Title
Head Start Birth to Five Program Hearing Screening Assessment Training Services Qualified Vendors List - RFQu-21-EDU-48 (Ordinance S-48155)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to approve a Qualified Vendors List (QVL) and enter into agreements with eligible contractors to provide hearing screening assessment training services for the Head Start Birth to Five program. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item for the life of the contracts. The aggregate value of all agreements will not exceed $125,000 over the life of the QVL.
Report
Summary
The Head Start Birth to Five program provides free comprehensive early childhood development, school readiness, and family support services to eligible low-income families with children aged zero to five years old and at-risk pregnant women. Head Start Program Performance Standards require enrolled children to receive an age-appropriate Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) screening annually. Hearing screening is an essential portion of the EPSDT screening, as hearing loss does occur in young children and is often not evident to parents. As a Head Start grantee, the City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five program ensures all enrolled children receive an evidence-based hearing screening within 45 days of enrollment, conducted by Head Start Birth to Five staff.
The State of Arizona has passed legislation implementing strict standards for hearing screening performed by schools and preschools (including Head Start programs). The legislation requires hearing screenings be performed by trained staff who have obtained a certificate of completion by a trainer certified by the Arizona Department Health Services (AZDHS). Head Start must follow strict standards in reporting hearing screening results to AZDHS on an annual basis.
The Qualified Vendor List is meant to identify highly qualified professionals with the certification, training and experience to provide the required hearing screening training to Head Start Birth to Five staff.
Procurement Information
On Aug. 12, 2021, RFQu-21-EDU-48 for Head Start Birth to Five Program Hearing Screening Assessment Training Services was issued to solicit qualified trainers for hearing screening assessments. The solicitation was conducted in accordance with City of Phoenix Administrative Regulation 3.10 to establish a QVL. One offer was received on Sept. 24, 2021. The offer was determined to be responsive and responsible to the solicitation requirements.
The Evaluation Committee evaluated the offer based on the evaluation criteria, responsiveness to all specifications, terms and conditions, and responsibility to provide the required services. The Evaluation Criteria was as follows:
Criteria and Possible Points
- Method of Approach and Delivery of Training - 500 possible points;
- Experience and Qualifications of Proposed Trainers - 300 possible points; and
- Cost Per Session - 200 possible points.
The Evaluation Committee recommends the following offeror be added to the QVL:
- Family and Community Educational Services of AZ, LLC.
Contract Term
The contract term will begin on or about Dec. 1, 2021, and will end on Nov. 30, 2026, with no option to extend.
Financial Impact
Expenditures are not to exceed $125,000 over the life of the QVL. Funding is available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children, Youth and Families. No additional General Funds are required.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
On Oct. 14, 2021, The Head Start Birth to Five Policy Council retroactively approved the request to release the Hearing Screening Assessment Training Services RFQu.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Human Services Department.