REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. Nurturing Parent Program

Transcription

1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Nurturing Parent Program 1. INTRODUCTION. 1.1 The Bedford County Depart ment of Social Services invites sealed proposals from qualified firms and/or individuals to facilitate an evidence -based parenting skills program for the prevention, intervention and treatment of child abuse and neglect for Bedford County residents. The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit proposals for proven service approaches and strategies that help parent(s) and/or caretakers of children in our community who have been identified in need of skill building surrounding basic and developmental care of their children. A number of these families will have identified risk factors that place their children at risk of abuse and neglect and risk of foster care. The intent is to provide resources to expand and enhance existing service delivery efforts that address more fully the needs of the target population prior to and after Child Protective Services involvement. The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) intends for the key outcomes of this initiative to be: 1) High rate of parental completion of program classes 2) Measurable outcomes of parental knowledge of nurturing practices and sustainability 3) Lower the recidivism of family and children s involvement with Child Protective Services, Court Services Agency and other child dependency agencies. 4) Positive cost benefit ratio nearing neutrality as a result of the low rates of recidivism. 5) Empower and educate families/parents to establish the 6 protective factors in their family lives in order to build family strengths and a family environment that promotes optimal child and youth development. The 6 protective factors are: Parental resilience Social connections Concrete support in times of need Knowledge of parenting and child development Social and emotional competence of children Nurturing and Attachment The funds available in the amount of $20,000 for the initial award period are provided by local and state funding. Recipients of funding through this solicitation must comply with local and state laws and regulations. Funds will be awarded to firms, organizations and/or agencies that 1

2 have proven records of effectively delivering the described services. The program should serve appro ximat ely 30 fa milies per year and w o r k w i t h individuals and families using a nurturing approach to teach alternatives to corporal punishment, improving communication and empathetic awareness and setting realistic family expectations. These programs should include Individual/ Family Parenting Classes and Family Coaching offered by trained Nurturing Parenting Facilitators and founded in the Nurturing Programs of Dr. Stephen J. Bavolek ( 1.2 Issuing Office Bedford County Department of Social Services Attn: Andy Crawford, Director 119 East Main Street Post Office Box 1187 Bedford, VA Project Supervisors: Andy Crawford, Director of Social Services 1.4 Issuing Date July 14, Closing Date/Time In order for all proposals to be fairly considered, they must be received by the issuing office not later than 5:00 p.m. local prevailing time on Friday, August 8, No exceptions will be made to this policy. 2. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS. 2.1 Four (4) copies of the proposal shall be forwarded to the Issuing Office, clearly marked "PROPOSAL EMPLOYMENT ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM" no later than 5:00 p.m. local prevailing time on Friday, August 8, The proposal must, at a minimum, address the items described in Section 2.2a through a Title Page Show the RFP subject, the name of the individual submitting the proposal, proposer's firm, complete mailing address, telephone number, facsimile, address, name of contact person and date. 2.2b Table of Contents 2

3 2.2c Letter of Transmittal 1. A statement by the proposer of his understanding of the work to be done. 2. The approximate date the firm is available to begin work on this project. 3. Certification that all requested material is included in the RFP. 2.2d Experience and Qualifications 1. General knowledge of services, programs and community resources available in Bedford County. 2. General knowledge of human behavior and acceptance of rights, responsibilities and differences of others. 3. Ability to independently understand and apply policies and regulations. 4. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily tasks; ability to use independent judgment and initiative when carrying out assigned tasks and responsibilities. 5. Ability to communicate and establish effective working and professional relationships with citizens, coworkers, other professional and technical staff, social agencies and the general public. 6. Ability to communicate effectively in writing for case documentation or verbally for interagency meetings and conferences. 7. Ability to set up, organize and maintain professional records. 8. Ability to comprehend the treatment process such as goals, objectives, strategies, interventions and progress and impediments. 3. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED SERVICES. The proposed scope of work shall include the following characteristics of Nurturing Parent Program as a minimum: 1) Evidence based practice 2) Competency Based Lessons 3) Family focused, community-wide programs designed to teach parenting at specific developmental stages. 4) Designed to meet the unique cultural learning needs of families 5) Use of different NPP models. 6) Flexibility in number of classes and lessons 7) Utilized as Primary Prevention in community based education for Low Risk Families. 3

4 8) Utilized as Secondary Prevention (Intervention) for Moderate Risk Families. 9) Utilized as Tertiary Prevention (Treatment) for High Risk Families. 4. COST OF PROJECT. Proposed cost should be shown on a per month basis. 5. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS. 5.1 The Issuing Office intends to award a contract to the firm which best satisfies the needs of Bedford County. 5.1a. 5.1b. Each proposal will be evaluated by a selection committee composed of the Director and Assistant Director of Social Services for Bedford County, the Family Services Manager, and the Family Services Supervisor. The staff may contact the firm for additional information, as necessary. 5.2 Selection Process The selection process will be in accordance with Section b, Procurement of Other Than Professional Services, of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. Proposals will be evaluated by the selection committee using the following criteria: Criteria Point Value a. The overall professional skill, experience and training of the firm and specified persons who will be performing the services requested. 20 b. Professional qualifications and attitude of management and staff to be assigned to the project. 20 c. The prior experience and reputation of the firm in providing the services requested to other governmental agencies. 20 d. Familiarity with Bedford County. 20 e. Price GENERAL CONDITIONS. 7.1 Further Conditions It is the responsibility of the perspective firm to inquire about, and to clarify, any 4

5 requirement of the REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, which he or she does not understand. The firm may inquire in writing, by telephone, or in person. Written responses to all inquiries will be made and copies of the responses will be kept on file at the issuing office. All inquiries should be directed to the project supervisor. 7.2 Modification and Withdrawal of Proposals Proposals may be modified or withdrawn by an appropriate document duly executed (in the manner that a Proposal must be executed) and delivered to the place where proposals are to be submitted at any time prior to the opening of proposals. 7.3 Availability of Funds It is understood and agreed between the parties herein that the County is bound to any contract only to the extent of the funds available or which may hereafter come available for the purpose of this agreement. It is anticipated that funds shall be available. 7.4 Termination of Contract Should the consultant fail to perform the work according to accepted methods, Bedford County has the right to terminate the Contract immediately. In the event of termination pursuant to this paragraph, the consultant shall be paid for all services provided through the date of termination less any fines, remedial costs or other fees that may be withheld. 7.5 Rejection of Proposals The County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, or to contact any proposal or reference prior to award for explanations or clarification. The County reserves the right to waive any informalities and to award to the most responsive and responsible offeror. 7.6 Hold Harmless The successful offeror shall indemnify and hold harmless and assume the defense of the County, its employees, agents and officials from and against any and all claims, liabilities, judgments, costs, causes of action, damages and expenses, and shall pay all attorney s fees, court costs and other costs incurred in defending such claims which may accrue against, be charged to, be recovered from or sought to be recovered from the County, it s employees, agents and officials as a result of the offeror s contract with the County. 7.7 Incurring Cost The Issuing Office is not liable for any cost incurred by the firm prior to the execution of a contract between the firm selected and the County. 5

6 7.8 Minority Business Enterprise Participation The firm, his/her agents, employees, assigns or successors, and any person, firm or agency of whatever nature, with whom the firm may contract or make agreement in connection with any contract, will cooperate with the Issuing Office in meeting its commitments to goals with regard to the maximum utilization of minority business enterprises. 7.9 Employment Discrimination Prohibited During the performance of any awarded contract, the offeror agrees as follows: a. The offeror will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other basis prohibited by state law related to discrimination in employment, except there is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the offeror. The offeror agrees to post in conspicuous places, available to employees and applicants for employment, notices setting forth the provisions of this nondiscrimination clause. b. The offeror, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the offeror, will state that such offeror is an equal opportunity employer. c. Notices, advertisements and solicitations placed in accordance with federal law, rule or regulation shall be deemed sufficient for the purpose of meeting the requirements of this section. The offeror will include the provisions of the foregoing paragraphs a, b, and c in every subcontract or purchase order of over $10,000, so that the provisions will be binding upon each subcontractor or vendor Drug Free Workplace to be Maintained During the performance of any contract, the offeror agrees to (i) provide a drug-free workplace for the offeror s employees; and (ii) post in conspicuous places, available to employees and applicants for employment, a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance or marijuana is prohibited in the offeror s workplace and specifying the actions that will be taken against employees for violations of such prohibition; (iii) state in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the offeror that the offeror maintains a drug-free workplace; and (iv) include the provisions of the foregoing clauses in every subcontract or purchase order of over $10,000, so that the provisions will be binding upon each subcontractor or vendor. For the purposes of this section, drug free workplace means a site for the performance of work done in connection with a specific contract awarded to a offeror in accordance 6

7 with this chapter, the employees of whom are prohibited from engaging in the unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of any controlled substance or marijuana during the performance of the contract Non-Discrimination The County does not discriminate against faith-based organizations Ethics in Public Contracting This RFP incorporates by reference any state or federal law related to ethics, conflicts of interest, or bribery, including by way of illustration and not limitation, the Virginia State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act, the Virginia Governmental Frauds Act, and Articles 2 and 3 of Chapter 10 of Title 18.2 of the Virginia Code, as amended. The Offeror certifies that its offer is made without collusion or fraud and that it has not offered or received any kickbacks or inducements from any other offeror, supplier, manufacturer, or sub-offeror and that it has not conferred on any public employee having official responsibility for this purchase any payment, loan, subscription, advance, deposit of money, services, or anything of more than nominal value, present or promised unless consideration of substantially equal or greater value was exchanged Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 The Offeror certifies that it does not, and will not during the performance of any contract, employ illegal alien workers or otherwise violate the provisions of the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of Proposal Binding The contents, in their entirety, of the proposal submitted by the accepted firm shall become an attachment to and part of the agreement between the firm and the Issuing Office Applicable Law This RFP and any subsequent contract and the work performed thereunder shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the venue for any litigation with respect thereto shall be in the Circuit Court for Bedford County, Virginia or as otherwise required by law. The Offeror shall comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. 7

8 7.16. Assignment The Offeror shall not assign, transfer, convey, sublet, or otherwise dispose of any award, or any or all of its rights, obligations, or interests under this contract, without the prior written consent of the County Insurance The Offeror shall maintain the following insurance coverage: Type of Insurance: Worker s Compensation Commercial General Liability Statutory $1,000,000 each occurrence-bodily injury and property damage $2,000,000 general aggregate Contractual Liability Completed Operations and Products Liability Vehicle Liability $1,000,000 each occurrence $2,000,000 aggregate $1,000,000 each accident-bodily injury and property damage The Offeror shall be responsible for all costs of insurance maintained pursuant to this Agreement. The Offeror shall provide the County with satisfactory evidence that the insurance coverage listed above is in effect prior to the execution of a contract, or if not part of its existing coverage, a letter of intent executed by an insurance company authorized to do business in Virginia to provide such insurance for the entire initial term of the Agreement. 8