Third-Party FaDSS Program Model Fidelity Reviewer

Kim Reynolds, Governor Kelly Garcia, Director
Chris Cournoyer, Lieutenant Governor
INFORMAL COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION
For
Third-Party FaDSS Program Model Fidelity Reviewer
RFP# FWBPEFD27017
INTRODUCTION
In accordance with the informal competition procedures provided for in 11 Iowa
Administrative Code rule 118.9, the Department of Health and Human Services (the
Agency) is seeking a Third-Party Model Fidelity Reviewer (Service Provider) to assist
with Family Development and Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS) program model fidelity reviews.
The Agency anticipates that the term of any resulting contract will be three years
beginning on 8/1/2026.
Bidders interested in providing these services should submit proposals to Page
Humphrey, Community Services Bureau Chief at Page.Humphrey@hhs.iowa.gov no
later than 3:00 p.m. (local time), July 10, 2026. Any proposal received after this
deadline will be rejected.
Proposals should include the Bidder's cost proposal and sufficient information regarding
the Bidder's ability to perform the services sought to enable the Agency to make a
judgment about the Bidder's ability to perform the work identified in the Scope of
Services.
The Agency reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, in whole or in part, to
advertise for new proposals, to abandon the need for such services, and to cancel this
Informal Competitive Solicitation at any time prior to the execution of the written
contract.
All information submitted by a Bidder may be treated as a public record by the Agency
unless the Bidder properly requests that the information be treated as confidential
information in accordance with the public records laws of the State of Iowa at the time
its proposal is submitted.
The costs of preparation and delivery of the bid proposal are solely the responsibility of
the Bidder.
By submitting a proposal, the Bidder agrees that the Agency may copy the proposal for
purposes of facilitating the evaluation of the proposal or to respond to requests for
public records and represents that such copying will not violate the rights of any third
party.
By submitting a proposal, the Bidder agrees that it will not bring any claim or have any
cause of action against the Agency based on any misunderstanding concerning the
information provided herein or concerning the Agency's failure, negligent or otherwise,
to provide the bidder with pertinent information as intended by this Informal Competitive
Solicitation.

TIMETABLE
The dates set forth below are for informational planning purposes only. The Agency
reserves the right to change the dates:
06/22/26 Post Informal Competitive Solicitation
07/10/26 Proposals due
07/20/26 Select successful Bidder
08/1/26 Deadline for executing contract
RESTRICTION ON COMMUNICATION
From the date of issuance of this Informal Competitive Solicitation until announcement
of the successful Bidder, Bidders may not contact any employee of the State of Iowa
other than the identified contact person about this Informal Bid Solicitation Bidders may
contact Page Humphrey at Page.Humphrey@hhs.iowa.gov in writing with questions
related to the interpretation of this Informal Competitive Solicitation and the procurement
process. Written responses to all questions received will be provided to all potential
Bidders. If a Bidder or someone acting on a Bidder's behalf attempts to discuss this
Informal Competitive Solicitation orally or in writing with any members of the evaluation
committee, or any employee of the State of Iowa, other than Page Humphrey, the
Bidder may be disqualified.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
The successful Bidder will provide third-party model fidelity reviews for Family
Development and Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS) programs under the direction of the FaDSS
Program Manager. Such services shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Two in-person and three virtual site visits
2. 80 family record reviews
3. Five staff focus groups
4. Thirty-five one-on-one staff interviews
5. Twenty-five meetings with state program staff
6. Five model fidelity review reports
7. Thirty individual staff performance reports

EVALUATION CRITERIA
The Agency will utilize an evaluation committee made up of employees of the Agency to
evaluate the proposals. The evaluation committee will review proposals. The
committee will consider all information provided in the proposal when making its
recommendation and may consider relevant information from other sources. The
evaluation committee will award the contract to the responsible Bidder
submitting the best proposal. The lowest priced proposal is not necessarily the
best proposal.
The evaluation committee's selection will be subject to the final approval of the Agency.
The proposals will be evaluated and a recommendation will be made using the following
criteria, which are listed in no particular order:
1. Cost;
2. Past performance of work that is identical or similar to the scope of services
identified;
3. Experience that demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Agency, the expertise and
ability of the Bidder to provide the Scope of Services described in the Informal
Competitive Solicitation; and
4. The capacity of the Bidder to complete the responsibilities described in the
Scope of Services.
If there is a tie for the best proposal and only one of the Bidders is an Iowa business,
the Iowa business shall be given preference over the out of state Bidders.
NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD
Notice of Intent to Award will be sent by mail to all bidders submitting a timely bid
proposal no later than July 20, 2026. The Notice of Intent to Award is subject to
execution of a written contract and, as a result, the Notice does not constitute the
formation of a contract between the Agency and the apparent successful bidder.
ACCEPTANCE PERIOD
Negotiation and execution of the contract shall be completed no later than August 1,
2026. If the apparent successful bidder fails to negotiate and execute a contract, in its
sole discretion, the Agency may revoke the award and award the contract to the next
highest ranked bidder or withdraw the Informal Bid Solicitation.
The Agency further reserves the right to cancel the award at any time prior to the
execution of a written contract.
REVIEW OF NOTICE OF DISQUALIFICATION OR NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD
DECISION

Bidders may request reconsideration of either a notice of disqualification or notice of
intent to award decision by submitting a written request to the Agency:
Bureau Chief
c/o Bureau of Service Contract Support
Department of Health and Human Services
Lucas State Office Buil;ding
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0114
email: reconsiderationrequest@hhs.iowa.gov
The Agency must receive the written request for reconsideration within five days from
the date of the notice of disqualification or notice of intent to award decision. The
written request may be mailed, emailed, or delivered. It is the Bidder's responsibility to
assure timely delivery of the request for reconsideration. The request for
reconsideration shall clearly and fully identify all issues being contested by reference to
the page and section number of the Agency's solicitation. If a bidder submitted multiple
bid proposals and requests that the Agency reconsider a notice of disqualification or
notice of intent to award decision for more than one bid proposal, a separate written
request shall be submitted for each. At the Agency's discretion, requests for
reconsideration from the same bidder may be reviewed separately or combined into one
response. The Early Intervention and Support Director will expeditiously address the
request for reconsideration and issue a decision. The bidder may choose to file an
appeal with the Agency within five days of the date of the decision on reconsideration in
accordance with 441 IAC 7.
DEFINITION OF CONTRACT
The full execution of a written contract shall constitute the making of a contract for
services and no bidder shall acquire any legal or equitable rights relative to the contract
services until the contract has been fully executed by the apparent successful bidder
and the Agency.