Agenda Item
b. RFP 21-522R1 for Behavior Intervention Services Contract Renewal (Year 3 of 4) (Not to exceed $2,000,000) ~ Updated 7.2.2024
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Norman C. Sauce III, Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the contract extensions of RFP 21-522R1 with the following five vendors: Cobb Pediatrics (DBA Stepping Stones), Comprehensive Behavior Change, Kadiant, Pathways, and Southern Behavior Group, as the most responsive and responsible bidders to provide behavior intervention services for more than $100,000.00 per vendor, not to exceed the total contract amount of $2,000,000.00.
Why: There are students who require intensive individualized behavior intervention and additional classroom support and expertise. Students with disabilities (SWDs), such as those with autism and other behavioral needs, require a specifically designed program that incorporates current, effective, peer-reviewed, research-based practices and instructional modifications that are implemented through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and which also may require oversight and direction from Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). A BCBA has a graduate level certification in behavior analysis, which is an approach to human behavior. There has been an increased demand for BCBAs in the field of education, as well as in DeKalb County School District (DCSD).
Details: The request for proposals for RFP 21-522R1 was issued October 27, 2020 with responses reviewed through January 2021. The approved DCSD RFP process was followed. Nine (9) of the vendors that responded were originally selected based on the following criteria for providing services to students with disabilities in a public-school setting: ability to provide needed staff, hourly rates, and experience with school-based settings. The nine (9) selected vendors were as follows: Cobb Pediatrics (DBA Stepping Stones), Comprehensive Behavior Change, INVO Healthcare, Kadiant, Kaleidoscope, Maxim, Pathways (Rebecca Lamont), and Southern Behavior Group.
To date, the finance department is working with the vendors to ensure the acceptance letters are received by the District and processed.
No single company has been able to provide enough BCBAs to cover students’ needs. The initial contract was executed and included four (4) one (1) year contract extension options contingent upon 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 $1,000,000.00 (Charge code: 100.2100.530000.00011.7340.2021.8010.094.0000) and $1,000,000.00 from IDEA federal dollars (Charge code: 404.2100.530000.05021.7340.2824.8010.094.2025).
The financial impact is contingent upon the number of students that require specialized support as well as the number of BCBAs provided through each contracted vendor. The current rate for these services is on average $150.00 per hour.
Contact: Presented by: Dr. Norman C. Sauce III, Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services
Mrs. Kiana King, Executive Director of Exceptional Education, Division of Student Services
Effective: July 8, 2024 - July 7, 2025
Status: Attorney Review and Approved
Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Comprehensive Behavior Change Evaluator: R.J.
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree (4) (3) (2) Disagree
(5) (1)
Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process X
and staff are available when needed
Vendor provides substitute staff when needed X
Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works X
with District Administrators to resolve issues and
concerns
Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff X
and completes employee evaluations
Vendor provides orientation and training for X
school-based positions
Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed X
and trained to complete assignment before being
placed
Total 5 18
Comments:
Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Comprehensive Behavior Change Evaluator: D.H..
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree (4) (3) (2) Disagree
(5) (1)
Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process X
and staff are available when needed
Vendor provides substitute staff when needed X
Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works X
with District Administrators to resolve issues and
concerns
Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff X
and completes employee evaluations
Vendor provides orientation and training for X
school-based positions
Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed X
and trained to complete assignment before being
placed
Total 5 15
Comments:
Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Core Therapy Evaluator: R.J.
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree (4) (3) (2) Disagree
(5) (1)
Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process
and staff are available when needed X
Vendor provides substitute staff when needed
Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works X
with District Administrators to resolve issues and
concerns
Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff X
and completes employee evaluations
Vendor provides orientation and training for X
school-based positions
Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed X
and trained to complete assignment before being
placed
Total 21
Comments:
Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Core Therapy Evaluator: D.H.
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree (4) (3) (2) Disagree
(5) (1)
Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process X
and staff are available when needed
Vendor provides substitute staff when needed X
Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works X
with District Administrators to resolve issues and
concerns
Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff X
and completes employee evaluations
Vendor provides orientation and training for X
school-based positions
Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed X
and trained to complete assignment before being
placed
Total 5 20
Comments:
Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Kadiant Evaluator: R.J.
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree (4) (3) (2) Disagree
(5) (1)
Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process X
and staff are available when needed
Vendor provides substitute staff when needed X
Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works X
with District Administrators to resolve issues and
concerns
Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff X
and completes employee evaluations
Vendor provides orientation and training for X
school-based positions
Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed X
and trained to complete assignment before being
placed
Total 18
Comments:
Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Kadiant Evaluator: D.H.
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree (4) (3) (2) Disagree
(5) (1)
Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process X
and staff are available when needed
Vendor provides substitute staff when needed X
Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works X
with District Administrators to resolve issues and
concerns
Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff X
and completes employee evaluations
Vendor provides orientation and training for X
school-based positions
Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed X
and trained to complete assignment before being
placed
Total 18
Comments:
Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Maxim Evaluator: R.J.
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree (4) (3) (2) Disagree
(5) (1)
Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process X
and staff are available when needed
Vendor provides substitute staff when needed X
Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works X
with District Administrators to resolve issues and
concerns
Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff X
and completes employee evaluations
Vendor provides orientation and training for X
school-based positions
Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed X
and trained to complete assignment before being
placed
Total 18
Comments:
Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Maxim Evaluator: D.H.
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree (4) (3) (2) Disagree
(5) (1)
Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process X
and staff are available when needed
Vendor provides substitute staff when needed X
Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works X
with District Administrators to resolve issues and
concerns
Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff X
and completes employee evaluations
Vendor provides orientation and training for X
school-based positions
Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed X
and trained to complete assignment before being
placed
Total 18
Comments:
Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Pathways Evaluator: R.J.
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree (4) (3) (2) Disagree
(5) (1)
Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process X
and staff are available when needed
Vendor provides substitute staff when needed X
Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works X
with District Administrators to resolve issues and
concerns
Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff X
and completes employee evaluations
Vendor provides orientation and training for X
school-based positions
Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed X
and trained to complete assignment before being
placed
Total 18
Comments:
Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Pathways Evaluator: D.H.
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree (4) (3) (2) Disagree
(5) (1)
Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process X
and staff are available when needed
Vendor provides substitute staff when needed X
Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works X
with District Administrators to resolve issues and
concerns
Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff X
and completes employee evaluations
Vendor provides orientation and training for X
school-based positions
Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed X
and trained to complete assignment before being
placed
Total 4 15
Comments:
Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Southern Behavior Group Evaluator: R.J.
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree (4) (3) (2) Disagree
(5) (1)
Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process X
and staff are available when needed
Vendor provides substitute staff when needed X
Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works X
with District Administrators to resolve issues and
concerns
Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff X
and completes employee evaluations
Vendor provides orientation and training for X
school-based positions
Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed X
and trained to complete assignment before being
placed
Total 30
Comments:
Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Southern Behavior Group Evaluator: D.H.
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree (4) (3) (2) Disagree
(5) (1)
Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process X
and staff are available when needed
Vendor provides substitute staff when needed X
Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works
with District Administrators to resolve issues and X
concerns
Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff X
and completes employee evaluations
Vendor provides orientation and training for X
school-based positions
Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed X
and trained to complete assignment before being
placed
Total 30
Comments:
Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Stepping Stone Evaluator: R.J.
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree (4) (3) (2) Disagree
(5) (1)
Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process X
and staff are available when needed
Vendor provides substitute staff when needed X
Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works X
with District Administrators to resolve issues and
concerns
Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff X
and completes employee evaluations
Vendor provides orientation and training for X
school-based positions
Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed X
and trained to complete assignment before being
placed
Total 18
Comments:
Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Stepping Stones Evaluator: D.H.
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree (4) (3) (2) Disagree
(5) (1)
Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process X
and staff are available when needed
Vendor provides substitute staff when needed X
Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works X
with District Administrators to resolve issues and
concerns
Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff X
and completes employee evaluations
Vendor provides orientation and training for X
school-based positions
Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed X
and trained to complete assignment before being
placed
Total 18
Comments: