Agenda Item
a. RFP 21-522R1 for Behavior Intervention Services Contract Extension (Year 4 of 4) ( Not to exceed $1,000,000)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Norman C. Sauce III, Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services, 678-676-1079
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the contract extensions of RFP 21-522R1 with the following seven vendors: Cobb Pediatrics (DBA Stepping Stones), Comprehensive Behavior Change, Kadiant, and Southern Behavior Group, as the most responsive and responsible bidders to provide behavior intervention services for an amount not to exceed the $1,000,000.
Why: In the DCSD, we must support students with disabilities who exhibit significant behavioral challenges that often require interventions that exceed the training and capacity of school-based staff. Outside behavior vendors typically employ Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), and other specialists trained in evidence-based practices, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), trauma-informed care, and functional behavior assessments (FBAs). 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 a 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. During the 24-25 SY, seven (7) selected vendors were approved to provide services. For the 25-26 SY, four (4) vendors have completed and signed the acceptance letter. The four (4) selected vendors are as follows: Cobb Pediatrics (DBA Stepping Stones), Comprehensive Behavior Change, Kadiant, and Southern Behavior Group.
No single company has been able to provide a sufficient number of specialized behavioral support, including 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 $500,000 (Charge code: 100.2100.530000.00011.7340.2021.8010.094.0000) and $500,000 from IDEA federal dollars (Charge code: 404.2100.530000.05021.7340.2824.8010.094.2026). The financial impact is contingent upon the number of students that require specialized support as well as the number of BCBAs provided by each contracted vendor. The current rate for these services is on average $150.00 per hour.
Contact: Dr. Norman Sauce, Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services, 678-676-1079
Mrs. Kiana King, Executive Director of Exceptional Education, Division of Student Services, 678-676-1809
Effective: July 7, 2025 - July 6, 2026
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
CHRONOLOGY OF THE AGENDA ITEM
RFP 21-522R1 Behavior Intervention Services
❑ Extension – continuation; extend the period of time
There are an increasing number of students with mental health and social-emotional challenges. The
need for highly qualified and capable behavior intervention providers to provide behavioral consultative
and direct services to students with disabilities that are enrolled in DeKalb County School District (DCSD)
has continued to increase. DCSD employs full-time special education liaisons who provide itinerant
services for students with disabilities that demonstrate significant behavioral concerns. However, due
the increasing number of students requiring these services, there is a need for additional service
providers who can provide supplemental behavioral consultative and direct services for student who
require them. These services include, but are not limited to, in-school consultations, program
development, trainings, various types of behavioral analysis and interpretation. DCSD does not currently
employ a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). As a result, DCSD’s Department of Exceptional
Education has contracted with private vendors to meet this very important need. Currently, there are
seven (7) behavior liaisons that are district employees. There are seven (7) private vendors that
currently support the District with meeting this need. The total year-to-date cost incurred by these
vendors for the 2023-2024 school year, due to the hourly rate and number of BCBAs needed, is
$361,653.90. The total anticipated cost for the remainder of the school year is $250,000.
The District hired a BCBA during the 2020-2021 school; however, that position has been vacant since
January 2021. Private vendors continue to be required to provide this level of support.
Request for Proposals were issued October 27, 2020. On November 23, 2020, twelve (12) proposals
were reviewed by the District’s purchasing department and deemed responsive and responsible to the
requirements of the solicitation.
As part of the Pre-Award process, the Department of Exceptional Education conducted a review and
evaluation of the 12 responsive proposals during the week of December 14, 2020. The review and
evaluation of the proposals resulted in three (3) vendors not being recommended to provide behavior
intervention services for students with disabilities and nine (9) being recommended for approval.
However, only seven (7) vendors have been recommended to provide services for 2024-25 school year.
This recommendation is based on the review and evaluation of the responsive proposals received.