Notice of Funds Available (RFP) Print New Application

Specifications

Purpose

The purpose of this NoFA is to identify and/or design a plan that helps Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) transition from high school to competitive, integrated employment or continuing education, advancing self-determined and economically secure lives.

Schedule of Events

This Request for Proposals will be governed by the following schedule of Events:
• Applications Due By – November 15, 2027
• Contracts Due By - December 18, 2027
• Project Begins - January 1, 2027

Application Guidelines & Instructions

All questions about this NoFA must be submitted in the following format:
Organization/Individual Name

1. Question
Citation of relevant section of the NoFA

2. Question
Citation of relevant section of the NoFA

Questions must be directed in writing to the Program Manager, Felicia Dillon at: felicia.dillon@gcdd.ga.gov

Questions must include the company name and the referenced NoFA section.
From the issue date of this NoFA until a contractor is selected and the selection is announced, Applicants are not allowed to communicate for any reason with any State staff except through the Program Manager, or during the Applicants' conference, or as provided by existing work agreement(s). The State reserves the right to reject the proposal of any Applicant violating this provision.
All questions concerning this NoFA must be submitted in writing by email to felicia.dillon@gcdd.ga.gov. Only written questions will be accepted. No response other than written will be binding upon the State.

The DD Council

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is one of 56 entities of its type in the United States and territories that report to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration for Community Living. It is authorized under Public Law 106-402, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act Amendments of 2000. The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) makes funds available to fulfill its mission in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its Five-Year Strategic Plan https://gcdd.org/about/five-year-strategic-plan Through its funding, GCDD works to increase the capacities and resources of public and private nonprofit entities and others to develop a comprehensive community system that responds to the choices, capabilities and needs of persons with developmental disabilities and their families. The purpose of GCDD grants is to expand best practices and contribute to system-wide changes that support the rights of people with developmental disabilities and their full inclusion as community members. Recipients of GCDD grants are expected to be ongoing partners bringing about change. Our activities are governed by a 28-member board, appointed by the Governor and comprised of at least 60 percent individuals with developmental disabilities and family members. Other members include policymakers that represent various agencies and organizations having a vested interested in persons with developmental disabilities. GCDD serves as an advocate for all persons with developmental disabilities. We are charged with creating systems change for people with developmental disabilities and their families by increasing opportunities for independence, inclusion, integration, productivity and self-determination. Activities include public policy research and analysis, reform, project demonstrations, education and training. The GCDD is a state agency, attached to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) for administrative purposes.

Scope of Work- Request For Proposals

Research and Design: End the Transition Cliff

Council members identified self-advocacy and economic security as priorities for advancing self-determination among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This project will address the “transition cliff” by helping Georgians with IDD move from high school to competitive, integrated employment or continuing education, strengthening advocacy skills and economic opportunities that support self-determined, economically secure lives.

GCDD addresses this priority through GCDD's 5 Year Plan:

Goal 2: Self-Advocacy: By 2031, GCDD will support at least 1,000 Georgians with IDD to grow their advocacy and live self-determined, economically secure lives, through sustainable efforts designed to expand statewide.

The project will result in:
• An assessment of transition outcomes for Georgians with IDD who graduate from or complete high school, including transitions to competitive, integrated employment, continuing education, or no identified postsecondary plan.
• A step-by-step plan design that is informed by assessment findings and designed to strengthen pathways from high school to competitive, integrated employment or continuing education.
• Measurable strategies and outcomes that advance self-determination and economic security for Georgians with IDD.

2. Required Activities
The selected applicant shall perform the following activities:

A. Literature Review:
Conduct a literature review to identify research, evidence-based practices, emerging trends, promising approaches, and gaps related to transitioning individuals with IDD from high school to competitive, integrated employment or continuing education.

B. Environmental Scan and Gap Analysis:
Conduct an environmental scan and gap analysis of existing plans, services, resources, partnerships, and systems supporting transitions from high school to competitive, integrated employment or continuing education. Incorporate available transition outcome data for Georgians with IDD, including transitions to employment; competitive, integrated employment; continuing education; or no identified postsecondary plan. Identify strengths, gaps, barriers, promising approaches, emerging trends and opportunities for coordination, replication, adaptation, or modification, with consideration of cultural, geographic, and demographic differences. Findings will inform the plan design and recommendations.

C. Comprehensive List of Existing, Replicable and/or Modifiable Programs
Develop an inventory of existing programs that support the transition of Georgians with IDD from high school to competitive, integrated employment or continuing education. The inventory will assess plan components, populations served, reach, outcomes, costs and resources required, cultural competence, and potential for replication, adaptation, or modification; identify promising plans; and inform the plan design.

D. Community and Partner Engagement:
Conduct stakeholder consultations with schools, the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA), the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), people with IDD and their families, employers, postsecondary education providers, and other community services to identify needs, resources, barriers, and opportunities. Use findings to inform the design of a scalable and replicable plan that supports Georgians with IDD who graduate from or complete high school in transitioning to competitive, integrated employment or continuing education. When allowable, provide appropriate compensation to people with IDD and their family members for their time, expertise, and participation in stakeholder consultations.

E. Identifying Key Findings and Priorities
Synthesize findings from the literature review, transition outcome data, environmental scan and gap analysis, program inventory, and community and partner engagement. Identify key findings, priority needs, gaps, promising approaches, and opportunities related to transitions to competitive, integrated employment and continuing education. Identify the most significant factors that should be addressed through the program design by the research, data, and community input. Validate key findings and priorities with people with IDD, families, and relevant community and system partners.

F. Plan Design:
Develop a comprehensive plan and final recommendations based on findings from the literature review, environmental scan and gap analysis, existing plan inventory, stakeholder consultations, and transition outcome data. The final plan will define the target population; map the process and steps for implementation; identify measurable outcomes; delineate responsible agencies; determine evaluation measures; estimate implementation costs and resources required; outline a sustainability plan; and include recommendations for replication, scaling and statewide implementation. The plan will incorporate findings regarding the cultural, geographic, and demographic characteristics, needs, and experiences of the communities studied and provide guidance for culturally responsive implementation and adaptation.

3. Project Deliverables:

The selected applicant must:
• Develop all products and deliverables at approximately a sixth grade reading level and in plain language.
• Obtain meaningful input from people with I/DD and family members throughout the project.
• Participate in regular check-ins with GCDD program staff to discuss progress, findings, and emerging issues.
• Submit project outputs quarterly as part of the quarterly project reporting process. GCDD may request additional or interim outputs as needed throughout the project period.
• Clearly document sources, methods, community input, and findings used to develop recommendations.
• GCDD funds may not be used for direct services. The project must identify potential resources, partners, and funding strategies for future implementation.

4. Mandatory cultural expectations:
• Cultural knowledge and consideration of the communities being scanned.
• Cultural considerations of the gap analysis.
• Cultural considerations and guidance built into the final recommendations.

5. Qualifications
• Research experience, including data collection, and analysis.
• Knowledge of best practices related to competitive, integrated employment and postsecondary transitions for people with IDD.
• Experience with program research, program design, and program evaluation is preferred.

Application Guidelines & Instructions

Applications must be submitted online via https://www.ddsuite.org, prior to the published deadline. No hard copies will be accepted. Applicants must have or create a DD Suite user account and an organization account in order to submit an application. Go to https://www.ddsuite.org and click on "HELP TAB" for detailed instructions on creating DD Suite user and organization accounts. (See complete application process and Guide to DD Suite attached)
Additional Submission Requirements:

1) Upload of copy of the Federal W-9 (attached to this NoFA)
2) E-Verify Affidavit (attached to this NoFA)
3) 501c3 (if applicable)
4) Most recent audit including cover letter and findings OR Year to Date Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Statement (waived for universities)
5) Conflict of interest policy required
6) Procurement policy and/or procedure required
7) Insurance liability coverage certificate (waived for universities)
8) Letters of Recommendation (optional)
9) Resumes of Project Staff (optional)

Each proposal should be prepared simply and economically, avoiding the use of elaborate promotional materials (unless materials have been requested) beyond those sufficient to provide a complete presentation. If supplemental materials are a necessary part of the proposal, the Applicant should reference these materials in the technical proposal, identifying the document(s) and citing the appropriate section and page(s) to be reviewed.
Any proposal received after the due date and time will not be evaluated.

Evaluation Process
The evaluation of proposals received on or before the due date and time will be conducted in the following phases. Any proposal received after the due date and time will not be evaluated.

Administrative Review
The Program Manager will screen each proposal. The screening will consist of:
(1) determining if the Applicant is eligible to receive Council funds including determining if the Applicant meets eligibility requirements and is registered to do business in Georgia;
(2) the budget is within the funding limits and includes the required match;
(3) the application is complete and all sections in DD Suite have responses; and,
(4) the required forms are attached.

DD Suite will issue an automatic reply acknowledging receipt of your proposal immediately after successful submission.

NOFA Policies

Rejection of Proposals/Cancellation of NoFA

The State reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive any irregularity or informality in a proposal, and to accept or reject any item or combination of items; when to do so would be to the advantage of the State. It is also within the right of the State to reject proposals that do not contain all the elements and information requested in this document. The State reserves the right to cancel this NoFA at any time. The State will not be liable for any cost/losses incurred by the Applicants throughout this process.

NoFA Amendments

The State reserves the right to amend this NoFA prior to the proposal due date. All amendments and additional information will be posted to http://ddsuite.org Applicants are encouraged to check this website frequently.

Proposal Withdrawal

A submitted proposal may be withdrawn prior to the due date by a written request to the Grants Manager. A request to withdraw a proposal must be signed by an authorized individual.

Cost for Preparing Proposals

The cost for developing the proposal is the sole responsibility of the Applicant. The State will not provide reimbursement for such costs.

Conflict of Interest

If an Applicant has any existing client relationship that involves the State of Georgia, the Applicant must disclose each relationship.

Reciprocal Preference Law OCGA 50-5-60(b)

For the purposes of evaluation only, Applicants resident in the State of Georgia will be granted the same preference over Applicants resident in another State in the same manner, on the same basis, and to the same extent that preference is granted in awarding bids for the same goods or services by such other State Applicants resident therein over Applicants resident in the State of Georgia. NOTE: For the purposes of this law, the definition of a resident Applicant is one who maintains a place of business with at least one employee inside the State of Georgia. A post office box address will not satisfy this requirement.

ADA Guidelines

The State of Georgia adheres to the guidelines set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants should contact the Grants Manager at least 48 hours in advance if they require special arrangements when attending the Applicant's Conference. The Georgia Relay Center at 1-800-255-0056 (TDD Only) or 1-800-255-0135 (Voice) will relay messages, in strict confidence, for the speech and hearing impaired.


Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Requirements:

All applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) (https://sam.gov) and include a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in their application, unless exempt under 2 CFR §25.110(b) or (c) (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/section-25.110). If your entity is already registered in SAM.gov, your UEI is assigned and available in your registration record. If not, a UEI will be issued during the registration process (https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration).

Applicants must maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information throughout the application review period and for the duration of any federal award. The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities cannot issue an award until these requirements are met.