South Dakota Department of Social Services Kinship Specialist RFP19748 2026
South Dakota Department of Social Services | State of South DakotaState · Pierre, SD- Due
- Apr 24, 2026
- Deadline passed
- Posted
- Mar 13, 2026
- Contract term
- 1 year
- Primary contact
- Kirsten Blachford
The 30-second brief
The South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Child Protection Services (CPS), is soliciting proposals for Kinship Specialist services under RFP19748. The selected contractor will assist CPS in locating and engaging relatives and fictive kin to provide placement or maintain connections for children in care. The scope includes initial and ongoing kinship searches, assessments of physical and financial capacity of potential caregivers, and coordinating with tribal agents for ICWA compliance. Primary focus areas include Black Hills/Western South Dakota, Aberdeen, Brookings, Huron, and Mitchell, though services are required statewide. Proposals must be submitted as PDFs via Secured File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) by April 24, 2026. A non-mandatory Letter of Intent is requested by March 20, 2026.
Quarterly and End-of-Year Reports, Case assignment and task tracking, Documentation in FACIS, Detailed quarterly expenditure reports
Specialized expertise and technical competence, Resources available, Record of past performance, Availability to project locale, Familiarity with project locale, Proposed project management techniques, Cost proposal
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Summary
The South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Child Protection Services (CPS), is soliciting proposals for Kinship Specialist services under RFP19748.
The selected contractor will assist CPS in locating and engaging relatives and fictive kin to provide placement or maintain connections for children in care. The scope includes initial and ongoing kinship searches, assessments of physical and financial capacity of potential caregivers, and coordinating with tribal agents for ICWA compliance. Primary focus areas include Black Hills/Western South Dakota, Aberdeen, Brookings, Huron, and Mitchell, though services are required statewide. Proposals must be submitted as PDFs via Secured File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) by April 24, 2026. A non-mandatory Letter of Intent is requested by March 20, 2026.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
7- Specialized expertise and technical competence
- Resources available
- Record of past performance
- Availability to project locale
- Familiarity with project locale
- Proposed project management techniques
- Cost proposal
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
4- Quarterly and End-of-Year Reports
- Case assignment and task tracking
- Documentation in FACIS
- Detailed quarterly expenditure reports
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
5- Attachment A (Consultant Services Contract)
- Attachment B (Business Associate Agreement)
- Attachment C (Required IT Contract Terms)
- Attachment D (IT Security Policy)
- Attachment E (Cost Proposal Spreadsheet)
- Submit to
- Secured File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)
- Duration
- 48 months
- Scope location
- Pierre, SD
- Reported agency
- Department of Social Services, State of South Dakota
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from South Dakota Department of Social Services | State of South Dakota?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is April 24, 2026. The solicitation specifies required deliverables that must be addressed in your response. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: Secured File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). For questions, contact Kirsten Blachford.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including South Dakota Department of Social Services | State of South Dakota in SD, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Kirsten Blachford. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: Quarterly and End-of-Year Reports, Case assignment and task tracking, Documentation in FACIS, Detailed quarterly expenditure reports. Proposals should clearly address how each deliverable will be met.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Specialized expertise and technical competence, Resources available, Record of past performance, Availability to project locale, Familiarity with project locale, Proposed project management techniques..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from South Dakota Department of Social Services | State of South Dakota?
All active and historical solicitations from South Dakota Department of Social Services | State of South Dakota are tracked and searchable. As a state agency, South Dakota Department of Social Services | State of South Dakota regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
What is the contract term for this solicitation?
The anticipated contract term is 1 year. Contract terms may include renewal options.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: Attachment A (Consultant Services Contract), Attachment B (Business Associate Agreement), Attachment C (Required IT Contract Terms), Attachment D (IT Security Policy), Attachment E (Cost Proposal Spre. Review the full document from South Dakota Department of Social Services | State of South Dakota for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Pierre, SD. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.