Agenda Item
a. RFP 24-187 for Speech-Language, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Services (Not to exceed $9,000,000)
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Stacy Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the award for RFP 24-187 for Speech Language, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy Services to Applied Pediatrics, Inc; The Stepping Stones Group; Comprehensive Therapy Consultants; Orange Tree Staffing; Soliant Health, LLC; SHC Services, Inc.; Invo Healthcare Associates, LLC ProCare Therapy; CRA Therapy; Sunbelt Staffing LLC; Tandym Group, LLC; Pediatric Developmental Services; AMN Allied Services, LLC; American Medical Staffing, Inc.; Maxim Healthcare Staffing Services, Inc.; Academic Staffing, Inc.; Epic Special Education Staffing; Kadiant LLC; Verbal Expressions, Inc.; GHR Education; Total Communication Therapy; Kidz Speak Therapeutic Services; E-Therapy LLC; Senseabilities, Inc.; Speech Teachers of North Georgia LLC; Advokids LLC; and CareerStaff Unlimited, LLC as the most responsive and responsible bidders to provide speech language, occupational therapy, and/or physical therapy services for more than $100,000.00 per vendor but not to exceed $9,000,000.00.
Why: Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, related services may include speech language, occupational therapy, and/or physical therapy services. IDEA and Section 504 mandate the inclusion of speech language, occupational therapy, and/or physical therapy services for students whose Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or Section 504 Individualized Accommodation Plans (IAPs) stipulate these services are required in order for the students to equitably access their education.
Details: The Request for Proposals 24-187: Speech Language, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy Services was issued August 24, 2023 with responses reviewed through November 17, 2023. The DCSD RFP process was followed. Twenty-seven of the thirty-three vendors that responded were selected based on the following criteria for providing services for students with disabilities in a public-school setting: ability to provide needed staff, hourly rates, and experience with school-based settings. The 27 selected vendors are Applied Pediatrics, Inc; The Stepping Stones Group; Comprehensive Therapy Consultants; Orange Therapy Staffing; Soliant Health, LLC; SHC Services, Inc.; Invo Healthcare Associates, LLC; ProCare Therapy: CRA Therapy; Sunbelt Staffing LLC; Tandym Group, LLC; Pediatric Developmental Services; AMN Allied Services, LLC; American Medical Staffing, Inc.; Maxim Healthcare Staffing Services, Inc.; Academic Staffing, Inc.; Epic Special Education Staffing; Kadiant LLC; Verbal Expressions, Inc.; GHR Education; Total Communication Therapy; Kidz Speak Therapeutic Services; E-Therapy LLC; Senseabilities, Inc.; Speech Teachers of North Georgia LLC; Advokids LLC; and CareerStaff Unlimited, LLC.
No single company has been able to provide a sufficient number of speech language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists (OTs), and physical therapists (PTs) to cover students’ needs. For this reason, it is recommended that the top twenty-seven vendors selected through the RFP process be approved. The initial contract duration shall be approximately one year from the date of execution. The contract may include up to four (4) one (1) year extension options contingent on DCSD’s offer to such extension, the successful offeror’s acceptance, and the approval of the DeKalb County Board of Education to extend the contract.
Financial impact: The contract amount from the general budget will be $4,500,000 (Charge code: 100.2100.530000.00011.7340.2021.8010.035.0000) and $4,500,000 from IDEA federal dollars (Charge code: 404.2100.530000.05021.7340.2824.8010.035.0000). The financial impact is contingent upon the number of therapists provided through contracted services. The current rate for these services is $62.50-$150.00 per hour.
Contact: Ms. Stacy Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678,676.0731
Mrs. Kiana King, Director of Special Education, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678.676.1885
Effective: January 9, 2024 - January 8, 2029, with required annual Board approval
Status: Approved by General Counsel
October 30, 2023
RE: Sourcing Efforts Letter: RFP 24-187 Speech Language, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Services
Mrs. Michele Summerlin,
Because the procurement process is constantly evolving and improving, the Purchasing Department
has developed a new customer service feature. The Purchasing Department is now providing a
summary of sourcing efforts to the internal client for RFP 24-187 Speech Language, Occupational Therapy
and Physical Therapy Services.
The Purchasing Department’s efforts include the website on August 24, 2023.
1) RFP 24-187 was posted to IonWave on August 24, 2023.
2) RFP 24-187 was advertised in the Champion Newspaper on August 24, 2023, and August 31, 2023.
3) Electronic notification sent to 141 vendors from the DCSD Vendor Bid List.
4) Electronic notification sent to 1400 vendors through the State of GA Procurement Registry.
5) Electronic notification sent to 342 vendors through IonWave.
If you are aware of any additional sourcing engines, please let us know so we may include those in our process.
Thirty-three (33) proposals were reviewed and deemed responsive to the requirements of the solicitation.
Please feel free to reach out to me at 678 676-0120 with any questions or concerns.
Regards,
Carla L. Smith
Executive Director, Vendor Services
CLS\lw
c: Ms. Kiana King
Dr. Deborah Mitchell
Dr. Erin Broyard-Baptiste
Dr. Tamara Carter
Ms. Watina April
Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex
1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd | Stone Mountain, GA 30083
678.676.0110 | www.dekalbschoolsga.org