Agenda Item
a. RFP 21-522R1 for Behavior Intervention Services Contract Extensions (AMENDED Not to Exceed $427,671.25) ~ Updated 7.13.2026
Summary: Presented by: Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve a two-month contract extension of RFP 21-522R1 for the following four (4) 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 more than $100,000 per vendor, not to exceed the total contract AMENDED amount of $427,671.25. This RFP was approved by the Board on July 14, 2025 and no additional funds are requested at this time. This is year 4 of 4 of RFP 21-522R1. Additional time was needed to complete the full RFP solicitation process resulting in the request of contract extensions for the current 4 vendors.
Why: At the request of the Finance department, the Board of Education is asked for a temporary extension of the current RFP contracts for an additional two-month period to ensure continuity of services while the Divisions of Finance and Student Services complete the full procurement process for the upcoming Behavior RFP bid cycle.
This extension is necessary to:
Maintain uninterrupted services for students and schools, ensuring that critical supports remain in place during the transition period.
Allow sufficient time for a comprehensive and compliant RFP process, including solicitation, evaluation, and recommendation of vendors, in alignment with district procurement procedures and regulatory requirements.
Support cross-departmental coordination between Student Services and Finance to ensure that all elements of the solicitation process are completed with fidelity, accuracy, and transparency.
Mitigate operational and compliance risks that could result from a lapse in contracted services while a new RFP is finalized.
The requested extension is limited in duration and is intended solely to provide the necessary time to complete a thorough and competitive procurement process that will result in high-quality vendor selection for the next contract cycle.
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. This is year 4 of 4 of RFP 21-522R1. Additional time was needed to complete the full RFP solicitation process resulting in the request of contract extensions for the current 4 vendors.
To date, the Division of Student Services has received two-month contract extensions for Cobb Pediatrics (DBA Stepping Stones), Comprehensive Behavior Change, Kadiant, and Southern Behavior Group.
The original contract included four (4) one (1)-year extension options, contingent upon DCSD’s decision to extend, vendor acceptance, and approval by the DeKalb County Board of Education.
At this time, the Division of Student Services in partnership with the Department of Finance, is requesting Board approval for a two-month contract extension to complete the full RFP solicitation process for the upcoming bid window. This additional time is necessary to ensure:
Continuity of critical services for students with disabilities without interruption
Completion of a thorough, competitive, and compliant RFP process, including vendor solicitation, evaluation, and recommendation
Alignment with district procurement procedures and internal controls
Adequate coordination between Student Services and Finance to finalize vendor selection
This short-term extension is limited in scope and duration and is intended solely to provide the necessary time to complete a high-quality procurement process that will support long-term service delivery for students.
Financial impact: The contract amount from IDEA federal dollars (Charge code: 404.2100.530000.05021.7340.284.8010.094.2026) is $427,671.25. 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 per hour.
Contact: Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services, 678.676.1809
Dr. Erin Broyard-Baptiste, Interim Executive Director, Exceptional Education, Division of Student Services, 678.676.1814
Effective: July 2026 - September 2026
Status: Attorney Approval Not Required
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 four (4) private vendors that
currently support the District with meeting this need. The total year-to-date cost incurred by these
vendors for the 2025-2026 school year, due to the hourly rate and number of BCBAs needed, is
$572,328.75.
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 four (4) vendors have been contracted to provide services for 2025-2026 school year.