Funding Opportunities

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RFQ 1144
Contracted Hearing Officers

Amended 10/4/2023

The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) announces a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for qualified entities to administer Hearing Officer services to the Bureau of Special Hearings (BSH) under contract.

The BSH, under OCFS, provides the forum for citizens to challenge a wide variety of decisions made by local and state social services officials. Hearings are held in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, foster care removals, enforcement of day care regulations and laws, enforcement of laws and regulations relating to family homes for adults, adoption applications, reimbursement of local social services districts for foster care expenditures, and issues relating to decisions made by the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped. In addition, a significant portion of past and current hearings volume involves hearings arising out of the operations of the State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR).

Due to statutory and regulatory requirements pursuant to SSL §§ 422(8) and 424-a, many of the hearing requests awaiting scheduling in BSH are SCR hearings. The number of current referrals to the SCR continues to grow, resulting in the need to retain Contract Hearing Officers to help process this caseload.

• RFQ 1144 – Contracted Hearing Officers Amended 10/4/2023
• RFQ 1144 – Attachment 1 – Letter of Interest
• RFQ 1144 – Attachment 2 – Submission Checklist
• RFQ 1144 – Attachment 3 – References

DISC 1135
Statewide Dental Services Manager

The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) announces a Discretionary Opportunity (DISC) for one (1) qualified individual to provide coordination and consultation of dental services to youth in our agency’s nine (9) statewide residential facilities. The qualified individual must possess the necessary experience in providing dental treatment to youth and young adults and also have a background in pediatric dentistry. The individual will be responsible for reviewing and coordinating statewide dental services being provided by OCFS contracted vendors within the residential facilities and the corresponding billing rates/invoices submitted for payment on a monthly basis.

• DISC 1135 – Statewide Dental Services Manager
• DISC 1135 – Attachment 1 – Letter of Interest
• DISC 1135 – Attachment 2 – Submission Checklist
• DISC 1135 – Attachment 3 – Affirmation of Business Status
• DISC 1135 – Attachment 4 – References

SOI 1136
Socialization Skills Services for Children who are Legally Blind

The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) announces a Solicitation of Interest (SOI) for qualified entities that provide a wide array of socialization skills programs for children who are legally blind, that will help develop and reinforce their social skills, independence, confidence, and self-esteem. These programs may take place after school, on weekends, on a year-round basis, or during school vacations; they may be residential or day programs.

• SOI 1136 – Socialization Skills Services for Children who are Legally Blind
• SOI 1136 – Attachment 1 – Letter of Interest
• SOI 1136 – Attachment 2 – Submission Checklist

SOI 1133
Daycare Registration Services for Erie and Monroe Counties

New York State (NYS) Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) announces a Solicitation of Interest (SOI) opportunity for qualified entities that have experience with NYS Child Care regulations and statutes to deliver registration services, including complaint investigations and enforcement, in Erie and Monroe counties to all School-Age programs and Family Day Care providers. Currently, in Erie County there are approximately 65 Family Day Care Programs and 86 School-Age Child Care programs who would be served under this solicitation. In Monroe County, there are approximately 287 Family Day Care Programs and 44 School-Age Child Care Programs who would be served under this solicitation. This does not include new Family Day Care or School-Age programs that may wish to open in these counties. This advertisement is public notice that OCFS is seeking to contract with two organizations, one in Erie County and one in Monroe County, to provide these services. Please refer to the solicitation document for additional information.

• SOI 1133 – Daycare Registration Services
• SOI 1133 – Attachment 1 – Letter of Interest
• SOI 1133 – Attachment 2 – Submission Checklist
• SOI 1133 – Attachment 3 – Registration Performance Standards

IFB 1102
Grant Compliance Review Services - Child Care Stabilization 1.0 Monitoring

The New York State (NYS) Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) announces the release of this Invitation for Bids (IFB) to perform a grant compliance review of childcare providers’ expenditures for funds they received from the Child Care Stabilization Grants.

• IFB 1102 – Grant Compliance Review Services
• IFB 1102 – OCFS-0910 Request For Bid Form
• IFB 1102 – Attachment 1 – Bidder's Certified Statements
• IFB 1102 – Attachment 2 – References
• IFB 1102 – Attachment 3 – Child Care Stabilization Grant Opportunity Announcement
• IFB 1102 – Attachment 4 – Allowable Expenses and Required Supporting Documents
• IFB 1102 – Attachment 5 – Submission Checklist
• IFB 1102 – Questions and Answers

RFI 1149
Regional Implementation of Evidence-Based Services

The New York State (NYS) Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Division of Child Welfare and Community Services (CWCS), is seeking input from interested parties regarding the regional implementation of an evidence-based service through the Center for Excellence (CfE). OCFS will support the training and service delivery of Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) through preventive agencies to local departments of social services (LDSSs) through the CfE.

OCFS’s goals in issuing this RFI are to:

inform preventive agencies of OCFS’s intent to fund BSFT as an evidenced-based program; and

elicit input from preventive agencies related to the application process and challenges that may exist when implementing a regional model.

• RFI 1149 – Regional Implementation of Evidence-Based Services
• RFI 1149 – Attachment 1 – Vendor Response

SOI 1137
Pre-College Program for Legally Blind Students

The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) and the New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) announce a Solicitation of Interest (SOI) for qualified entities that provide a Pre-College Program for Legally Blind Students (Pre-College Program) entering their senior year of high school so they can be better prepared to adjust to college life. OCFS is seeking to contract with organizations to provide an annual four-week summer residential Pre-College Program on a college campus for legally blind students entering their senior year of high school, through a partnership between an eligible organization and a college or university.

• SOI 1137 – Pre-College Program for Legally Blind Students
• SOI 1137 – Attachment 1 – Letter of Interest
• SOI 1137 – Attachment 2 – Submission Checklist
• SOI 1137 – Attachment 3 – Code of Conduct
• SOI 1137 – Attachment 4 – Daily Medical Log
• SOI 1137 – Attachment 5 – Medication Log

RFI 1148
CMSO Family Night Dinners with Venue

The New York State (NYS) Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) and Community Multi-Services Offices (CMSOs), are seeking information and collecting input from interested parties regarding the opportunity for qualified entities to provide venues, coordination, and meals to host community-based Family Nights for OCFS-placed youth and their families.

DJJOY’s goal in issuing this RFI is to collect information from organizations that can:

• provide a culturally diverse buffet style meal
• arrange for a safe and inviting venue
• communicate with OCFS DJJOY and CMSO staff relative to menu and venue
• host up to 40 people per Family Night Dinner (these numbers will vary slightly based on youth population in each region)
• coordinate Family Night Dinners with CMSO staff once a month for up to a total of 24 months

DJJOY endeavors to enhance their engagement with families and parents by offering monthly family night dinners. Family night dinners would be hosted by vendors in the community and would be a safe space that encourages family attendance and participation. These family night dinners would include a sit-down meal for youth, their families, and CMSO staff, with the hope that the gatherings will help to build rapport and trust and lead to better participation and involvement in aftercare programming.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or an Invitation for Bid (IFB), or a promise to issue an RFP or an IFB.

Please see the RFI document for additional information and submission requirements.

• RFI 1148 – CMSO Family Night Dinners with Venue
• RFI 1148 – Attachment 1 – Vendor Response

SOI
Workforce Retention Grant Program

The goal of the Workforce Retention Grant program is to support the early childhood education and child care workforce by providing funds for staff retention bonuses and recruitment activities. Only eligible child care programs can apply for the grant, individual staff cannot apply. Legally exempt programs are not eligible for this funding. The Workforce Retention Grant program is for eligible New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) licensed/registered School-Age Child Care Programs (SACC), Day Care Centers (DCC), Family Day Care Homes (FDC), Group Family Day Care Homes (GFDC), Small Day Care Centers (SDCC) and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) permitted Article 47 Group Day Care Centers (GDC). Utilizing ARPA, CRRSA, and state support, a total of $500M will be made available for programs applying from July 26, 2023 through September 15, 2023.

• Workforce Retention Grant

IFB 1121
Construction Program at Goshen

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) operates the state's residential juvenile justice programs and oversees locally operated foster care, child abuse, daycare and youth development and delinquency prevention programs (YDDPP). The OCFS Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) operates the residential programs for juvenile delinquents and juvenile offenders and is issuing this Invitation for Bid (IFB). OCFS seeks a contractor to provide a construction program including instruction, training, and issuance of trade/training certificates to juvenile delinquent youth and youthful offenders residing at Goshen Secure Center.

• IFB 1121 – Construction Program at Goshen
• IFB 1121 – Attachment 1 – Bidder's Certified Statements (REQUIRED)
• IFB 1121 – Attachment 2 – References Template (REQUIRED)
• IFB 1121 – Attachment 3 – Submission Checklist (optional - highly recommended)
• IFB 1121 – OCFS-0910 – Request for Bid Form (REQUIRED)
• IFB 1121 – OCFS-0910 Bid Sheet Attachment (REQUIRED)
• IFB 1121 – Questions and Answers (There were no questions received for this IFB.)

RFP 1113
Community Credible Messengers Initiative (CCMI)

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunity for Youth (DJJOY) has released this request for proposals (RFP) to solicit competitive applications for the Community Credible Messengers Initiative (CCMI). This initiative is aimed at improving the safety and well-being of children and families through the development of regionally located credible messengers (CMs) and parent partners (PPs) as part of a core group of services strategically connected to OCFS Community Multi-Services Offices (CMSOs). This procurement seeks to establish CCMI teams in the Buffalo, Rochester, Mid-Hudson, and Long Island regions.

• RFP 1113 – Community Credible Messengers Initiative CCMI
• RFP 1113 Attachment 1 – Budget Template
• RFP 1113 Attachment 2 – Workplan Template
• RFP 1113 Attachment 3 – Experience Template
• RFP 1113 – Questions and Answers

IFB 1143
Automatic Vending Machine Service for Roswell Park Cancer Institute

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Commission for the Blind, hereinafter known as the Commission, as authorized under the Federal Randolph Sheppard Act of 1974, the New York State Unconsolidated Laws, Section 8714-a, the New York State Social Services Law, Sections 20 (3) (d) and 38, and the New York State Public Buildings Law, Section 3 (13), is soliciting bid proposals for automatic vending machine service for the purpose of providing income, benefits and services to legally blind New York State residents.

• IFB 1143 – Automatic Vending Machine Service for Roswell Park Cancer Institute
• IFB 1143 - Appendix A – Standard Clauses for NYS Contracts June 2023
• IFB 1143 - Appendix A1 – Standard Clauses for OCFS Contracts
• IFB 1143 - Appendix C – Modified Vending Machine Services
• IFB 1143 - Appendix D – Roswell Park Cancer Institute Location
• IFB 1143 - Appendix E – Roswell Park Suggested Healthy Guidelines
• IFB 1143 - Attachment 1 – Bid Commitment Form
• IFB 1143 - Attachment 2 – OCFS-4553 Bidder Identification Form
• IFB 1143 - Attachment 3 – OCFS-2633 MacBride Fair Employment Form
• IFB 1143 - Attachment 4 – AC-3290-S Vendor Responsibility Questionnaire
• IFB 1143 - Attachment 5 – OCFS-4822 Procurement Lobbying Act
• IFB 1143 - Attachment 6 – OCFS-2634 Non-Collusive Bidding Certification
• IFB 1143 - Attachment 7 – OCFS-2647 EO 177 Certification
• IFB 1143 - Attachment 8 – References Template
• IFB 1143 - Questions and Answers

SOI 1119
Silk Screening at Goshen Secure Center

The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) announces a Solicitation of Interest (SOI) for qualified entities that can provide silk screening instruction and training to at-risk youth residing at Goshen Secure Center. Youth should obtain the skills and knowledge needed to obtain a base level knowledge for silk screening. The goal is to teach and train at-risk youth valuable silk screening skills that can be used to obtain gainful employment when reintegrating into the community.

• SOI 1119 – Silk Screening at Goshen Secure Center
• SOI 1119 - Attachment 1 – Letter of Interest
• SOI 1119 - Attachment 2 – Submission Checklist
• SOI 1119 - Attachment 3 – Affirmation of Business Status
• SOI 1119 - Attachment 4 – References

SOI 1118
Music Production at Goshen Secure Center, Brookwood Secure Center for Youth, and Highland Residential Center

The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) announces a Solicitation of Interest (SOI) for qualified entities that can provide music production, education, instruction, and training to at-risk youth residing at Goshen Secure Center, Brookwood Secure Center for Youth, and Highland Residential Center. Youth should obtain the skills and knowledge that are needed to master industry standard music education and production. The goal is to teach and train at-risk youth valuable music educational and production skills that can be used to obtain gainful employment when reintegrating into the community.

• SOI 1118 – Music Production at Goshen Secure Center, Brookwood Secure Center for Youth, and Highland Residential Center
• SOI 1118 - Attachment 1 – Letter of Interest
• SOI 1118 - Attachment 2 – Submission Checklist
• SOI 1118 - Attachment 3 – Affirmation of Business Status
• SOI 1118 - Attachment 4 – References

SOI 1125
Comprehensive Services for the Legally Blind

The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) announces a Solicitation of Interest (SOI) for qualified entities that provide a variety of rehabilitation services specifically tailored to the needs of individuals who are legally blind. This advertisement is public notice that OCFS is seeking to contract with organizations to provide these services to clients of NYS Commission for the Blind. The purpose of this SOI is to invite any eligible and interested entities that believe they can satisfy this program’s needs to inform OCFS by a Letter of Interest (LOI).

• SOI 1125 – Comprehensive Services for the Legally Blind
• SOI 1125 – Attachment 1 - Letter of Interest
• SOI 1125 – Attachment 2 - Submission Checklist
• SOI 1125 – Attachment 3 - OCFS NYSCB 2024-2028 Comprehensive Services Contract Guidelines

IFB 1140
Automatic Vending Machine and Micro Mart Service for USPS Taft Road Syracuse

Amended 6/2/2023

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Commission for the Blind, hereinafter known as the Commission, as authorized under the Federal Randolph Sheppard Act of 1974, the New York State Unconsolidated Laws, Section 8714-a, the New York State Social Services Law, Sections 20(3)(d) and 38, and the New York State Public Buildings Law, Section 3(13), is soliciting bid proposals for automatic vending machine and micro mart service for the purpose of providing income, benefits, and services to legally blind New York State residents.

• IFB 1140 Vending Machines USPS Taft Road Amended 6/2/2023
• IFB 1140 Appendix A - Standard Clauses for NYS Contracts
• IFB 1140 Appendix A-1 - Standard Clauses for OCFS Contracts
• IFB 1140 Appendix C - Modified Vending Machine Services
• IFB 1140 Appendix D - Location and Products
• IFB 1140 Attachment 1 - Bid Commitment Form (USPS Taft Rd)
• IFB 1140 Attachment 2 - OCFS-4553 Bidder Identification Form
• IFB 1140 Attachment 3 - OCFS-2633 MacBride Fair Employment Form
• IFB 1140 Attachment 4 - AC-3290-S Vendor Responsibility Questionnaire
• IFB 1140 Attachment 5 - OCFS-4822 Procurement Lobbying Act
• IFB 1140 Attachment 6 - OCFS-2634 Non-Collusive Bidding Certification
• IFB 1140 Attachment 7 - OCFS-2647 EO 177 Certification
• IFB 1140 Attachment 8 - References Template
• IFB 1140 - Questions and Answers

SOI 1130
Community Credible Messenger Initiative (CCMI) Training and Support

The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) announces a Solicitation of Interest (SOI) for qualified entities that OCFS wishes to pursue a promising and transformative community-based mentoring and intervention program for youth returning from out-of-home placement to their communities. OCFS is responsible for the well-being of the at-risk youth placed in its care. As part of this responsibility, OCFS is required to provide necessary programming to reduce recidivism by helping these at-risk youth become productive citizens upon return to their communities. OCFS is seeking an organization to provide training and technical assistance (TA) to the grassroots organizations that provide Community Credible Messenger services.

• SOI 1130 – Community Credible Messenger Initiative (CCMI) Training and Support
• SOI 1130 - Attachment 1 – Letter of Interest
• SOI 1130 - Attachment 2 – Submission Checklist
• SOI 1130 - Attachment 3 – Regional Community Multi-Services Offices

IFB 1124
Psychiatric Services for Brookwood and Industry

The OCFS Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) announces the release of this Invitation for Bids (IFB) to select four (4) Contractors to provide psychiatric services for juvenile delinquent youth and youthful offenders residing at Brookwood Secure Center for Youth, and Industry Residential Center. Psychiatrists (Lot 1) and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (PNP) (Lot 2) who meet the minimum qualifications are eligible to bid on any or all positions. There are four (4) positions available: three (3) positions at Brookwood Secure Center for Youth, and one (1) position at Industry Residential Center. The lowest cost vendor(s) who meets all the mandatory requirements will be awarded the contract(s) for the position(s).

• IFB 1124 – Psychiatric Services for Brookwood and Industry (including Attachment 1)
• IFB 1124 - OCFS-0910 – Request for Bid
• IFB 1124 - Attachment 2 – Submission Checklist
• IFB 1124 - Questions and Answers

RFP 1096
Child Fatality Review Team (CFRT)

Amended 7/6/2023

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is soliciting applications to start new, expand existing, or continue existing local and regional Child Fatality Review Teams (CFRTs). The purpose of the CFRT is to promote safety through comprehensive, multi-disciplinary examination of the cause, manner, and circumstances of a child’s death and to prevent future deaths.

• RFP 1096 - Child Fatality Review Team (CFRT) Amended 7/6/2023
• RFP 1096 Attachment 1 – Proposer’s Certified Statements
• RFP 1096 Attachment 2 – Cost Proposal
• RFP 1096 Attachment 3 – Mandated Member Letter of Commitment
• RFP 1096 Attachment 4 – Submission Checklist
• RFP 1096 Attachment 5 – Sample Non-Grant Contract Template with Appendix A (Standard Clauses for New York State Contracts) and Appendix A-1B (Program Specific Terms and Conditions)
• RFP 1096 - Questions and Answers