole source request publication from the procurement portal website and submit the

procurement of the service to an advertised competitive bid or selection process.

If MDCPS determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required service, then

MDCPS will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board. MDCPS will have the burden of

proving that the service is only provided by one (1) source.

MDCPS WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DELAYS IN THE DELIVERY OR RESPONSES.

It is solely the responsibility of the interested Parties that responses reach MDCPS on time.

Interested Parties may contact Jerrika Brantley Jackson to verify the receipt of their responses.

Responses received after the deadline will be rejected.

Dates of Publication – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES

CONTRACT FOR [INSERT TYPE OF SERVICES]

1. Parties. The parties to this contract are the Mississippi Department of Child Protection

Services (hereinafter “MDCPS”) and [Insert Vendor Name] (hereinafter “Independent

Contractor”).

2. Purpose. The purpose of this contract is for MDCPS to engage Independent Contractor for

[insert type of services]. Independent Contractor hereby agrees to render certain professional

services described in Paragraph 3, “Scope of Services.”

3. Scope of Services. Independent Contractor will perform and complete in a timely and

satisfactory manner the services described in the Scope of Services, attached hereto as

Exhibit A, and the “2nd Modified Mississippi Settlement Agreement and Reform Plan”,

attached hereto as Exhibit B, and incorporated herein by reference.

4. Consideration. As consideration for the performance of this Contract, Independent

Contractor shall be paid a fee not to exceed Contract Amount ($__________) in accordance

with the budget attached hereto as Exhibit C.

5. Period of Performance. This contract will become effective for the period beginning [Start

Date] and ending on [End Date] upon the approval and signature of both parties hereto.

6. Method of Payment. Independent Contractor agrees to accept payments referenced in

Paragraph 4, “Consideration”, to be paid as billed by Independent Contractor, upon review

and approval by MDCPS. Independent Contractor agrees to submit invoices to MDCPS that

contain a detailed account of each billing. The final invoice is to be submitted no later than

fifteen (15) days after the contract end date. Independent Contractor is classified as an

independent contractor and not a contractual employee of MDCPS. As such, any

compensation due and payable to Independent Contractor will be paid as gross amounts.

Independent Contractor invoices shall be submitted to the Agency as set forth in Paragraph

27. Independent Contractor invoices shall be submitted to MDCPS at

contract.invoices@mdcps.ms.gov by the 10th day of each month following completion.

7. Applicable Law. The contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the

laws of the State of Mississippi, excluding its conflicts of laws provisions, and any litigation

with respect thereto shall be brought in the federal courts in the State or in a court of

competent jurisdiction in Hinds County, Mississippi. Independent Contractor shall comply

with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

8. Availability of Funds. It is expressly understood and agreed that the obligation of the MDCPS

to proceed under this agreement is conditioned upon the appropriation of funds by the

Mississippi State Legislature and the receipt of state and/or federal funds. If the funds

anticipated for the continuing fulfillment of the agreement are, at any time, not forthcoming

or insufficient, either through the failure of the federal government to provide funds or of the

State of Mississippi to appropriate funds or the discontinuance or material alteration of the

Sole Source Notice - Structured Analysis Family Evaluation

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