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
RFP 20-522 Behavior Intervention Services for Students with Disabilities
Date:
Progressus Therapy Behavior Intervention
Cobb Pediatric Services LLC
Early Autism Services LLC
EBS Healthcare Inc
Soliant Health Inc
EDU Healthcare
Points for Total Points
CENTRA
Indiviudal for 8
Evaluation Criteria Breakdown Evaluator Evaluators
A. Scope of Services 35 Points 280 42 217 126 112 177 228 135
Established company with experience in providing Board Certified 0-6
Behavior Analysts (BCBA) to school districts
Established company with experience in providing Board Certified 0-6
Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBA) to school districts
Vendor has defined recruiting and hiring process 0-3
Vendor will provide a liaison to work with District Administrators to 0-3
resolve issues and concerns
Vendor will provide orientation, training and/or retraining as well as 0-3
supervision of agency BCBAs or BCaBAs
Vendor will provide access to training resources for specializedbehavior 0-3
intervention to which they are unfamiliar.
Vendor will identify and provide appropriate supervisory personnel to 0-3
attend selected Special Education Behavior Liaisons' orientation and
department meetings.
0-2
Vendor will provide the resume of the supervising BCBA for the project
Vendor will ensure assigned staff follow DCSD policies, procedures and 0-2
practices as covered in orientation
0-2
Vendor will provide substitute coverage when staff are absent or on leave
Vendor has staff evaluation and monitoring process in place 0-2
B. Cost of Services 30 Points 90 110 170 158 174 193 202 193
BCBA Hourly Rate 0-10
BCaBA Hourly Rate 0-10
Vendor agrees to submit monthly invoices accompanied by service logs 0-10
and nursing notes for applicable days
C. Quality and Experience 25 Points 75 29 153 99 77 102 95 79
0-4
Vendor has demonstrated establishment and experience in metro areas
0-4
Vendor has sufficient size and employees to serve a large metro district
Vendor demonstrates financial stability 0-4
Vendor submitted brochures, catalogs, manuals, websites or literature 0-4
that supports their submission (section J)
Vendor has mission statement in line with that of DCSD 0-3
Vendor has previously provided behavior intervention staff or services to 0-3
the DCSD students
Vendor has local office in metro Atlanta 0-3
D. Variety of Additional Services 5 Points 15 2 30 27 15 46 19 17
Other added value services addressed in Section K 0-5
E. References 5 Points 15 6 26 21 13 20 25 9
Strength and relevance of references per RFP submittal requirements 0-5
TOTAL 100 Points 475 189 596 431 391 538 569 433